Isle Esme

Located off the coast of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, Isle Esme was the setting for the much-awaited honeymoon of Edward and Bella Cullen. According to the story, the island was a gift of Dr. Carlisle Cullen to his wife Esme, hence the name. It is said to have crystal clear waters with very fine sand, vast jungles (for the Cullen's of course) and different varieties of tropical fishes and dolphins.

Some fifteen steps away from the beach is a beautiful house which has large glass windows (similar to the Cullen's home back in Forks) and very light interiors. It  has two bedrooms (a master's bedroom which is all white and a smaller one which is the blue room), one large bathroom and a kitchen.

Late last year, Architectural Digest featured "Isle Esme" which, in real life, is the beachfront home of Brazilian businessman Icaro Fernandes and his family.

Some scenes during the shooting.

Okay, enough with the spoilers. *wink* Go watch Breaking Dawn now!

Mister Kabab

Dear Mister,

First of all, I would like to apologize for not coming back sooner. You see, its quite an effort to go to your place since we are on the opposite sides of the Metro. So every time I am in your vicinity, I make it a point to visit you and you only. (Let's keep that a secret between us okay? I don't want DB to suspect that you're really the reason I go there).

Anyway, its been a pleasure, as always, to having been served with the best and most affordable Persian food in the city. I promise to be back again soon.

Love,
Me

P.S. No more price increase please?

After visiting a friend at the cemetery, I asked  DB if we can have lunch at one of my favorite restaurants -- Mister Kabab. It was my first time to go here in the afternoon and I am happy that we don't have to wait for a table (the place is packed most of the time but most especially during lunch and dinner times when waiting can be as long as 15 to 30 minutes).

No aircon but the big windows and high ceiling with lots of ceiling fans
(that's one per table) gives proper ventilation to the place.

Yogurt shake -- Sweet and so refreshing!

Pita bread

Hummus is very mild but still flavorful.

Special Beef Chelo Kabab -- My comfort food! Two strips of juicy and delicious ground beef served with
grilled tomatoes and buttered rice. Mix it with their homemade garlic and hot sauce and
you're ready to have the best meal of your life, no exaggeration!

"Ang batang matangkad, batang Star."
Oh wait, its not margarine but butter!

~o~o~o~

Mister Kabab

95A West Ave.

Quezon City, Metro Manila

Philippines

Tel.: (632) 373-5941

Mann Yann

After a very disappointing movie also known as In Time, (I have always loved Justin Timberlake -- in the big screen and on stage, but this one's not worth the time and money) I wanted to make sure that dinner was perfect. It must be. 

At first I thought I read it wrong. But after a second look, it really says Mann Yann. DB then told me that its not unusual for some businesses with the same owners to carry (almost) the same name for legal purposes. No wonder the menu is quite similar also.

Here's what we ordered

Spicy Spareribs Rice -- As soon as the waiter placed this in front of me, I heard my tummy growl.
It smelled so good but it tasted ever better! There's barely no fat -- just spicy, yummy and tender meat.

Soy Chicken Rice for DB which he purposely did not share with me. Hmmp!

Taiwan Pechay -- Delicious as ever

Mann Yann surely did not disappoint. A perfect way to end a wonderful night.

~o~o~o~

Mann Yann

Robinsons Place Manila
Pedro Gil cor. Adriatico St. Ermita

Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines

Tel.: (632) 400-6139

Honor Tea House

Dim sum.
Short Orders.
Special Shabu-Shabu.
Seafood.
All in one place.

I think I've found another treasure in the middle of a bingo place, pet shops, a hot pot favorite and a government agency. Since DB and I were too lazy for shabu-shabu (not really in the mood to cook that time), we opted to order ala carte. We were expecting that since there are only three occupied tables that night, service would be fast. But it wasn't. And we were too lazy to even complain.

Anyway, here's what we ordered

Taiwan Pechay Sauteed in Garlic -- I love pechay! The garlic bits went well with the dish.

Sweet and Sour Fish Fillet -- Crispy on the outside, yummy on the inside. Definitely worth the wait.

White Chicken -- If you've been reading my blog for a while, you'll know by now that I love Hainanese and
White Chicken. No matter where we go, that's the first thing that I look for on the menu.
Yes, I am addicted to it like that. Honor's version was very tasty and tender,
just a bit dry though, and offers huge servings.

Best eaten with ginger sauce

We paid around Php500 for our meal which was a steal for the quality of food that they serve. In DB's words, "Another place we can go if we're looking for a decent meal on a budget."

~o~o~o~

Honor Tea House

Unit M-6 Lifestyle City
Hobbies of Asia, Macapagal Ave.
Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Tel.: (632) 836-8368

Yasubei Bar and Restaurant

Running out of ideas on where to eat, we passed by Aseana Power Station along Roxas Blvd. for gas one night and decided to check out the restaurants there. Between a noodle house and a Japanese restaurant, we would always choose the latter any time.

Here's what we ordered

Takoyaki -- What a waste of calories! I should have listened to DB that this is not
worth ordering, those being sold in the malls taste so much better!

Yakisoba which looks more like Pancit Canton to me.

Hiyashi Ramen -- The dressing was too sweet for my taste. I can make a better and yummier version of this.
Yes, I can cook now and I'm so proud it! *wink*

I don't think we'll be back anytime soon. A Japanese restaurant/bar sounds like a great idea, a very promising one at that. Maybe if the food that they serve would go with the price they charge, people would go out of their way to go here. But for now, we'll stick with our favorite Japanese restaurants like Tanabe and Miyabi Express.

~o~o~o~

Yasubei Bar and Restaurant

GF Aseana Power Station
Macapagal Blvd. corner Bradco Ave.
Paranaque City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Tel.: (632) 854-3786