Brunch at Cafe Mary Grace

Since last week, my son was busy practicing for their Cheers and Yells. They have this yearly competition in their school from Grade 1 to Grade 6. I was not able to watch their past competition since there was no invitation, feeling ko for students lang. But after few years, I learned na pwede naman pala manood ang parents so I asked my son if he wants us to watch his competition. He said, “No, it’s embarrassing”. Kaloka, nahihiya na siya na ngayon, e since preschool nanonood naman kami. 

My husband was free so we went to school to watch their Cheers and Yells, my son was surprised when he saw us in the Audigym, #stageparents hehehe! We’re happy to see his performance and to watch other grade levels performance too. How I wish, alam ko na pwede manood parents, sana since Grade 1 napanood ko para may pictures and videos. And bonus pa, nagchampion pa sila, they beat the Grade 5 and 6 level. Sulit yung pagbili ko ng white shorts for their costume. Second time na nila nagchampion. Pero first time daw nagchampion ang grade 4 since the year 1985. 

Grade 1 (2015) - 1st runner up 
Grade 2 (2016) - Champion 
Grade 3 (2017) - No Cheers and Yells Competition 
Grade 4 (2018) - Champion 

After watching, it is time for errands but we decided to eat brunch first kasi magugutom na naman ko sa pila sa bank and SSS. We dropped by at Southwoods Mall just to eat, nag-iisip ako kung ano pa ba ang hindi namin nakainan sa Southwoods Mall and I remember Cafe Mary Grace. They recently opened a branch here. Yey! 

The last time that we ate at Cafe Mary Grace was five years ago pa at Alabang Town Center branch. I remember that they don’t have rice meals, more on desserts and pasta sila so hindi na naulit. Just this year, I learned that they have a branch in Festival Mall so I was able to buy cheese roll and ensaymada pag napapadaan. 

Read: Cafe Mary Grace Alabang
Cafe Mary Grace Festival Mall

Yesterday, we had brunch at Cafe Mary Grace and I was glad that they already improved their menu. They have rice meals na rin. We ordered Seafood Pasta P350 and Sirloin Beef Tapa with Egg P398. There were only few diners so our orders were served after 15 minutes. 

The Seafood Pasta is a medley of fresh clams, mussels, prawns, cream dory, squid with herbs, mushrooms, and olives. My husband said it was yummy and he finished everything and no doubt that it is one of the best sellers. I was surprised when I saw the Sirloin Beef Tapa, ang dami pala serving so it is good for sharing if you have kids na kasama. It has side dishes pa and sarap na sarap si hubby dun. I did not try it kasi hindi ko mahilig sa may vinegar na food except adobo and daing na bangus. The price is a little bit pricey buti na lang masarap food and service is good.

Update March 2019: Lunch at Cafe Mary Grace

Yey, finally school year 2018-2019 is already over. We attended my son's recognition because he got "Gold Eagle Award" and before we went home we dropped by at Southwoods Mall. We went straight to Cafe Mary Grace for our lunch, we ordered Pork Tocino P348, Spanish Sardines P358 and Seafood Pasta P390.

The last time we ate at Cafe Mary Grace (Festival Mall) was last November 2018 so I was really surprised when I saw their menu, there was P40 price increase na agad sa mga meals nila. Waah! Masakit na sa bulsa kumain sa Cafe Mary Grace.

My husband ordered seafood pasta before and he liked it very much so he wants to order it again. But I don’t want to eat rice meal so I told him to order other pasta na lang because I want to try the Seafood Pasta. Hehehe!

So he ordered Spanish Sardines & Olives, the pasta was cooked in spanish sardines, garlic, olive oil and topped with tomatoes and mushrooms. The taste is just okay, maasim daw masyado. He was able to finish the pasta but it is not something that he would order again.

My son ordered Pork Tocino with scrambled eggs and rice (choice of garlic rice or plain rice). This is part of their all-day breakfast menu, the meal includes homemade pickled mangoes, tomato wansoy salsa, and vinegar. My husband ate the side dish because that is his favorite too.

My son almost finished this meal, as in mga dalawang subo na lang ng kanin ang natira. I was really surprised because when I ate the Sirloin Tapa and Vigan Longganisa, hindi ko nga halos maubos so I thought pwede kami magshare ng anak ko if ever kasama na namin siya sa Cafe Mary Grace. Hindi pala. Toinks!

