Gotti's Torante - SM Bicutan

Gotti's Torante at SM Bicutan was equally wonderful as their SM Mega Mall branch. We loved the food again!


dirty fingers (chicken strips)


the seafood pasta with pesto (forgot the exact name of the dish again); really love how they season their shrimps that go with this pasta


they also really know their pesto


carbonara


carbonara, mixed; loved the bacon pieces in it


and they actually marry well in the palate, hehe


pizza neapolitana (?)


salami pizza


quattro formaggi pizza

All their pizzas tasted great too and all are served thin crust style. These family-sized ones are around P300 each.

They said they might have a new branch at SM Mall of Asia soon and I really can't wait. Gotti's Torante really knows their pizza and pasta because their sauces are really, really very delicious and delightful.

Barbara's Restaurant - Review on Buffet

Every Tuesdays to Fridays, Barbara's Restaurant in Intramuros offers a dinner buffet for P500, inclusive of a cultural show by the Folklorico Dance Troupe. The buffet was offered in Metrodeal at half-price so I bought two vouchers and took my hubby on a date.

The buffet featured soup (tinola), rice, fish (pescado al ajillo), chicken, beef (lengua), noodles (pancit sotanghon), salad (a DIY thing featuring chopped onions, tomatoes, greens and shrimp paste) and desserts (banana & sesame seeds, and guinumis). That was it.

But everything on the menu, we really, really loved. I especially feasted on the pescado al ajillo. And we just loved the perfectly cooked banana fritters in sesame seeds (forget about creatine products, fish and banana will help build muscle! hehe). The ambience of their restaurant was also very romantic. Plus, patriotically, I love that the dinner buffet allows the Folklorico dancers (mostly students from PLM) a venue to perfect their craft while also showcasing our wonderful heritage to foreigners (because half of the guests there that night with us were, or at least, balikbayans).







So, next time another deal is offered by a Groupon site, take advantage of it. Or just really treat your loved ones or clients there for good food and entertainment. Sometimes, you don't need the number of choices offered in other buffets, just really well-prepared food. And Barbara's will not disappoint!!! (and no, I am not biased just because they catered our wedding)

Barbara's Restaurant
www.barbarasrestaurantandcatering.com
Plaza San Luis Complex (Intramuros):
527-3893 or 527-4086

Orchidarium (Luneta):
522-9507

Sitio Victoria, Diliman:
932-8534

Don't Get Dehydrated

The heat is on and a lot of people seems to be coming down with colds, headaches and other maladies, some of which may be attributed to dehydration. Some may not even invoke the wonders of pink magic because everybody's just sweating profusely even while standing and doing nothing.

So, make sure you hydrate enough. If you can, add flavor to your water by sprinkling some calamansi, lemon or lime into it. But try to avoid too much fruit juice, unless it's buko juice. The sugar won't do you any good.

If you're not a water drinker, eat more fruits and vegetables instead.

And... avoid coffee and tea, as these are diuretics. If you must drink any, remember to drink two times the equivalent amount of water to replenish your fluids. Oh, and boiling some ginger and drinking the tea is actually refreshing because the heat of the ginger will cool you off.

Same thing goes with spicy food. :)

Eden Maternity and Nursing Wear - Showroom Launch

Enjoy discounts, showroom exclusives and Eden Maternity and Nursing Wear's second collection if you go to their showrrom today and tomorrow. :)





Call for an appointment (846-5929) and go between 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm (Wednesday and Thursday). The showroom will then be opened to the public starting Friday, every day, from 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM.

What can you expect?

What Bianca is wearing is the Glamouflage Nursing cover (in silk and bamboo) that you can use as a poncho, one shoulder top, shrug and scarf. I was told there will also be a few dressy dresses, a maxi dress, a pocket tube dress and wrap dress. There will also be some girly tops and an active line: reversible pants and ribbed cotton tanks with built-in bra. There will also be seamless transition tubes and sexy shorts.

Now... are you as excited as I am? :)

They will be posting pictures next week!

