Travelling | Renewing my Inspiration




Dear Utopians,

Here comes a time when I felt low and poignant with what's happening in my routinely everyday life. This is just another circumstance when I feel hopeless, unloved, and yes, broke. This kind of mood doesn’t surprise me anymore as this happens almost every year for the past 5 years.  Like any other normal individual, I reflect and tried to decipher possible reasons of my misery.  Maybe, I live a life I never wanted or perhaps, disappointed with my achievements from last year, worst, envious about somebody else’s lives. Whatever it is, I know what to do…

Travel!  A short break from work and retreat will definitely renovate my inner soul’s energy. I learned that, it is best to identify contentment and happiness beyond the reasons of the universe when I spend time alone. Away from here, where the only noise is the sound of waves on the shore and the only distraction is the whirling sea breeze on my face. 

Travelers, I’ll be on vacation to renew my inspiration. When I come back, I hope to organize things out and prioritize what’s important. One of which is to fix up and keep this blog updated. Interesting travel tales and adventures have been lined-up and waiting to be written and told. Hop in and come away with me as I continue to search for my own Utopia, a place of ideal perfection.


Best Regards,

Rome

Just You and Me | A Valentine Cooking Class at The Maya Kitchen




The couple that cooks together, stays together. Find love in the kitchen as The Maya Kitchen features a couples’ cooking class on February 1 and 8, Saturday, 1-5pm. Only limited slots are available.

Guest Chef Martin Algarra of Chateau 1771 will conduct a cooking workshop with hands-on, featuring a delicious 4-course upscale dinner that includes Hand-Made Parmigiano Reggiano Ravioli with Napolitaine Sauce and Grilled Vegetables, Pan Seared Chilean Sea Bass with Balsamic Reduction, Provencal Tomato, Chorizo and Lentils, Squash Puree, Seared U.S. Beef Tenderloin with French Beans and Mushroom Marsala Sauce and Strawberries Mille Feuille.

For more information on other course offerings, log on to www.themayakitchen.com  or e-mail contactus@themayakitchen.com  or visit The Maya Kitchen Culinary Center every Tuesday to Saturday at 8F  Liberty Building, 835 A. Arnaiz Avenue (Pasay Road), Makati City or call 8921185 / 892-5011 local 108 / Mobile No. +63947 835 2290.


Press Release: This means that this material is fully and directly from the company issuing the press release. This also means that this website is not the author of the statement being read. The Cuisineuer is simply providing the information for readers who may be interested.

The Ayala Triangle Project | Wee Nam Kee

Roasted Pork (Lechon Kawali) Php 220.00


Real foodies or even health conscious people think of a plate of greasy goodness twice a week. This statement isn't a fact to everyone but to me. And for me, it means a plate of Roasted Pork, Crispy Pata, or sometimes, Wee Nam Kee's steamed or roasted Hainanese Chicken served with chicken rice - cooked in chicken broth, rich with chicken flavor and glistening with chicken fat. Yes, it's a simple dish, done well, and reaches heavenly heights.

Surprise, surprise! Here I am again at Wee Nam Kee's branch in Makati City's food-lover paradise to satisfy our weekly Hainanese Chicken Rice and Roasted Pork cravings. 




Wee Nam Kee, Singapore's number 1 chicken rice restaurant is conveniently nestled in the corner of Ayala Triangle Gardens, at the heart of Ayala Triangle Gardens lineup of restaurants designed with wooden tables and chairs for casual dining. Just like the other restaurant in the area, there's an al fresco area offering a good view of the lush garden.


Iced Lemon Tea (House Blend), Php 50 per glass and Cucumber Lime Fizz, Php 120


On the menu are all sorts of Asian goodies; Cereal Fried Prawns, Sichuan Hot, and Sour Soup, Crabmeat Tofu with Broccoli, noodles, Chinese Style Stir-Fried Beef Tenderloin, Crabs, seafood dishes etc. But having come for the signature dish, we stick to the basics. We ordered Steamed and Roasted Chicken Rice and Roasted Pork served with chicken rice . Bowls of broth and unlimited dipping sauces of soy, chili and ginger are included.


Chicken Rice Php 40.00


Two bowls of hot chicken broth were served first, followed by our chosen drinks. I had Cucumber Lime Fizz and geez, it has a subtle sweetness and refreshing coolness, I loved it!

We didn't wait too long. Soon enough, our steamed and roasted Hainanese Chicken are served boned and sliced with fresh cucumber in chicken broth and light soy sauce. 


Steamed or Roasted Small - Quarter 2 pax 248.00





Chicken rice was served alongside the chicken the grains of rice are clumped, shiny and yellowed from broth and chicken fat. It is rich with chicken flavor but not so laden with moisture that it's sticky. We can't help but order another servings of chicken rice.

Very satisfied, my brother and I finish every last bit of rice telling ourselves that the intake of chicken fat is worth every penny. Wee Nam Kee's  Hainanese Chicken, indeed was a taste of heaven.


Food Quality
5
Ambiance
5
Service
4
Cost/Prices
4


The project's criteria are; Food Quality, Ambiance, Service, and Cost/Prices, where  Five (5)   indicates "Exceptional Experience", Four (4)  indicates a place "worth a come back", three (3)  means "a casual place to eat", two (2)   means "acceptable", and one (1))   means "poor".


