A Taste of Italy in Makati

Somewhere along the very busy district of Makati lies a legendary little Italian restaurant in San Antonio Village. A wonderful place loved by many for more than two decades already. Welcome to La Nuova Pasteleria.

I must say, the place is quite small where only a couple of people can stay inside and a few tables outside yet you'll never go wrong with its very quiet, cozy and welcoming atmosphere. Clean interior with functional lightings, OK! Enough with the designs.. we're here for the food!

So surprised that they offer wide variety of dishes for such a small place, from appetizer to desserts. It's really hard to choose! Good thing not all of us are 1st timer like me, so I just let them decide.. I just want to try one dish here, you'll know it later. All was set and we ordered.

These are what we got:

First of.. LET THE PITA BEGIN!

You got to love their complimentary flat bread w/ tomato dip and spread. It was so good we asked for another serving of the tomato dip :)

Pita bread with Tomato Dip and Liver Pate

Next, WARM UP.

Nothing beats a flavorful soup to start a sumptuous meal . Fresh mushroom soup with garlic is enough to calm our rumbling hungry tummy. Spices included are well balanced, nothing over powering.

Zuppa Di Funghi

Followed by GO GREEN!
Next served was our Caesar salad. To stress, my good friends reading this, for the nth time.. I EAT VEGETABLES! (Just not that often). Fresh greens, ample amount of dressing with crunchy croutons and tasty bacon bits! I must admit, I had repeat servings!

Insalata Alla Cesare

For our main dish: PASTARIFICO

OUR PASTA IS HERE!!!! Of all the dishes we ordered, this in particular is what I'm most excited for! Had some chance to review other blogs and this they say was one of the MUST TRY! I need to have it myself to believe it.

TARTUFO

VERDICT: YOU SHOULDN'T MISS THIS!!!!!

You really think we can't eat? PIZZA please!

We certainly can't leave an Italian restaurant without getting some slice of pizza. Tomato based, with basil and cheese + hot sauce. Simple but delicious.

PIZZA MARGHERITA

We forgot to make room for dessert so I'll go back for the Concord cake next time.
Overall.. I love the place and food, but most of all the people I eat with!

< PEOPLE WHO LOVES TO EAT ARE HAPPY PEOPLE >

Pasteleria La Nuova is located at

San Antonio Plaza, McKinley Road, Makati, Metro Manila
Phone:(02) 817 8568

Jollibee Quintin Paredes Reopens!

Sunny Monday morning and most people are busy.

LRT, MRT, Bus, Jeepney and other means of transportation are full of employee going to their respective offices, students running late on their 1st class, parents sending of their precious baby to school. As for me.. I woke up a little early than usual.. brave the heat and traffic just to have breakfast, (BRUNCH actually since it's already 10:30am) where else but here at the re-opened Jollibee Quitin Paredes Branch.

Jollibee Quintin Paredes

Motorcade preparation

Often I meet some friends at Starbucks for some coffee and pastries, as for them, they are a loyal customer of that branch! What made me say that? They know most of the crew there and vice versa.

The branch was closed for renovation, reason for them to change venue, but now that it's back after almost 3 months, I'm pretty sure they'll be there 3-4 days a week if not 5! 

I savor my spaghetti w/ chicken, then looked outside the 2nd floor window - look who I saw!

Traffic enforcer?

As well as the other mascots - full attendance! (all 5 of them - they used to be 8 of them before), They are dancing and waiving to people and cars passing by, sense of awareness that they are open and welcoming guest.

We had the chance to have photo w/ 2 of them just before we leave the place, the others went straight to the dressing room.. so much for a group picture :(

Burger + Fries! 

Since it's 11:30am already... LUNCH BREAK RUSH!!!!

Goodbye 1 hour lunch break

 You can visit the branch to take advantage of some promos from June 15-17.

Now I'm craving for some Chicken joy again! hhmmmmm...

What do you usually order from Jollibee?

12th Global Pinoy Bazaar

Some of my friends already know how my SmartPhone has problems loading Facebook. And because of that, I just use it for browsing Instagram post. :) 

Just when it's getting boring swiping my phone screen up, I stumbled upon my friend post. (I tried to imitate her shoot just because she's beautiful and talented).

It should look something like this!

Then I discovered that her shot was taken from the 12th Global Pinoy Bazaar held at Glorietta 2 activity center June 12.

