Kat announced in Fb that she’s bored and being the nice and kaladkarin friend that I am, I replied, “Tara! Columns!” :p

There were no available tables in Starbucks and I wasn’t in the mood to eat healthy (Faburrito), so we went to Red Engine Diner. It’s my first time to eat there. It occupies the spot where Joey Pepperoni used to be.

We had Fish and Fries (225php) and Mango Shrimp Salad (269php). I liked the former because the fish was thick, the coating was crispy, and the sauces were flavorful. The latter was so-so. The honey mustard dressing was too sweet.

I’m going back to try their other dishes, like Hot Prawn Salad and Baby Back Ribs with Hickory Sauce.

—–

listening to: Alicia Keys – Girl On Fire

When I think of Guijo St. in San Antonio Village, the first thing that pops into my head is a
rock joint. It was only a couple of weeks ago when I found out that there is another place in that street where I can go to when I want to drink.

Dug-Out Kitchen and Tap is a small restobar that serves beer, hard liquor, grilled food, pasta and some other dishes. The menu isn’t extensive maybe because it’s a fairly new place. I had the Grilled Pork Belly (180php) and a glass of Jack and Coke (90php). Enzo had a Double  Jack and Coke so that’s 180? Hehe, you do the math.

The pork was perfectly grilled and delicious and big! The veggie side dish was sorta weird. I don’t know if it’s sauteed or slightly pickled.  The drink, well… it tasted like what it’s supposed to taste like, although I would have liked it stronger.

I’m happy I have another walking-distance-tambay-place apart from TJ Grill and Wingman! =)

—–

Dug-Out Kitchen and Tap
Guijo cor Sacred Heart St
San Antonio, Makati
(02) 899-5997

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listening to: Eraserheads – Pare Ko

Another coffee place that I go to is K.S. Coffee Stop. It’s right at the corner of Kamagong St and Pasong Tamo in San Antonio Village, Makati.

{dinner and dessert with my friend Jeeves}

The last time I was there, I had their Taro Shake (55php) and Potato Almond Cake (85php). Jeeves had the Kazatziki Rice Meal (120php).

Jeeves liked his food. He said, “It’s good!” maybe 4 times. Hahaha! So shempre, naniwala naman ako. I liked the taro drink. It’s a less sweet and less purple version of Quickly’s Taro Ice. The cake was delicious and had lots of nuts. It would have made me happier if it were moist.

{KS menu}

Other items of theirs that I like: Arrabiatta Pasta, Cappuccino Viennese, and Salpicao.

KS Coffee Stop has free wi-fi which is relatively fast. The waitstaff is quick and friendly. The only thing I don’t like about this place is the smoking area because it’s noisy there. The Chino Roces traffic will surely distract you. Good thing I don’t smoke anymore. Bwahahahah!

If you want to grab a couple of beers or listen to an acoustic set, you can hop to Clump, the newly-opened restobar beside it.

{mandatory vanity shot}

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listening to: Pink Floyd – Time

{my muni-muni drink}

Been hanging at Starbucks because of 2 reasons:

1. Starbucks Columns is the nearest coffee shop to my place. My “muni-muni afternoons” are back so yes, it’s me with my journal and a caffeinated drink again. :p

2. For the first time, I want a Starbucks planner. Coz what the heck, I’m gonna frequent Starbucks so might as well!

{Peppermint Mocha, Toffee Nut Latte, Dark Cherry Mocha and my Starbucks Christmas Traditions card}

Among these 3 holiday beverages, Toffee Nut Latte is my favorite, followed by Peppermint Mocha. I don’t care at all for the Dark Cherry Mocha. I have yet to try the hot versions of these drinks.

I need 9 stickers from the Holiday Featured Beverages, so yeah, I definitely will try the hot or iced versions.

A venti drink costs 180php, btw.

{special smileys}

And let me just say that I love the baristas in Starbucks Columns! They’re all so friendly and nice and they let me draw smileys and whatnots on my cup without casting  judgmental looks!

—–

listening to: Ella Fitzgerald – Baby, It’s Cold Outside

SMS conversation with the frenemy…

Dave: Hot pot tayo. Sa Lao Tian.
Me: Lao Tian? Saan ‘yon?
Dave: Pampanga
*after 5 mins*
Me: Hayop. Sa Malate kaya ‘yon! I googled it!
Dave: Eh alam mo naman pala eh.
Me: Mali kasi ang spelling mo. Ang tagal ko tuloy nag-google! It’s LAU CHAN. Not Lao Tian.
Dave: That’s in Fukien.

Nyahahaha! And so we went to this hot pot place in Malate. I was excited to find out if the good reviews will match my judgment. :p

{Dave choosing the ingredients * sauce essentials – minced garlic, chopped chili, soy sauce and sate sauce * Saturday night Chinese and Filipino customers}

This Chinese hole-in-the-wall has a checklist of what you would like to put in your pot. We got sliced fat beef, leeks, watercress, spinach, dumplings, fishballs (with cheese inside), squid paste, golden mushrooms, and tofu. All were cooked in spicy sambal-sate broth. A word of caution from Dave: don’t have more than 5 bowls unless you would like to suffer the consequences of MSG.

{the magic of shabu shabu}

I listened to his advice because apart from MSG will most def give me an instant headache, I had to make space for the free tea, Coke (a must have when the food is salty/spicy), and the yang chow fried rice.

Ended up having 3 bowls + 2 cups of rice. Sarap! Loved that the meat and veggies were all fresh. My favorite were the beef, tofu, and fishballs with cheese. If you’re gonna get the fishballs, make sure that you slice it first to let it cool a bit.  But hey, if you wanna burn your tongue, go ahead. :p Think xiao long bao.  It’s a good idea that we did not put corn and noodles anymore. The food was for good for 4 people. Ahem. Hindi kami matakaw (si Dave lang pala), we had 1/3 wrapped as pasalubong for our friend Kat who we met for coffee after.

{hole in the wall decor*roast chicken*gentleman’s club}

I recommend Lau Chan to those who don’t want to spend a fotrtune on pigging out and have no qualms eating in places with linoleum floors. Bring your whole barkada so :p

Lau Chan Shabu-Shabu & Fast Foods is located at 1664-1666 A. Mabini St, Malate, Manila. It’s right beside Yue Lai Seafood Shabu-Shabu and across a gentlemen’s club, at least according to Dave. 

Parking may be a problem, so try to be there an earlier than the usual eating hours.

{See you again soon!}

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listening to: Black Sabbath – Iron Man