Weekend Food Tripping at: Yabu:House of Katsu

One of the many wonderful experiences we had during our Tokyo trip was definitely, the Food!  During our last day, Mr. AMW and myself went for authentic Tonkatsu (Note: Tonkatsu = Pork Cutlet) as based on research, Japanese cook Tonkatsu  in a very unique way!  Is there any difference with how pork chops would taste base on the way it was cooked? 


The answer is...DEFINITELY!

This was the dish I had in Tokyo that took my breath away, Keith and I weren't talking for 10 minutes as we were quietly enjoying every bite of the Tonkatsu slice with cold, finely shredded cabbage bursting inside our mouths!   It was a strange yet overwhelming sensation!

Now that we're back home, 3 months have passed and there were days I crave for the perfect Tonkatsu I tried in Tokyo and even complained why no one would bring the AUTHENTIC way of cooking Katsu here in Manila!

Well guess what?  Someone finally did!

Chef Kazuya Takeda, the head chef of Tonkatsu Takeshin (a popular Tonkatsu restaurant in Tokyo) is Yabu's partner on all things Katsu!  With the skills and knowledge of Chef Takeda on Katsu passed on to our local chefs, I have full faith that I will get to try authentic Tonkatsu here in Manila!

It was a busy weeknight and as soon as we're off from work, we went all the way to SM Megamall (Mind you, we haven't been back for almost a year!) just to visit the newest House of Katsu that recently opened at SM Megamall's Atrium --- YABU.

 The place was packed and it was a weeknight, we were led into our table and that's were the fun begins!

After we took our orders, we were given a bowl of sesame seeds and we were asked to grind it to make our Tonkatsu sauce more aromatic and flavorful!  This was quite new as I didn't get to experience this step in Tokyo!

 After grinding the sesame seeds, you can pour the Tonkatsu Sauce and mix it well.  Okay, while waiting, I dipped my fingers and gave the sauce a try, Tonkatsu Sauce is actually a thick Japanese Worcestershire Sauce but this one is definitely not the type that you can purchase at the grocery!  Keith and I agreed on liking this sauce more than the one we had in Tokyo!  (Must be the additional newly ground sesame seeds that makes it more flavorful.)

 

 Available on table: Tonkatsu Sauce, Sesame Salad Dressing, 

Salad Oil, Pig Salt, and various spices

Hire and Seafood Katsu Set

Php475.00 (approx $11.00)

Hire (pork), Black Tiger Prawn, Cream Dory, Scallop, Eggplant & Pepper 

served with unlimited Japanese rice, miso soup, Japanese pickles,

 unlimited cabbage and sesame dressing plus bowl of fruit.

 If you're a first time Yabu customer like us, This is one of the best starter set to try!  You get to try their Tonkatsu and other seafood!  The Tonkatsu is definitely the exact (or even better version) of the one we had in Tokyo, and what took our breathe away?  How the medallion of scallop was thick yet very tender (how'd they do that?  I have no idea!)  From one bite to another, we were having this huge crazy grin on our faces!  

Each of the ingredients were coated with the right thickness of bread crumbs deep fried into perfection by maintaining the right temperature  There's no oily feel left on your taste buds!  If you like a zest of lemon, they have a slice of lemon for you to lightly drizzle it and top it with the special Tonkatsu sauce or feel free to be more adventurous and try on Japanese mustard.  Whatever choice you make, it'll be a happy experience!

Yabu Special Katsudon Sets 

(Chicken Katsudon)

Php330.00 (approx $7.70)

 Served with miso soup, Japanese pickles, unlimited cabbage

with sesame dressing and bowl of fruit

As I took one glance at the photo of this dish, I excitedly pointed it and ordered it right away!  Guess what?  Most of the restaurants have great looking pictures but looks disappointing once served, for Yabu, the dish served looks EVEN BETTER than on photos!  The bowl of "surprises" as I call it!  What do you get upon ordering this dish?

Chicken drizzled with miso based sauce accompanied by our ultimate favorite Nori, bonito flakes (used on Takoyaki) and fried sunny side up egg on top!  Once mixed together, the sauce, the various ingredients all mixed together was enough to make me ruin my diet!  Mr. AMW exclaimed: "This is the most unique Katsudon I've tried to date!" I second the motion.

Creamy Crab

A La Carte

 Another unique tasting dish, imagine biting on crab salad with crunchy "shell" on the exterior!  I left the lemon on the side and went ahead enjoying every bite even without condiments!

