Another Reason to Eat.

My JOY LUCK CLUB did it again.

Mary Ann is going to leave for 2 months and we decided to throw her a farewell dinner party. I think it is just a ploy to make Minena cook and for us to stuff ourselves once again. I mean, Mary Ann will be back in two months so it's not like she REALLY needed a dinner party to see her off.

FOOD, this is what binds this group together like a fly to a flypaper. The first dinner together has now grown to almost a hundred times and pounds.

Minena, I have never tasted a better paella before. I am not saying just because you are my friend...or because you gave me 2 cakes last week....or because you always host our dinners at your place....IT REALLY WAS THE BEST. If you are asking me what makes it the best? I can tell you exactly what makes it just that....

1. The sizes of those darn prawns! I suppose you used the freshest and big ass shrimps because you are cooking for your own consumption as well..and I believe that you owe yourself only the best things in life.

2. The chorizo....darn, I would have been happy with just that and the rice.

3. The moist texture of the dish. It was still a bit sticky in the inside but was so well cooked that the flavor of each ingredient just pops in your mouth and then WHAM BAM thank you MAM, pure ecstasy!



The barbeque ribs were made by Gary Jamora! This gang is just calorie deadly, I tell you! To those who know me, you all know how I love barbeque ribs. It is the main reason that I cannot turn vegetarian. But the ribs that Gary prepared, on my gosh...the tenderness, the tangy flavor, the sauce even! Wow....simply...wow.

To you my readers, if you are not salivating by now or hear the grumble in your tummy, then you are not human.



AND because Christine thought that these 2 dishes are not enough, she HAD to buy delicious beef noodle soup from Ling Nam! Just the perfect appetizer to warm up the stomach for the dishes above. Sigh.....


And now, for the most evil part of a dining experience. The cakes. You probably will think that I am exaggerating when I tell you that the Strawberry Shortcake is one of the best cakes I have ever had, no offense to Cheffie, but even HE liked it! I am so totally not sharing the leftovers of that to anyone.. meaning just Cheffie and myself.

The chocolate mouse was w.o.n.d.e.r.f.u.l. That's all I will say about that because you might think that I am sucking up to you already.



Those who came, conquered and gained weight.





Thank you guys for the unforgettable evening and Pat for the use of your house.

And to you, Mary Ann and Alex....please let us know one week before your arrival here in Manila so that we can prepare another Joy Luck welcoming party which is really just another excuse to eat.

Slumber Party Gone Tame!

You are never too old to have slumber parties. This is what we proved when had a party for Rose and Eric who are to be wed this August. Initially, we were faced with many options as to what the theme should be. Since it is a merger between a Korean (Eric) and a Fil-Chinese (Rose), I was thinking of a United Nations Party. But that was turned down as being too conservative.

Jasmin was leaning towards the Hollywood Glam look but majority of my Joy Luck Club hates dressing up so that was thrown out the window. The bride to be, Rose then suggested S and M costumes which got a violent reaction from a few saying that they were not going to attend if they have to wear black patent boots and bra to match it with. I for one had to research something so wild! In the end, I told Rose that I just do not see myself wearing this...


So it was back to the drawing board until finally, Rose decided that we have a PAJAMA Party. Everyone sighed with relief especially since this is a dress down to the max event.

Well, pleased as we were with the theme, we were even more pleased when Minena agreed to do our dinner!!! YIPPPPEEE!!!! Not only did we have it in her house, we were going to eat the finest dishes that our version of Martha Stewart is known for.

To Rose and Eric, are you sure about this? Rose, you still have time to back out. But you know....nothing bad about having an endless supply of Bulgogi! YUM! BWA HA HAH HA! Just kidding Eric.

Till our next food trip. Enjoy the pics.

The sleeping quarters.





The tummy fillers.








The Sleepers.

My Joy Luck Club at Larry's, Serendra

Once or twice a month, I have dinner with a group of friends and since then, it has become a pattern that we must follow. Which is a good thing because it gives us all a reason to eat and try new restaurants. I have to let you know that these group of friends are mostly Chinese. Out of 12, there are only 5 of us that are flippers (Filipino). It kinda reminded me of a favorite movie of mine, Joy Luck Club and since then, I have referred to this group as such.

One evening, after dinner at Abe, my JLC decided to go to Larry's for dessert but it was full. Rose had to give her number to the waiter so that he could text her when our table was already ready. I think it was a neat trick for him to get the number of Rose, since Rose is a hot chick.




Anyway, dessert was great. Lava cake was delicious, coffee and tea were served and it was a nice atmosphere all in all. After that night, I have been back to Larry's for dessert and coffee three times. I think that it is the only place in Serendra that I recommend for a night cap. Of course there are other dessert and coffee places right next to it but I still prefer Larry's. You should try the mint chocolate chip smoothie. My sister ordered it and her husband Toby stole it from her. If you know Toby, a health freak, someone who would never touch sweet junk food, this must mean that this drink is too good to resist.












Going back to that night, there was something about Cherry lifting the hands of Minena and Mary Ann, as if she were the President endorsing these 2 as her choice candidates. It was hilarious. Well, you had to be there to understand. As you can see in the pictures, there's a lot of V fingers going on. Not quite sure how that happened because my drink, Bailey's coffee in a shot glass, made my tummy feel warm and fuzzy.



For all that know me, my liquor intake should only be 1 shot glass because any more than that, I am back to my zigzag-dizzy-dizon girl mode. I am a cheap date. When other girls can take 4, 5, 6 glasses and not even be tipsy, I would be on the floor, crawling my way out, dragging my ruined good girl reputation out the door.