Lashing Out at the Taksiyapo Wall

BFF Trency and I set out on a roadtrip not too long ago (think last long weekend before the November 1 holidays). Seems like the two of us end up going together on trips since the others are just way too pre-occupied with their lives! Last time we went out on a major trip was in Cebu during the summer, which you can read about here, here, here, and here. Being the only two single girls left in the barkada, we stick together like peas and carrots to somehow cover up that fact hahaha!

We were on our way to San Juan, La Union for a surf trip, when we passed by this restaurant called Isdaan along Gerona, Tarlac. Guys! You'll never miss this restaurant along the main national highway. It's like a major stopover for families. Good thing we decided to stop over the restaurant on the way to La Union, because when we passed by Isdaan on our way back to Manila it was JAMPACKED!

We didn't eat here though, but we stopped here on the way to La Union to try out the famous Taksiyapo Wall. Mariko and I planned a trip to Isdaan to experience this, but never got the chance to, sayang! I really don't know why it's called that, but it has become popular here because you can throw stuff (choose from mugs, saucers, plates, bowls, vase to television sets!) at the Taksiyapo Wall. So if the Jews have their Wailing Wall, we Pinoys have the Taksiyapo Wall to lash out


Here's Trency with her very highly emotional throwing. She doesn't get angry a lot, so I understand her need for releasing the stress/tension. She got so carried away, she hit one of the light bulbs and the broken pieces ricocheted near the cashier. The poor ladies almost got hit! :p



I for one get angry all the time, hence the lack-luster throwing. Sorry! Although I must admit it was fun throwing things just for the heck of it. :)


So if you guys are on a road trip up north, make sure to stop by Isdaan in Gerona, Tarlac. Release your tension and try out the Taksiyapo Wall. Don't forget to shout Taksiyapo before throwing your item into the wall, they say it gives it an emotional twist.

But has anyone of you eaten here? Is the food any good? Worth going on a road trip for? Lemme know! :)

P.S. Also, don't forget to bring Off Lotion or any anti-mosquito lotions. The place is one huge fish pond, so it's also one huge place filled with stagnant water. Better safe than sorry right?! :)

Someone Turned a Year Older

The original plan for Gladys’ 25th birthday was to have dinner at Lorenzo’s Way and then party it up at Izakaya, all in Greenbelt. But then sudden changes in the plan lead to just having drinks at the latter. But it was all a little too late for me and the BFFs as Lorezo’s Way intrigued us. It was on to another foodie trippin’.

Although it didn’t exactly start out alright, Amanda called up the restaurant and reserved a table for us at 7PM. She sent me an instant message saying that it was a go. But then as the day wore on, it was going to be obvious that some people were going to be late, so I had to have the reservation moved at 7.30PM.

So I called and pretended to be Amanda, the girl on the other end of the line told me it was okay for me to have the reservation moved at 7.30PM because we didn’t really HAVE A TABLE RESERVED. We were FIRST ON THE WAITING LIST, and that was just whacked! So I told Amanda this problem and she called up again, knowing very well she was going to bitch! Good thing they were able to fix this or else we would have all thrown a fit! Don’t ever tell a customer that she has been reserved a table and THEN put her on the wait list. Number one that’s annoying and number two that’s really just plain dishonesty. Oh! And number three really bad PR!

I got there first, and then I find out that Lorenzo’s Way is like the hodge podge restaurant of everything from the LJC Group of Companies which own Abe, Fely J’s, Café Havana, among others. The popular face of Larry Cruz, the writer slash many other things who loved food, once again appeared. I remember having a good time at Abe and Fely J’s so I felt that they would have really good food.


When Amanda arrived, we started ordering. This dish we ordered because we saw the group of girls beside our table order this – Lechon Kawali with Kangkong in Oyster Sauce.

Although this was really good, the only thing I could say was that lechon kawali is supposed to be served crispy. But since it was served as toppings for the kangkong, it slowly started absorbing the oyster sauce making it soggy. But hey it was really good!

