Weekend Food Tripping at: Cafe Adriatico

Today's weekend food tripping wasn't done this weekend but a couple of weeks ago.  I forgot to write about this because...I am just old and forgetful! *laughs*  I was at SM Mall of Asia for a make-up gig when Bestfriend and her nice hubby treated us for lunch!  Cafe Adriatico is close to my heart because the original branch at Ermita was the restaurant I first "bonded" with my Dad-In-Law...those were the days I was still young and scared of him!  *laughs*  Gosh, am I sharing too much?  

Anyways, focusing back on food, Cafe Adriatico offers Classic Filipino and some international dishes.  

Garlic Rice 

Who could go wrong with garlic rice and Filipino dishes?  Like I said over and over again, I am not a rice eater but show me Bibimbop and Garlic Rice, you get to see me EAT!

Sinigang na Baboy sa Sampaloc

Php175.00 (approx $4.00)

Traditional Filipino Sour Broth, I love drizzling the soup on my garlic rice!

Gising-Gising

Php145.00 (approx $3.30)

Minced stalk of kangkong spiced with small chilies and simmered in coconut cream.

My ultimate favorite Filipino dish!  Yup, its not meat, but vegetables! I was first introduced to this dish by my bestfriend and I was hooked!  There are different ways of cooking this though and not all restaurants can cook according to my taste!  But this one is a slam dunk!  Bestie's hubby had to re-order because this never left my sight!

Binukadkad na Crispy Pla Pla

Php254.00 (approx $5.70)

Butterflied fried pla pla (fish) served with balo baloand fresh mustard leaves

Really crispy and the sauce fits perfectly to the fish!   I have to applaud them for the wonderful presentation.

Lola Ising's Adobo

Php295.00 (approx $6.70)

Under the Kaning Ulam (rice topping) menu.  Fried Spareribs adobo served with sauce and atchara.

Perfect with the sauce!  Not the typical Adobo I've tried that are drenched on adobo sauce.  

You can literally taste the crispiness of the spareribs.

Cafe Adriatico

SM Mall of Asia

2/F SM Mall of Asia, Bay City

Pasay City, Metro Manila

Philippines

(02) 556-0608

FYI, I don't go snooping on other people's bill when they treat us, for the sake of the readers, I went on Munchpunch.com for the name of the dish and prices!  Hope this helps Filipino Dish lovers out there to give this restaurant a try.  Thumbs up for the service and the place is usually packed!

Any international readers out there who loves Filipino Food?

Happy food tripping!
Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

Hotel Reviews: Contemporary Hotel

Remember the last time I was complaining how we did not have electricity and water for 3 days?  Me and hubby cannot survive the third day without electricity and we have to go to work the next day!  Late at night, around 9:00pm, we've decided to hunt for a place to stay that's inexpensive as we only need to sleep and take a shower!  I have to wake up at 5:00am the next day so I don't need a 5 star hotel as I won't be enjoying whatever amenities the hotel can offer.

We drove around the Metro in search for a decently priced hotel!  Thanks to my friend Jals who told me about this hotel her dad used to stay on business trips, we've decided to give this hotel a look as we've seen enough old and dirty hotel!  

Thank goodness Contemporary Hotel passed our tastes.  

Deluxe Room 

Double Bed

The Contemporary Hotel says ---

Situated in the heart of Quezon City, The Contemporary Hotel is conveniently located in business commercial district of Manila. All guestrooms and suits are equipped with modern amenities for guests’ comfort. This hotel is perfect for guests looking for excellent location, friendly services and a great value for money. 

Checkout time: 11:00am

No. of floors: 3

No of rooms: 87

Year Hotel Built: 1999

Year Hotel Last Renovated: 2009

AMW says ---

Pros

• Hotel room is clean
• Has airport transfer service for our friends who needed to go to the airport
• Inexpensive room rate 
• If breakfast is not included in the room rate, additional charge is inexpensive, around Php150.00 (approx $4.00)
• Includes smoking and non-smoking room
• Has free WIFI internet at the lobby
• Bed is big and quite comfortable
• Television has cable channels
• Has desk for yo to work with your laptop or other stuffs
• Hot and Cold shower
• Contain towels, soaps and shampoos
• Room has enough plug (220v)
• Has ample parking space at the back
• Has swimming pool
• Walking distance to several restaurants and SM Sta. Mesa Mall
• Friendly and helpful staffs

Cons

• The hotel is right next to the Funeral parlor.  It's not that freaky promise!
• Those who loves the view, this hotel does not have a good view!
• Only 1 restaurant inside the hotel
• The hotel lobby is quite dark and a lot of mosquitoes!  You need to wear pants when you plan to stay there to use their free WIFI
• No WIFI inside the room
• No elevators, so this is not recommended for old people who have a hard time walking.  Hallways are quite far
• The hotel is not located in the center of a business district (for those who need to travel to work)

Overall

One of the most inexpensive hotel that fits our standards.  Do not expect too much for the price but you will be surprised how some hotels who have the same rate look.  I love the fact that they just renovated the hotel last year.  I used to have a hard time sleeping in a hotel bed but I don't have issues on this one!  I found this place to be a gem hidden within the Metro.  If there are any blackouts in the future (I pray not!), I will be going back to this hotel for sure!