Expo Mom for Mother's Day

For those who still do not know what to give their wives for Mother's Day... or for those who still do not know what they want for Mother's Day, the Expo Mom happening on May 7, 2011 at Rockwell Tent could provide you with ideas. Great ideas! If wedding expos were where you found your dream wedding gown and found out how gold bars are affecting the cost of rings (or investments), mommy-baby expos are where you find the cutest little outfits (matching pieces to boot) and all the possibilities you can give your self and offer your child.




Oh, and Little People Photography is offering all their services and packages at a 20% discount if you book them between May 01 to 31 so check them out at the Expo. Check out their site too, at www.lpphotodesign.multiply.com



*~*

More info about the event:
WHAT'S EXPO MOM?
Expo Mom is the premier lifestyle event for moms in Manila. It is a
trade expo, all-day workshop, shopping destination, mommy party,
family occasion, mompreneur lab, all rolled into one!

THE EXPO MOM TRADE SHOW
It is not your regular bazaar. Expo Mom showcases the latest in mom
and baby products and services, from new brands that have been
recently launched, to latest mompreneur inventions, to new stuff
that have just come in from abroad.
Yes moms can shop and browse, interact with vendors and
mompreneurs, and learn a lot about what services are out there.

ONSTAGE ACTIVITIES*
Expo Mom features interesting talks and workshops for young, urban
moms and families. It's guaranteed infotainment - both educational
and fun at the same time. Activities such as the following have
been planned out:
- Laughter Yoga
- Modern Mom fitness- Healthy bump and beyond
- Prenatal Stimulation- How to have a healthy & smart baby
- Solo parenthood
- Creative meals
- Time Management for busy moms
There are also planned celebrations:
- Mommy Matters' 10th year Anniversary!
- Formal Launch of the Mommy Mundo Privilege Passport
- Formal Announcement of Expo Mom's going nationwide! (Expo Mom
Cebu & Davao)
*topics and schedules subject to change

THE MOMMY ROOM - Breastfeeding Lounge & Diaper changing area
MOMMY PORTRAIT AREA - Get a free mom or family photo at the Expo
Mom Portrait area Photo Booth
THE MOM RESOURCE CORNER
- Lamaze /prenatal classes
- Breastfeeding consultation
- OB consultation
- Single parents support
- For Kids with Special needs
- MomShare volunteer booth
- Mompreneur Manila booth
KIDS INFLATABLE by Fun Ranch
HEALTHY SNACK AREA (tent)

Expo Mom entrance fee is only P25, 100% of which goes to MomShare
outreach. Expo Mom discourages the use of plastic so attendees are
asked to kindly bring their own reusable shopping bag:)

For further info, email inquiry@expomom.com or visit
www.expomom.com.

Expo Mom is produced by Mommy Mundo and PACE, co-presented by
GlaxoSmithKline, Mommy Matters. Supported by Cordlife, Philam Life,
Cycles, Cradle, Flip Video, Cisco, Havaianas, Del Monte Quick n
Easy, Avent, Lactacyd Baby Bath, Citibank and RCBC. Media Partners
are Lifestyle Network, MomsToday, Smartparenting, Working Mom, Baby
Magazine and Mommy Mundo publications Urban Mom and Mommy Pages.

Rosemont Gardens in Tagaytay

I had the pleasure to see Rosemont Gardens personally after our weekend from Canyon Cove. I decided to take pictures of the place and thought readers will appreciate pictures not taken by a professional photographer (for those of you thinking that those in their website could be misleading or deceiving, haha).



it's a steep climb down to the house (there is parking outside the gate, just after the gate, in front of the house, and further down in the property's gardens


careful does it


the house


the arbor going to the covered veranda that can accommodate around 100


part of the veranda, the water fountain


real spacious for an intimate gathering


the veranda, from the garden


view of the house, from the garden


a gazebo-like arbor in the garden


part of the multi-tiered garden


stairs going to the first floor of the house


the living room


one of the bedrooms in the first floor (child not included)


sitting area in master's bedroom


master's bedroom (2nd floor)


master's bedroom again


area outside the master's bedroom


same area, the bathroom/CR is just behind this wall while the door to the master's is tucked to the right of the other wall

Rosemont Gardens is perfect for small weddings, cocktail parties, other small gatherings or a weekend party with friends/getaway with family. The house has three bedrooms and three toilets and baths. The kitchen is fully equipped for use.

