7107 Islands Cruise

Beach. Sunrise. Sunset. Onboard party. Really. Check out http://www.7107islandscruise.net/

Seawind, Boracay

December 19 -- Seawind was the venue of the coolest beach wedding and party I have ever been to. Nothing beats great company, the beach, and flowing cocktails.

And the post-wedding party was ushered in with glasses of a cocktail specially concocted for this special day: the mingler. The men behind the "Mingler" are Junjun (the inspiration) and Tata (the mixer).

Congratulations to Junjun and best wishes to Heidi!

Vivere Azure

A deluxe resort hotel south of Metro Manila (Anilao, Mabini, Batangas), a glass or more of good wine is perfect when enjoyed near its inifinity pool.

Club 1911 and more

Dinner and wine at Club 1911 at Soho, Hong Kong. Quaint, charming and very Chinese/Hong Kong feel.

Shek O Country Club -- beautiful scenery. An exclusive golf club and country club, they serve good food and good wine. (No denim jeans allowed!)

Blue Frog at The Venetian Macao

On my way to the Macau Hotel Show, I passed by several hip bars inside the Venetian. One particular venue that caught my fancy was Blue Frog. It had a very cozy vibe plus it was near the escalator. Prices are similar to that in Hong Kong (HK150 up) so for people here, it is not bad.

Blue Frog is located on the main casino level of The Venetian, Cotai Strip in Macau. (No, I did not drink. But maybe next time I will. I met my friend, Wayne, and had a cup of coffee there before I got my things to take the ferry to Hong Kong).

Elation

Elation Buffet's Grand Terrace (Quezon City) event was a rousing success. Okay, so the crowd was a bit young (mostly college kids), the Abesamis Sisters' party had a good turnout, with flowing chocolate fondues and shooters.

The shooters, I did not recognize. Apparently, they are original concoctions. Mostly sweet, with chocote, we sure got sugar high (not that it was a bad thing).

Congratulations and more...buffets!

Cravings and Ramblings

I have a craving for chocolate and alcohol. Found this Chocolate Shots recipe. (Photo is from that site, too) Looks delish but very difficult to make.

Google. This is the answer to any question. Found several drinks made with chocolate and some liquer like Godiva Chocolate Martini. So is vodka good with chocolate?

I'm gonna try this out.

Lamma Island, Hong Kong

The pier


Fu Kee Seafood Restaurant (okay, don't laugh)



Our boat...

Last October 31, we sailed to Lamma Island, ate a feast and had a nice time.

Fu Kee has good food, cold beer, nice wine. All you need is company you like and you're set.

Boracay's Hobbit House

A cold Red Horse beer at Hobbit House quenches the thirst =) At Don Vito Pizzeria Ristorante of Boracay Mandarin Hotel, order Don Vito Sensation, a vodka-based cocktail.
A slice of Black Rainforest is optional specially if you are calorie-counting.

Manila by Night

I went to Socialista last Thursday/Friday. I'm glad it has a safe crowd, still. Beer is P45 still, too. I liked the Tanduay rum there.

A new bar/resto beside Shrimps Ahoy, Harbour Square

There are new developments in the Manila area that I haven't been to. Check out Harbour Square, beside CCP Theater near Star City. It's like Metrowalk in Ortigas Center. Beer is pretty affordable, too. P180 for a bucket of 6. A Red Horse is P45.

It was my first time to explore Pasay area. It was difficult to find a place where there is karaoke and al fresco (out of the ordinary Music 21). But we did find one. It's a small place across the EDSA International Entertainment Complex and is quite safe and decent in a sense that there are no almost naked girls serving you. Just plain videoke and beer place. It has the authentic Pasay feel to it. Vendors selling peanuts and fish crackers are allowed to sell inside. The way to put it is that, this is the opposite of posh and is one of those places where the masang masa go to. A song costs P5.00 but they have listening songs and songs you can sing along with so do choose your sing-along songs wisely.

Drunken Talks

As part of a website on design, I will be contributing videos on "Drunken Talks." The concept is just that, talks over a couple of beers. But basically focused on design. It was inspired by this video.