Read: Cafe Mary Grace Cakes and Pastries
Cafe Mary Grace Festival Mall  
Cafe Mary Grace Alabang Town Center 

Cafe Mary Grace
Ground Floor, Garden Atrium,
Southwoods Mall,
Brgy. San Francisco, Southwoods City,
Biñan, Laguna
Monday - Sunday 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Lunch at Las Flores BGC

Las Flores which means “The Flowers” is a Spanish tapas bar restaurant located in BGC and Ortigas. I learned about this restaurant two months ago because my husband had his Despedida here. His boss ordered a lot so I was able to try the Paella Negra, may leftover. Hehehe! I did not like Paella Negra but my husband said, may isa pa na paella na masarap and masasarap din yung kinain nila so again I just took note of this restaurant.

Last week, we went to Furniture Source Philippines to buy some furniture and it was time for lunch but we could not find a restaurant that we like in Santolan Plaza. I wanted to eat buffet meals but I changed my mind kasi baka hindi rin sulit kasi late na so I suggested to my husband Las Flores so off we went to BGC.

We did not have any reservation and the place was packed so the staff informed us na wala pa sila available table sa loob so kung okay lang ba sa labas kami and we agreed. While the staff was preparing our table, may nagbill-out na so we immediately transferred. The interior of the restaurant is simple but elegant. The tables and chairs are not uniform but still looks nice.

Though my husband ate here before, hindi naman niya alam kung ano yung mga inorder ng boss niya so it feels like first time. We are having a hard time choosing so we just took advantage the lunch menu. Lunch Menu is available from Monday to Friday 11AM to 3PM, this includes one appetizer and one main dish for P595 + SC 

Appetizers
Ensalada de Burrata Con Tarta de Tomate, Piñones y Pesto
Pimientos Del Padron Con Torreznos
Crema de Calabaza Asada Con Boletus y Crujiente De Wonton
Boquerones

Main Dishes 
Butifarra Catalana
Chipirones Andaluza
Huevos Estrellados & Shitake Mushrooms
Gambas Al Ajillo + P95

Desserts + P120 
Churros
Profiteroles
Cheesecake
Chocolatissimo
Milhojas
Apple Tatin
Tarta de Santiago
Flan

Ice Cream + P95 
Vanilla
Chocolate
Milk & Ginger
Salted Caramel
Passion Fruit Sorbet

My husband and I ordered Crema de Calabaza Asada Con Boletus y Crujiente De Wonton and Boquerones for the appetizer. Butifarra Catalana and Huevos Estrellados & Shitake Mushrooms for main dishes. Churros and Cheesecake for dessert. My son cannot finish the lunch menu so we just add Chorizo P230 and extra rice P120.

The restaurant was packed but you won’t feel it so if you want some privacy, you can consider this place. This is good for couples, families, friends and even for big groups. It takes time before they serve the order so make sure that you are not that hungry when you dine here. They serve the appetizer first and complimentary chips, I was expecting for bread pero chips lang ang meron.

Crema de Calabaza Asada Con Boletus y Crujiente De Wonton or Pumpkin Soup with Shitake Mushrooms and Crispy Wonton. I’m not fond of pumpkin soup but I enjoy this one. The Boquerones is a traditional Spanish marinated anchovies, I tried it but I did not like it but my husband enjoyed this appetizer. My son loved his Chorizo or Spanish Chorizo Croquettes.

Butifarra Catalana has Catalan sausage, marbled potatoes, caramelized onions and shitake mushrooms. Huevos Estrellados & Shitake Mushrooms have fried eggs, shitake mushrooms and potatoes, the waitress asked us if i-mix na ba daw niya yung Huevos but I declined. Of course, gusto ko kuhanan ng picture. Hehehe!

While waiting for our dessert, I was surprised kasi bigla na lang may nagplay ng “Happy birthday” song. In my mind, ay may birthday celebration ngayon and mas nashock ako na sa akin pala papunta yung cake. Wow, I have no idea that my husband will surprise me. Thank you for the complimentary cake. At the same time, they served our cheesecake and churros. The churros is good for sharing, it has vanilla ice cream and chocolate dipping sauce. I like the cheesecake, I like the combination of creamy and crunchy dessert. The free chocolate cake is delicious too.

Looking at our meals, parang ang konti lang for three persons pero sobrang nabusog kami. The price is on the pricey side but we have no regrets in trying this Spanish restaurant. We enjoyed our food and service is good. For parking, they have valet parking.

