Thursday, May 30, 2013

Bridal Shower Dinner at Watami

My friend D + L tied the knot in the beautiful Caleruega Chapel in Nasugbu, Batangas last May 18. But before I share to you how fun the wedding was, let me tell you a little secret my girl friends and I did a week before L's big day.

Together with three more friends, we all met up at the Mall of Asia for dinner. Since we really had no plans for that early evening, I suggested for us to dine at Watami Japanese Restaurant. We were famished but still mindful that the wedding is in a few days time so we should be watching what we eat or it would be impossible to fit into the gowns we are supposed to wear.

On the table

Watami Salad - Php350.00 (Full)

My second favorite Salad in Watami (Ramen Salad still tops my list) is named as such -- Watami Salad. It actually felt like I was eating my main course because the Chicken strips and Shrimp were overflowing! The vegetables were really fresh as well.

Crispy Chicken Wings - Php195.00

I was being health-conscious (for that particular week at least) so I passed on this Crispy Chicken Wings. My friends said it was good which was evident on the bones I saw on their plates a good few minutes after.

Pizza Topped with Teriyaki Chicken - Php275.00

Whenever we dine at Watami, the staff always recommends for us to try their Pizza but we were always glued to their Sushi and Sashimi. This time around, the girls decided to order the one with the Teriyaki Chicken and it was really delicious!

Beef Sukiyaki - Php365.00

Another must-try in Watami is their Beef Sukiyaki. I love that it had lots of Golden Mushrooms and the broth was not overly sweetened.

Cold Soba - Php195.00

While the girls had the Beef Pepper Rice, I settled with the Cold Soba thinking I'd be eating less carbs compared to them. But lo and behold! Me, myself and I finished the entire serving while they shared one stone-pot full for the four of them!

The calm before the storm.

After dinner, the girls and I drove to the place where the big girls and gays frequent. But I would spare you the details since this blog is intended for readers of all ages.

What happens that night, stays that night! *wink*

~o~o~o~

Watami
2L Entertainment Mall, SM Mall of Asia
Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Tel.: (632) 836-7141

Monday, May 27, 2013

Camp Benjamin

Our quest for the perfect venue for our annual company team-building brought us to Camp Benjamin located in Alfonso, Cavite.

It is where the new you begins and the best you unleashes.

Just an hour an a half drive from Manila, Camp Benjamin promises an experience of transformation to become your own being's best version through different activities and programs especially designed to suit you and your family (or group if you're staying with your colleagues and friends).

Camp Benjamin has a developed land area of 4.7 hectares with almost all amenities you need in one place and an additional 8 hectares of integrated farm.


The marketing/sales staff in Camp Benjamin toured us around their property using this golf cart.


As compared with other team-building venues we were able to see, Camp Benjamin is by far the best one in terms of facilities and accommodations. The rooms are well-kept and complete with basic amenities like a cable television, hot and cold shower and air-conditioning unit.

Deluxe Single Room - Up to 3 pax

Deluxe Room Toilet and Bath

Double Room Dormitel - Up to 12 pax

Camp Benjamin also boasts an infinity pool that can fit up to 150 guests at once!




Adventurous boys and girls will be excited to learn that CB offers the longest zip line in Cavite, a wall climbing and rappelling structure, obstacle course and bubble slide within the camp.

Wall Climbing

Bubble Slide

For more sporting action, Camp Benjamin also has a covered court where you and your team can play basketball, volleyball and other fun activities.



Our tour ended just in time for lunch so we decided to stay and try MON's (short for Meant for Organic and Natural) Restaurant's offerings. Aside from the rooms, food is another factor our boss is very particular when it comes to choosing our team-building venue.

Mango Shake - Php80.00

Real peanut sauce = Another plus points for MON's Restaurant!

Crispy Kare-Kare - Php420.00

I both love MON's Crispy Kare-Kare and Chicken Binakol! The Crispy Pata with its ear-numbing crispiness was able to maintain the tenderness of the meat that blended perfectly with the delicious Peanut Sauce and Bagoong it came with. It is definitely a treat for its price since the serving was huge and can feed at least 4 hungry tummies.


I'm happy I insisted on ordering this Chicken Binakol because it was really tasty! I can't stop raving how good the broth is that it made me forget about my diet and ordered an extra cup since it really tastes better with rice. If you love Filipino food, this I assure you, MON's Restaurant is worth the time and effort of trekking all the way to Alfonso, Cavite!

Chicken Binakol - Php250.00


To end our sumptuous lunch, the staff treated us with their best-selling dessert -- Bibingkrep, which is a sticky version of Bibingka with coconut sauce.


Published Rates and Packages (from CB's website)

Accommodation
Per Pax
Per Room
Small Tent (2 pax)
Php3,300
Php6,600
Medium Tent (3 pax)
Php3,100
Php9,300
Large Tent (4 pax)
Php2,900
Php11,600
Small Suite Tent (2 pax)
Php3,700
Php7,400
Large Suite Tent (4 pax)
Php3,500
Php14,000
Single Room Dormitel (6 pax)
Php4,300
Php25,800
Double Room Dormitel (12 pax)
Php3,900
Php46,800
Deluxe Single Room (3 pax)
Php5,500
Php16,500
Medium Suite Room (4 pax)
Php5,300
Php21,200
Large Suite Room (6 pax)
Php4,900
Php29,400
Single Room Cabana (2 pax)
Php10,900
Php21,800
Double Room Cabana (4 pax)
Php9,900
Php39,600

Inclusions:










1. Entrance fee




2. Full board managed buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner with AM and PM snacks
3. Free use of the following team building facilities: swimming pool, zip line, bubble slide and obstacle course.
4. Overnight accommodation at the dormitel, suite rooms or cabana with provisions of toiletries and towels.
5. Free flowing coffee or iced tea during meal time.
6. Viewing of natural farming showcase area (organic fertilizer production, nursery, vegetable plots, mushroom production, poultry, etc.).
7. CB Tent City accommodation includes the tent, choice of mattress, bedding or sleeping bag. Rechargeable light/flash light is also provided per tent. Although not part of the package, bonfires and other camping materials and activities can be requested.


