Second Time at KKK

It was my nephew's monthly check-up and as a routine, we had again a sumptuous lunch at MOA. Dahil kasama si mother today, we decided to dine again at KKK para matikman niya. Hindi kasi siya nakasama sa first KKK experience namin.

We had a different order that day, except for the Baked Scallops dahil favorite namin yun. We tried Sinigang na Bangus Belly, Ensaladang Talong, Pinakbet (their best seller) and KMB (mix of lechon kawali, tomatoes and green mangoes on a bagoong na isda sauce).

Baked Scallops

My KKK all-time favorite

The baked scallops tasted heavenly. Creamy and cheesy yung sauce and perfectly cooked yung scallop. Hindi siya rubbery. At dahil favorite namin siya, 2 and orders namin. Yum yum. I'll eat you again soon. 

Ensaladang Talong

I did not tasted this so I cannot give my personal comment on this. Hindi kasi talaga ako kumakain ng talong. But according to my cousin, masarap daw. She liked it a lot. Siya ata nakaubos.

KMB

(mix of lechon kawali, tomatoes and green mangoes on a bagoong na isda sauce)

I love this one too. It was my first time to taste bagoong na isda sauce. Nalalansahan kasi ako sa amoy pag ginagamit dito sa bahay. Masarap din pala siyang sawsawan sa hilaw na manga instead of the usual bagoong alamang. Lechon Kawali was crispy. Enjoy kainin kahit may braces ako. Hehe.

Sinigang na Bangus Belly

I'm not a fan of Bangus but I enjoyed this dish. Perfect yung asim ng sabaw. Hindi rin tinipid yung bangus belly and vegetables na laman ng sinigang.

Pinakbet

(KKK's Best Seller)

Definitely masarap. KKK received awards because of this dish and they deserved it. I only eat Pinakbet by mood and during that day, wala talaga ako sa mood kumain pero dahil masarap siya, I enjoyed eating it.

KKK experience is great. I would definitely recommend it at babalik ulit kami dito. We left the place with a big smile and a full stomach. :)


Meet the ultimate food trippers. :)

Ako at si Ate Min 

(while waiting for the food)

Kuya Ren, Tita Mina and Mama.

Yakimix Experience

Last January 12, 2012, my officemates at Smart invited me to join them for dinner at Yakimix. I was very excited to join them since I often see Yakimix being featured on TV with several foods to choose from. What made them different than most eat-all-you-can restaurant is their smokeless grill. I was really curious to find out whether I would enjoy the experience in the restaurant since I'm planning to have my graduation dinner there. Even if it's a weekday, there was a long line of customers waiting outside. Thankfully, they made reservations ahead of time to minimize the hassle.

photo credits to http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ldhl4ckmSU1qay7ii.jpg

My experience at Yakimix Greenbelt was good. Their interiors were elegant. The chandelier at the middle of the buffet added to its elegance. As for our place at the far end of the restaurant, it was not too crowded. 

Photo credits to: http://tinycloset.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/dscn6478.jpg

I tasted almost everything served except for the desserts because I got so full. I indulged myself with my favorites- tempura, sashimi and sushi. I also tried their bacon rolls and other fresh meats that can be grilled in their smokeless griller at the center of our table. 

Photo credits to: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiT83iMFEH6LTkdPIrBPFEQxkteHY0FjmfqMrBk4TtzLL0QSgguq8H610F2Vg0QlJmEtDgddqQOEG6QUaXl36WKbaTr5-AzdLN94wuEA1J5JsAbwkPTaWtfLYozZ2uC3Qls5qznnAcUUZv/s1600/DSC07015.JPG

The ambiance was very festive. They sang and gave cupcakes with candles for birthday celebrants. They would also say something (I think that's a Japanese word) every 30 minutes or so. However, these practices could also be too noisy for other visitors especially if 5 to 10 guests were celebrating their birthday since the "Happy Birthday" song would be played for several times in the entire restaurant. This could diminish their cozy effect. It also took a while to refill some of their foods at their buffet. 