Do I recommend this to friends?
Yes. 


How much per night?
Php1,800 (approx $40.00) per night without breakfast for Deluxe Room (choice of twin bed or double bed)

Here's to show you to look inside the room

Quite spacious and modern

The Shower Room, quite clean and 

I love the fact that they use white light in here!

Personal preference! 

The pool area, I grabbed this photo on the internet! 

The Contemporary Hotel

8 G. Araneta Avenue, Quezon City

tel. no.: 632-910-4203 upto 05

Do you have a backup hotel place to stay just in case you can't sleep inside your own home?  Well, better yet, sleepover in a friend's house!  That's even better!  *laughs*

Keep smilin'
Stay Happy!

AMW Reports: Ice-Watch Launch

When I got an invite to attend an event for watch, I told myself I have to go!  I love watches!  I love wearing different watches on different days depending on my mood!  I think I got that from my dad! 

I can still remember the watch my brother gave me on my Graduation Day.  I also have a watch that was gifted to me for my "Engagement Day",  a Wedding "His and Her" watch from my sister and so on and so forth.  Each watch I own has its own story to tell!

Bright, playful, colorful, sophisticated or classy --- there's an Ice-Watch for everyone for any occasion.  

Fit's my personality right?  I googled Ice-Watch right away and learned that the watch is designed in Belgium.  Ice-Watch is an internationally renowned watch brand born in 2007.  Founded by the designers Jean-Pierre Lutgen, Polly Yu and Cristy So, the idea of "Change.  You Can." came to life when they started creating a wide variety of watches to suit every lifestyle and attitude.  The brand entered the Philippines just last year (2009).  I remember seeing them at Rustan's and wanted one myself because of its various designs that fits every mood you can think of!

The lovely stage at C3 Events Place.  It was raining hard outside but the reception inside was warm!

The display of Ice-Watch.  The stack-able box that doubles as a coin box caught my attention!  I want the white, the pink, the yellow, the red...uhmm....I mean..ALL OF THEM?

The event was hosted by none other than Mr. RJ Ledesma.  A good host!  Models showed off different Ice-Watch collection.

Ice-Watch can be considered as a fashion accessory and I agree!  Nine collections ranging from classic to playful.

• The Classic and Sili collections - offer a wide choice of colors, from the more sober to the more flashy, with a polycarbonate or silicone texture for the bracelet.
• Silicone lines (summer 2010/winter 2010/chocolate) - has just added a large range of colors.
• Gold and Silver collection (leather bracelet), Gold Rose, Stone (Silicone leather or polycarbonate bracelet) or XXL (rubber bracelet) - best worn for more formal events or business meetings
• Chrono models - for the sports enthusiasts
• Ocean and 1844 collections - the more understated collection that can be worn at any time.

The distributor of Ice-Watch in the Philippines also invited the managers of Ice-Watch from Belgium on this lovely event.

The event gets more exciting when we were each given "play money" for auction.  Most of the auctioned items were kept inside a paper bag so it's mostly a surprise watch design that you will win.  I did not win anything but I saw a couple of good pieces being won by our fellow bloggers!  

I prefer to purchase watch that suits my taste so the "boring Nikki" went ahead to use the Php1,500 coupon and purchased my very own Ice-Watch, which I will show to you later on! :)

Saw a couple of familiar faces

It was like a reunion!  

Can I seriously leave without taking a picture with the life size Ice-Watch mascot?  Of course now!  I felt bad for the guy inside though!  He's obviously tired!  *laughs*

Here's my purchase!  I actually wanted a white version of this but the small face "white version" was out of stock so I opted for the black one!  Sorry for the tired face!  Concentrate on looking at the watch please?  *laughs*  The watch costs Php4,200 (approx $93.00).  Thanks to Ice-Watch for the gift certificate I was able to slash off Php1,500 (approx $34.00) off the price! 2 years warranty by the way!  Smart shopper right? 

For more detailed information on Ice-Watch, please visit the website ice-watch.com or you can send them an email at ice.watch@yahoo.com.

Thanks Ice-Watch and Ms. Abigail Ang for the invite!

Are you a watch lover like myself?
Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

What's Up AMW?

Okay, do I take a breather?  THIS IS a breathing ground for me!  Blogging can take the stress out of my system!  It's like talking to my friends and I can say whatever I want!  So I want to thank YOU for reading whatever I have to say in this cyber world!

I am on a sentimental mood as it's raining quite hard outside and all I can think of is how lucky I am to have such wonderful friends and readers to take time to read what I write.  Thank you followers for following, subscribers for subscribing and commentors for commenting! <-- that's one hell of a lazy sentence but you get my point right?

