One Proud Mama

One proud Mama & Galileo Enotica .. By Aly Abaquin

My mom and i like food and we share the taste of good food so when i was in manila and before i left for Saigon, Vietnam or Ho Chi Minh city (HCMC) i dated my good old proud mama to Galileo enoteca ( phone number 534-4633 for reservations).

A wine cellar and italian resto in one. We started the diner with a freshly baked bread and red wine with cheese and cold cuts as appetizers. Galileo Enoteca's interiors are of a vintage wine cellar in brown reddish brick colors and the table and chairs in good old oak very hard and not good for seating long hours but the food is very Italian. You are transported to Italy and beside that Mandaluyong enclave as if the vineyards are right beside you and waiting for our Host to show the finest wine and grapes freshly picked at the vineyards and are stored in oak barrels below the bricks enclave... sort off.....

But the bricks and the venus mural gave me and my mom the feel of the Sopranos dining here... But we enjoyed the company due to the fact the diner we are having is totally free at that. Given by Munch punch for your foodie eater outer me.

Free diner and fine dining at that what a wonderful feeling to be bonding with your Proud Mama.... The food is exquisite and the spaghetti and penne is al dente and the red wine perfect... I shall return good food finds plus the finest cheese selection & great wine represents Galileo Enoteca. Kudos to the friendly staff and very accomodating i wish they have soft chairs for the oldies...

Now back in Saigon HCMC...... I see pizza hut not quite the Italian fare i'm craving for... but in downtown area will i see a Galileo enotica replica will see on my days off i usually stroll my feet towards the gastronomical Vietnam/ HCMC limelight.
and i also do competative watch on the cafes since we are brewing something of the italian kind that is....See if the HCMC has italian fare that will titilate my taste and senses...

Toast to my mom who is by the way 84 years old and still spunky.....;) as i bid her for a new journey of sorts in Saigon....HCMC....;)

Here comes the sun in Saigon/HCMC

Here comes the sun in Saigon / HCMC.

Okey all foodies out there your friendly foodie junkie- me have pics to share of this very colorful city called Ho Chi Minh City which is now a second home for me since i'm working here... so no escape but my sunny disposition will surely make the locals smile.. by the way i am the only one who is larger and at the most BIGGER than all the population whose waist line is from 26 to 32... WOW!!!

Good thing there are taller even larger tourist scattered in the metro and talking to them is quite releaving at times.... Enough said my pics would say all the feelings i have about this historic Saigon now known as Ho Chi Minh City. Loving it here and the looking forward to uplifting the biz of my employer... i know i'll do a great job of growing it here.. sunny Saigon or HCMC.....for that matter.

HCMC's BANH MI a French culinary legacy

HCMC’s BANH MI sandwich a French culinary legacy.
By Aly Abaquin

The Six inch Banquette for only 10,000 Dong roughly .80 cents not even a dollar Vietnamese sandwich is a must try to the adventurous tourist.

This Banh Mi sandwich is eaten everyday during breakfast by the locals. The Banh Mi little food stalls on wheels /shop are scattered in all of Ho Chi Minh City and in the outskirts. The carts are made of wood and is being pushed by the locals specially in crowded places for Breakfast treats… I was also amaze on how the concoction was a spicy surprised.

The Unique sandwich- the Banh Mi is the genius fusion of French and Vietnamese flavors. When the French occupied Vietnam, they not only changed street names, they introduced the baguette. And your friendly foodie who looks at the cheapest eats in HCMC found out that this Banh Mi works wonders and the locals stuffed the baguette with mayonnaise, cucumbers, pickled carrots and jicama, cilantro, chili peppers, soy sauce and an assortment of hams and meats.

Though the French soon left Vietnam, but the Banh Mi stayed. And this culinary treasure sure brings delight and joyous smile to the tourist and locals alike.

