Pan de Amerikana (Marikina)

Facade

     Ever since we've been to Pan de Amerikana's branch in White Plains, we have been wanting to go to this branch in Marikina since we love the ambiance, unique features and especially the food! Not only they were delicious, but they were also so affordable! It's hard to find such places these days right? :p

Wind mill

1950's pandesal!

     Pan de Amerikana started out as a bread house in the 1950's before venturing into the restaurant business. They now have 2 branches, with equally interesting themes: chess and upside down.

     The restaurant looks like an old house outside, complete with a chimney. But the inside is a nature lover's haven. Everything is environment friendly and all-natural (well almost). The place just gives off this cool and refreshing vibe! :)

THE AMBIANCE

 Entrance

     You'll immediately see what the restaurant has to offer once you see the place. Their nice staff will greet you and eagerly take your orders. On the counter are numerous photos of some famous persons as well as happy customers who enjoyed their time at Pan de Amerikana.

Bridge

Dining Area

     The dining area is very spacious and relaxing. Glass windows line the far wall with a number of plants and vines that make the space refreshing and cool. Simple brown topped tables with chess boards coupled with metal chairs complete the earthy dining space.

Tutto Domani

Lifestyle Bar

     After having our early breakfast at Toast Box, we decided to try another cafe that's fairly new. We heard that not only is the food great but the ambiance and service, too. What's not to like right? :)

All for Tomorrow

Cafe Window

     Tutto Domani, which literally means "All for Tomorrow" in Italian, is not your ordinary cafe but a lifestyle hub, owned by brothers Anthony and Jose Ma. Yupangco. It's located inside a furniture shop, Domani, at the New World Renaissance Hotel, just across Greenbelt 5. They're open Mondays to Saturdays from 10am to 8pm.

The Ambiance

Dining Area

     The small space is made interesting with the myriad of colorful toys, trinkets and a wonderful display of cakes and candies. The seating is a mix match of chairs, with glass topped tables of varying shapes and sizes. The smell is really good, too! It's of aromatic coffee and tasty delights! (more on the food later. :p

Toast Box

Toast Box

     After a 6pm-6am shift, we met up to have breakfast. And since we haven't tried Toast Box yet, we decided to have our first meal of the day there. We just walked a few blocks from the hospital to get there. 

     Toast Box is originally from Singapore, established in 2005. Its concept came from coffee shops from the 60s to the 70s where breakfast included a cup of coffee coupled with freshly toasted bread. Toast Box now has branches all over Asia - Malaysia, Thailand, China and the Philippines. :)

The Ambiance

Clean & Comfy

     The place looked so bright and clean -- the interiors were white and relaxing. The smell of the coffee and tea wafting from the kitchen was so good! We took a seat near the counter so we can watch how they serve the meals and the tea. ;)

Warm & Sunny

Antiques

     They had comfy sofas on the side, some arm chairs with a low coffee table by the windows and booth type of seats near the counter. In the middle are more seats for a couple or for a group of  4. The seating were all white and the sofas of earthy colors -- tan, brown and beige.

Napa Restaurant & Bar

Napa Restaurant & Bar

     We have read a lot of raves about Napa's lava cake and that's one of the reasons why we wanted to dine here. Add to that the fact that their food is also much talked about.

Welcome :)

     Napa Bar and Restaurant is located at Scout Borromeo, South Triangle Quezon City. It was formerly at Il Terrazo and was called Bistro Napa. The new location used to be a house which they turned into this Napa Valley inspired resto. They offer Italian-American fare which most Pinoys love. They're is open everyday from 11am to 2pm and from 5pm to 1am.

The Ambiance

     The restaurant is very homey, with the dim, warm lights, yellow colored walls with hand-painted designs, colorful paintings and a spacious area. The room has a casual elegance, perfect for romantic dinners, simple family dinners, even for meetings. 

Dining area

Napa Valley-inspired

     The seating is a mix and match of brown and light green wooden chairs with red cushions, the tables simple -- not getting your attention from the beautifully adorned walls. There is also a big, plush sofa on one corner which makes for a very comfortable seating! Past the green wooden panels is an al fresco dining area with metal chairs coupled with glass-topped tables. They also have the brick oven there as well as the glass display of their desserts. 