There are a couple of contests and happenings and I just want to give a summary of it just so you won't miss anything! Is that ok?  Well, if not...no choice!  I'll still continue to type... *hahaha*

Feel free to click on the link to get into the contest details ---

1. Levi's Create Your Own I Believe Badge and Win Php1,000 Worth of Gift Certificate - this contest is open to local readers, I swear, I got my own pair of the new Levi's jeans and I'm loving the fit! 
Contest ends: September 4, 2010

2. Happy Kainan Saturday with Mr. and Mrs. AMW - this contest is sponsored by Coca-Cola for the family!  Philippine readers are to comment on how they enjoy sweet moments with food and Coke!  Easy easy easy!  Click on the contest title to win yourself Php10,000 worth of Family Package at Manila Peninsula!  So worth it!  I love the hotel so much!

Contest ends: September 11, 2010

3. Something New: Lorys Hair Cream - for the hair lovers out there who wants some pampering time for the hair!  There's a 1,000 grams worth of hair cream that's meant for your tired and stressed hair!

Contest ends: September 10, 2010

Aside from Contests, there's a 2 hour seminar by yours truly.  Dollface Makeup Seminar from 2:00-4:00pm on September 25, 2010 at Eastwood Mall, Libis!  Dollface is also hosting a contest on her Facebook for you to win yourself a slot!  Click HERE to join and she will be selling Dollface Makeup too!  I'll see you there?

Last but not the least, my dearest friend Sophie from Beauty & Minerals recently launched awesome brush collections!  I was actually quite lucky to be able to test on these brushes!  I'll give you an in-depth review for sure, better wait and see as it's going to be LONG and ass kicking!  *laughs*

Charm Pro Makeup Brush Set

Charm Travel Pro Brush Set V2

**both photos above taken from Beauty & Minerals website photographed by Mark Ong

Note from Beauty & Minerals for my US and Canada readers ---

Beauty & Minerals will be offering special shipping arrangements for orders from the U.S. and Canada, as Sophie will be going to Canada this September 13. Sophie will be taking orders for September 1 until September 10, 2010. Take advantage of the lowered shipping fee (based on Canada Post rates ) instead of having them sent via Fedex from the Philippines, which is so expensive! Please email Sophie for your orders at beautyandminerals@gmail.com for a shipping quote.

I will have more exciting contests and happenings soon!
Thanks for reading AMW!
I love you all! 

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

Nail Art Tutorial: "Super Mario's Mushroom" Nails

Good morning everyone!  It's Thursday and I'm staying positive as weekend is near!  Though I've been super busy the couple of days, I'm glad I was able to squeeze some time for a nail art tutorial!  I know how a lot of nail addicts out there would like to see some nail action! 

I did not have much time to spend on nails so I've done something quite simple yet cute, for me anyways! :)  I've always been into cute stuffs and the Mushroom from Super Mario is not an exception!  I was in Hong Kong then when I saw this cute Mushroom paper clip that I've been wanting so bad that was given for free at 7-11 for every purchase! I have to go to different 7-11 stores to claim for the free paperclips and can you imagine the look on my face when I finally got one????  The sales guy thought I went crazy when I screamed "YES!" in front of the counter! :P 

See what I've been doing collecting paper clips?

Before I start the tutorial, I want to thank the wonderful CutePolish's Channel on Youtube for inspiring me to do this nail art tutorial.  When hubby saw the tutorial, he requested for me to do this!  I'm glad I did!  As this nail art for the week can put a huge smile on my face!

Here's my Super Mario's Mushroom character inspired nails!  Not as good as the original but hey...I've tried!

Step 1:

Apply a base coat or a clear polish if you don't have a base coat.  I am using The Face Shop's Base Coat.  Let dry.  Create French Tip using any matte white polish.  The French Tip does not have to be perfect.  For the OC folks out there, you can use a French Tip tape to create better looking lines!

Step 2:

Using a Nail Art Brush (which I bought in Hong Kong), Create a red line using the same red polish you will use to create mushroom.  In this nail art tutorial, I am using The Face Shop's Polish in Red (RD001)

Step 3:

To create mushroom, draw a curve or outline to create mushroom's head.

Fill in the outline with the red polish color.  Use short strokes at a time and do not worry if you got into the white portion.  You can always fix by re-applying the white polish over the red. 

You can always adjust and slowly correct the lines with a nail art brush.

Step 4:

Using L.A. Colors Art Deco in Black, draw 2 vertical lines as "eyes".

Step 5:
Using a nail art dotting tool, apply random dots.

Step 6:

You can do Mushroom nails on all your fingernails.  In my case, I chose to do the ring finger and thumb.  On other parts that I prefer to leave it as French Tipped nails, I apply a glittery gold polish for that nice "shimmer".

Step 7:

Making sure the polish are dry apply your preferred top coat to protect your nail art.  I used Elianto's Top Coat.

I did similar nail art on my toes using green!  One Up! :)

I felt like a kid with this nail art!  I love this!  I hope you'll give Mushroom a try! 

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!