I like my Banh Mi and the veggies that comes with it but easy on the spice…
Good for my diet too. The Vietnamese Banh mi is surely a culinary treasure! ;)

Pandesal memoirs/ My PANDETRIC

PANDESAL Memoirs/ my pande tric.. by aly abaquin

What i miss when i wake up in HCMC is my Pandesal being delivered to our new manila Home every 6am by Manong Eldie Distor.. I called it my pandetric- pandesal on tricycle....... he lives in Lot 3 11 th st New manila and goes on the neighborhood to deliver every pandesal he got- that soft bun freshly baked that goes well with Goat cheese and butter, Hmmmmp.... But now I'm in Ho Chi Ming City... i get my Baguette OOOOHHHH Very Frenchy baquette from a local KIM vendor near Hong HA.. my new home. not a bad subsitute... French baquette anyone. An influence by the french when they colonized vietnam.... i think wait wheres my history books.... ????? ;)

Ho Chi Minh City's Pho 2000

Ho Chi Mih City Pho 2000
By Aly abaquin

Okey folks i'm back from the Saigon city. Its been a month almost that your foodie cheap eater has been exploring the Saigon Skylights and here are the finds of the HCMC kind.

Pho 2000 claim to fame is that Bill Clinton and his daughter dined here and they been posted in their mural ever since 2000.

Nothing spectacular on the decor nothing cool about the interiors but its just fun and casual dining every locals and tourist alike likes in the city that herds of motorcyclist at least half of its population owns one or even two....

If only you can hear and see them go in and out of the city...... Wow A herd of wilderbeast frenzied motorcycles i never seen before only in Saigon do you have such locals driving into the highways in two wheelers- Harley Davidson should live here.

He'll get the high of seeing this very colorfuul city of Saigon now being called Ho Chi Minh City a booming city and turning capitalist.

So your friendly foodie like me took the road less traveled and leads it readers to Pho 2000... a gastronomical look at Vietnamese cuisine.... The Curry veggies and chickhen is a must plus the porkchops is a must try. Your meals start at $2 to $4 not bad so when in Saigon get to taste Pho 2000 as what Bill Clinton did and daughter. You'll question why? where is Hillary??? .. hmmp doing her campaign i think... Well i wish her luck in her bid to the presidency...

Bill like me is also a cheap eater foodie too, he he he.... Next write-up a fun Goldfish takes it swim in HCMC.... meals less than a $$$$ dollar.. great finds continue in this very colorful saigon country surely KIM would approved of the local delicacies.... till next week... Tam biet..( good bye) for now...
Vietnamese cuisine a great way to taste HCMC... till next write up....

HELLO SAIGON!!!

Dear FOODIE Friends,

"There comes that mysterious meeting in life when someone
acknowledges who we are and what we can be, igniting the circuits of our highest
potential." -Rusty Berkus

My Faith in God,the tenacity to believe that there is something
great out there for me and of course your friendship had made me stronger
to walk the road called life....

As i embark on my new life in Saigon- Vietnam. I will always be
grateful to all you friends who have love, influenced and help me through
the years.....

All of you-i am forever grateful....

Now that I've tasted manila, Hello Saigon, Bangkok, India, Malaysia and
Cambodia.....

GERRY’s GRILL: … A PINOY FOOD FIESTA STYLE for only P 1,500 for 5.

GERRY’s GRILL: … A PINOY FOOD FIESTA STYLE for only P 1,500 for 5.
by ALY ABAQUIN

It’s an amazing feeling of overflowed happiness that you get when you share your foodie experiences with others. That burst of laughter and celebratory feeling once you are with friends-That will surely marks one’s visit to our country VERY MEMORABLE.

That is what this Resto is all about. Friends getting together in a very homey place.

I’m thumbs up to Gerry’s Grill as a friend from New Jersey had been addicted and
in-fact enamored by it in his span of a week stay here.

Finishing our tour and photo-op in the ABS CBN Big brother house.
He noticed in the corner of Tomas Morato the familiar sign of you know what???- GERRY’s GRILL… Yup-its the same resto in Trinoma but a little bigger.
I told my friends he was hooked with the GRILL THING… so its our time to treat the guy. But wait no time to go to the nearest ATM.. and with 1,500 budget this friends of mine really left me to order what he would like…and since I’m good at cheap eats but great food kidda thing I was head on serious with the role...and...