Check out www.drunkondesign.wordpress.com for more.

Macau! Macau!

It may seem strange but I did enjoy Macau even if I didn't gamble. Walking tours and bar hops. I even bought a liter of Macau beer at a grocery (MOP7) but had to leave it at the airport because it wasn't worth checking it in.


Anyhow. Do check these places when in Macau.


San Lorenzo's

At the Fisherman's Wharf or "Yo Yan Ma Tao" look for San Lorenzo's at the New Orleans block. Beer is MOP30 whereas when you drink at a casino's bar/lounge, cheapest is MOP45. Heineken even comes in a lovely, slender glass (right photo). Seafood pizza (Pizza Frutti Di Mare) MOP98. Pizza and beer it is!


The View

At Sand's (walking distance from the Fisherman's Wharf), check out The View and be fascinated with pole dancers :P San Mig Light (in a clear pilsen bottle) MOP45++. Comes with free munchies (peanuts, chips, and dried meat).

MGM

MGM Lobby. Heineken draft MOP50++ comes with multi-grain munchies and live music. Good company just seals the deal.

Bellini Bar at Venetian

MOP40++ for beers. With house mixes like Bellinitini :)

Dimensione

Went to Fort Bonifacio High Street with my good friend Anthony and went into two of my favorite places in that area: Fully Booked and Dimensione. I developed an immediate liking to the nice lounge area at the latter. I thought to myself, this was a perfect set-up for enjoying some cocktails with my friends--leather sofas and acrylic tables. If you have a place as hip as this, you can just invite your friends over and mix your own cocktails.

Totally unrelated but very related to drinking!

Beer, Bands and Blogs

I wanted to see Beauty in Trouble, one of the featured films of the Cinema Europa this year but they ran out of tickets so I ended up going to Trinoma and then CubaoX. I was craving for Sole Fillet Pasta of Mogwai. I knew there was an event there, with colleague Nina Terol as one of the prime movers and so it made sense to actually give in to the craving.



"Youth Vote Philippines (YVote) is an alliance among various youth and reform-minded organizations for 2010 and beyond. The objective of the group is to create offline and online collaboration for voter’s education and increasing voter’s registration. This campaign will be a series of events to be launched nationwide with pilot sites in Cebu, Davao, Baguio and Manila.We envision strategic alliances for 2016 with 2010 as a starting point for collaboration.

Youth Vote Philippines brings together expertise of the various youth organizations in implementing voter’s education. It has integrated the School Caravan programs of YAP and AYLC and information programs of FTV, SCAP, and Akbayan Youth–combined with technology innovation and an information portal from YPS. Not to mention the marketing and program expertise of the WhyNot? Foum and networking with the experts in TAYO, the Reform Coalition, INCITEGov, and the MGG.

We believe that it is in alliances and collaboration that we can move forward towards reform. Let’s all work together for 2010 and beyond!"

Check out R2V's website.

Bistro 110

Found along Carlos Palanca St., Makati City (near Union Church)
San Mig Light (P80) buy 1, take 1. Sells cocktails by the pitcher! (P550, if I remember it correctly)
With smoking area outside
Near an ATM machine so easy access to cash :P
Right across Gweilo's

Indian Walking Tour

Little India in Manila

We got to enter a real Hindu temple where they were celebrating the festival of colors. We also went in an Indian Sikh Temple where we got treated to a nice meal of Indian food. On my way home, got to wondering if wine drinking was legal in India.

I was amazed that India produces its own wine. It is also interesting to know that the nearest "Indian" cocktail would be classic gin and tonic, a result of British colonialism in the area. I have tried it with a dash of cayenne powder and it was great. Try it.

Banana Leaf and Oody's

Singha. aaaahhhh

Last Friday, we met up at Greenbelt and we talked about putting out a webzine or a blog on design. We then went to feasted on Asian food at Banana Leaf. I ordered a Singha beer (Php90, I think). It was good.

Nice shirt, eh? This isn't mine.

We then moved to Oody's and had a round of San Mig.