Overall, I enjoyed my Yakimix experience. Their foods satisfied my tummy. Because I got too busy eating the delicious foods, I forgot to take photos of them that was why I just grab some photos in the net. Hehe! I left the restaurant with a full stomach and a big smile on my face. I would definitely recommend it and would surely come back. 

Nazareno: One great devotion

My father told me that it had been his devotion to go to Quiapo during the Feast of the Black Nazarene when he was in college at Manuel L. Quezon University. He used to watch the bands who marched along the location of their university. He even tried watching the devoted crowd who push their limit just to touch the Black Nazarene.  After seeing how deadly it was, he never watched it again in person.

After more that two decades, I experienced living on the shoe of my father. It was my first year in college when I started my devotion to the Black Nazarene. Since I used to study along Mendiola, classes were normally suspended every January 9 of the year. We usually go to Quiapo early morning to avoid too much crowd. After saying a prayer to the Black Nazarene, my father and I would normally proceed along the street were Excelente, the famous ham store, is located. We would wait until the band march began. This was the only feast that I attended where marching bands from all over the country would come together to play and set the place in a very festive mood. Different colors and different sounds flock the area. After enjoying their performance, we would go home and would continue in watching the procession of the Black Nazarene through the live coverage of the different news channel.

Since then, it has been my tradition and devotion to go to Quiapo every January 9. Every year I went to Quiapo, I always feel the outpour of God's power and might. I can say that it is the feast where God united every Catholic from all walks of life. It is the day where social class is disregarded. Everyone celebrates, pray and devote themselves to the Lord leading to one goal which is to praise and thank the Father for His undying and unending love for us. 

As a write this blog, the Black Nazarene is being carried and processed by several devotees back to Quiapo Church. With the great number of devotees present, the Black Nazarene is still along the street where National Museum is located. It is estimated that the Black Nazarene will be at the Quiapo Church by 3:00am tomorrow, at most.

Photos taken at the last year's Feast of the Black Nazarene (January 9, 2011)

  

Xian Lim made my day

I was routing a letter a while ago when I saw Xian Lim wit Maja Salvador at ABS-CBN. He looks stunning in person. I did not know what happened to me but seeing him made me forget what office I was going next. Hahaha!

A great way to start 2012

 

Sharing a great bond with my family was a great way to start 2012. While waiting for the New Year's Eve, we unleash our inner diva by singing our hearts out with the karaoke.

Mom and I were also busy preparing for our food for the traditional Media Noche. The 12 fruits was the star of the dinner table. Since round things were considered lucky every New Year, we also bought a supreme family pan pizza together with 2 orders of pasta. Our favorite Crispy Pata were also present in our dinner table. "Sopas", which has been a tradition in our family, was also cooked by papa. We also prepared the delicious ham and quezo de bola. To make it more festive, soda, wine and some alcoholic beverages were present. 

On New Year's Eve, we lighted some fireworks. As always, we only lit some "fountain" and "lusis" since we prevent firecracker accidents. Despite our conservative fireworks, the "lusis" I was holding exploded. Fortunately, I got no major damage. The fountain we bought did not also have the same quality as the previous years. It only lit for a few seconds. Regardless of all the firework mishaps, we still enjoyed lighting everything. We also enjoyed watching beautiful fireworks at the sky. Our place really welcomed 2012 with a bang.

Me and my family enjoyed the foods we had for our Media Noche. We prayed together and thank the Almighty Father for the great year he gave us. We also asked for his unending guidance, strength and blessings for 2012. 

On the afternoon of January 1, my relatives went to the house to celebrate the New Year with us. We ate together, shrared some good laughs with one another and basically, enjoyed the start of the year. 

Celebrating New Year with my family was definitely a great way to start 2012. I look forward for this wonderful year for me and my family. Struggles and hardships may come on our way but with tons of optimism, prayer and faith, we will overcome it. 

Cheers for 2012!!!