Since I know him better a-HALF PINOY DIBA.. so enough of the grillery food he always have back home and lets get his heart stopping Pinoy food on the table.

DEVILISHLY plotting that he should taste pinoy food once in a while and GO NATIVE... so to speak…

Why not entertain him the PINOY way of celebrating friendship. And set the place for a surprise… A PINOY FOOD FIESTA STYLE for only P 1,500 for 5.

I ordered for 2 servings of that PUSONG ADOBO (P140each) P 280,CRISPY PATA P390, SISIG P157,BAKED SCALLOPS. P165 - My favorite!!!,300gTUNA BELLY P225 and CALAMARES P 135 with drinks of Bottomless Iced TeaP66, Buko Juice P 55, San Mig light P 39.00 + VAT and the other two took water… hehehe…GRAND TOTAL P 1,511.00 Not bad for FAB 5 and to top it all no service charge..

Its really value for money. Enough said what about the taste….

The Pusong adobo is abodo rice wrapped in banana leaves –feeling your eating your BINALOT days in the province and the Chicken and pork adobo is imbedded inside the steamy brown rice. YUMMMY…farmers food never tasted so good.

The Scallops are my favorite which is baked and on top-overload of cheddar cheese and the taste is sweet and the scallops are freshly brought to Manila from Davao.

The Cripy Pata is THUMBS UP!!! Crispier to the touch and much delightfully crunchier while dipped in vinegar and soy sauce with chopped onions, garlic and sili as floaters. The Tuna belly is succulent and very delicious- grilled comfort food indeed plus the SISIG is heart stopping wonderfully served in hot plate… Grabe sa RAPSA….The Calamares very chewy though but great appetizers while waiting...

As silence filled the air we noticed that no one was saying a thing.. Then laughter beamed as our tummies are literally full. BUSOG na BUSOG!!!

The Jersey guy was asking if they have branches in the states I think so… he just dreams that this resto should be in New Jersey soon….

AGAIN… VALUE MEAL FIESTA STYLE!!! DELUXED!!! You bet your bottom dollar I Did it my way… Gerry’s Grill is no doubt a proud KAPAMILYA AT KAPUSO!!!

3 Gerry's Grill,A Jersey guy,me and friends

3 Gerry’s Grill, a man from jersey, me and friends.
By Aly Abaquin


It was freaking cold last week of valentine’s that’s a bit weird as we are told by PAG-ASA- the weather bureau in the P.I. it’s only the cold front.. Okey good thing since I’ll be a companion for a day of a friend from new Jersey who happen to dropped by manila for a quick week long trip and who invited me for a lunch out of town to Tagaytay.

He insisted that we go. But for me I was to tired to go out of town. And this guy friend of mine is the likes of a.ka. the Bobby Flay friend of mine who likes to grill stuffs in his new jersey digs.

I remember that Sunday afternoon grills at his crib when I spent time in jersey that summery June. He knows a thing or two about grilling…. So I met him up and we went to Trinoma the newest mall near my new manila residence to tour him of our emerging MALL-ECONOMY that is…and bet you I’ve convince him to stay put since lunch weather at where we at is pretty cooler and the breeze touches your face like a kiss HMMMP good INTROO… and diversion so instead of going to Tagaytay that is hours away and due to my prodding and vivacious talkativeness.

I recommended that he try and take a look at this casual fun resto… so we have a beautiful scenic lunch in GERRY’s GRILL in Trinoma. Good thing we have our seats in al fresco area overlooking verdant hills from afar. And not bad for mimicking TAGAYTAY…and the weather -good airy and with a whip of cold swaying air touches your head now and then…. He smiled as our lunch was being served we ordered the Chickhen Kebab and the Mussels in spicy sauce and two iced tea and two garlic rice and a buko pandan. Since he is FILAM by the way and likes what he tasted and was so surprised as the dish- the mussels are really fresh and spicy with its chopped siling labuyo (Chili), toasted garlic, onions leaks and special spicy ketchup concoction of Soy sauce, sugar and ketchup - was a great lunch combi with the Chunky Chicken skewered in sticks with mushrooms, onions and green and red pepper grilled to perfection was appetisingly gorgeous plus as if he grilled it himself.

