Yummy for the Tummy: Buffalo's Wings N' Things

I had a phase when I loved to eat chicken wings.  I don't know, maybe it was the satisfaction of getting the meat out of those small bones.  Or it was just simply fun to eat.  So when Deal Grocer had a sale, I did not pass the opportunity to buy some vouchers for Buffalo's Wings N' Things.

I've always been curious about this place when I was searching for some good places to eat.  I was finally able to set the time to try it out and we visited the branch in Jardin de Zenaida at Sgt. Esguerra, QC.

Paper cups, paper plates, and paper towels :)

Although there were few selections from their menu, I was surprised that the prices were really affordable.  We had to consume worth 1000 pesos total.  Here's what we got.

Chili N' Cheese Fries

1/2 pound Garlic Parmesan Wings.  Fries can be ordered as add on as partner for your wings.

1/2 pound Honey BBQ.  Best eaten with Blue Cheese dip.

Dirty Chicken Fingers in Garlic Parmesan sauce

1/2 pound New York's Finest.  This is level 2 of their spicy wings.

New York Cheesecake Ice cream.  Ice cream covered with crunchy crumbs topped with whipped cream and blueberry sauce.

Overall, everything was delicious especially the quesadilla (forgot to take picture).  Their wings were yummy too.  Can't wait for BF to get back so that we can eat here again.

Just a warning though.  If you're gonna eat here, stay outside.  It was a bit smoky inside and my eyes watered several times.

Gotta Love: Dress Up 33 -- Weekend

I went out last weekend with my sister and her bf to chow down some chicken wings which I'll share with you in another post.  I was not able to bring my camera so I just had to take pictures using iPad (not the best tool to use for pictures).

I got this houndstooth print blouse from Forever 21.  It is actually made of sheer material so I wore a grey tank top underneath.  Can't go around commuting with a see-through top on.  Haha!  The shorts were from Forever 21 as well.

The real highlight of this outfit is my bag!  I'm totally in love with this satchel I bought, with a little bit of haggling, from a night market in Hong Kong.  When I saw it, I did not let it go!  Good thing I had my cute fishbone-strap wedges from VNC to go with it.

Yummy for the Tummy: Yabu The House of Katsu

I have been hearing some great feedback regarding this restaurant from my foodie team mates and they have been making kulit for me to try this out.  I finally gave in, and one Saturday in Megamall, bf and I headed for Yabu.

It was lunchtime and I was surprised that we were still able to secure a table and fast.  The place was jam packed with all sorts of people; families, barkadas, couples, young and old.  Even spotted some foreigners.  This place must be really good.

I was kinda lost with the menu, me being a newbie.  It took sometime to browse through until I decided to try the Tonkatsu Set and bf got the Katsudon Set (his favorite, of course!).  There was a choice of what pork cut you like.  We both got Hire, the one without a layer of fat.  Both sets come with miso soup, Japanese pickles, bowl of fruit, and unlimited rice and cabbage with sesame dressing.  Just thinking about it now makes my mouth water!

Every restaurant has a trick to entertain their guests.  For Yabu, it comes with ordering their famous katsu.  They first served a bowl with lots of different seeds in it which is for the katsu sauce.  The waiter explained how to properly crush it, with circular motions using the wood pestle.  After that place one to two scoops of the sauce which is inside the fancy bowl on the table.

And so our food arrived and it looks super yummy!  I'm not a big fan of miso soup but their version is not bad at all.  The sesame dressing is just perfect for the shredded cabbage and I sure made most of it being unlimited.  Hihi :P

If this is what katsu should taste like, what have I been eating all my life?!  It is just divine.  It has the perfect combination of crunch and tenderness.  It melts in my mouth! 

Bf's katsudon is unlike the traditional. This comes with fish flakes and egg sunny side up.  His verdict: the best katsudon he tasted next to my version (Ok, I just added the last one. Hahaha!).  According to him, the fish and the egg made all the difference.

I just have to warn you, it is a bit pricey.  Our total bill is a little over 700 pesos for two sets.  But if you ask me, it is worth it.  If you have a little extra saved and you want to treat yourself to something new, try Yabu.  It deserves all the hype it is getting right now :)

Yabu is located at the Atrium of SM Megamall.

Gotta Love: Dress Up 32 -- Sunset

"You are sunlight and I moon..."  I don't know why this line came to my mind when I thought of the title of this post.  It has nothing to do with Miss Saigon but my outfit do look like the sky during sunset.

The blouse is a bit see-through so I wore a black bandeau underneath.  I like how this went well with the pants.  I bet this will go perfectly with shorts as well.

I said to myself that I need to buy more pants for work.  And this pair is just perfect, even though BF says it looks like a pajama.  Hahaha!  Anyway, I like how the waistline is made with garter instead of zipper; it makes moving easier and the fit better.  I'm not sure what fabric was used but it was a bit smooth and light.  Both of these pieces were bought at Forever 21.

Hope you like my outfit! :)

Gotta Love: Sleek Make Up

Finally, I found a matte eyeshadow palette and it comes in the best color combination that I really wanted; browns and nude.  Introducing Sleek's i-Divine Au Naturel palette which I bought from Digital Traincase.  It costs about 650 pesos only, much cheaper as compared with the ever popular Urban Decay Nude Palette.  

