Shangri-La Finest Chinese Cuisine, Quezon City

Are you a fan of Chinese food? There's a place along Times St. in Quezon City called Shangri-La.

This famous restaurant is ideal for groups or big celebrations. True to its name, they serve the finest Chinese dishes at an affordable price.

From soups, to appetizer, to noodles, seafood, you can never go wrong with whatever you order.
We often order Shredded beef and Shangri-la Chicken (2 ways) which you can eat as is or wrap it in either fresh lettuce or soft lumpia wrapper.

If you want a dessert that's not too sweet, you must try mango sago dessert. It's a combination of mango, syrup, and sago. We also tried the lotus pie, butchi, and almond jelly with lychee.

They have big servings that's why it's ideal for a group of 10 or more. They also have function rooms/private rooms for private functions. They also have packages for occasions like Baptism, Debut, Wedding, etc.

Gerry's Grill Tagaytay City

Mesa SM North, Quezon City

PHONE:

02 3325977, +63 9178526376

ADDRESS:

Third Floor, Main Building, SM City North EDSA, Quezon City

Interior Design: *****

Subway Valero Carpark 2, Makati

June 26 - Buy 1 6" Sandwich with Drink Get 1 6" Sandwich FREE

Paseo Rizal Mayagay, Tanay Rizal

One Sunday afternoon, after a late lunch in Antipolo, my family and I decided to just go on a road trip . While traversing the roads from Pantay to Baras to Tanay and back, we thought of stopping by Pranjetto to have coffee and use the comfort room but apparently, the restaurant is closed. Looking for another place to stop by, good thing we came across Paseo Rizal.

Paseo Rizal is a quaint restaurant located along Marikina-Infanta Mayagay, Sampaloc, Tanay, Rizal. Little did we know that this restaurant is unlike any other ordinary restaurants in the area. The restaurant not just offers a great view of the mountains and pine trees, they also feature art, cuisine and music. This place reminds me of a place in Baguio called Tam-awan. Enjoy the fresh air, cool breeze and delightful view.

Pine Trees

This restaurant is just a couple of hours away from Manila. There are several options  to get to Paseo Rizal.

• Take Marcos Highway from Marikina to Masinag to Cogeo to Tanay.
• From Antipolo, take the Ortigas extension road to Circumferential road to Teresa to Morong to Tanay and then follow the road to Sampaloc.
• From Infanta Quezon/ Laguna, take the road going to Tanay then follow the road to Sampaloc.

A perfect way to get away from all the hustle and bustle of the metro is to go on road trips and joyride to places outside Manila like Tanay. The road to Paseo Rizal is really relaxing. On the road you'll see the lush green mountains, farms, cows, carabaoes, clean air, and clean road. Usually, bikers/cyclists, and a few cars travel these roads. NO TRAFFIC!

  

What's good about this place? The ambiance, cool breeze, and relaxed atmosphere. When you're here, you won't think that the metro is just a few hours away. It's one of the hidden restaurants where you can have a bit of rest and relaxation. 

 

On the outside, the restaurant just looks like a restaurant with a beautifully landscaped garden. Seats are available outside if guests prefer an outdoor dining experience. Once you get to the first door, you'll discover that this restaurant is more than just a coffee shop or a typical restaurant along the road.

Kalinangang Pilipino

Art Gallery

After a few flight of stairs, guests will find a door leading to an art gallery. The first floor is where art works can be seen. There are several paintings, statues, and traditional artifacts made by different artists. These showcased artworks are for sale.

The artworks price range start from P20,000 and up. I think that's a rad price for a nifty piece of art.

Asotea

It had just rained when we got to Paseo. 

The Asotea is another area where guests can dine and enjoy their food.

 

Upon reaching the main dining area, you'll find more artworks. The main dining area is intricately designed to match the whole "rustic" theme. The restaurant has a sofa set, wooden/antique chairs and tables, rocking chair and a fireplace. 

 

The Stage

 During weekends (Saturday & Sunday), the restaurant invites performers. We were told that the performers had just left. They were there to serenade guests only until 4PM.

Aside from art, culture, and nature, people also rave about this place for their food. The staff were really courteous and nice. As soon as guests arrive, they serve water for each guest.

Menu

Since we're already here, why not try their specialty and best sellers? What merienda will be good after a bit of rain on a cool afternoon? Soup! Chocolate Drink! Coffee!

Bulalo

We just wanted to try and taste their Bulalo. Just a few sip... We ended up ordering rice and had a somewhat early dinner.