He confessed he like what he see and tasted. So while munching and drinking my way out of lunch we immersed ourselves of the times I’ve spent in jersey city and how I done a side job a “day” at the Baby gap store for a while then decided that I need to go to cape cod and try out Black Dog in Martha’s Vineyard so on with our delightful lunch conversation till we notice that its already 3pm….

Talk, talk and lunch was superb and the servers are at tentative. Good and to top it all. Our bill is just P 500++ pesos,as I peek-ka boo at the receipt that is since this jersey guy is footing the bill…. Great food. Great Price value for money indeed..

But wait he like it so much that he wanted more I told him later for dinner since we need to tour him in Trinoma and later a stop over ABS CBN since he like to see the Big Brother house… Gerry’s grill is indeed a place where friendship is forged again and a place to simmer good conversation.

Up next Jersey guy got hook with Gerry’s grill 3 times over….. wait till we met our barkada at Gerry’s grill Tomas Morato… he really like what he tasted…what can we do... ibigay and hilig... 2nd stop Gerry's Grill Tomas Morato..

A DeLiCiOuS MRT RiDe

A delicious MRT ride.
By Aly Abaquin

I've tasted and tried to experience the MRT (Metro Rail Transit)again. Going to Ayala for my appointments that is … and its been a welcome and humbling experience to see people in the rush going to their own psychedelic lives.

It was a thrill and the same time an eye opener. Firstly it was a welcome respite and it was conveniently fast to go to Ayala and then just walk down and take a cab then fly....

As a freelance Marketing Consultant my schedules are erratic and sometimes very hellish....It was always a ritual of sorts to go to Ayala MAKATI - first need to navigate the Makati traffic then play look for a parking routine. Then hail a cab for you to take you to the nearest Salcedo, Legaspi or Greenbelt due to the fact that your car is being baby sitted by the parking attendant -for that precious parking space and taking it out -You'll be thrown into the asphalt jungle of Makati and be open prey to Crocodile cops or take that chance for a 3 hours side parking kidda thing.. towing peek-a boo nightmare - sort of now you see you car now you don’t kindda thing then pay a horrendous fee.….. GRRRGGGGG!!!

After experiencing that routine for the past years why not take the damn MRT since the car is now in the hospital so to speak….

So solution..for a month take the MRT and be innovative with your meeting schedules.

As I did it was inconvenient at first but sooner it tasted to be a good relief to hear and be near people again...and see people from all walks of life. It never seem to be so deliciously incredible to be near and feel the pulse of different kinds of people….. Been driving alone so long…..I think…

So experience the ride again… as I did deliciously tasted the ride of life.

Unique Ice T glass

Unique iced T glass
By Aly Abaquin

As i was doing my research in the comforts of Jon's house- my brother by the way was serving tea to my amazement it's in salsa jars- okey unique recycling, but smart .... gave me the idea of using it to friends who will drop by... He used it due to the fact that there is no decent glass in his house.he he he... He sure did scrubbed off those salsa taste or else i will be one hot tamales....

... back to researching that Blue ocean strategy-that unique marketing communication plans that will show me the money.... oki doki....

Aly's Vietnam style Breakfast

ALY's Vietnam style Breakfast:SUMAN & KAPENG BARAKO IN MANGKOK.

By Aly Abaquin

I woke up early today in preparation for my clients materials: Regine's/ Le space Kerastase- MKTG papers + ILLY cafe presentation and interview this coming Feb 20,2008.

This account will change my life so to speak due to i might be in Vietnam the rest of the year. I'm positive and I've claimed it to be since i believe in the product and fell in love with it remember....

I like this job of mine really until.....My creativity was on a stand still what now aly!!! what will i present to the CHAIRMAN that will blow them away and leave a marking impression that I Aly can be their Marketing Manager/Business Manager.

What communication/Business plans will i discuss....I was on my toes but with writers block can't think right ....until this suman arrive. HALLELUIA...