Wee Nam Kee,  Ayala Triangle Gardens
Ayala Triangle Gardens, Makati Ave., Bel-Air
Philippines
(02) 846-8924



Breakfast at Estrellas De Mendoza Playa Resort



The main and only restaurant of Estrellas De Mendoza Playa Resort in Laiya, Batangas is adjacent to the front desk, both are occupying the spacious lobby of the Mediterranean - inspired main building. Free of charge, buffet breakfast was ready as early as 6:00 AM and we were the earliest to arrive. We settled in a large table next to the buffet table, the restaurant is clean and cool with wifi access. Since I skipped dinner I was really hungry but managed to take some pictures of my nephew in the salad bar fixing his salad with lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, cucumber, corn kernels, onion rings and bell peppers. I also made the same to start my meal.




Pandesal, french bread and sandwhich bread are available at the Bread Station. Theres a small oven toaster and guests who had just arrived started to line up to toast their breads. Butter and fruit jams are also available. Toasting two slices of french bread took me a while because I need to stand in line so I took the opportunity to scoop scrambled eggs and get 2 pieces of fried Luncheon Meat while waiting. I think I saw machines for the preparation of  soft ice cream and frozen yogurt on the other side of the restaurant and craved for some frozen delights instantly at that very early time. I wondered if there are establishments selling ice cream or cold refreshments on the strip of Laiya shore that I could try later of that day.




Hunger paved away my cravings, I was really starving. I had two servings of Chicken Adobo, Fried Bangus Belly, Pancit Canton and Garlic Fried Rice. We had fruit cocktail for the finale. My breakfast at Estrellas De Mendoza Playa Resort in Laiya, Batangas was fulfilling.




Samovar | Feel Christmas Every Morning with Freshly Pressed Starbucks' Christmas Blend



Holidays are still around. In celebration of the Three Kings yesterday, we sampled and savored the richness of the season with freshly plunged Starbucks' Christmas Blend at the comfort of our home. Using Samovar tea and coffee plunger, a gift I received last Christmas from an office mate, I made my very first pressed coffee. 




I am switching from brewed Kapeng Barako to pressed Starbucks' Christmas Blend until supply lasts. I never knew that pressing coffee is much moreasier and tastier than brewing it.

Here's the steps on how to press the coffee;

1) Remove the top and filter from the plunger.
2) Place the coffee ground inside the plunger. 1 tbsp : 1 cup
3) Pour hot water.
4) Stir using wooden spoon or stirer. Do not use metal spoon to avoid damaging the glass of the plunger.
5) Put the top and filter back with the filter raised all the way up.
6) Let it brew for at least 4 minutes.
7) Stir again just before pressing the plunger, this will increase the flavor.
8) Press the filter down gently. Make sure the filter "sprout" is facing forward and wait 30 seconds.
9) Pour the coffee slowly into your cup. Serve with anything you want it with and enjoy!





Ocular Inspection | Estrellas De Mendoza Playa Resort

Estrellas De Mendoza Playa Resort
Location: Laiya Ibabao, San Juan, Batangas
Phone: (+632 819 6050)



It is cold outside, really cold. So let me provide you with a little vacation just 2 ½ hours away from the metro, further south of the nearby Batangas province...

Tagged as the biggest luxury resort hotel in Batangas, the Department of Tourism accredited Estrellas De Mendoza Playa Resort has big infinity swimming pool (800 sqm) and is the resort's key attraction. 83 fully-furnished superior rooms completed the Mediterranean - inspired main building and is the only high rise resort hotel in the strip of Laiya Beach.




They were received with utmost courtesy. Their spirits rose further when they saw the Christmas decorations adorned the foyer and the lobby's staircase leading to the building's storey. While Peachy was registering, they tried to ride the trasparent elevator on the other side offering a breathtaking view of swimming pool, beach and sea as they go higher. By the time they reached the ground floor back, Peachy and her parents-in-law were leaving the main building and being lead to secluded Cabana. Rome and his travel buddies, stayed-in overnight at the spacious Cabana 1-B (click here to check out my room review)




It was a very hot day but he forgot to bring his sunscreen lotion. Rome refused to join his cousins swimming and slept the entire afternoon. It was only after dinner when he had a chance to swim. The swimming pool has a rough edges, floors, and walls. Swimming in your two piece but in rash guard is recommended. 




The beach is lovely and a perfect setting for a romantic dinner as it offers magnificent hues of the sunset but not ideal for swimming. Rome jogged, walked and had a "me" time by the beach the following morning. Catching the fresh sea breeze while watching the cloud-capped Mount Daguldol nearby,"AAhh", he said to himself, "I wish I have a choice to be on vacation forever".





How to Synchronize your Timepieces to the Philippine Standard Time

Local travelers, you gotta synchronize your timepieces and gadgets to the Philippine Standard Time to avoid missing your flight schedules. Let us support the observance of National Time Consciousness Week, in accordance with Republic Act 10535. 

Synchronize your timepieces, phones and other gadgets to the Philippine Standard Time by checking the current time at http://kidlat.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/ourtime.shtml