Our drinks for the night!  Of course, Mr. AMW has his trustee Coca Cola! I went for ripe Mango Shake.

 Before I end this post, let me share to you how unique Yabu, House of Katsu is not only in terms of their food but also their interiors!  As I got in to their wash room, check out the "Wall of Fame"!  Reviews, features by various publications were visible!  It was a fun read as I know a lot of the bloggers that were featured! The next person waiting outside the restroom probably didn't enjoy the fact that I was taking my time inside!  *sorry* hehehe

Overall, service was great!  Though the restaurant was packed, the servers were very friendly and patient in explaining the menu!  They seem to know the food really well as I get to pick my orders easily!  

How about the food?  Well, I've got nothing more to say but Yabu definitely surpasses all my expectations!  They have definitely brought authentic Katsu straight from Tokyo to Manila!  I'm very happy with my experience and would definitely go back!

 

Yabu: House of Katsu

2nd Floor Mega Atrium,
SM Megamall, Philippines

Tel. no: (632) 576-3900
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/yabuhouseofkatsu

 Have you tried Yabu?
What's your experience?

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

Eureka Moment: Catch Your Nail Clippings!

Happy Saturday everyone!  Did you wake up with a huge smile today?  I'm off to a very busy morning til evening so I'm making sure to leave you with a post before I leave home!  

Over the years, we have a favorite nail clipper, a small, Hello Kitty one that works so well for my tiny nails and the added bonus?  It's never messy when I cut my nails!  The Hello Kitty plastic catches each nail clipping and I took the fun of it for granted!  When it finally died on us after a decade and I started to cut my nails like a regular person *laughs* ooohh sounds so critical! :P  I cut my nails in front of a trash can and try to be as gentle as possible but I still ended up having my nail clippings flying everywhere!  

Am I a whiner?  *sorry*!  

Whiner or not...it's....EUREKA MOMENT! 

No more Hello Kitty Neat Clip but hello Denco Accents Neat Clip!  It's a tad bit bigger and it looks more professional!  This simple innovation may be nothing to other people but it means a lot to me and my feet!  *laughs*  Stepping on a nail clipping ain't fun :(

A regular sized nail clipper is covered with a plastic case, it may look just like decoration to some of you but it has its purpose!

The plastic catches the nail clippings.  The only concern for now is that I find it difficult to remove the plastic from the nail clipper, it takes a bit of practice and tactical skill!  *laughs*

But overall, I'm happy such unique find still exists!  Again, this may be a useless invention to some but this means a lot to me!  A lot!  Since I love to cut my nails inside our room and I like walking around barefooted! 

Don't forget to follow directions! 

Denco Neat Clip costs Php149.00 (approx $3.50) available at Purbeauty Store, Landmark Trinoma and PCX.

Do you think a Neat Clip is a nice invention or a useless one?
Would you purchase and use one?

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

AMW Reviews: Lancome's Rouge In Love

I have a couple of Lancome Lipsticks which I save only for clients!  I tend to pick it up for my more mature, classy clients as that is what I feel about most Lancome lipsticks. 

Not until I saw this ad...what's in my mind?

"Emma Watson!  Don't do that do your Lancome lipstick!"  

*laughs* With Emma Watson as their model, the lip colors must be hip, fun and vibrant!  After a quick visit at the Lancome Counter at Rustan's Shangri-La Mall a couple of weeks ago, I'm happy to say, I'm right (again) *beams* :P !

Lancome says ---

Love your lips! Finally, the long wear lipcolor you'll love to wear. This collection of radiant, high potency colors, with up to 6 hours of wear, is surprisingly featherlight, offering delightful comfort.

Discover the lipcolor that describes you best and let your lipcolor show your mood, any time of the day.

Categorized in 3 moods:

• Jolis Matins: Fresh shades for daytime wear. Jolis Matins shades are identified with the letter M in the shade number.
• Boudoir Time: Pop shades for cocktail hour. Bourdoir Time shades are identified with the letter B in the shade number.
• Tonight is My Night: Intense shades for magical nights. Tonight is My Night shades are identified with the letter N in the shade number.

AMW says ---

Pros

• Smooth and creamy.
• Doesn't settle in lip lines.
• Gives moisture on lips.
• Nice, "true to tube" , pigmented shades.
• Has wide array of shades good for day 'til night.
• I saw the full sized packaging at Lancome Counter and they don't look boring!
• Stays on even after drinking and eating!  I'm surprised I came home with still a good hint of lip color even though it was completely a "no retouch night".
• I believe this line is permanent.

