Showing posts with label food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label food. Show all posts

Sunday, March 20, 2016

PUERTO DEL SOL (BOLINAO,PHILIPPINES)


pool area
Mediterranean feeling

the beach


This place is a few hours drive further north from my husband's hometown.  We went here for a day trip a few years back.  It was a good experience because we went during off peak season, I think that was February and we almost had the resort to ourselves.  There were only a few visitors during that time; one is even a celebrity singer who hailed from Pangasinan too.

The beach was magnificent.  Bolinao is famous for white sand beach and a coastline that stretches for miles.  The water was definitely calm when we went there, in fact, it was too calm because of the breakwater they have further out the sea.  It was a long stretch of knee deep water; something good for the kids.

enjoying the sun


entrance from the beach side

going out to the beach



villas

The pool is enormous and combined with a children's pool at the further end. There is a jacuzzi hut in the middle but too bad because it was under repair when we were there.  Comfortable lounges were scattered around the area and the staff were very attentive to us.  Wifi  is only available at the restaurant section which was fine by me then because I actually went there to relax and enjoy the waters.

we had the pool to ourselves

love this bougainvillea arbor

comfy lounges

comfy baking under the sun

relaxed

We went home relaxed, rejuvenated and with a full tummy because of the delicious food they served out there.  I couldn't get enough of their halo-halo and ended up eating 3 of it.
the beachside restaurant

bulalo (Filipino osso buco soup)

halo-halo

lechong manok (grilled chicken)

leche flan

packet (Vegetable)

pancit canton

WHAT ITS WORTH:
food rates: 250 pesos-600 pesos (6-15 USD) (food is really good and worth every cents)
villa rates: 4700- 13000plus for an overnight stay (120-320USD)

You cannot bring in food.  Actually, you won't need it because they have quite a selection and their cuisine is really great tasting.



Saturday, March 19, 2016

Charlotte Bar and Cafe (Guangzhou)

located right at the lagoon

romantic trees outside


I have been in Guangzhou for quite some time and yet, I have only known this quaint bar and restaurant a few weeks back.  It was introduced to me by one of my team members who suggested to have our team's baby shower in this place.

It is located right at the heart of Zhejiang Central Park, right in the middle of the lagoon which I did not even know exist.  It is a quaint log cabin with a balcony extending towards the water; thereby giving it a romantic ambiance.  We already called in for a reservation so table was not a problem.  However, we had to sit inside because the balcony cannot accommodate a long table for 13 people.



Service had been a problem but was compensated by the manager and chef attending personally to our needs.  Most of the staff are pretty new which explains the inefficiency.  I had to ask for my dessert 5 times before it was finally served.  The good food is also something that I will gladly go back to in spite of the non-exceptional service.

As for the price, it is not as pricey as the ambiance of the place looks like.  The price is reasonable and you will actually be getting exquisite food for a good price.  I had the lamb and I am not even fond of lamb.  However, I like the lamb in this restaurant and the mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes.  Their appetisers, especially the salmon with melon and avocado, are to die for.

the lamb

French cheese and shrimp pastries; squid cutlets with wasabi sauce

opera chocolate cake and mango cheese cake

mint punch


I will come back gladly into this place and bring my family here for some good food and atmosphere for sure.

PRICE RANGE:
steaks start at 160-200 plus RMB (around 30 dollars)
appetisers range from 40rmb up (6 dollars and up)





                       

Sunday, March 6, 2016

LA TAVERNA (CLIFFORD ESTATES)


A whole row of new restos appeared in our village and they are like just walking distance from our house.  Being a family that seems to be greatly fascinated by food, we have resolved to try out each and everyone of them.  La Taverna is the first of them that we tried out and boy, aren't we delighted by this Italian pizzeria and ristorante.

I have been eyeing it for quite a while because of the elegant facade and cool interiors.  The front door is reminiscent of a Gatsby ambiance; a mixture of Italian and art deco lines.  These lines are further carried out into the dining room as brick wall accents and shelves' design.  The interior is decorated in rich warm hues with rough brick cladding for walls thereby exuding a more Italian feel.

The Gatsby inspired entrance

chandeliers and brick walls

comfy couch

the fireplace

The food that we have ordered are also great.  We have actually ordered a lot for ourselves causing us to take home most of it.  The cuisine is actually fusion; not just an Italian menu.  They do have signature Italian dishes like pastas and pizzas but they also have steaks and even fried rice and the likes.

I started out with a Caesar's salad and I must say that their salad is sumptous and appetising. I am not a big fan of Caesar's salad but I am really fond of this one.   The cheese and bacons bits gave it that zesty taste that makes you crave for more.

Casesar's salad


I also had a bit of their tenderloin steak.  I like my steak medium rare and I must say that they cooked it the way I wanted it.  I am not a big fan of their sauce though because it seems like it is the same as all the other black pepper sauce I had here in China.

tenderloin steak

I also had the chef recommended pasta with salted prawns.  The pasta tasted delicious.  The noodles were done al dente which is quite rare to find here in Mainland.  As for the prawns, I was a little disappointed because I don't really like it when the shells of the prawns stick to the prawn meat.  It was so hard to get them out and could have been plated better.

pasta with salted prawn

My husband had the fettuccine with lamb in red wine and his verdict was simply delectable!  Coming from someone who knows his pasta well and cooks them deliciously too, this comment is one of a kind.  You see, it is quite difficult to find a nice pasta place here; a lot of times the noodles end up soggy and the sauce is usually bland.  According to him, this one is just right so if you will be heading to this rest, order this pasta pronto!

fettuccine with lamb

Mini-me,on the other hand, had the beef lasagna  and mozzarella sticks which she really loves.  She is a cheese person like me.  We also had pizza but we took most of the pizza home because our stomachs were so already so full.

All in all, La Taverna fed us well and I am pretty sure we will still be coming back for more in the months to come.

price range: AROUND 450 RMB (AROUND 70 USD) for all the food here

beef lasagna

prosciutto pizza

mozzarella sticks

passion fruit green tea







Friday, February 26, 2016

ELEMENT FRESH (TAIKOO HUI)


One of my favourite restaurants here in Guangzhou primarily because of their Mediterranean
 platter.  I am very fond of prosciutto and they have a great tasting one.  I like the location because it is on a rooftop garden in Taikoo Hui.  The ambiance is light and airy, actually true to its name "Element Fresh."  I recommend their pastas and appetizers.  Go for the Med platter if you can, you won't regret it.  The portobello mushrooms, sun- dried tomatoes and cheese are just mouthwatering.

seafood pasta

carbonara


fresh summer spring rolls

Mediterranean platter

creamy pasta



me with Angel

me with mini-me during our elements fresh date

enjoying her mango smoothie

happy me while waiting for our food