Read: Dinner at Gallery by Chelle

Las Flores BGC
Ground floor, One Mckinley Place,
25th Street corner 4th Avenue,
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig

5 Tips for Throwing an Epic Kids' Birthday Party

Throwing a successful party for your kid, just like any other party, maybe a headache if not planned well. Without a proper plan, you will find yourself spending for uncalled expenses or forgetting something you ought to have included in your budget. So, the tips below will help you to plan for an epic birthday party for your kid.

Have a themed party 

Consider having a certain theme for the party and your kid will thank you for it. It doesn’t matter if your kid loves Batman or just loves the color pink. Ditch the boring normal round or square cake and instead make cupcakes and involve the kids to make it more fun. Frost them with icing and let the kids add chocolate chips and sprinkles. They will have fun coming up with different creations and they will feel more involved. If you still want to have a cake, it can also be themed according to whatever theme the party setting is.

Host an outdoor event 

When dealing with kids, you need to understand that they are full of energy and may require a larger space to jump and run around. With the kids, it is all about the fun and games so hosting an outdoor party will provide the right environment. Whether it is your backyard or a rented space, make sure you have different game settings to offer the kids the best game and fun experience. From bouncing castles to nerf guns, and other games the kids might have asked for before. A program like Bricks4kidz Atlanta is one not to be left out as most kids are Lego fanatics.

Delegate duties 

Kids’ parties can turn into a hot mess if everyone is allowed to do what they want. Also, it may be hard for you to handle a bunch of untamed kids alone. So the best way to keep everything organized is to delegate duties to both adults and kids. Let someone be in charge of the playground to ensure adult supervision because the kids may get rough while playing. You can also have the elder kids giving snacks to the others or painting the smaller ones.

Simple is the best! 

Let the party be simple, but go out of your way to make sure that your kid feels special. Don’t overdo the decorations even when the part is a themed one. Most of the guests will be kids so this gives you more reason to have the setting simple. You will spend less and still have an epic birthday party for your kid.

Consider your guests 

Most of the time, the other children attending your kids' party will be accompanied by an adult. The kids’ ages will vary and some of the kids may feel old for some games. Also, you need to have two separate parties so as the kids play around, the adults will be having their fun as well. Something simple like a barbecue will be perfect especially if the party is outdoor. The adults will have their separate party while still in the company of the young ones.

Read: 4 Birthday Party Theme for Boys

The Top 5 Embroidery Tips for Beginners

1. Start with a small project 

Since you are a beginner, it is best to start with a small embroidery project that you can handle. This will help you to get some firsthand experience and familiarize with the skill. Taking on a huge project at once may discourage you midway as you may get exhausted and frustrated and give up due to minor setbacks. It is therefore advisable to start small and with time, advance on to more complex and large projects.

Read: The Day I Learned How to Sew

2. Don’t be afraid to ask for help 

As a beginner, embroidery is a new skill and art that requires patience and dedication to learn. Some people pick it up real fast while others take some time before they get the hang of it. If you find yourself stuck or having some trouble, do not get discouraged or give up. This is perfectly normal and you can always ask for help. You may do some research online, read a book on the same, or if you can, enroll in an embroidery class. All this will help you to perfect the skill and get better with time.

3. Buy the right equipment 

Embroidery requires that you have some materials first before you get started. For instance, you need a sewing machine, fabric, needles scissors, and so much more.  For instance, you may start with a small piece of cotton fabric and try doing a simple pattern of your choice onto the cotton as a test run. You may then try larger patterns on bigger fabrics after you have made some progress in learning. If you are on a budget, however, you may try a pattern on a piece such as an old tablecloth and see how it goes. Consider buying a machine that is within your budget. While doing some research on the best sewing machines, go straight to this page in order to get reviews on the best sewing machines and make the best choice.

4. Select the right needle 

In order to do a clean job in embroidery, ensure that you use the right needle. There are a number of factors to consider when selecting the needles. If you are using a light material such as linen, for instance, you need to select a needle that will easily penetrate the fabric without causing any friction or creating a frayed appearance on the fabric. Regularly do maintenance checks on your machines and on your needles so as to ensure that you replace any broken or damaged needles.

