Typical of my HubbyBubbly to have a list to go to whenever we go out.  This time, we tried the Italian place along Aguinaldo Highway named Piccolo Mondo.  This has been operational for several months already but it is only now that we will be trying it out.   I think we have exhausted the good restos in Tagaytay and we’re double checking what we have tried and what we haven’t.

No people except us and the servers.  We were fine with that.  Actually, I prefer to avoid the crowded place especially when JX with us. 

On the house! Bread sticks!  Love it especially with the balsamic vinegar, olive oil and parmesan cheese.  Another glass please.

(more…)

I was intrigued with Tootsie’s when we passedby this restaurant one January evening as we were on our way home. It was already late and the place was still all lit up! To add to our curiosity, a reader has also tipped about this restaurant that serve eclectic dishes and so, Tootsie’s became part of our must-see and must-go list.

To warm ourselves from the windy day, we decided to try their…

Pancit Molo (P334+, one of their house specialties). As described on their menu, it was cooked on a traditional way with the freshest ingredients - live shrimp, native chicken…from Lola marina’s recipe, improved by Carol, our cook and special favorite of our dad, Valentin. Always copied but never duplicated!

(more…)

Going out-of-town equates packing ALMOST everything at home.  It just tires me that I would want to stay home!  It takes 2 days to pack.  Now, they’re two of them, there are more things to pack!  But as you can see, it never stopped my HubbyBubbly from going out-of-town and tows us with him.  Well, that’s how powerful my HubbyBubbly’s convincing ability is.  Along the way, I know I’m going to regret it (as always and never learn!) and be tired after this weekend.  

And off we go…to one of our favorite destination, Tagaytay.  We had so many list of places to go to that day (yes, never ending list that just keeps on adding and adding week after week)  but we just ended up having lunch at Tootsie’s (no post yet!) because we started the day late.  After lunch, I can’t wait to rest!  And so, we were on our way to our lodging place — Hotel Kimberly.  We had to asked directions because we didn’t bother to really look at the map before we set off.  After a few turns and calls, alas, we finally arrived at Hotel Kimberly. 

(more…)

I couldn’t wait to dine at this famous must-eat Italian restaurant in Angeles City!  I remembered last year after the Hot Air Ballon Fiesta,

we went to C’ Italian Dining but were denied because they were already fully-booked!  From that day on, I was hooked on going there to eat and so, this was the day.  I was actually hesistant to join the Ultimate Kapampangan Tour 2 because it would mean leaving JX the whole day/night once again.  And of course, not to mention my devotion to nurse him comes into my mind but after so much deliberation with my HubbyBubbly, I agreed.  I also knew in my mind that it would be now or never…It was kinda impossible for HubbyBubbly to go and eat there twice just for me…if you know what I mean and of course, if we are only two (excluding AD since he eats whatever we eat) to dine there, the food wouldn’t be as adundant as what they would be having at the tour, not to mention much affordable expense.  Just being practical.

We arrived at the Oasis Hotel at around 4.30pm and went to the Hot Air Balloon for the night glow!  Boy, was it windy! It was just too bad that the night glow didn’t push through as the balloons can’t keep up with the strong winds that it kept on deflating.  They just tried to entertain the people (there were lots and lots of them!) with the torches dancing with the music but it was not as awesome as the night glow activity would have been so there was an early pack-up for the teams. 

Alas, the time has come and it’s 7pm.  We are about to get a taste of the superb dining experience at C’ Italian Dining…

are you ready to imagine what we had last Saturday?…You asked for it and the special menu by Chef Chris shall be served to you…

1st on the menu was…Panizza Selection (we had 2 kinds: parma ham with artichoke & garlic) with Arugula & Alfalfa Sprouts.

Creative thinking!  Sinful yet nutricious because of the greens that was included.  Definitely a must try!  You would not only pop the pizza into your mouth but you put the greens and roll it up to have one bite size pizza! 

<!–more–>

Another thinnest pizza on the list!  Well, I think both the crepe pizza at the Crepe de Chine and panizza are the thinnest ‘pizza” I ever ate.  I love the taste of the arugula when you bite on the pizza.  Nothing beats this!

*********************************************************************

Fine Carved Goose Salami and Tripo Fino with Special Ricotta Cheese Enticed with Lemon and Virgin Olive Oil

Aya-yay!  Cold cuts!  Best to get one of each and eat devour it all at once!

Spread ricotta cheese on the bread while adding the goose salami and/or tripo fino on top.  Bite!  Uhmp!  Having ricotta cheese was like having cottage cheese but in its lighter version (only 5% fat! More reason to indulge.). The lemon and olive oil did enticed us all.  The combination was just great!  We had to stop ourselves from finishing off the cold cuts and the cheese sauce because there’s still several more courses to be served. 