Cons

• Price.  Though the concept of changing lipsticks depending on the time of day is wonderful, it is a bit pricey to do so.

Overall
Pigmented lip color that hugs your lips and stays for longer hours and moisturizes the lips blurring out lip lines.

Tips

• I usually advise readers to apply lipstick with a lip brush but not Lancome's Rouge In Love lipsticks, they are so creamy on tube that I enjoy the feeling of applying it straight from tube to lips!
• If you are a makeup artist, use a lip brush and wipe before dipping your brush again on the lipstick.
• For extra plump and shine, add a clear gloss at the center of the lips.

Will I purchase?
Yes.

To whom do I recommend this to?
Daily lipstick wearer.

Where to purchase and how much?
At Lancome counters for Php1,295.00 (approx. $30.00)

Swatch

Rouge in Love in 132M on tube 

and applied heavily on lips

Rouge in Love in 163B on tube 

and applied heavily on lips

132 M

Jolis Matis

This is a great day time lip color that's close to my original lip color.  It has a pale rose pink type of shade that works for an office look, no makeup look or a nice coffee break with friends.

163B

Boudoir Time

A lip color that has enough shine for that late afternoon to night out!  Though this lipstick shade is part of Boudoir Time, I feel applying this shade lightly on lips can still double up as a day time lip color!  This reminded me so much of a Clinique lip color I own called All Heart but this one is a tad bit lighter.

Personally speaking, I think all the lip shades from each category can work on different times!  There's no limit to your makeup creativity!  In simpler terms, Rouge in Love is a permanent line of lipstick from Lancome wherein different age group can enjoy!  There's always a shade for everyone because there's a wide array of shades ranging from pinks, reds, corals, browns and nudes.

Would you change your lip color depending on time of day?
How many times in a day can you change your lip color?

I do change my lip color but it doesn't depend on the time of the day but it depends on the functions I'm attending to!  In a day, the most number of lipstick shades I can change is around 3 --- MAX! 

Share your lipstick stories!  I'd love to hear from you!

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

AMW Reviews: Estee Lauder Double Wear Light Foundation SPF10

As a makeup artist who loves to focus her craft on Brides, AMW is always on a lookout for "Bridal-friendly" cosmetics!  Meaning, lightweight, can stay more than 10 hours, waterproof, sweat-proof and tear-proof!  

That's a huge demand not every makeup brand can handle!  As I go through this journey of finding the best of the best (via product reviews as I love to look back on my own reviews and compare products.), I will definitely share it here as I try on different products on myself and on clients!  

Please, feel free to click comment and share your experience as an "end user" and maybe, if I have any professional makeup artist readers, do share some of your great finds as the world is a better place with beautiful people helping each other stay beautiful! :)

Spotlight: Estee Lauder Double Wear Light Foundation SPF10 

which was hailed "Best for Brides" in Brides Beauty Awards, Brides Magazine June 2010

Winning an award in the US won't stop me from raising my brows as we have unique weather here in Asia.  I'm not sure I read it right but I believe there's a Western and Asian version of this foundation and the Asian version is made in Japan.  If that's the case...this...might work!  Smile and read on for my full blast review!

Estee Lauder says ---

15-hour wear, light as air-long-wear makeup is now lightweight makeup.

• Fresh, natural, comfortable.
• Goes on sheer, leaves skin free to breathe all day.
• Controls oil.
• Resists smudging and won't "melt" off through heat and humidity.

For a look that stays vibrant and fresh whether it's a workday, a workout or a weekend. Smooth it on once and don't think twice about it.

Formula facts

• Oil-free
• Dermatologist-tested
• Non-acnegenic
• Won't clog pores
• Fragrance-free
• Photo-friendly

Size: 30ml
Shades: Intensity 1.0 (lightest) to 3.0 (darkest)

AMW says ---

Pros

• I used to be very OC when it comes to tube packaging, I like to peek at the hole to see if someone squirted out some of the foundation making me feel uncomfortable as I don't get what I pay for!  *laughs*  So getting a "sealed" product always makes me feel good that the product is "fresh from manufacturer" and I get all 30ml!  (I know, I'm sick!  hahaha)

 

• Feels super light on skin.
• You can create light to medium full coverage.
• Once you pick the right shade, you get a very natural look no matter how much you apply!
• Can even out my skin tone and reduce redness.
• Does not dry out my skin even without moisturizer underneath.
• Very easy to blend.
• Indeed photo friendly, none of the white cast!
• Fragrance free!  I'm not a fan of scented foundation.
• No allergic reactions.