Day Tours
Per Pax
Group Rate
Full Day Tour
Php1,900

Full Day Tour w/ Teambuilding Program (min 30 pax)
Php2,600
Php78,000



Inclusions:









1. Entrance fee
2. Full board managed buffet lunch AM and PM snacks
3. Free use of the following team building facilities: swimming pool, zip line, bubble slide and obstacle course.
4. Free flowing coffee or iced tea during meal time.
5. Viewing of natural farming showcase area (organic fertilizer production, nursery, vegetable plots, mushroom production, poultry, etc.).

~o~o~o~

Camp Benjamin
Alfonso-Maragondon Road
Brgy. Taywanak-Ilaya
Alfonso, Cavite, Philippines
Tel.: (63927) 496-6023 / (63947) 338-2995
Website: http://campbenjamin.com.ph/

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Sunday Treats No. 6

Spinach Grilled Salmon - Php595.00

~o~o~o~

Burgoo
2F The District Cavite
Aguinaldo Highway corner Daang Hari Road
Anabu, Imus, Cavite, Philippines

Thursday, May 23, 2013

The New Spiral at Sofitel

To celebrate our special day, DB and I decided that it was high time to finally see and try the newly-opened, improved and grander Spiral at Sofitel Manila. 

Since 2006, Spiral has been dubbed as the most iconic dining destination in the country. We actually bought the buffet vouchers back in 2011 but due to Typhoon Pedring's devastation, Sofitel had to close it for renovation with the plan of offering an even more exciting experience.


The new Spiral is divided into 21 dining ateliers. In France, an atelier is an artist’s special workshop, and in Spiral it is where secret recipes are masterfully prepared right before your very eyes. The range of cuisines is expansive and the attention and detail to each dish has the focus of an artisan. Source

The twenty one dining ateliers include:
  • Salad and Appetizer
  • L’Écailler
  • Sushi Sashimi
  • L’Epicerie
  • Hot Japanese
  • French Stove
  • Rotisserie
  • Wood fired Oven
  • Churrasco
  • North Indian
  • Asian Noodles
  • Peking Duck Oven
  • Steam Baskets
  • Chinese Wok
  • Filipino
  • Thai
  • Korean
  • La Boulangerie
  • La Patisserie
  • Chocolaterie
  • Creamery

I must admit though, some of the above-mentioned ateliers are foreign to me (or I just didn't know its English translation). Heck, I don't even know how to pronounce them!

The buffet was overwhelming and I was so hungry that I had no system in taking photos so they will be posted based on its arrangement in my camera.

Breads

More Breads

Salad

Fresh Oysters

Cold Seafood Appetizers

The Cheese Room

Dried Fruits

Imported Cheese

Hamon Iberico

Peking Duck Oven

Chinese Wok

Dimsum

Thai

Korean

Hot Japanese

French Stove

Churrasco

Fondue

Do-it-yourself Halo-Halo

Fresh Fruits

Candies

More desserts

Chocolate Truffles

Here are some of the dishes we were able to try

Cheese and Cured Ham Platter

Fresh Oysters

Some Salmon Appetizer

Tuna and Salmon Sashimi

I love Japanese food and I'm happy to say that Spiral did not disappoint! The Sushi and Sashimi along with the Lobster, Oyster and Cocktail Shrimps were parading their freshness right in front of my eyes that I totally went crazy getting pieces after pieces. So before I knew it, I was half full already! You could leave me in one corner for hours with these in front of me and I wouldn't complain a bit. Well, unless I ran out of Wasabi.

Beef Sukiyaki

Mushroom Appetizer

Prime Rib cooked Medium Rare

One more spot that left me speechless was Spiral's Carving Station. If you're a meat-lover like me, you'd probably go gaga over the eat-all-you-can Lamb and Prime Rib here.

Fresh Strawberries and Pistachio Cookies

Mint Sorbet

Chocolate Platter

More Fruits

I was too stuffed by this time but I still made it a point to try some of Spiral's desserts. I liked their gooey Pistachio Cookies and of course, Fresh Strawberries! I was kinda expecting to eat some French Macarons but I guess you can't really have the best of everything in one place.

If you're a foodie with the willingness to pay the hefty price tag, you should really go and try the new Spiral! The staff were courteous and very attentive and the selection is pretty amazing with almost all famous cuisines covered. It wouldn't be the called the best for nothing.


Spiral Buffet Rates 2013

Breakfast
Monday to Friday: Php1,719.55 (Adult) / Php982.60 (Kids ages 5-12)
Saturday & Sunday: Php1,965.20 (Adult) / Php1,105.43 (Kids ages 5-12)

Brunch
Sunday: Php3,623.34 (Adult) / Php1,842.38 (Kids ages 5-12)

Lunch 
Monday to Saturday: Php2,431.94 (Adult) / Php1,351.08 (Kids ages 5-12)
Sunday: Php3,046.06 (Adult) / Php1,596.73 (Kids ages 5-12)

Dinner
Sunday to Thursday: Php2,800.41 (Adult) / Php1,596.73 (Kids ages 5-12)
Friday & Saturday: Php3,046.06 (Adult) / Php1,596.73 (Kids ages 5-12)

~o~o~o~

Spiral
Sofitel Philippine Plaza, Atang Dela Rama St.
PICC Reclamation Area, Pasay City
Metro Manila, Philippines
Tel.: (632) 832-6988
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