The palette consists of 12 colors, 8 matte and 4 glittery ones.  All colors are a bit earthy which is perfect for everyday wear (for our skin tone, I really do not get how blues or greens can be worn day to day).  The colors looks natural (thus, the name) and can be built up to a more smoky eye effect for night time.  It comes pretty close as well to the UD palette.

Top Row: Nougat, Nubuck, Cappuccino, Honeycomb, Toast, Taupe
Bottom Row: Conker, Moss, Bark, Mineral Earth, Regal, Noir

It comes with a sponge applicator, great for retouching but I prefer to use brushes.  The best part though, is that it comes with a very big mirror!  I can see both of my eyes in it :)

So one afternoon with nothing to do, I decided to try it out and get my glam on.  Haha!  For this look, I used Honeycomb for the base and Bark to add a little more drama.  For the highlight, I used Nougat.

The outdoor light washed out my make up (a lot) so I took a picture with flash.  I'm very big with contouring now as well and I read somewhere that it is best done if you are going to have your pictures taken with flash.  I placed a bit of contour in the hollows of my cheeks and sides of my nose.

I feel that I am going to overuse this eye make up!  I'm really loving it and I can't wait to try out other looks using other colors from this palette.  Hope you liked it too :)


For a closer look on the colors, go to this link.


Other products used for this look:
Face: Covergirl Tru Blend Liquid Foundation and Nichido Final Powder in Creamy Glow
Eyes: Maybelline Gel Eyeliner and Magnum Volum' Express Mascara
Cheeks: Clinique Blushing Blush Powder Blush and Fanny Serrano Two Way Cake in Rajah 
Lips: Nyx Round Lipstick in Chambord

Chef Frustrations: Culinary Team Building

Last week, my team and I had the opportunity to have one day culinary session in Enderun Colleges, one of the most prestigious schools in the country when it comes to culinary arts.  It was actually our office who organized the event as part of their Wellness program.  I was lucky enough to get one spot as my team mate had to back out due to some urgent work (thanks Lem!).

We have to make three meals that day; appetizer, main course, and dessert.  Our mentor, Chef Thomas, first demonstrated how to cook all of the dishes.  After that, we had to draw lots to know which dish we are going to make.  I got to be part of the dessert team.  Yey!

It was an amazing experience to see a real pro cook in front of you.  I got to see his tricks with slicing and dicing.  He made gourmet cooking look easy.  And it was!

These were what we had to copy

It was off to the kitchen after the demo.  Our team finished first, since we have to make the sauce after eating the main course (yes, we got to eat what we made).  We felt like real chefs inside the kitchen lab, with our white aprons and toque, and being surrounded by lots of tools that would really help you cook with ease.  After that, we had to go down to the restaurant where we are to eat, fine dining style.

The Dessert Team

Richard, Cuthbert, and Jacqueline doing the appetizers.

Our ingredients

Table set up

Here are some pictures of what we cooked that day.

Grilled Tuna on Ratatouille Salad, Olive-basil Vinaigrette

Oven Roasted Beef Hanging Tender, Baked Sweet Potatoes, Grilled Shitake Mushrooms, Herb Dressing (whew!)

Strawberries in Buckwheat Crepes, Lemon Honey Sabayon

The sabayon turned out to be too thick (I think it lacked water), but hey, I was still proud of what our team came up with.  We made it up with the presentation :)

We didn't know that there was a contest and the group who did the main course won (So jealous even if I don't know their prize yet. Haha. Competitive.)  But I gotta admit, the meal was delicious.  All of it were.

For more information regarding the short courses being offered in Enderun, visit their website at www.enderunextension.com

Yummy for the Tummy: Sumo Sam

I'm really into Japanese food lately.  I've eaten in three different Japanese-themed restaurants in the last month (consecutive weekends, fyi).  First was Teriyaki Boy, which is a fave, but the second weekend, we decided to try the newly opened Sumo Sam restaurant in Gateway Mall.

The interiors feel reserved, a bit classy even.  I have no photo of it but the chairs are so heavy but surprisingly comfortable once you sit on it.

Now for the food.  They served little tuna slices while waiting for your order.  It was juicy and not overcooked, though I wished it had been served warm.

When one eats Japanese, you gotta have rolls, right?  We ordered Crunchy Tuna Roll, and I gotta say, it's the best one I tasted!  The sauce the comes with it is just as good.  Perfect combination :)

For my main, I ordered Pork Katsu Curry Donburi.  It comes with a salad, which is so Asian with sliced oranges and orange-based dressing.  The pork is tender and the curry sauce, well, tastes like curry for the lack of a better word.  My verdict: not amazingly delicious but just right for someone craving like me.

I still wonder how curry can be a part of the menu.  Isn't curry a staple in India? 

BF ordered Katsudon, his favorite which I'm so happy I can make on my own now (see recipe here).  He said Sumo Sam's version is better than Teriyaki Boy's. 

Overall, I think their food is delicious but a bit pricey.  Will I go back?  Definitely for the rolls! :)