Cons

• Very limited shade availability.
• Gives a bit of "sheen" which may translate as "oily" to super oily-skinned individuals.
• I can't say this is a15-hour wear with our super humid and crazy weather.  Let's say max 6 hours for normal/dry skin and 3-4 hours for oily skin? 

Overall

Though the color range is small, I'm glad I found a perfect match on Intensity 2.0 which works for NC20-25 skin.  I like how this foundation feels so light and blends like a dream! 

Tested on an oily-skinned client, I got a feedback that the foundation looks as good as it was freshly applied with minimal oil-control film-blotting after 2-3 hours.

Tips

• Concealing may still be needed for that extra spots and dark under eye circles.
• To prevent the product from sliding off especially for combination and oily-skinned, a good oil-control primer would help make the foundation last longer!
• If you prefer a very natural finish, feel free to leave without setting the foundation.
• Try on different brushes to pick which one works best for you!  For this particular foundation, I love using the foundation brush.

•  The foundation dries pretty fast so you have to work quickly and blend properly.
• Brush with downwards stroke, same direction as the growth of your facial hair.
• Start foundation application on your skin that needed the most coverage!  I always start at the center as that's where most of my redness are!

Will I repurchase?
Yes!  For myself and for brides!

To whom do I recommend this to?
Everyday liquid/cream foundation wearer and because of the low SPF, I also highly recommend this to brides!

Where to purchase and how much?
Available locally at Estee Lauder counters for Php2,000 (approx $46.50).

Product Photos and Swatches

  A tiny hole making it easy to control the amount of product needed

 Shade Availability:
6 shades in other countries but 

3 shades locally (Intensity 1.0-3.0)

 

A tiny drop of Intensity 2.0 

has a yellow base undertone

This shade reminded me so much of MAC Studio Fix Liquid Foundation in NC25

As you lightly blend the foundation it sinks into the skin quickly showing some of my lines which scared me a bit, at this stage, please to not fret and continue to blend the product to "warm" it up.

 Once blended, the foundation disappears making it look like my original skin - the better version!

Looking very closely, there is a tiny hint of 'sheen' making your skin looks extra healthy and glowing.

I requested Mr. AMW to take my before photo in as much natural lighting as possible for you guys to see the redness at the center of my face (ex. sides of my nose) and you can also see some tiny veins on my cheeks + dry patches (that's how thin my skin is and a dermatologist agreed.).

Right photo shows my skin after applying Estee Lauder Double Wear Light Foundation in Intensity 2.0 using a foundation brush blending with my clean fingers patting motion.  As seen on photo below, my skin looks super even and all the redness were gone making it look like I have naturally gorgeous skin! It was an added bonus that the foundation did not dry up my skin considering the fact that I skipped moisturizer application for the sake of product review. :)

I haven't really looked into Estee Lauder as a brand for my clients but after having a good experience on this foundation, I'm definitely giving this brand a second and third look!

Any other Estee Lauder star products in your kit?  I would love to know so I can try them myself!

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

(Product received during an event. Reviews 100% mine.  Please purchase at your own discretion.  The author highly recommend buyers to try on testers before purchasing.)

AMW Wears: Hang Ten Dress

Hang Ten Dress?

Wow, seriously?  Well, I was as shocked as you when I went for a quick Hang Ten store stopover at SM Mall of Asia to buy shirts for Mr. AMW!  Gone were the days I see shirts with 2 foot prints (they are still there!) but, they definitely have a lot of fashion items available for young to not-so-young *ahem* girls! 

The dress may look familiar to you as I've decided to wear it for a FULL day of events and workshop!  I wore this paired with a nude flats which I bought from Tokyo during the MAC Hey, Sailor! launch.  

Then I went for shoe change before I head on to the Benefit Porefessionally Pretty Workshop!  I changed it to my favorite Ferretti wedge because this is the most comfortable pair that gives me the added height!

Hang Ten Floral Dress Php845.00

The dress is very comfortable and I can move around easily, added that I have a shorts underneath just in case the wind decides to be a man!  *laughs*

I will share more of my outfit finds that would work on any occasions, anytime of the day!
Feel free to Like Hang Ten Philippines on Facebook.

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!