The suman is always brought to us by this lady fresh from antipolo only my mom knows her name due to the fact that i am not an early riser during weekends so no chance to meet her... Body clock i supposed.

Well anyways the suman steamed over banana leaves and it is of green color with its sticky rice cake consistency and sprinkled with sugar and fresh grated coconut that is eaten with kapeng barako from batangas. AND TAKE NOTE ONLY P 10.00 for two pieces.
WOW !!!! the cheapest breakfast ever...

Above is the picture i took for inspiration and to treasure -take note of some vietnam/chinese flavor to the setting...

I've put it in a white square plate beside two antique blue and white china egg holder which i bought years ago from Hong Kong then put my kapeng barako in a Mangkok for my version of that hug mug appeal..... really very experiential.

My MOM was surprised of the set-up and enjoyed every minute of our unique breakfast together....:) bonding with her is always fun.... she's 84 years old and still kicking by the way...

My creativity went back in full swing. Thank God for that. I need to rush to makati and go to my bro's condo to borrow our shared laptop..... for that presentation of the century I cook up something in my interview so that ILLY CHairman can remember me by... all smiles...i will succeed!

Of i go... see you in Saigon....

SOLIHIYA: ALY's Taste test of G5 resto

ALY’s DISH - THE TASTE TEST OF G5 RESTO CHALLENGE continues….

2nd stop : Solihiya. Let’s find out… if Solihiya is worth your Benjamins baby….

After the past few days of Chinese New Year parties and ushering in the brand new year of the Rat. My palette was ready for any simple dish I could intake for lunch. And since I had a Makeover Fashion shoot Gig in AYALA MAKATI last Feb 12, 2008....and since it’s near G5. I made a mad dash for lunch and remembered I need to check out this resto called :SOLIHIYA.

When I was a kid I was always a “ tag along” by my Dad who loves eating Chinese in the Resto “estero” of Old Binondo and in Ma Moon Luk in Cubao with its own kind of cafeterias/ pacinterias – the noise, crowd, steamy/smelly dimsums, siopao and pancit that until now remains in my consciousness. I love Binondo but due to the excruciating traffic, parking problem and busy lifestyle- no time to go there.
But wait...if you like to eat out in Binondo minus the hassle try this newest resto Solihiya in G5.

“ SOLIHIYA is a weave of different flavors that has shaped Filipino cuisine” Its a Traditional Pinoy + Chinoy comfort food that are mystically woven together.

The menu speaks of HOTOTAY a old time Ongpin favorite soup, assorted HALO (Lechon Kawali and Pata hamon crunchy and chewy dynamic duo!)cold cuts with Solihiya’s own cold cuts sauce and intersperse with Binagoongan belly and Pata Tim.

How I love to partake on this sumptuous dishes but bearing in mind I have only P 300 pesos lunch money for my own version of TASTE TESTING G5 Challenge. I need to pick something I like. So since I like dory fish, I’ve chosen their Steamed Dory Fish with soy sesame oil sauce to give my arteries a rest from last weeks KUNG HEI FAT CHOI celebrations.

THE FEEL: It's Contemporary Tropical-Urban. The interior design presented an elemental style that delights in nature. It made use of natural materials-like wood,rattan,marble and bamboo. The high ceiling dining area overlooking lush green bamboos swaying and the use of tightly woven light colored solihiya chairs paired with pressed brown bamboo laminated tables against off-white almost cream walls then accented with colorful old Chinese poster ads- gives us the glimpse of old Binondo but with a modern 20th century sensual yet practical zen like atmosphere.

English please again... It has the Binondo ancestry with a hip and modern attitude. A new kid in the block kindda thing.

THE FOOD : You’ll be surprised the server serves you three kinds of appetizers FOR FREE!!! Hard Boiled Quail eggs floating in sugarcane vinegar garnish with chopped green and red tomatoes underneath sliced cucumbers are sweet and tangy. It’s just right.

