Drooling for genuine Italian cuisine? Here is the place to be!
In celebration of Diana‘s birthday, we roam around SM Megamall to satisfy our gastronomical appetite. The best way to do this is to try something new. Finally, “Italy’s Most Wanted” caught our eye!
Pesce al Funghi
Chicken Parmigiana
Margherita
” Overall satisfaction guaranteed!” The meal was excellent and the service was satisfactory!
Gottis Ristorante is located at
SM Megamall – Atrium, SM Megamall
EDSA corner Julia Vargas Ave.
Mandaluyong, Metro Manila, Philippines
Phone Number (+63 2) 634-0348
Other branches are at SM Mall of Asia and SM Bicutan
You may like Gottis Ristorante at Facebook by clicking here
“when I was a child, I dreamt of putting up a restaurant with my mom’s name on it. so this is it…”
- Melissa ‘Mel’ Galvez-Borja
Owner of Muchas Gracias restaurant
On February 14, 2012, Mel realized her dream and opened Muchas Gracias in the City of San Fernando at La Union. What drawn me to check out this new place, was not only of their unique menu selection(s) but the owner is one of the primary “Chef”! Mel definitely cooks and rest assured that each bite will satisfy your palette (even make you crave for more!)
Here are a few selection at Muchas Gracias -
Halo Halo (with home made pastillas bits) – ang sarap!
dinuguan and cheese quesadilla
vigan sausage and cheese quesadilla
Okoy – masarap na pulutan!
Pancit Bihon – best seller for meryenda!
Grilled Tuna sandwich
Hawaiian/Korean Barbeque (on stick) served with country style fries, rice, green salad and iced tea
Grilled Fillet of Tuna served with country style fries, rice, green salad and iced tea
Grilled Tuna Belly – my personal favorite! the taste was distinct!
Bibingkang Galapong – In classic, blueberry and halo-halo flavor!
Mel honed her cooking skills by attending cooking classes, seminars (including training sessions at Mandarin Oriental, Makati) locally and abroad. She’s a former owner (part owner) of Halo-Halo De Iloko in its early years.
Muchas Gracias currently has a summer promo (until May 2012), Halo-Halo all you can for P75.00!
Look at what I did for my personalized halo-halo (Had 3 rounds! hehehe)
How to get to there: You may drop of at the plaza (highlighted in green) and take a trike to Muchas Gracias (P. Burgos St. corner Zandueta St.)
Muchas Gracias also does catering services for all occasions
You may also contact Mel for any inquires at (072) 607-8613 or 09206544497
32 – A number that reminds me of Shaquille O’Neil, Jason Kidd, Richard Hamilton and Magic Johnson (to name a few). It also reminds of my 32th birthday celebration last month.
What better way to celebrate it with family and my fiancee on one of my favorite places to eat – Ying Ying Tea House at Binondo, Manila.
A gourmet treat it was and a real joy. I loved to come back someday 0_o
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You may refer to my previous post about Ying Ying Tea House by clicking here for menu details and how to get there.
We were drop off at the Public Market of Vigan (as we requested), then we walked directly to Partas Bus Terminal. While waiting for the bus to arrive from Manila, we purchased a few packs of cornick (P34 per pack), a box of pudding (P65) and royal bibingka (P145).
Outlets: Galleria de Vigan, Florentino St., Vigan City, landline – (077) 722-2548; Partas Terminal, Vigan City, landline – (077) 722-6880; Ground Floor, Magic Mall, Urdaneta City.
The trip to Batac, Ilocos Norte took an hour and a half. After dropping off at the intersection of Batac, you may take either a jeep (P10 per person) or a trike (P50 per ride) and drop off at Paoay Church. The last time I was here was more than 13 years ago. Way back in college. O_o
We first ate lunch at Herencia Cafe (fronting Paoay Church). To view my post about our lunch, click here.
After lunch, we took a few pictures O_o
Also known as “San Agustin Church of Paoay “, it was initially constructed in 1694 and completed around early 1700’s. It is also one (1) of four Spanish-era churches in the Philippines (Baroque Churches of the Philippines), in-scripted to the UNESCO World Heritage List n 1993.
Its thick walls were built of coral stones and bricks and sealed by hard lime mortar, which according to historians, was made by “mixing sand and lime with molasses boiled with mango leaves, leather and rice straw for two nights. (source: http://pasyalan.net/ilocos_norte/paoay/paoaychurch.php)
We hired again a trike to drop us off to the nearest market/bus trips going to Laoag. After a 10- minute ride, we were drop off again to a trike terminal that make trips to Laoag International Airport. CebuPac was on time this time! O_o
No itinerary and no booked accommodation + Vigan + Paoay Church = ?