The property is conveniently located along General Aguinaldo Highway so it's also real easy to have things delivered or for quick trips to your usual Tagaytay haunts. And because it's Tagaytay, don't be surprised to be enveloped by fog when you're in the veranda when dusk sets or it's raining.

The place is also perfect for pre-nuptial or other kinds of photoshoots. One other thing it's perfect for is a private date or that venue for a marriage proposal.

Rosemont Gardens is more of a beautiful, luxurious home than a hotel. And they do offer air-conditioning but you might not need it, if you're lucky.

And I hope the pictures I took has you convinced that Rosemont Gardens is really a nice, nice place!

Contact Rosemont Gardens now:
Km 67 General Aguinaldo Highway, Alfonso, Cavite
rosemontgardens@yahoo.com| inquiry@rosemontgardens.net
http://www.rosemontgardens.net/
Mobile/Telephone: (02)348-0116; (0917)8527528 (Globe); (0922)8680116 (Sun)

Summer Program

got in my e-mail

============

Bring happy days to your child this summer at ST MICHAEL PLAYHOUSE!

Reserve now! Call or text 0917 847 0848, or email St.Michael.Playhouse@gmail.com.

Summer is fun and sun and more! We're ready to bring happy days to your child at ST MICHAEL PLAYHOUSE!

Parent-Child Loves Summer Program!
Bond with your baby! Under the guidance of experienced Waldorf teacher Josie Sanchez, you will do meaningful activities with your child, and bond in a loving, nourishing way! This program is for young children to learn to play and interact with each other, with the security of having one of their parents with them in the room.

Age
For children from under a year old to 2 to 3 years old, accompanied by one parent only

Schedule
every Monday, 9am to 11am starting April 25 till May 23, OR
every Saturday, 9am to 11am starting April 30 till May 21.

Fees
attendance to Monday class (5 Mondays): P2,500
attendance to Saturday class (4 Saturdays): P2,000
attendance to both Monday and Saturday classes: P4,500
per class: P800

Day care Does Summer Program
Every week brings something new to your child! In this home away from home, your child will get to do a variety of activities that will stimulate him just the right way, calm her at just the right time. Our gifted Waldorf teachers follow a gentle rhythm balanced with new activities your children are sure to enjoy!!

Age
For children 2 to 3 years old to 5 years old

Schedule
Tuesday to Friday, starting April 26 till May 20
full-day: 8:30am to 5pm
half-day: 8:30am to 12nn OR 2pm to 5pm

Choose your Activity
Schedule
Tuesday to Friday, starting April 26 till May 20
full-day: 8:30am to 5pm
half-day: 8:30am to 12nn OR 2pm to 5pm
Choose your Activity
April 26 to 29
Morning: Bread-baking
Afternoon: Wet-on-wet painting
May 3 to 6
Morning: Cooking
Afternoon: Hand crafts
May 10 to 13
Morning: Wet-on-wet painting
Afternoon: Baking
May 17 to 20
Morning: Hand crafts
Afternoon: Cooking

Fees (includes materials)
weekly fee for half-day: P3,500
weekly fee for full-day: P4,500
entire program, half-day: P10,000
entire program, full-day: P12,900
per class, half-day: P1,000
per class, full-day: P1,500

Activities
Baking (April 25 to 29 Morning OR May 9 to 13 Afternoon)
Learning becomes fun as we educate the head, heart and hands through home activities like baking! Come and enjoy baking cookies, breads, cakes, muffins, pizza! We will use organic ingredients that is healthier and safer for your children.

Wet-on-wet painting (April 25 to 29 Afternoon OR May 9 to 13 Morning)
Let your child discover the magic of color through wet on wet painting. This allows young children an experience of color, not form. The basis of creating wonderful artworks is being able to live in and feel the colors, especially for very young children.