The pickled singkamas is stoically white and while the freshly made crispy candied spicy dilis is crunchier in every bite. Are great starters while waiting for Nemo’s friend to appear. For only P 210 .The Steamed Dory Fish is relatively simple but utterly wonderful, fresh and succulent-amazing indeed: SPA FOOD ANYONE? :)

Enjoy the beautiful clean fish swimming in its soy sesame oil sauce and steamed with julienned ginger and onion leaks. The dish brought a satisfied hush to this talkative foodie and is discerning to the most discriminating taste palette.

THE PRICE: The food are reasonably price.

THE SERVICE: Cheerful and helpful servers.

Overall: Solihiya is indeed a conglomeration of the Filipino and Chinese cuisine. It’s so woven tastefully with modern and hip vibe of the 20th century.
Good Food! Good eats! I shall return.

DAMASO: ALY's TASTE TEST Challenge of G5

DAMASO's $8 dollar/P300 pesos TASTE TEST CHALLENGE in G5
By: Aly Abaquin

Let us see if the Restaurants in G5 is ready for a fun challenge- A P300 PESOS/ $8 DOLLARS ($1:P42) DINNER DISH CHALLENGE of my kind that is.

As a foodie my mantra is GOOD FOOD! CHEAP EATS!
Here’s a TASTE TEST, so to speak…..

First Stop : Pia y Damaso

THE FEEL : If Marie Antoinette is to be exiled in our lovely tropical island- she would feel comfortable and at home in Restorante Pia y Damaso. The interior is a Colonial Contemporary Baroque with tropical flair- that’s just what I felt when I dined here.

English please…as you enter the grand enclave you would notice chandeliers, pattern of floral/rounded- swirl in the chairs and ornate seating which are prominent as decorative motifs. Baroque impulse found its way to some extent into the details of the interior and exterior such as the architecturally black and white ornate edifice welcoming you plus evoking a feel of tropical flair with the use of rattan chairs inside.

OPULENCE in a fine way. The resto is so small in size that is to difficult to navigate when you dine.

Your personal bubble is invaded when you choose to take the long comfy bench. Why may I say this- coz if you are seated in the bench you are but a few centimeters from the other tables and you can hear the gossipy matriarchs chopping away. The table is also to big inside.

Maurice Arcache I hope I got his surname right- will surely love to be in my seat. I am not eaves dropping mind you but due to the closeness -you can hear your seatmates whisper juicy gossips of the Manila’s elite society… here goes a certain ambassador was cruel to their ALIPING SAGIGILID and a high profile businessman is philandering a demented SISA. QUE HORROR!!!

And this is being mouthed by a regal bearing matriarch with coiffeur head gear and impeccably dressed with astonishingly mother of pearl matching earrings and necklace.

I told you so.... Marie Antoinette and her court will be regulars here.

Don’t fret more seating outside but wishing free Anahaw fans are to be given away for this INDIO with Maharlika lineage( yeah dream on aly) will perspire in this humid country of ours.

THE FOOD : As a INDIO of course I have only P 300 pesos to spare so pick the best dish..

Remember this is ALY’s DISH - THE TASTE TEST OF G5 RESTO CHALLENGE.

I’ve picked the Chicken Parian – the new level of culinary delight- a modern but rustic take on HAINAISE CHICKEN style a pretty simple dish that appeals to everyone. Its simple but taste great.

Pristinely white steamed chicken with sticky brown rice, Chinese sausage, chestnut, mushrooms and ham for only P275. Every bite and swallow has texture but I wish for a chunkier Chinese sausage and chestnuts for that chewy experience. And add a mango chutney perhaps for that little sting. Well that only arty bitsy me.

Elaborate background but this dish is stunningly minimalist.

THE PRICE : The menu is a little bit pricey. Shake alone go up for P200 a piece.
While the main dish is from P 275 to P500 not good to share.

THE SERVICE: Informative and helpful servers.

I vowed to come back with more money and taste their dessert: SISA’s dementia is a truffle cake with white chocolate almond pastille, dark chocolate mousse and ganache. P 160 VERY APPEALING and soon I’ll be looking for Crispin and Basilio.

OVERALL: Honestly DAMASO is worth going back for if you want to splurge and if you like your dinner spiced up with gossip that is.