The next day, I went here (see ticket). It was hair-raising, awesome and terrifying at the same time (Ely Buendia had to be brought to the hospital). Too bad I didn't drag myself to the post concert party which I heard was fun.

Vodka at The Hague

So I have been having a "The Hague" bug lately. My friend, Dazzle, sent me these videos.

Lekker Tagay

Ariane's Kapiskora

More reasons to go to Holland!

Waterfront Hotel Lahug Lobby

Cozy interiors. Look up and see (read?) a bit about history.

A bottle of San Mig Light costs P114. something inclusive of tax and service charge.

After watching the presentation at the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) called Festival of Festivals, we capped the night at the lobby of Waterfront Cebu City. But considering this was a nice hotel, the price is acceptable. I remember, a bottle of water in one of Manila's older hotels costs P100 already.

Sarah's and Kyusinero

Sarah's is an ice cream shop, supposedly. But it's really more of an institution. You get off at Philcoa, Diliman, Quezon City, and ride a tricycle to Krus na Ligas. Just tell the driver to bring you to Sarah's (near the arch of Krus na Ligas or KNL)

Red Horse Stallion (P28).

Kyusinero is near Eunilaine. Same road as Treehouse. It's open 24 hours.

Jay-j's Inasal

August 1 -- Gran Matador with Coke Zero. And a shot of tequila. At Jay-j's Timog. SML is at P36, Strong Ice is P55. But what's great about this place is it's open 24 hours. And bibingka is served 12 months of the year.

And today, while trying to figure out how to go about this post, I was surfing for design-related projects but ended up with this really cool idea for serving vodka.

I wonder if in the future, I will get to make my own stuff. Or at least have the time to try to make some

Cognac and Katips

Hennesy cognac after a nice meal at The Manor, Baguio last July 25. It was nice because it warmed me up. And it was sweet.

When I came back, my friend wanted to meet with me and we ended up at Katips behind the busy Tomas Morato. There is ample parking here and closes quite late.

I think it's on Scout Fernandez.

Bollywood Night

Before going to dinner with friends at Bollywood, Greenbelt, last Friday night, dropped at Powerbooks and ended up buying a book on cocktails. I can't wait to try the recipes out. (As I have not taken a photo of the cover, I cannot post it here).

Bollywood is a swanky Indian place (you can tell, right?) where food is good, with belly-dancing on flat screens and live Indian music. Find Bollywood Bistro and Bar at the 3/F Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center.

Kuching's Rice Wine

At the Bidayuh (land dayak) long house, you are greeted with rice wine. Our guide, Cornelia Dien told us that the right (and polite) way of saying you don't or won't drink it is to touch the glass and just say "Thank you."

Went to Kuching, Malaysia for the Sarawak Rainforest World Music Festival. The wet and muddy opening night had people (like moi) stuck in the Tourism Malaysia booth have a sake festival of our own (to keep us warm while we watch from the huge projector screen). The next day we went to the Semenggoh Wildlife Center to see orangutans and then to Annah Rais Bidayuh (Bidayuh is the second largest ethnic group in Sarawak)Longhouse. Rice wine, locally called tuak, greeted us.

Good morning, sake's kin!

Absolut Vodka, absolute cure?

This bottle of Absolut Vodka Strawberry was a wedding favor. From Joanna and Edwin's lovely wedding last December.

So I have been sick for a few days now. And at this point, I am suffering from nasal congestion. Breathing through the right nostril only. I suggested to my mom that maybe, I should drink gin. She suggested that I should take vodka instead. And so, even if it doesn't have a label that say "break in case of emergency," I'm glad that it contains real vodka.

Yeah. This is one of the coolest wedding favors ever :)

Vodk Tonic vs Gin Tonic

Sex on the Beach. Found an interesting article on shooters with these "names." Free recipe, too.


Gin Tonic

3 parts gin
5 parts tonic
wedge of lime

For a "part," I would use bottle cap.

Fill glass with enough ice. Put in gin. Rub lime around the rim of the glass (this one I read somewhere) and put in lime into the glass. Top with tonic.