5. Select a well-lighted room 

Embroidery is a skill that requires not only our hands but our eyes as well. It is therefore of paramount importance that you choose a well-lighted space or environment to do the stitching and sewing. This may be a well-lighted room using either artificial light or natural light. Having enough light will help you to do your embroidery with ease as you will not have to strain your body or eyes due to poor lighting. Remember also to have a comfortable chair in order to take care of your back.

MAC Lipsticks for Morena Women

I know that MAC Cosmetics is one of the expensive brands when it comes to cosmetics. Most of the make-up artists and even celebrities use this brand. Their products cater to all ages, all races, and all genders. I’ve been meaning to buy a MAC lipstick but I was hesitant because it is expensive, what if hindi bagay sa akin yung color, sayang ang money. I hate to admit but I really don’t know what color suits my skin. I bought few lipsticks before that I no longer use because I feel hindi bagay sa akin. And because of that, nagdadalawang isip ko bumili ng lipstick.

Last month, I watched a “Paano Ba To: Morena Makeup Tips” YouTube video of Bianca Gonzales and RB Chanco and I was glad because I learned something new. So I took note of the make-up products for Morena women like me.

MAC Lipstick 

Peach: Kinda Sexy
Natural: Mehr
Pink: Lickable
Brown: Persistence
Nude: Velvet Teddy
Red: Ruby Woo

August is my birthday month so my mom gave me birthday money, I was thinking kung ano ba bibilhin ko sa sarili ko. Shoes? Bag? Althea Korea Haul? Then I remembered the lipstick, I checked one online shop but MAC lipstick is out of stock so I told my husband to check if it is available at Changi Airport.

I sent 3 pictures of the lipstick and he messaged me that he was able to buy Kinda Sexy and Mehr. Yey!

MAC Matte Lipstick Kinda Sexy SGD 26.90 
MAC Matte Lipstick Mehr SGD 26.90 

Mehr

Kinda Sexy

So hindi rin siya nalalayo sa PHP1,100 na price online. This lipstick is not cheap but I was happy na may matino na kong lipstick. I must agree, this color suits my morena skin. If I have extra budget, I will try Velvet Teddy and Ruby Woo. Thanks to my mom for the gift and to my husband for buying it for me.

Modena by Fraser Bangkok Hotel

One way to save on your travel trip is to book affordable accommodation. Some people choose a hostel, some people choose Airbnb, and some people choose a budget hotel. We have our own preferences so choose an accommodation that matches your budget and style. If you are looking for a budget-friendly hotel in Bangkok, check Modena by Fraser Bangkok Hotel.

Modena by Fraser Bangkok Hotel is one of the newest hotel and service apartment in Bangkok, as of now they are celebrating their second year anniversary so it is really quite new. You can book a fully-furnished room or studio. This hotel is near Khlong Toei Fresh Market, Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, and Queen Sirikit MRT Station. Terminal 21 is one station away.

My husband attended a conference/team building last week and he stayed at Modena by Fraser, this was his first time on this hotel because most of the time he stayed at Sukhumvit Area. The hotel has a gym but no swimming pool. Like the Four Points by Sheraton Bangkok, they also offer complimentary Tuktuk Shuttle Service which brings you around the commercial areas such as BTS Skytrain Asok Station, nearby office buildings, Ratchadaphisek Road and Soi Pai-Sing-To.

The room interiors are simple, bright and minimalist. It is perfect for business travelers and even leisure travelers. You have a working desk, mini-fridge, and coffee & tea making facilities. According to my husband, beds and pillows are comfy too.

The bathroom has no bathtub.

They have an all-day dining restaurant and lobby bar. The room package has a complimentary buffet breakfast at Bistro@M. The restaurant was crowded so my husband was not able o take some photos but according to him, buffet spread is limited, konti lang ang meat choices.

Read: Where to Stay in Bangkok Thailand
6 Days in Bangkok with Kid

Modena by Fraser Bangkok 
2527 FYI Center, Rama 4 Road,  (at the Klongtoei Junction)
Klongtoei District Bangkok
10110, Thailand

4 Days in Iceland with Kid

Iceland is on my travel bucket list but I never thought that this dream will become a reality. When we were planning for our summer vacation in Norway, I was looking forward to a Sweden trip since it is just near Norway but our Sweden trip turns to an Iceland trip. Little did I know that it was also my mother’s dream to visit Iceland so we became travel buddy. Hehehe! “Family that travels together, stays together”

My mom checked her schedule so she can file a vacation leave and then we booked a plane ticket three weeks before our trip. But unexpected things happened, few days after we bought our plane ticket my mom was confined in the hospital for 5 days. The doctor advised her to rest and do not drive yet. And because of that, I thought we could no longer push our trip kasi baka mastress siya sa biyahe.