Cooking (May 2 to 6 Morning OR May 16 to 20 Afternoon)
Nourish your child for a healthy mind and body. Your child will learn to make soup, pasta, sandwiches and dessert, and some Filipino delicacies too!
Hand crafts - (May 2 to 6 Afternoon OR May 16 to 20 Morning)
“Nimble fingers, nimble minds” – Children, with the gentle guidance of the teachers, will do age-appropriate handwork activities such as basics of sewing, weaving, beading, and finger knitting. This will be done in a home-like working atmosphere, where children are free to work according to their own abilities and ideas to practice manual dexterity, perseverance and creativity. The objective is not to produce finished products, but rather for the child to experience the activities in the atmosphere of creative freedom.

Parent-child sessions come with a snack for both parent and child. Half-day sessions (day care program) come with one snack and lunch while whole-day sessions come with two snacks and lunch. All healthy, all organic :)

Reserve now! Walk-ins discouraged as teachers need to prepare for class materials and meals accordingly. Call or text 0917 847 0848, or email St.Michael.Playhouse@gmail.com.

All classes to be held at
ST MICHAEL PLAYHOUSE
G/f ISIP Center
6241 Palma cor Manalac Sts.
Bgy. Poblacion, Makati City (near Rockwell)

Nature Appreciation Program for Kids at Ark Avilon

Every day is Earth Day at Ark Avilon and they are also offering a Nature Appreciation Program for Kids this summer.

Check out the classes:
Junior Zoo Chefs
April 30, 1-4 PM

Life in a Shell
May 7, 1-4 PM

Goin' Ape (with Colin)
May 14, 1-4 PM

Friends of the Same Feather
May 21, 1-4 PM

Arthur & Friends (dogs)
May 28, 1-4 PM

Roarin' Time with santiago and the Big Cats
June 4, 1-4 PM

All six sessions is only P5,000. Each session though is P900. The program is open for kids 6 years old to 12 9with kids 9 years old and below requiring a Guardian with them). The fee inclusions are the session materials, nature art module, session badge, zoo entrance plus 1 companion and 3 hours of fun, creative and exciting nature appreciation!!!

Enroll now!!!
Ark Avilon
Frontera Verde, ortigas Ave.
Corner C-5, Pasig City
706-2992
arkavilonzoo@gmail.com

Make Believe Productions: Classes on Fashion, Storytelling, Theater and Many More

One of the booths that appealed to us at the Children's Workshop Expo 2011 last Sunday was the Make Believe Productions booth. There was a shadow theater going on and they were offering face painting so they were really drawing kids and parents to their booth.

Make Believe Productions is offering classes on acting and directing, animation, dance, shadow theater, fashion arts and crafts and storytelling through digital photography.

They offer these classes in the following areas:
•Alabang, Muntinlupa City
•Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
•Ortigas Center
•Parañaque City
•Pasay City
•Quezon City

For more info, just contact:

Marika Mercado | Marketing Officer
Make Believe Productions
Parties | Events | Workshops
Unit L3 Patricia Building, 1050 EDSA, Magallanes Village
Makati City, 1232, Metro Manila, Philippines
Telefax: (632) 729.5899 || www.makebelieve.com.ph
marika.mercado@makebelieve.com.ph

Canyon Cove Residential Beach Resort in Nasugbu, Batangas - A Review

It's definitely getting harder and harder to enjoy a beach that's clean, if you're living in Manila, without having to fly to it or drive a little farther in the nearby provinces of Cavite and Batangas, and Pangasinan and Zambales.

Canyon Cove in Nasugbu, Batangas offers a beach that's clean with sand great for playing in, and a pool area with a magnificent view. I just don't know though if it's La Nina or that area is just really cold... but gosh, was it cold when we were there. The pool water was cold and the buffeting winds were also cold. The beach water was cold too but it's less windy there. The sunset was very beautiful.