Up next was something we all loved over at Abe, Binukadkad na Pla-Pla.

The fish was really meaty. Trency the late-comer still had an entire side to finish. It was a good, healthy dish.

Amanda ordered this Callos.

Although I would have to say that their callos is WAY better than Dulcinea’s, at least this was the real deal callos. But I wasn’t sold on this, I swear my Lola’s callos is still the winner! At least this one had a generous serving of twalya (ox tripe), beef, and chorizo.

But the motherload would have to be the Lengua!

Oh my goodness! I can still distinctly remember how tender the meat was and how tasty this dish was! One of the best lengua’s I’ve had! Totally recommended! Plus it comes with a cup of rice already, so sulit na!

Although we knew we were drinking at Gladys’ party over at Izakaya, we decided to start getting sloshed. Lorenzo’s Way does serve really good drinks, and these two drinks attest to that! I had two right away – Lychee Coco Martini and a Frozen Margarita! Yum!

So after Lorenzo’s Way it was now time to go to Izakaya. Funny because the birthday celebrant was late! But it was just so fun to be with the HS barkada. We haven’t partied in a long time, so it made the night extra fun! Booze, booze, booze all over the place, maybe it shots of Jose Cuervo to Izakaya’s stupid sake cocktails. Remember these girls are hardcore drinkers, no ladies’ drinks for us please!!

So anyway here are pictures from the night of partying and sloshing!






Gladys! Happy, happy birthday! I love you so, so, so much. And even though you give us a bitch of a time when we invite you to go out of town or simply to have dinner, we will always, always be here for you! Love you bruha!


Lorenzo’s Way
G/F Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center
Makati City, Metro Manila
Phone: (02) 729-0047 / 729-0013
Business hours: Monday – Sunday / 11:00 AM – 12:00 MN
Website: http://ljcrestaurants.com.ph/lorenzos-way/

Izakaya
G/F Greenbelt 2 Ayala Center
Makati City
Tel. No. 757-4813
Business Hours: 5:30 p.m. - 12 midnight

Lunch Buffet with a View to Boot at Taal Vista Hotel

After hearing Mass and walking around the beautiful and peaceful Caleruega, Mom and I got hungry. It was past lunchtime so we decided to go back to Tagaytay. After a traumatizing dinner at our hotel, Mom wanted something grand.

I remember Mom raving about Taal Vista Hotel's yummy kare-kare in their buffet. She wanted me to try it so off we went to the posh hotel which was brimming with hotel guests and families coming in for their famous lunch buffet.

There was a group performing traditional Filipino dances and it gave the dining hall a very festive mood. It was interactive, and they even had this foreigner dance the tinikling (a traditional Filipino dance where a girl and guy dancer cross over bamboo poles to a fast beat).


Their buffet table was only small and offered only a few dishes. Although they did have a salad bar, with this really cute OWL made of vegetables. Then of course the dessert bar, which offered halo-halo, fresh fruits, and assorted sweets.


Mom let me take first dibs on the buffet. I tried their Cream of Mushroom Soup which was THE BOMB (sorry no photo again, I was happily slurping on it already!)! So unlike the mushroom soup Mom had for dinner the night before. Yum-o!

For the main course I only had the beef kalderata which was really good. I especially loved this because it was SPICY, but not enough to burn your taste buds, just a bit of a twang. I also had their lechon, a favorite among Filipino delicacies. It was carved right in front of me, and it was still warm! Cholesterolific!

And lastly, I had the freshly made Ebi Tempura. It was just sad that the shrimps they used were thin and small.

Since Mom was more adventurous, she found more stuff on the buffet table than I did. Mom also had the beef kaldereta and the ebi tempura, but she was able to find seafood with tahong and shrimp. She also had a piece of chicken, which I found delish!

For dessert I fell in love with their mocha and chocolate cake. It wasn't too sweet and I had to stop myself because I was about to get another slice.