But God is so good, we were able to go to Iceland. So off we went to Trondheim Airport to catch our flight to Reykjavik, we flew via Icelandair. Travel is more or less two hours and 8 hours time difference in the Philippines. We only booked a 4 Days Trip because we have limited budget and we need to fly back to the Philippines. We all know that traveling to Iceland is not cheap so accommodations, tours, and foods are expensive.
Yes, everything is expensive.
Read: Icelandair Experience

When we booked our flight, we knew that we will be staying in the hotel. We have relatives in Iceland but of course, we don’t want to disturb them anymore since we knew that they have work too. So we are looking for a hotel in Reykjavik that is accessible and my mom asked for my aunt’s recommendations. My aunt (cousin of my mom) asked my mom for our travel date and she said, no need for us to book a hotel because we can stay in their house and nakabakasyon din siya that time (one month off). Yehey!

This was my planned itinerary, we’re supposed to book a package tour to visit these places but since we will be staying in my aunt’s house, I just go with the flow.

Day 1: Reykjavik City Tour or Blue Lagoon Tour
Day 2: Golden Circle Tour
Day 3: South Coast Tour
Day 4: Back to Trondheim Norway

4 Days in Iceland with Kid 

Day 1: Reykjanes Peninsula Tour in Iceland 

We arrived at Keflavik International Airport past 3PM and my aunt fetched us. On our way to my aunt’s house, I was thinking, wala ba puno o halaman sa Iceland. Then I remembered that Iceland is a Land of Fire and Ice so expect to see lava fields, rocks, mountains, glaciers and black sand. It is indeed an interesting country because you will learn about history, culture and geology.

After few hours, we went back to the airport to fetch my uncle and then he toured us around Keflavik and Reykjanes. We were able to visit Strandakirkja Church, Gardskagi Lighthouse and Lava Fields.

Read: Reykjanes Peninsula Tour in Iceland

Day 2 Blue Lagoon 

I told my mom that I don’t want to go to Blue Lagoon anymore because I don’t want to wear a swimsuit so we did not pack any swimwear. But when my aunt fetched us at the airport, she immediately told us that we’re going to Blue Lagoon the following day. We could not cancel it anymore since my aunt already talked to her friend about it. Nakakahiya naman magback-out.

Iceland is known for Blue Lagoon so it is one of the popular tourist spot and because of that you cannot walk-in. You need to book an appointment prior to your trip, they only limit the number of guest per visit so expect that the entrance fee is expensive. Like I said, I don’t want to wear a swimsuit so my mom enjoyed her Blue Lagoon experience while my son and I enjoyed the view from the restaurant.

Read: Blue Lagoon in Iceland

Day 3 The Golden Circle Tour + Bridge Between Two Continents

For our third day, we left as early as 6AM for our DIY Golden Circle Tour. You can book a tour from a travel agency, you can rent a car or if you are lucky like us, your family or friends can drive for you. Most of the places in the Golden Circle Tour has no entrance fee like Thingvellir National Park, Great Geysir, and Gullfoss. So you can enjoy this beautiful places for free. This is my favorite part of our Iceland Trip.

Read: The Great Geysir in Iceland
Breathtaking Gullfoss in Iceland
Thingvellir National Park

Bridge Between Two Continents 

After our tiring day, we packed our bags for our morning flight. But after dinner, my cousin persuaded us to visit Bridge Between Two Continents and malapit lang naman daw. It was past 9PM and off we went to the bridge. It was a nice experience knowing that I can cross Europe and North America in less than a minute.

Read: Bridge Between Two Continents

Day 4 Back to Norway 

My cousin wanted to tour us pa in Iceland since off niya on our last day but we could no longer extend our trip because my son and I have to go back to the Philippines. How I wish we have more time in Iceland but I know that this won’t be the last time. Someday, we will revisit this country with my husband.

Althea Korea Beauty Haul

Althea Korea is celebrating their third year birthday and this is my first time to order on their birthday celebration. Like I said, I wanted to join their Fly me to Korea contest and I want to have their birthday box. One thing I like about Althea Korea is their box. Gusto ko ng mga boxes nila because I can reuse them.