*********************************************************************

Assorted Garden Greens with Balsamic Cream

This is the healthiest dish of them all.  Dig in before we eat more of the sinful ones.  The greens were crisp and fresh.  Some loved it, some didn’t (How’d we know? There were leftovers!).  Time to go on to the next course!

*********************************************************************

Spaghetti Bottarga Di Tonno (A True Gift from God’s)

I was looking after AD (because he was playing with the other kids he met at the restaurant) and upon returning to my seat, I found the pasta on my plate.  Hmmm, too plain looking to be excited.  But boy, was I surprised!  You would only appreciate the taste once you’ve closed your mouth and begin to chew the pasta. It has grainy texture, I thought it was tuyo pasta because it tasted like it (similar to the one we had at Lime 88) but I knew I was wrong because it couldn’t be…Italian restaurant serving tuyo pasta…No way!  And true enough, it wasn’t the dried fish but the bottarga di tinno.  There was also a tinge of spiciness in it because of the red pepper flakes.  Upon reading some information on this, this pasta dish is actually a popular dish and easy to make!  Maybe I’ll try to do this at home but where will I get this bottarga di tinno?  I will visit Santi’s soon, maybe they’ve got one there.

Trivia: Why was it called a true gift from God?  Pardon me, but did Chef Chris elaborated on this when he presented this dish with the group?  Please do share the story with me.

*********************************************************************

Garoupa Fillet Baked with Virgin Olive Oil, Tomatoes and Fresh Basil presented on White Truffle Oil enriched with Polenta and Italian Broccoli

“Wow!” was all we had to say when this was brought to our table.  Everyone had their hungry eyes feasting on the big dish while the photographers were taking photos of it.  We can’t wait!  Hurry up please! 

You could faintly taste the tomatoes and basil on the fish and could never deny that there was a mixture of truffle oil.  The taste was enough for me to get another serving of it. 

The polenta was superb!  I thought it was mashed potato since this was usually the partner in crime of the fish/ meat but I was dead wrong.  The smooth but grainy texture should have given that away but I didnt’t took notice of it because this is my first time to eat polenta.  Thanks to Gianna for telling us what a polenta was.

*********************************************************************

Wood Fire Roasted Chicken with Green Baby Asparagus

Bathed in wine for 24 hours….blah blah blah….and slow-cooked in the oven for several hours.  I didn’t get excited as I took a bite of the chicken meat.  It didn’t taste special for me.  Honestly? I thought this would taste good as Chef Chris was describing how it was prepared and cooked.  Maybe it had too much of everything. 

*********************************************************************

Pork Shoulder Braised with Black Olives and Fennel Served on Butter Whipped Potatoes

This I likety!  Not much fat was seen, very tender, tasty and juicy!  Good thing, there were some leftovers that I was lucky to have taken it home and eaten it the next day for my lunch and dinner.

*********************************************************************

Grilled Angus Flank Steak “the C’ Classic” served with Whole Artichokes

Ooohhh my!  This is just too much!  But still, we can’t keep our forks down and our mouth stop from munching and munching!  We just love the steak!  Artichokes were also good. 

*********************************************************************

Lemon Cheesecake

I’m not a fan of cheesecakes but I think this one’s good.  I wouldn’t get another slice of it though.

*********************************************************************

Chocolate Panna Cotta

I likety!  Just wonderful!  Chef Chris even gave AD a serving of this just for himself.  How lucky AD was!  Wishing that we were also a kid so Chef Chris would also give me one.  Be careful in taking more than one servings for this is one sinful dessert!  Just look how fast AD’s hands are!  Always getting caught by the camera.

************************************************************************************************************

We were one happy family with a BIG tummy. 

What way to bring the food down?…W-A-L-K it off!  And off they went to the RED light district…No, I didn’t join them anymore.  I prefer to rest and just hang around the hotel room…and besides, AD was with me.

 How to go to C’ Italian Dining?

From Angeles exit, make a right turn going to Clark Base.  Follow the signs going to Clark Base. When you see SM Clark on your right, watch out for the stone building on your left with the C’ Italian signage.

Travel time from Manila: 1.5 hours

C’ Italian Dining

1210 Don Juico Ave., Clarkview Malabanas, Angeles City, Pampanga

+63.45.892.4059; +63.45.892.6993; +63.916.675.6611

Open on Tuesday to Sunday - 11.30am to 12 midnight; Mondays - 5pm to 12 midnight.

Have you heard about the Kinder Zoo in Manila?  Have you been there already?

I was walking along the underpass in Makati when I saw this poster.   I thought I’d share this with you so you can dispose your cellphone batteries, unused and broken cellphones and chargers the proper way instead of just disposing it together with your other household wastes.  Even if you don’t earn from dropping off these batteries/ cellphones/ chargers, at least. you’ve helped the environment in your own little way.

I know I saw those bins in SM (or was it Glorietta?) but the thought of taking its picture escaped me. 

Related Post: Earn Extra Cash From Your Garbage