There are people who would squirm at the idea of drinking gin. I like gin. I can finish a bilog on my own. Just water and gin is fine. Gin and pomelo (ginpomelo) was de rigeure when I was in college. Besides, they say it is good antidote for fever.





Vodka on the other hand is something fairly "new" to me.

Molino Grill

Typhoon Frank has just passed Bicol. I'm at Bean Bag, a coffee shop beside Molino Grill. Both are two of the older hang-out places along Magsaysay Avenue, Naga City.

Had dinner with bestfriend, Lovey (who by the way was the first inspiration behind how this blog was eventually developed) , at Molino Grill last night: Grilled Squid, Sinigang na Ulo ng Lapu-Lapu, 2 cups plain rice, 1 cup garlic rice, lemonade for P305.00 only. Not bad.


Molino Grill serves beer. I remember in December 2004, my high school classmates (and then one), spent a night of good laughs here over a few buckets of beer. And for these memories, it holds a special place in my heart.

Nommu, Morato

Niel's work of art.

It was practically a Thursday night of drinking that of course, ended at about 2 am of Friday which qualified this post :)

I sort of suggested it to Noreen since majority of them were from Quezon City. Nommu is along Tomas Morato, Quezon City. It is beside Popoy's Grill which is across Kozui Green Tea. Beer is 3 for a 100 and Vodka Cruiser is at P120.

Food is Japanese-inspired. Emz actually had noodle soup before, with and after her beer. She says she's not really encouraged to drink because she has "acid reflux." But she did and she was fine. The noodles may have really helped line her stomach.



Neil, meanwhile, stuck a row of SML labels on the mirrored table. But he wasn't really drunk.

Birthday Dinner and Championship Party

It was Ced's birthday celebration and victory party (his team won the basketball championship game a few days ago) so last Saturday night we went to their house south of the Metro. That was after a visit at the site of William's project in Alabang. And getting lost. Then looking for Conti's. Then getting lost. Then finding Conti's and buying a cake. Then getting lost. And finally finding the house. And met Dado.

Had beer and wine and beer. This was while we were talking about accounting and opportunities. And while I was silently thinking about Lovey. But I digress. And while at it, we also talked about how William's nose is so beautiful but that of May was perfect.

Everybody can be beautiful. Blessed are those who were given the "features" through genes. Lucky are those who can afford to pay for them.

Rasa Marina

Rasa Marina is in Sta. Ana, Cagayan North. It has beer in can and really good pultuan. Lobster is still a steal despite the fact that the foreigners have adversely affected the selling price (from P150/kilo to P1000!) It is near the port that takes you to the Crocodile Island where sunrise, they say, is really, really beautiful. Too bad, it was a cloudy day but the discipline to wake up, the soothing sounds of the sea and the early morning breeze made the experience really nice.

Just be sure not to break and leave broken bottles on the island (we found a lot).

Friday Night Blues

May 23 --- Why?

This probably is the hardest question to answer. Finding a reason is tricky for what can be reasonable for one may be unreasonable for another.

Choosing not to compromise your future shouldn't be something that people should find as unwise. Is it wiser to just jump right in and not think about your future? Of course not.

I need a drink.

Fortant and Tears

While my friend and business partner was downing Fortant red wine, a glass each time last May 16 (a Friday night spent working), I told her about this article that alcohol is supposed to make traumatic experiences last longer as tested on rats. And she argued that she cannot understand why these scientific studies are done on rats when rats are different from humans. I wanted to answer the question but I figured I would just be dragging the matter.

Splendido Taal's Ladera Golfers Lounge

(left to right) The bell tower. Sizzling plate.

I know it's a bit late. I was supposed to post this last May 12. But I have been very busy.

Splendido's Ladera Golfers Lounge sells SML for P48 something so it's about P50/bottle. For the change in scenery and the nice weather, it is worth the drive. Or if you're looking for a wedding venue, it's a nice place to check out.

Anyway, it was my first time to have pink wine last May 12. It is light but not too light. It smells nice and has a soft finish.

