Frannywanny

It's Friday and it's definitely TGIF! I know it's still a work day but somehow, waking up on a Friday gives me that happy feeling that the weekend is less than 24 hours away. Don't get me wrong, I love the weekdays too but to be able to have two full days where I can wake up later than usual, to lounge by our pool in hopes that I'd finally get a tan, to eat out and to catch the latest movie... who wouldn't look forward to the weekend?  Today, let me talk about one of my all-time favorites when it comes to fun, casual American dining experience -- TGI Friday's . T.G.I.F., as my mom would call it, is the perfect place for groups to come together. Every time I dine there, I see families, colleagues or friends enjoying a big platter of nachos, sharing the pasta or burger and others would cap the night off with some drinks. I can still remember how fascinated I was with the button pins that adorns the uniforms of the server that at some point, I really wa...

I love Japanese food! Next to Chinese, it's one cuisine that I don't think I'll ever get tired of eating. I guess as lot of you will agree with me especially when we're talking about the freshest cuts of sashimi, beef yakiniku and sukiyaki that melts-in-your-mouth and the most heart-tugging bowl of ramen too. Japanese do take their food seriously and this is one reason why they have created a fifth sense called umami where all delicious flavors come together as one. Someday, I wish to visit Japan and to have a week-long gastronomical adventure where I can stuff myself silly with all the sushi and unagi (eel) that my tummy can handle. Thus, when I received an invitation to try the newly opened Watami Japanese Casual Restaurant at the New Glorietta mall, I immediately replied with a big and happy YES! YES! YES! Just a side note, on our way to the restaurant, Paul and I were amazed at how pretty the new Glorietta mall was. I know we've just been away for a mont...

Exactly 5 years ago , I opened this blog to chronicle my never-ending food trips with Paul. It was no secret how much we love trying new restaurants and we rejoice with glee whenever we hit a gold mine. People would ask me why do I blog and my answer is simple : I love to eat and I love to write..'nuff said.  Related posts: 1st Blog Anniversary 2nd  Blog Anniversary 3rd Blog Anniversary 4th Blog Anniversary Contrary to what others may think, I don't blog for a living. I have a full time career that I love just as much as blogging and everyday I thank Him for it. I blog because I am truly, madly and totally deeply in love with what I do. True Love , you may it. I am passionate about sharing my food discoveries with my readers and I aim to do this for as long as I can. Today, I celebrate my 5th Blog Anniversary . It has been a fun ride since Day 1 as I enjoy hearing from you, my readers. Now, let the fun begin ! Thanks to my very generous sponsors, I am opening...

I really miss Korea . The cool weather, the clean surroundings, the super organized transportation system and the FOOD! I miss the street snacks being sold in Myeongdong , the endless Korean barbecue and fresh unlimited refills of kimchi! Allow me to tell you more about my Seoul adventure next week. Every since Paul and I got back from our trip, we have been stuffing ourselves silly with all things Korean. Frequenting Korean barbecue places, filling our cupboard with Korean snacks and a lot more. This, I guess, was our way to happily reminisce on how fun Korea was. Do expect that we will definitely go back soon! One Sunday as Paul and I double-dated with my parents, we headed to Greenbelt 5 to have lunch at Bulgogi Brothers . It was upon an invite from the cool folks of BB as they wanted us to try their three new lunch sets which are available everyday from Monday to Friday. We went on a Sunday thus we were given a special preview. Thank you! Each set was good for two and sad...

Stepping inside Ma Maison in Greenbelt 2 , I can't help but recall a scene from one of my favorite movies -- Julie and Julia . I'm not sure why.. Could it be because of the kitchen set-up with copper pans and dainty-looking tea-cups? The restaurant gives off a very homey vibe that matches the line of European hostel keys that hangs by the cashier's area. Ma Maison , after all, means My House when translated from French. We truly felt welcomed with the delightful service as well as the yummy food. We actually were able to try a lot of dishes majority of which were pretty good that Paul and I found ourselves back at Ma Maison days after. For starters, we had the Escargots Baked with Garlic Butter (Php. 385). I have a confession..in my many years of eating..I've..never...ever...ever...had...escagots. However, there will always be a first time and that happened at Ma Maison. I had not one...not two but three delicious escagots swimming in garlic butter on to...

After a month of flying in and out of the country, finally, Paul and I were able to double date again with our friends L and T before they leave for their much-awaited honeymoon ♥. We usually would meet up somewhere in Ortigas or most recently at Eton Centris where their Chatime store is located. However, with the growing number of restaurants opening at the Bonifacio Global City , most particularly in the newly built complex called Bonifacio High Street Central , L and I decided to visit one of the many restaurants there. Bonifacio High Street Central is also where Jamba Juice and Aria are located. Coincidentally, I was invited by the Bistro Group to have dinner there with me and my friends as they just opened a new restaurant called the Village Tavern which was a franchise from North Carolina, USA . I checked with L how she feels about trying this new restaurant out with me and just as I've guessed it, she and T were game! Yay! The place was filled with groups when we ar...

It has been almost 10 months since Krazy Garlik opened its doors to the public. Since then, it has teased the palates of hundreds of garlic lovers in this side of town. Who would have thought that they can add garlic in practically any dish ... yes, even in sweet desserts. My first visit was pretty memorable. I enjoyed the Hara-Kiri , the Snowflakes Pizza and the Garlicky Crispy Pata . Most of all, I will never forget the special Crema Catalana that had candied garlic cloves on top. It was THE BEST. Due to its location, I rarely get to visit Krazy Garlik even if it has been on my list to dine in again. I'm glad that I had that chance to go back with fellow bloggers one weeknight and Paul was also able to join me on my return. Hooray! I love the happy, crazy vibe of Krazy Garlik . As you enter the restaurant, you'll see a bright colorful mural of Alice in GARLICland . Walk towards the washroom and let the characters of the story direct you to the right cubicle. We...

I can't imagine a world without garlic. No Aglio Olio, no garlic bread, no 40 cloves garlic chicken and a lot more. Perhaps half of the the world's gastronomical masterpiece will become bland without the use of this powerful herb. Enter Krazy Garlik , the newest go-to place for garlic lovers in the Metro. It's brought to us by the Bistro Group , the same company who owns Italiamnis , Flapjacks and Fish and Co . Barely a month old, you'd be surprise to see the restaurant filled with happy customers even on a weekday. I guess this is a good sign for a new business that is actually just a local concept. We arrived a little past 12 and there were just two tables available. As the server led us in, I marveled at the cute Alice in Garlic-land mural on the wall. Very whimsical and clever. To start off our meal, we had Creamy Garlic Fondue (Php. 255) which had a couple of garlic bread slices and a bowl of cheezy, creamy garlic dip. It's light and definitely a p...