Frannywanny

For someone who only gets to fly back home at least once a month and who stays in Manila at an average of just 3-4 days in total, choosing the places to dine in is really crucial. I really have to plan each meal well. So, it's really rare that I get to repeat a restaurant given my long, long list of new places to try. However, I got to admit that I do have my favorites and I really have to give in to my cravings once in a while. Remember the first time I tried Tuan Tuan Chinese Brasserie  with my family in SM Megamall? I fell in love everything that we ordered most especially the amazing House Special Trio . It's definitely the best fried rice in town. On my next visit back home, I went back again to Tuan Tuan  this time with my in laws . Then, I was able to try more dishes which I got to my list of favorites such as the XO Radish Cake  and the Deep-Fried Baby Squid with Aioli Sauce . As you all know, December is the time of the year where we get to spend more tim...

Now back to one of my Manila food adventures! As Paul had to fly back to Singapore earlier for work, I stayed behind a few more days to spend more time with family. So, on my FIL a.k.a. Daddy's actual birthday, we went out for a nice family dinner to celebrate his special day. Luckily, we also managed to do a grander birthday party a few days in advance just so the entire family's complete. The initial plan was to try a new restaurant in the Kapitolyo area but it started to drizzle and with most restaurants fully booked, we decided to just head to the mall. Mommy then suggested we dine at Tuan Tuan Chinese Brasserie . I've been there once and I loved it. Well, guess what?! It has been one of my in-law's favorite places to dine in too!  Remember, when in doubt...go Chinese! It was quite late already so everyone was feeling hungry. That said, we surely ordered a LOT! One thing that I love about my MIL is the fact that she loves to eat and try new things as much as I...

"France, the lady owner of Monterey told me that Tuan Tuan is really good. Let's go eat there tomorrow night!" That's what Mommy told me when she called me one evening last week when Paul and I were still in Manila. That my food loving Mommy for you! So there we were at 6PM on our last night in Manila in our effort to get to the restaurant early to avoid the long queue. We were able to get a table right away which made it all easy breezy.  The menu was quite simple, it specializes in noodle soup in Halibut stock and a few more Chinese side dishes too. That and some baked rice that I've been wanting to try since friends started posting photos of these on Instagram. The ambiance reminds me of a traditional but extra classy  cha chaan teng in Hong Kong with white tiled walls, a semi open kitchen and restaurant diners talking all at the same time. They even have the famous Black & White Evaporated Milk commonly used in Hong Kong for their nai cha (...