At that time, they have FREE Althea Petal Velvet Powder #Pink Lavender (P230) promo if you reach P1800 so I make sure that I will hit the minimum amount. I ordered the following, but unfortunately, the promo code was not working every time I apply the code before check-out and payment. It happened to me last May so I just proceeded with my order kahit wala free. Huhuhu!

Innisfree Camellia Essential Shampoo P290
The Faceshop Highlighter Beam P360
Chica Y Chico Matt Cushion P656
Rire Pore Tightening Fresh Toner P360
My Lash Serum P210
Nature Republic Aloe Vera Soothing Gel P180
Boomdeahdah Lemon Lime Mask Sheets P20 each

Read: My Shopping Experience at Althea Korea

Innisfree Camellia Essential Shampoo is suitable for all types of hair so even you have sensitive scalps and brittle strands, you can use this. It contains Camellia oil from Jeju island that helps in repairing your damaged hair. The smell is too fragrant, at first natatapangan ako sa amoy pero pag tagal okay naman. But I find this expensive for a shampoo.

Update:  After using this for more than a month, my husband noticed my hair, "Bakit ang ganda daw ng buhok ko and ano daw ang shampoo ko". So I checked my hair in the mirror and it looks healthy na nga, bagsak and shiny na. And because of that, I will repurchase this shampoo, this is perfect for me na tamad magsuklay.

The Faceshop Highlighter Beam, I’m not into makeup because I don’t know how to use and apply them to my face, hehehe! But I bought this Highlighter to add a glow to my face. It is in a liquid form so I’m still learning how to apply it properly.

Chica Y Chico Matt Cushion, I only use powder on my face so this is my first time I'm using a matt cushion. So far, I like this product because it really lasts all day. Unlike face powder, you need to reapply to avoid oiliness.

My Lash Serum, at first I thought this is a clear mascara but I was wrong. My lash serum will make your eyelash strong and elastic. So I have to apply it every night to make my eyelashes healthy. Though I haven’t noticed any difference yet.

Nature Republic Aloe Vera Soothing Gel, this is one of the popular Korean Beauty products, and because of that marami din fake products. So make sure that you are buying the original, one tub is only P180 but the problem is, you can only buy one tub. So hindi pwedeng maghoard, okay pa naman siya pang gift din. I haven’t tried this yet, I will just update this post.

I already reviewed the Rire Pore Tightening Fresh Toner and Boomdeahdah Lemon Lime Masks before so just check my old post.

When I started ordering from Althea Korea, LBC and Ninja Van yung courier nila so I was surprised that they change it na pala. Courier is now Black Arrow Express.

July 25 Ordered at Althea Korea
July 30 Order was shipped
August 4 Received order via Black Arrow Express

Lunch at Cafe Via Mare

I live in the province for more than a decade so there are things that I’m missing out because it is not available in our area. But if there is one thing that I’m happy about is, Alabang is not that far from where I live and hindi naman nagpapahuli ang Alabang. Festival Mall is expanding so there are so many new stores and new restaurants to visit.

Last weekend, we were in Festival Mall, I meet my friend because I bought insurance for my husband. Though my husband has insurance from his company, we decided to get additional insurance because we can’t predict the future. After that, we had a late lunch.

We normally eat at Landmark Food Court kung maggrocery kami but for a change, we ate a Cafe Via Mare. Though it is located at the Food Court pero at least hindi na kami pipila para mag-order. Hehehe! The price in Via Mare is a little bit pricey but the serving is big so my son and I shared on my order. We ordered Crispy Binagoongan P330, Ensaladang Bagnet P200, Rice P35 per cup and Bibingka with Laguna Cheese and Salted Duck Egg P135 + Service Charge.

Ensaladang Bagnet has crispy roasted pork with mustard leaves, tomatoes, and shallots in calamansi and bagoong dressing. Crispy Binagoongan Meal has rice, crispy pork bellies, pinakbet and sauteed bagoong so good for sharing kung hindi naman malakas kumain.

Two years ago was the last time that we ate at Cafe Via Mare and I remember that I was not able to taste their Bibingka because nagcheck-out na kami sa St. Lukes BGC. So last week, I really ordered Bibingka kahit 15 minutes pa ang waiting time. Hehehe!

If you like bibingka, go to Cafe Via Mare because you can eat yummy bibingka all year round, di mo na kelangan maghintay ng Pasko. Food and service are good so for sure may next time ulit. Care to share your favorite at Via Mare.