Since the dance group already left, we were entertained by this trio who walked around the tables singing requested songs. It was so cool because some of the guests started singing along with them. Fun!

Being in Tagaytay, it is a MUST to have your picture taken with the famous Taal Volcano. Good thing the volcano has stopped its volcanic activities, it was threatening to erupt late last year.


The day was really perfect with the sun high up in the sky and sky with a powder blue hue. And the sprawling lawns of the hotel was just to irresistible to shoot. The kids were having a grand time running around the grass, screaming, shouting, laughing, while playing tag.



It was a great bonding with Mom! It was the kind of trip we both needed, just relaxed and unhurried and most of all FAR from things that both give us headaches (ha!). Excited to have another trip with Mom soon! :)


Taal Vista Hotel
Km. 60, Aguinaldo Highway
Tagaytay City, Cavite
Tel. Nos. (046) 413-1000 and (632) 886-4325
Website: www.taalvistahotel.com

We Traveled 4 Hours For This!

Last Saturday was a busy Saturday for me. It was a flurry of reunions, not that I'm complaining! I spent the whole morning with former officemates catching up on our lives after our stint in the publishing world. Then, it was time to embark on a roadtrip with my BFFs.

Left my car at the Mall of Asia, and BFF Trency passed by for me. We heard traffic along SLEX was hell-on-earth, so we decided to go through Cavite. But first we had to pass by Miya (whom we met at Coastal Mall) and Gladys (whom we picked up at Sucat). Traffic was horrible even inside BF in Parañaque so it was a ROADTRIP in the making.

At first we were supposed to go to Marcia Adams' famed restaurant, but when we found out about the cover charge (which we had NO IDEA of), we decided to switch to a cheaper food haunt.

Off we went to RSM Restaurant to eat BULALO (beef and bone marrow in vegetable soup). Perfect for the winter weather feel in Tagaytay.

The restaurant was very cozy and very spacious. It had native Filipino decorations with heavy wooden tables in the dining area. I'm guessing it could accommodate 30-50 families all at once.


We were famished after that 4 hour drive in freagen traffic. So we couldn't wait to order. Of course, you all know we had bulalo.


It was served in this huge and tall metal pot with a wick at the bottom, supposedly to keep the broth hot to prevent the fat from the meat from hardening. It was served piping hot complete with smoke effect. It smelled so good! The meat was tender, you didn't even need the knife to help you cut it up in small pieces. It was my first time to try it, and I was completely sold!

We also ordered Bangus Kare-Kare

This was a bit disappointing. I love kare-kare, and for me what's really important in this dish is the peanut sauce. Unfortunately, the sauce had a watery consistency and did not really taste peanut-y. They had few bangus pieces, and those pieces we had were tiny. The vegetables, especially the Baguio beans were tough. I've recently had two kare-kare dishes over the holidays (read this and this), both of which were really, really GOOD! So I was really heartbroken with this one.

Lastly, we had Liempo.

Again, very sinful! But being with meat-eater friends, you just gotta go with the flow. I liked this one, but Gladys and Trency weren't really convinced. They said it was kinda sweet, probably from their marinade sauce.

All-in-all, the food was good except for the kare-kare. But what really DESTROYED this restaurant is their AWFUL SERVICE. The restaurant was massive, and we noticed they only had a few servers. We had a BITCH OF A TIME getting their attention, and when you finally get them to your table they look woeful. I remember telling the three, "Parang hindi sila masaya!" (It's like they're not happy.)

And since there were only a few servers, tables with used plates, glasses, utensils, and even the soda cans and beer bottles were left on the table for quite some time.