Turon sa Latik

I gotta say that this turon is one of the best turons I've had before. The banana is really soft and the latik is just a perfect match.

Tablea ala Paseo

 Brewed coffee was the only coffee they had at that time so they ordered brewed coffee to go with the turon. Me and my dad ordered the choco drink "Tablea ala Paseo" since I don't really drink coffee. I'm guessing they used the old school batidor to make one but I wasn't able to confirm this assumption. I liked it a lot anyways! Chocolate is <3. It was just perfect for the turon.

I wish we got here earlier around lunch time. I think their main entrees are just as good plus the food are reasonably priced too. 

They also sell local products such as canned  coco jam, jarred cucumber, and the like. Just beware of mosquitoes in the afternoon. An insect repellent will come in handy here. 

It's always fun to discover new places and feed your wanderlust. I didn't know that there are lots to explore in Tanay. We look forward to coming back here and see what else the place has to offer. 

Bougainville Suites and Resort, Antipolo City

Max's Antipolo

 

Max's Antipolo is located at 83 Circumferential Rd, Brgy San Jose, Antipolo, Rizal. 

Almost every Filipino knows that Max's restaurant is one of the first places that comes to mind during dine-out celebrations. 

This place tends to get jam packed during public holidays and special days such as Valentines Day, Mothers Day, Fathers Day, All Saints/Souls Day, Christmas, New Year, and the like. 

Daranak Falls Tanay, Rizal

The Beach Place at Nagsasa Cove, Zambales

The Beach Place Nagsasa Cove Zambales. 

Location: baranggay San Antonio Zambales

Manila-Zambales = 3 hours. 

When going to Nagsasa, make sure you have enough supply of food and drinking water. Drop by the market to buy fresh food. Castillejos or San Marcelino market. 

There are 3 7-eleven stores from Castillejos. Buy ice. 

Once you get to Nagsasa, all prices double.

Pundakit - Nagsasa 45 minute boat ride. 

Boats to Anawangin -- from Pundakit. 

Post by Daisy Hubac.

Compared to Anawangin, Nagsasa is a bit farther. Nagsasa is not as crowded as Anawangin. Enjoy the cove to yourselves or a few campers. On weekdays, only a few people are there. If you're lucky enough, you have the cove with just your group. 

Serene & peaceful

Ideal for soul searching

Wind hustle, pine trees sound like it's raining. 

Don't worry about call of nature. Comfort room provided. 

Package Rates

Tent

Hammock

Chairs

Huts

Bonfire

Cook

Trekking

Island hopping 

Snorkeling

Beach = clear waters

It's so clear you can see fishes and the bottom. 

No signal, no electricity, back to basics. 

Simple reminder to tourists:

TAKE CARE OF OUR BEACHES! Places like this should be preserved and conserved so that in the future, we can still enjoy clean beaches. Our children will still be able to experience what we experienced here. 

Appreciate what nature has to offer. 

Take with you a trash bag. 

As much as possible, minimize the trash you generate. What you bring in should be brought back with you.

As sign of respect, do not leave your trash behind. 

Contact Elaine Tima

Visit www.facebook.com/thebeachplace

Scream Park Manila

A fun-filled night of running, laughing, sweating, and screaming. Another addition to our misadventures. :) 

Zombies come creeping and chasing you. If you want to try this adventure, I suggest you go there at around 9:30 PM to make sure that all zombies are present. Zombies who came in late weren't able to participate in the first batch.

Scream Park Manila is open until May 31 only. Watch out for the Asylum on October. :)
http://www.halloweenhaunts.ph/

Zark's Burger Katipunan, Quezon City

Zark's Ultimate Burger

Black Mamba

Deep Fried Burger

Bacon wrapped

Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf Ayala Triangle, Makati City

Blue Berry Cheesecake

Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar Bagac, Bataan

If you wanna get a vibe of how people lived during the 1800s, or get a feel of Spain in the Philippines, Las Casas is the place to be.

Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar is located in Bagac, Bataan where old historical houses are reassembled, maintained and showcased. Bagac, Bataan is a small town 3 hours away from Manila. 

Death March Kilometer Marker

When I hear the place Bataan, one historical event comes to mind... Death March!
On the way to Bagac, Bataan, you will find death march markers along side of the road indicating the distance from the start of the march. 

The Pawikan Conservation Center is also near Las Casas. It is in Morong, Bataan, just 24 km away from Bagac, Bataan. It is nice to drop by the conservation center and adopt a turtle if you have time. Make sure you get there before dawn to experience releasing a baby turtle to the sea.