Update September 2018

We were in Landmark last weekend and we had lunch at Cafe Via Mare again. While checking the menu, I asked my son what he wants and said “yung dati ko order”. Oh well, naging favorite na niya yung liempo, so we ordered Kare-Kare P480, Crispy Binagoongan P330 and Shooters P145 + Service Charge.

We’re supposed to order extra rice but the waitstaff informed us na may kasama ng rice yung Kare-Kare. After several minutes, they served order order. The funny thing is they served it all, pati shooters so mabilisan ng kain at matutunaw na yung dessert namin. Shooters is refreshing combination of Halo-Halo, Guinomis and Mais Con Hielo.

This is perfect for our family of three. According to their menu, Halo-Halo has sweetened fruits, yams, pulses, egg custard, milk, and crushed ice. Pero more on gulaman ang nakain ko sa halo-halo. My son loves corn so he enjoyed his Mais Con Hielo. My husband ate Guinomis, it has sago, pinipig, gulaman and gata. The taste is creamier compared to my halo-halo because it has coconut milk.

Update: June 2019

We were in Landmark last weekend and when we went to the Food Court, ang dami ng tao so I told my husband, mag Cafe Via Mare tayo for sure may upuan tayo. So we ate at Via Mare, napamahal tuloy lunch namin ng dahil sa upuan. hehehe! We ordered Kare-Kare P495, Inasal na Manok P230 and Extra Rice P55 + Service Charge. Both viands include 1 cup of rice kaya one extra rice na lang order namin. I noticed na nagtaas na price nila, I've read my post above P480 lang yung Kare-Kare last year. The taste of the Inasal na Manok is just okay.

Cafe Via Mare offers Salu Salo Set Menu that is perfect for big groups. It is served with five cups of rice and a beverage of your choice. Valid for Dine or Take-Out. Since we are just a family of three, we did not order the set menu but here are the choices.

Set A for P2450

Crispy Pata
Sinigang sa Miso
Ensaladang Suha
Bam - I - Guisado
Tortang Alimasag
Bibingka with Salted Duck Egg
Option of Coffee, Salabat or Iced Tea

Set B for P2500

Laswa
Crispy Pata
Rellenong Talong
Pinalutong na Tilapia
Bam-I-Guisado
Puto Bumbong with Cheddar Cheese
Bibingka with Salted Duck Egg
Option of Coffee, Salabat or Iced Tea

Set C for P3450

Crispy Pata
Inasal na Manok
Rellenong Bangus
Sinigang na Hipon
Bam-I-Guisado
Fresh Lumpia
Laswa
Bibingka with Salted Egg Duck Egg
Puto BUmbong with Cheddar Cheese
Option of Coffee, Salabat or Iced Tea

Set D for P1900

Bulalo
Pinalutong na Tilapia
Bam-I-Guisado
Fresh Lumpia
Bibingka with Salted Duck Egg
Option of Coffee, Salabat or Iced Tea

Set E for P2100

Rellenong Bangus
Inasal na Manok
Sinigang na Karne
Ensaladang Suha
Puto Bumbong with Cheddar Cheese
Bibingka with Salted Duck Egg
Option of Coffee, Salabat or Iced Tea

March 2020 

We were in Festival Mall last weekend to get my laboratory test and because of the SLEX heavy traffic, lunch time na kami dumating so we ended up at Via Mare para may pwesto lang kami. Via Mare has so many dishes but whenever we eat here, halos pare-pareho lang order namin so we easily noticed the price difference. We ordered Kare Kare PHP520, Inihaw na Liempo PHP340, Extra Rice PHP55 and Puto Maya PHP240 + Service Charge.

We always order Crispy Binagoongan so for a change, we ordered the Inihaw na Liempo. The meal includes a vegetable dish and vinegar dip. All dishes include one cup of rice so we just order one extra rice. My son enjoyed his Inihaw na Liempo, I tried it and the meat is tender so hindi siya mahirap kainin.

You know that I love mango sticky rice so I ordered Puto Maya, it is glutinous rice steamed in coconut cream. Serve with ripe mango and coconut jam. The taste is just okay, I don’t know parang may after taste siya, hindi ko alam kung ginger or star anise so I guess I won’t order this again. Good thing that the mango taste sweet so nasulit na rin ang dessert.