Good thing I was with the BFFs or else I would've thrown a fit. It was quite an experience since it was my first time in this restaurant. I just feel bad that you have to give them really bad feedback, and express it online. But this is just a heads-up in case you all want to eat here. The food's ok, it's just that you have to be a bit creative to get their attention. :)

But hey! The girlfriends and I were happy! We seldom get to be complete in a road trip and we finally had one early this year! We have to repeat! Love you girls!! :))



RSM Lutong Bahay Restaurant
Maharlika East, Tagaytay City, Cavite
Tel. No. (046) 860-2297
Mobile No. 0917-2761863 and 0917-9661358
Directions: Go past the rotonda going towards the direction of Batangas City. It's along the rows of restaurants after The Boutique Hotel. It's very near Starbucks and Leslie's.

When Cooking Was A Disappointment

Was supposed to blog about this earlier, but bumped it because I just had to share with you guys my favorite comfort food.

When Yakimix first opened its eat-all-you-can, drink-all-you-can, shabu-shabu doors at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City, it was JAMPACKED. I remember seeing a platoon of families waiting for their numbers to be called. So I thought, hey! this place must be good!

So on New Year's Day I decided to treat Mom, since she was the one who treated me for our Christmas dinner. We got to MOA WAY EARLY for dinner, so when we got to Yakimix (they don't accept reservations, by the way) they weren't giving out the numbers yet. It was a free-for-all ball game, so we decided to just go for it.

This is not my first time at a shabu-shabu, but I was very disappointed right away at how little the food was. I couldn't help but compare it with the previous shabu-shabu restaurant we ate it where the food was OVERFLOWING and segregated into kinds (pork, beef, barbecue, etc). They even had that hot pot for SOUP.

On one side was the uncooked meat for the shabu-shabu

Yes, that's basically it. Meat lovers, like me, would be super disappointed. But they did have barbecue and even fish that you could cook on your own.

They also have different kinds of soup bases and you can just feel-free to add whatever garnish you want in it


Here, you have the DESSERTS!

Had fun with the desserts. They also had ice cream, and you can have as much as you want.

As I was going around taking pictures of the food, one of the waiters suddenly approached me and said, "Bawal po yan!" (That's not allowed). I was super bummed and irked. So I left my trusty DLSR (who by the way was its first time to get dejected!) and went on to get food.

I mixed the cooked and uncooked food in one plate. For their cooked food, Yakimix had sushi, maki, and sashimi. They also chicken lollipop, sweet and sour pork, and lechon kawali. They were actually pretty good! :)

But I had so much fun in cooking, since I don't really cook anything at home less we want our home to turn into ashes.

Here's Mom enjoying her food.

We left Yakimix full and bloated, but very much disappointed. For P1290 (drinks weren't included in the P580) we could have eaten at a much-better restaurant with much-better food. It was all just a hype since it's eat-all-you-can, and we Filipinos are just suckers for that! If you guys want an eat-all-you-can shabu-shabu just go to TONG YANG!


After that, we went to New Year's Mass at the Shrine of Jesus behind the mall. Then we saw HUBERT AND FREDDIE WEBB.

That is a blurry pic of Freddie Webb who is MORE BUFF, HANDSOME AND YOUNGER LOOKING than his son. Everytime Hubert would pass people would give him the "we-know-you-killed-the-Vizcondes" look, it was funny!

But what we really came all the way to the Mall of Asia for were the fireworks display. It was pretty, and it lit up the night sky with a multitude of colors! It sure capped off our night, and it was a great way to spend New Year's with Mom. :)






Yakimix Sushi, Smokeless Grill, Restaurant
SM Mall of Asia
Central Business Park
Bay Blvd., Bay City
Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines
Tel. No. 836-1535 to 37

Other branches are at:
Hobbies of Asia
Hobbies of asia
Macapagal Blvd.
Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines
Tel. No. 387-8120 and 387-8112

Tomas Morato
Forum Bldg.
270 Tomas Morato Ave.
Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Tel. No. 385-7500

Greenbelt 3
3rd Level, Greenbelt 3, Greenbelt
Paseo de Roxas cor. Legaspi St., Ayala Center
Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines
Tel. No. 475-5153