Taking advantage of CebuPac seat sale, we booked a flight for Laoag last weekend. Diana and I decided to visit Calle Crisologo (Vigan, Ilocos Sur) and Paoay Church (Batac, Ilocos Norte). Our flight was scheduled at 1225H Jan 14.
We took the shuttle service (P20 per person) at back of Chowking/Mcdo in MRT Taft station (Pasay Rotonda) past 0900H and shortly arrived before 1000H.
We were more than 2 hours early, yet the volume of people departing from Manila was high. The unthinkable happened, we were last called (thou, the flight was delayed for 25 minutes, typical! hehehe)
We arrived after an hour at Laoag International Airport. A free shuttle service (register first!) was provided that will take us directly to Partas. The fare from Laoag to Vigan was P125 for the air conditioned bus and the trip took 2 hrs and 30 minutes (They are picking passengers along the way).
Grandpa’s Inn
Upon arrival at Partas Bus Terminal in Vigan (around 1830H), we walked toward Calle Crisologo and looked for a place to spend the night. Finally, we chose Grandpa’s Inn. To view my post about our accommodation click here.
Tina’s Special Okoy and Empanada
After settling in, and our stomachs was rumbling, we proceeded to walk around in search for a meal uniquely can be called as Vigan’s own. We found ourselves spending dinner at the Empanadaan east of Plaza Burgos. To view my post about our dinner click here.
St. Paul Cathedral
Calle Crisologo
We roam around St. Paul Cathedral and Calle Crisologo for awhile before returning to Grandpa’s Inn to call the night.
Longganisa, Itlog ken Kinirog
We woke up around 0600H and prepared to eat for breakfast* at 0700H. To view my post about our breakfast click here
No public/private vehicles are allowed to pass Calle Crisologo. You can take a tour-guided tour around by calesa.
After a relaxing morning at Calle Crisologo (we were suppose to go to Baluarte, but we opted out and decided to just enjoy the day!), we checked out and proceeded to the Partas Terminal to take a bus bound to Laoag. O_o
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A fare for the trike going to the Public Market or Partas Bus Terminal will cost P10 per passenger.
Herencia Cafe – the birthplace of “Pinakbet Pizza”.
Our main goal was to eat in a restaurant that serves genuine “Ilokano” fusion cuisine, and what better way to have it just beside San Agustin Church of Paoay in Batac, Ilocos Norte.
How to get there: After dropping off at the intersection of Batac, you may take a jeep (P10 per person) or a trike (P50 per ride) and drop off directly at Herencia Cafe (near Paoay Church). Tricycle drivers will also offer you to be brought to Marcos Museum and Museleum.
When we arrived, Herencia Cafe was jumpacked! Luckily, one (1) table was free.
Imbaliktad – A beef stir fried pulutan dish with garlic, ginger and onion, vinegar (sukang Iloko) is added and season with salt and freshly cracked peppercorns.
Poque Poque – an Ilocano dish made of eggplant with onions, tomatoes, and egg.
a slice of pinakbet…
… and a slice of dinuguan O_o
The Sampler – your choice of two (2) flavors in 1 pizza.
The service did not took long, and the food was hot and freshly served. We enjoyed all we ordered, I took noticed of the dinuguan side of the Sampler! Burp! O_o
You can also purchase some pasalabong here.
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HERENCIA CAFÉ & SOUVENIR SHOP, CO
Brgy. 14 Sangladan, Paoay, Ilocos Norte, in front of St. Augustine Church of Paoay.
As we search for a place to spend the night in Vigan, we end up staying at Grandpa’s Inn. The accommodation is air-conditioned, with cable TV, hot and cold shower, free WIFI and complimentary breakfast*
Grandpa’s Inn is located a few blocks away from Calle Crisologo and a 5 minute walk to Plaza Burgos (where Vigan Empanadaan is located, click here) and St. Paul Cathedral. Grandpa’s Inn also provides massage service (upon request) and provides group tours, big or small. You can also purchase pasalubong here such as Vigan longganisa or Bagnet (but I would recommend that you buy it at the Market** instead).
** The market can be reached by foot (20 min walk away) or trike (as of 2012, P10 per passenger).
Kusina Felicitas
We chose Pares, Itlog ken Kinirog and Longganisa, Itlog ken Kinirog (the local version of paresilog and longsilog)
*served at Kusina Felicitas from 630AM to 1030AM only
Grandpa’s Inn
#1 Bonifacio Street cor, Quirino Blvd, Vigan, Ilocos Sur