Jack's Loft

Last Sunday, I was particularly delighted to have finally made my brother go to Eastwood to watch a movie (oh make that two, Ironman then When Love Begins which by the way was not at all a good decision to see them in that order). In between movies, we went to Jack's Loft.

If you want ambiance and a loungy feel, Jack's Loft is the place. I had the opportunity of talking to one of the owners of this joint a few months back and this, he says, was inspired by his brother-in-law's loft in Canada if I remember it correctly. They used to hang out there a lot when he was still based there. So, yes, it is the perfect place to do just that.

There's a nice space upstairs where a group can sit on floor pillows and chat the night away. It's actually a dessert bar so do try some. The cheesecake is baked and not gelatin-based which is good.

And they serve beer and sosyal pulutan, too.

Xaymaca

April 25 -- With two girl friends, Twenty and Dawn, we went to Xaymaca in Quezon City. This was after the Earth Day Jam along Tomas Morato where I rekindled a feeling for pinoy bands like Moonstar 88.

You pay P150/head no matter which part of the band's performance is at already. This entitles you to a beer. It can get pretty crowded though so be careful not to bring a huge purse which will be inconvenient while you stand around waiting for a seat to be vacated. Additional bottles are at P40 each, i think.

Xaymaca is located along Timog Ave., Quezon City.

Island of Wet Rice (and beer for RM4)

In Langkawi, Malaysia last Friday.

I have friends whose idea of a perfect vacation is drinking ice-cold beer on the beach. I miss these guys and they would have made this quick island stop merrier. and noisier

Anyway, while here, I remember how beautiful Bora and Palawan islands are and I felt that the Philippines has much to learn of how Malaysia does its tourism promotion programs. And I made a resolution that if I were ever going to work for the government again, it would have to be with DOT.

Dinner with a Baron

Last Saturday, had dinner with a Baron and his Filipina wife in a village near the airport. He was 80+ but was still very strong he actually set the table (he did 12 or 20 laps earlier that day).

It was a nice meal and being born to a wine-making family, it was expected that he was a lover of wines. It was amazing though that before we ate dinner, he was having a bottle of San Miguel Pale Pilsen. During the meal, he had two (or three) glasses of red wine. And after, he made coffee for himself and for everyone. His wife served lemoncillo, lemon liquer. It was the first time I had one and my! it was such a strong drink. She said it aids digestion. I thought, the acid might as well do some good.

I found a lemoncillo recipe which seems very doable.

There were three women and two men in this table. Two couples and myself, a single person. I felt weird that I was there. It was a good thing though that I was leaving for a cruise the next day which kept me from thinking about why am I still single.

Mogwai

Mogwai was it for Friday night last week. Good friend from China came home to do pamamanhikan to his fiancee's parents in the province.



Onigiri


Before going to Cubao Shoe Expo, went to Kozui, a green tea place along Tomas Morato where I collected a pack of shelled pumpkin seeds and cheese hopia from Sonya's Garden. I was made to try Onigiri, a snack made of Japanese rice (yes, I was forced to eat rice with my Roast Green Tea Latte with soya milk) shaped into a triangle. It had bits of tuna and some salty japanese sprinkles and had a nori strip at the bottom. It will be part of the pastry display of the store soon. I imagine this to be effective in lining one's stomach before drinking. It will actually go well with beer, I imagine, because it is rice and fish (which you can conveniently bite into like a piece of bread--not that i eat bread with beer).




(Mogwai images by pro photographer Nicky Sering)

Anyway, Mogwai is a place (restaurant-bar with a theater or screening room on the second floor) owned by Erik Matti and Lyle Sacris. It's a cozy place and we always choose to meet here now that everyone has outgrown (or simply find it not sulit to go to) Sarah's and Molo's. Beer is affordable here. But what I do like are the lava cakes, both dark and white (P90 a piece), the Alamid cofffee, and a plate of spaghetti with fish fillet smothered with achovies.

It was packed that night. While waiting to be seated, I asked my friend what he was going to bring for the parents and if it was lechon? His answer, as usually, was funny that I am actually "all for it" for its novelty. He said he was bringing boxes of Krispy Kreme. Hahaha