MNL Ice Cream Cafe

MNL Ice Cream Cafe

     After two failed attempts, we were finally able to eat at MNL Ice Cream Cafe last Tuesday. This cafe opened just 6 months ago, last October 8. They're open from Mondays to Saturdays, from 10am - 8pm.

AMBIANCE

Sumptuous Meals

     The space used to be a shop where car parts are sold. Now it's an ice cream cafe serving delicious snacks and desserts! The mustard yellow walls are adorned with photos of their mouthwatering dishes! Not only do they offer a feast for the palate, but for the eyes as well.

Food Pics

Red & Orange

     The small area is made bright and cheery with the red and orange chairs and white tables. On the left corner of the space is a red desk with a laptop, some magazines and radio. On the right is one long, red, comfortable sofa.

Tea & I

Tealiciously different! :)

     It was a hot afternoon and we were raring for some refreshing time out of the sun. We spotted a small tea house and were soon heading up to see this new place.

Tea beckons us to enjoy quality time with

friends and loved ones, and especially to

rediscover the art of relaxed conversation.

- Dorothea Johnson

     Tea & I just recently opened in this not readily noticeable location. It's located at the third floor of Zen's Building along Ayala Highway. They open at 10am until 10 in the evening.

AMBIANCE

Warm & Cozy

     The place is simple, with a relaxing ambiance perfect for enjoying your cup of tea. On the left side of the room, as you enter is a table by the wall with high seats. In the middle is a round table coupled with soft cushioned seats while on the far end is a small seating area good for a group of 4. There aren't many decors yet as the store has just opened last March 25.

Good for 4 :)

Pipino: Vegetarian Food by Pino

Pipino: Vegetable Food by Pino

     The Lenten season is fast approaching. With regards to food, it's the time for fasting and abstaining from meat. Pipino is the perfect place since they serve vegetarian dishes and desserts, too! :)

Details

     Pipino is owned by  Ms. Alessandra Libongco and PJ Lanot and is located at Teacher's Village. They are open from Mondays to Saturdays from 11am-12mn, and on Sundays from 11am-10pm. On the floor below it is Pino Bar and Resto.

THE AMBIANCE

Mio Alphabet

     The small restaurant has a nice feel to it, thanks to the high ceiling and big windows that let natural light in. You won't feel claustrophobic even if the room is quite small. Dominating the brick wall on the left is a large cork board with photos, memorabilia and some posters.


     On the far corner of the room is a spot dedicated to The Mio Alphabet. The monogram greeting cards and vinyl stickers designed by Mio, a 7year old boy diagnosed with leukemia last 2009, are for sale and funds go to Mio's medical treatment as well as those with rare diseases. To learn more about this project, visit miofightscancer.com 

Take a seat! :)

     The tables and chairs are simple, in line with the theme of the restaurant. There are also long tables coupled with benches, good for groups of 4-6. It feels like you're in a school cafeteria, but much more peaceful. :p

Van Gogh is Bipolar

Van Gogh is Bipolar

     Our friends have been raving about and were urging us to try this place. We've read a lot about this restaurant and liked what we saw. We didn't pass up the chance to go to this place on our rest day. :)


     If we'd describe this place in a word, it would be HAPPINESS! Read on to find out why. :p

Entrance

Come in!

     Van Gogh is Bipolar, a quaint, oddly furnished place, is Jetro Rafael's home by day and restaurant by night. Mr. Rafael was diagnosed as bipolar three years ago. To cope with this, he cooked and created unique dishes that play with your mood. He uses ingredients that can either calm you down or lift your spirits up! His cooking is both beneficial to him and to those who savor his dishes. 


     We didn't have the chance to talk to Jetro because he was being interviewed by a group of college students but it's good that they asked what we wanted to know. By eavesdropping, we learned that, like anybody else, he had a hard time accepting his condition. This didn't hinder him though from living a productive life. PROST! :)

Footwear is not allowed

     We made reservations three days in advance via SMS as he only allows 12 diners a night. First things first, footwear is not allowed inside his home. :p 

VGIB's House Rules

     Once you enter the small but festive looking room, you'd have to follow the House Rules. We'd tell you all about our dining experience through these rules. :p

Bag of Beans: Coffee Shop & Bakery

B.O.B. :)

     It was still drizzling when we finished our late lunch and after roaming around Sonya's Garden. Since we love trying out new restaurants, we headed back to Bag of Beans which we passed on the way to Sonya's Garden. We heard that they had great coffee, desserts as well as a nice ambiance.  Read on to see what the fuss is all about :)

Welcome!