The timing is so right because I'm scheduled to meet someone near place for some coffee June 13. In any case, the event goes on until June 14, 2015 - 10pm. So there's no way I'm gonna miss it.

June 13 afternoon came and I can't contain the excitement on what to see there, so...OFF I WENT!!!!



The area was full of people, comes in different ages and life style but one thing in common - they are all PINOY proud people! (I sensed the force within)
Abundant of items to look, eat, drink, wear, use, share showing how artistic Filipinos are.

A Project by:


I roam around, took some shots, talk to entrepreneurs there, unavoidably took some bite and sip of their sample chocolate and wine before rushing to my coffee time. (I was an hour late with my meet-up time).

To share, here are some of the items that got my attention:

Lamps anyone?

A closer look! LOVE IT!

Dog Lover :)

Mangyan products 

Special dish for today?

Yabang Pinoy notebooks

Chocolates!!!

honey wines and some spreads

something to keep you fresh

Davao goodies! Tried this before! DARK!!

new packaging

customized pendants

People are smiling in this booth

Pinoy transportation inspired shirt

simple but great looking caps

wallets to love (if it's with money)

Spend 20??? Share 100? hmmm....

KIMOCHI - Aroma Pillows

Available in Lavender and Eucalyptus scent

Aside from these.. there are so many a lot of item that will really took your time checking them out.
* Pinoy comics
* Body scrubs and soaps
* keychains
* Leather shoes
* Bags
* Shirts and Polo
* Accessories
* Paintings

to name a few.

But if you were to busy and was left out with this event.. don't fret because you can still catch these wonderful products. Just go to their facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/yabangpinoy?fref=ts

To wrap things up, I would like to extend my greetings to Philippines on its 117 years of freedom! Happy Independence day!

A sip 'n go day!

June 9, 2015 marks the day where we SIP 'N GO!

It is today where Starbucks Philippines brings back Strawberry Cheescake Frappuccino® and introduce a new flavor, Caramel Triple Coffee Jelly Frappuccino®.


STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE FRAPPUCCINO® BLENDED BEVERAGE
An indulgent and delicious beverage combining delicious strawberry sauce, rich cheese flavor with a cool Cream Frappuccino® which is then layered with biscuit crunch, then topped with an innovative and delightful cheese whipped cream, berry drizzle, and even more biscuits pieces.

CARAMEL TRIPLE COFFEE JELLY FRAPPUCCINO® BLENDED BEVERAGE
The handcrafted Triple Coffee Frappuccino® combines layers of delicious dark roast coffee jelly, cool blended coffee Frappuccino® and caramel syrup, topped with espresso whipped cream, finely ground coffee sprinkles and caramel drizzle.

The perfect blend of creamy comfort and delicious taste. Available starting today; Strawberry Cheesecake Frappuccino® and Caramel Triple Coffee Jelly Frappuccino®.

Even though it's raining, I still opted to get myself this drink! I was able to try Triple Coffee Jelly Frappuccino® weeks ago in Starbucks Singapore yet Philippines had its very own twist of EXTRA Caramel. <how sweet of you #StarbucksPH!>  Tried it! Loved it!

Dark Roast COFFEE Jelly + COFFEE Base Frappuccino + ESPRESSO Whipping Cream = TRIPLELICIOUS!

Meanwhile, I need to try some of the new food offerings too.

Turtle Brownie

Ham and Cheese Danish

Although what I really want to try is the returning Strawberry Shortcake. (maybe tomorrow).

My dessert tom :D

For you guys, you may want to try these:

Cheese Pandesal & Spanish Tuna Pandesal

Triple Cheese Ensaymada

The Clubhouse

Hawaiian BBQ Sausage Wrap

SMORES

And if those are still not enough for you. How bout getting yourself an Exclusive Starbucks Kape Vinta Tumbler 2015!

425 php (12oz)

But wait there's more! Buy this Exclusive Kape Vinta Tumbler 2015 + a 250g Kape Vinta Flavorlock beans for only 695php.

Here are the other merchandise they had to offer.

While it was hard for me to wake up this morning because of the Bed/Bad weather, I still enjoyed the company of my friends and the warm welcome of our friendly barista. PLUS! Thanks to a very good friend.. I got THIS!!!

COOKIE STRAW!!! <3

For more details LIKE Starbucks Philippines facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/StarbucksPhilippines?fref=ts

or visit their website at:
http://www.starbucks.ph/

How do you like the new drinks, food and merchandise in your local stores?