Going to Las Casas is easy. You can go to there via car or commute.
If you're bringing your own car, you may take these routes.

• Take NLEX
• Exit in Dau and enter SCTEX
• Exit in Dinalupihan
• Take the national highway until you reach Bagac, Bataan

or

• Take NLEX
• Exit in San Fernando
• Take the national highway to Bataan

Personally, we take the second route to save on gas and toll fee. :)

Via commute: 

• FIVE STAR BUS: Cubao-Balanga Bataan terminal = 200 pesos/head
  (Smoking and selling of cigarette is prohibited in Balanga.)
• JEEP: Balanga Bataan terminal - Bagac = 47 pesos/head
  *approx 1 hour*
  (Just ask the driver to drop you at Las Casas.)
• Tricycle: Bagac - Las Casas = 10/head
  *approx 5 minutes*
  Walk: Bagac - Las Casas = free
  *approx 20 minutes*

Guardia Civils will greet you at the gate. If you already have a reservation, let them know so they can take you to your reserved casa via their customized jeep.

Houses in Las Casas all have historical backgrounds. These casas were reconstructed piece by piece (if not refurbished) by San Jose builders owned by Mr. Jose "Jerry" Acuzar. 

Guests have a choice to go for a day tour or overnight stay.

Tour Guide

There are several packages for historical tour:

• Package 1 (set meal) Php 1,200 per head.
• Package 2 (buffet meal) Php 1,500 per head.

Historical tour includes 30 minutes to 1 hour guided tour of the heritage houses, 1 lunch, afternoon snack, 2 tetra-pack juices, and 2 bottles of mineral water.

Tour guides explain details about each house and its historical significance. Houses in Las Casas were brought in Bataan from different provinces. The tour guide will also tell the stories about the families who originally owned each houses.

If you just wanted to enter the premises without the guided tour, you can pay
Php 850 per adult and Php 425 per child for entrance with snack or
Php 685 per person if you do not want snacks.
However, you will not be allowed to enter the casas without a guided tour.

Breakast: Tocino + Egg + Water Melon Slice + Rice

Rates are on a per night basis. Overnight stay range from Php 5,500 to Php 9,500 per room, or Php 18,000 to Php 45,000 per casa.
This includes overnight stay, complimentary bottled water, a set breakfast, and a guided heritage tour.

Casa Bizantina

Casa Bizantina is the most expensive casa which may cost up to 150,000 pesos per night. Rates vary depending on which day you go there. Prices are higher during weekends compared to weekdays. This casa is usually rented by VIPs. Inclusions are the following:

• 24-hours Major Domo/butler service
• Coffee and Tea service with your choice of native rice cakes, tea sandwiches, or cookies
• (1) one hour standard cocktail drinks
• Goodnight treats

 

Our Huge Bathroom

One can really enjoy their stay in Las Casas. The bedrooms are so comfortable, the designs and carvings on wood are so intricate, and the bathrooms are big. :)

We had our dinner at one of the restaurants there, La Bella Teodora. This restaurant offers authentic Italian cuisine. Food can be a bit pricey though but it's fair enough.

Roasted Chicken

Grilled Prawns

Pizza

 

Surf & Turf (Steak + Grilled Prawn)

Outside the restaurant is the view of the "lake" in front of the reconstructed church.

Basilica

A Church is to be built to accommodate bigger weddings I guess. 

For now, they accommodate weddings and hold ceremonies in this chapel. This place is ideal for special occasions like weddings or pictorials for pre-nuptials. Several weddings and pre-nuptial shoots have been done here.

Bike for Hire

Some of the amenities you can hire in Las Casas are the bikes. Ride the bike on the cobbled streets for only Php 150 per hour.
Entertainment Rental:

• Bike - Php 150 per hour
• 1(one) round of Kalesa ride - Php 50 per round
• Golf Cart - Php 650 per hour (if guest driver)
  Php 350 per hour (if resort driver)

While in Las Casas, guests get to dip in the pool or enjoy the beach as well. 

We were told that on 2015, APEC Summit will be held in Las Casas. As of writing, they're reconstructing a replica of the first luxury hotel in Asia, Hotel de Oriente.

There are no means of salvaging the original pieces of this hotel because this hotel was totally destroyed in World War II. To reconstruct this hotel, builders will be basing the details on books and historical reasearches. Target finishing date for the reconstruction is on October 2015, in time for the 2015 APEC Summit.


For more info (Room Rate, Price), bookings & reservation, visit www.lascasasfilipinas.com