     Bag of Beans is not just a coffee shop and bakery but a garden restaurant, too. They serve all-day breakfast, rice meals, pastas, a variety of baked goods and desserts. They also offer a wedding package for newlyweds who want to have their reception here. It's along Aguinaldo Highway and is easy to spot. 

     Once you enter the bakery, the aroma of coffee and freshly baked good greets you, as well as a glass display of some of their delicious desserts. You'd then be ushered in a small open space, much like a balcony, overseeing the garden below. You can either choose to stay inside the small cafe or outside the garden. They have ample seating areas and each uniquely designed.

GARDEN RESTAURANT

The Bakeshop

     The garden downstairs was spacious and so relaxing! There were odd flowering plants all around that bring color to the place. By the corner is a birdcage with a myna bird which sadly was quiet that time. Hehe! It probably was not in the mood because of the rain?! We wanted to stay out but the rain didn't let up.

Al fresco dining

Out on the patio

Sonya's Garden: Country Bed & Breakfast

One of a kind garden

     Health comes to mind whenever the freshest ingredients are used. And what better way to experience a healthy diet than at Sonya's Garden. We've been wanting to dine here and the plan pushed through when we recommended the place to our dear friend Pius.


     The clouds were gloomy and the cold breeze seems to invite rain. But as usual, we don't let the rain ruin our day. Our umbrellas to the rescue! :p

Serene Haven

Thought to ponder

     Sonya's Garden is a restaurant, cafe as well as a bed & breakfast. It used to be a private garden, then the owner decided to have it opened to the public after being convinced by her family and friends. And thanks to them, we were able to share in their lovely experience at this place.

The Moon Garden Cafe

Two Hearty Meals at Moon Garden

     We had two meals when we were in Moon Garden. Our first was dinner during our first day stay and the other was a hearty breakfast included in the package.

On the menu

     They had a simple menu, one for breakfast, one for dinner or lunch. Breakfast meals included Filipino Style Breakfast (Homemade Corned Beef, Crispy Espada, Crispy Adobo Flakes, Crispy Paksiw na Bilong-Bilong, Cripsy Longganisa, served with scrambled egg, pickled veggies, and garlic fried rice) while the other menu served Garden Style Breakfast (A choice of egg, bread basket with butter or cereals). They use the freshest ingredients which make for a very hearty meal! :)

The Dinner

Dinner by the hut

     We decided to have our dinner in this hut -- as was mentioned in our previous post, it was surrounded by a pond with numerous lilies and plants. Dinner was just so relaxing! :)

Waterlilies

     The sofas were comfortable and soft, coupled with equally comfortable and colorful pillows. The table was low though but we didn't mind. :p

Comfortable Sofa

Casa Rap

Nice seeing you again, Casa Rap! ^_^ 

     After wrong turns and 3 hours on the road, (went to San Benito Farm first which we thought was the same with Hacienda San Benito where Terrazas de Barako is, where we were supposed to have lunch-unfortunately, there was misunderstanding so we weren't able to eat there) we finally reached Casa Rap at Km 90, San Jose, Batangas.

Peaceful Haven

     Casa Rap was formally opened as a restaurant in 2003. It used to be a clearing house for environmentalist from 2001. It's owned by Sis. Emmy Alday who is an advocate for the environment. Proof of this can be seen in the restaurants earth-friendly design and decors. 

THE AMBIANCE

Secret garden

Intimate dining

     The whole place feels like a secret garden! The myriad of plants, flowers and trees give of a refreshing vibe. The one-of-a-kind decors around make the place interesting and special. The vines allow for natural light to pass through and makes the space feel more intimate. You really feel one with Mother Earth when you're in Casa Rap! :)

Earth friendly :)