The main Canyon Cove hotel offers a great view of the water, rays of the sun to wake you up, and the sunset to make you feel all kinds of sentimental. Hubs said that he read a lot of bad reviews for this resort so our expectations weren't high. But all in all, we also found the resort good in terms of the beach/pool offering and its relative proximity to Manila (because I think Zambales, Bataan and those areas are still farther, and I could be wrong). Yes, we found the rates a little steep, but we were able to get a 20% discount.

Plus, the Superior Unit, the smallest room at 40 sq. m. is a big room.


it essentially has two beds, the other one by the window can easily accommodate kids... and the main bed is a king-sized one




bathroom has a shower area apart from the bathtub (where you can also shower)


but our bathtub's paint was peeling so drawing a bath was out of the question


the bed


Our aircon wasn't busted but it wasn't that cold either. We had to turn the thermostat (the dial of which was broken) to the coolest temp and keep it at that. We were comfortably cold... one of our friends had to call to have their aircon fixed though because it was just not getting cold in their room.

They do offer beach towels and there are enough towels in the room so you need not bring any. They also provide enough shampoo, shower gel and soap for a weekend stay. No toothbrush/toothpaste though.

I think I also should mention that I was expecting rhinitis from my boys, who are very sensitive to dust, because I wasn't sure just how well they clean the rooms. Plus, the pillows on the bay window bed were dusty. However, we all slept like a baby in the main bed, with no sneezing fits even after we got home.


view to the right of Room 408


view to the left, the jogging path


the unfinished buildings greeting you from the entrance to the resort, photo taken from the corridor


I believe this is where the suites are located


front view of this part of the complex


the playground


all rooms, as you can see, have balconies


there are three main pools, the kiddie one being only two feet high


view of the ocean


view of the other buildings from the pool area


the sunset at the beach


another sunset shot


water was clean, the sand taupe and generally fine


feel free to bring your own pools, lifesavers or boats


view of the hotel from the beach


kids love sand


the parking area at night, which can be seen from the corridor leading to our rooms


lobby


ceiling of the lobby


There are two elevators servicing the main hotel. What I also liked about the layout of the hotel rooms is that all rooms are to the right of one long corridor. Then, there are wide gaps leading to two rooms/doors facing each other, affording extra privacy to room occupants from other guests who may be walking the length of the corridor. Plus, the doors, when opened, offer a view of the closet so unless people will be naked at the door, it shouldn't be an issue if both doors open at the same time.

There's a wifi area near the front desk of the lobby.

We didn't really explore Canyon Cove's facilities nor did we dine there. Our discounted room rate also didn't come with breakfast so we just ate the sandwiches we had with us for breakfast. We had lunch at Kainan sa Dalampasigan before checking in, and ate at Mang Inasal (at the town proper, around 10-15 minutes away) for dinner and lunch the next day. Canyon Cove was offering P600/head buffet but since we weren't sure of the food, we found it steep especially since our friends had nannies and drivers to feed too.

There is a general impression that the resort could be greater if its staff were more properly trained and if it paid attention to the fine details. Better management perhaps? Plus, our friends said that the staff didn't seem busy, when there were so many guests, which gave the impression that the resort was overstaffed... because the staff were just standing together in groups.

They also failed to get our Ving cards from us upon checkout and I totally forgot to surrender them.

Would we return? Sure, if we can get discounts again. I think it's a nice getaway for couples too... and a nice prenuptial photo opp location.

Do I highly recommend the place? Not really... but I also am not ranting about Canyon Cove. Our experience there was good.

*~*

Canyon Cove Beach Club
Nasugbu, Batangas, Philippines
http://www.canyoncove.com.ph/
Canyon Cove Beach Club
Far East Road, Piloto Wawa
Nasugbu, Batangas, Philippines
Phone Number: +632 908 1111
E-mail: info_canyoncove@g2globalinc.com

Main Office
G2 Global Inc.
3rd Flr. ACT Tower, 135 Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue
Salcedo Village, Makati City, Philippines
Phone Number: +632 892 9827
www.g2globalinc.com

For banquet, conference, or other catered affairs, please call:
Phone Number: +632 892 9827
Email: info@g2globalinc.com