Thought bubble: Imagine what power lunches had been served here… and juicy secrets mouthed in their nook and cranny... HMMMM.....deliriously intrigues… Enough said….
I need to brush up on my NOLI and EL FILI….. ADIOS…

Greenbelt 5: BRAVO FILIPINO

Greenbelt 5: BRAVO FILIPINO
By Aly Abaquin

Only in the Philippines that we have malls sprouting like mushrooms and we Filipinos have the penchant to go “malling” – please welcome Greenbelt 5.

I had the opportunity last Sunday Feb. 10, 2008 to stroll and discover thru my own version of window shopping – this newest addition to the world class mall that is Greenbelt in Ayala Makati.

Greenbelt 5 is a fusion of Philippine art, culture and fashion. It is considered the premium lifestyle center in the Philippines. It’s quite intimidating at first but once you get to feel and walk through its marbled corridors you get to feel at ease. Making you feel like a million bucks.

Be one of the rich and famous who wine and dine + shop in this prestigious mall. Living it up that is!

In fact this is the only mall that celebrates Filipino’s ingenuity and has moved to honor the movers and shakers of Philippine art, culture, fashion and music through a series of events called : BRAVO FILIPINO – the brainchild of Ayala chairman emeritus Jaime Zobel de Ayala.

So how can a bargain eater-outer foodie –“me” be able to survive in G5.

Is there a good food find lurking behind this very glamorous, cultural and artsy mall?

Let us see if the Restaurants in G5 is ready for a fun challenge- A P300 PESOS/ $8 DOLLARS ($1:P42) DINNER DISH CHALLENGE of my kind that is.

As a foodie my mantra is GOOD FOOD! CHEAP EATS!

LET'S TASTE TEST THE RESTO of G5!

MY ILLY STORY: My love affair with Illy at M café

MY ILLY STORY: My love affair with Illy at M café
By: Aly Abaquin

My love affair with the Illy coffee brand started a year ago when I was actually waiting patiently for a business meeting in one of the best and amazing Art/Culture hip place in Makati- The M cafe which is situated right beside the Ayala Museum.

It was a late afternoon meeting wherein the sunset is about to give its rays a rest after overcastting it lights on M Cafe’s massive glass panels.

Mind you the place is not hot but comfortably cooler in Manila’s humid atmosphere.
I love the manner of how the M cafe welcome its patrons with clean modern lines that is artistically accommodating while the impeccable minimalist interiors hugs you as you enter the premises.

I feel like in MOMA in New York that unforgettable AHA factor again as
I reminisce my days in New York and enjoying the art and culture of the city that never sleeps- Cosmopolitan MANHATTAN but in humid but equally energetic Greenbelt in Ayala Makati.

I immediately ordered for espresso since I’m a little bit loopy. I need a kick of some sort to regain my energy level since I’m presenting a Marketing plan.

And being “low bat” (Filipino term for Low energy) is not a way to go.

The server after brewing the best espresso- presented to me a cup of Illy that is highly aromatic and elegantly exciting in a clear white ceramic cup. That’s not all -on its side is a CHOC- NUT. A little surprise very Filipino indeed.

The smell is enticing and while drinking my Illy coffee sip by sip - It becomes an intense experience as in many ways to partake my brown, bittersweet and sinful infatuation of the decadent espresso from the Arabica bean.-

Love at first sip I supposed.

“By the way espresso or more properly known as caffé espresso refers to the concentrated flavourful “essence” brewed from the beans.” The amount of coffee used is roughly 2/3 the amount used for a single serving of drip coffee, but with far less water.

I’m not an expert in coffee but only a passionate coffee aficionado.

And one sip I immediately transported to coffee heaven, the pleasure you get from every sip is sensationally satisfying.

ILLY -I am mesmerized with your quality and beauty, and you engage in all my senses which cultivates and inspire my creativity along with your perfect cup.

I AM TRULY IN LOVE! I told myself.... not only that I am also forever grateful for I did clench a business deal that eventful day.

My love affair with Illy -just started.....till we meet again....Ciao... ;)