Modern Filipino Brunch at Sentro 1771

Serendra offers various restaurant choices from fine to casual dining.

That Sunday afternoon we settled at Sentro 1771 to have a cozy and relaxed brunch.

We ordered Tofu ala sisig

A very creamy and healthy appetizer.

Green Mango Salad topped with sweet dilis

The sour mango coupled with the sweet dilis was really good.

Sinigang na Baboy

They let us sip the broth for the sinigang first should we want to adjust the taste according to our preference and when it was served to us, it's just right.

If you're coming from High Street, it's the first restaurant you'll see on the right side. It might look intimidating but you shouldn't be. A budget of P350 per person is enough. You'll enjoy not just the food but the modern Filipino feel as well.

Sentro 1771 is located at Piazza Serendra, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, Metro Manila

"Ondoy No More" Thunderbird Resorts Run For A Cause

Let's make a good memory out of last year's devastating typhoon Ondoy experience.

Be part of "Ondoy No More!" Thunderbird Resorts Run For A Cause.

For only P500.00 registration fee for 3k/5k/10k, you get a Singlet, RaceBib, Thunderbird Resorts discounts, and most importantly you give a donation to Caritas Manila and help the marginalized communities to prepare for calamities such as typhoons.

The race will take place at Thunderbird Resorts Rizal, giving you a challenging yet refreshing fun run. "Ondoy No More" takes you out of your usual running environment,and you get to enjoy the view of the Sierra Madre mountain range.

RACE DETAILS:

PRIZES (One each, male and female category)

1st place 2nd place 3rd place

3k 3,000 2,000 1,000

5k 5,000 3,000 2,000

10k 10,000 7,500 5,000

GUN TIMES

10k - 6:00am

5k - 6:15am

3k - 6:30am

WHERE?

Thunderbird Resorts, Binangonan, RIzal

PRINCIPAL BENEFACTOR:

Caritas Manila

EVENT ORGANIZER:

Empire Entertainment

RACE DIRECTOR:

Chris Aguilar

Free Shuttle going to Binangonan, Rizal on Sept. 26, 2010, 4am.

Pick up points:

• Bonifacio High street, The Fort
• Megamall
• Trinoma
• Mall of Asia, Pasay

SINGLET DESIGN

RACE BIB
For more details and to download registration forms, visit http://www.race.greenpeaks.net/

Oceana lets you Taste the World

Not feeling the Mall ambiance, the crowd and the noise that comes with it?

But needs to be within the vicinity of one.

Well then, Oceana is a good spot to dine.

Situated at the cornermost part of SM Mall of Asia's By the Bay (Near One Esplanade).

A restuarant detached from the main mall that provides a different feel.

Atleast for a while, you'll forget that you're in a nearby shopping center.

It's like being in another place, far from from the hustle and bustle.

It takes you to a gastronomic tour around the world.

Been there a few times for a wedding, to simply check the place, but didn't try to dine, thinking it's pricey.

Yet when we finally did, we were surprise that the food are accordingly priced

Not at all expensive, atleast not as what we've expected.

After settling at our table. we were excited and ready to TASTE THE WORLD.

They served us ONION SOUP, compliments of Oceana.

Then We ordered TASTE OF KYOTO for appetizer

Breaded veggies, chicken yakitori, and sushi.

If you have a small appetite, it can be a meal already, especially with the big cuts of sushi.

Four Seasons Shake

For our main course, We were served TASTING BARCELONA

It's a large plate full of rice mixed with seafood, slices of sausage and pork.

Didn't we just had big bites of SUSHI?

That's when we really proved that they do have large servings,

We had more than what we can take.

A piece of advice.

Their serving per meal on the menu is already good for 3 to 4 persons.

They told us about it before ordering but we still went through on ordering two sets.

If you're just a couple dining, you could order one meal with variations.

Like the Taste of Kyoto. That would cost you a little below P500.

For a group of four, ordering two sets would be enough to satisfy your hunger.

Costing your group only about a thousand. That's P250 per person.

Things I like about Oceana:

The food was great, and again affordable.

Of course, it's CCA.

The table setting and theme of the restaurant.

It's not located inside the mall

It's by the bay, and beside it is a mini park.

The calm setting, you can really have a good conversation.

You can watch while the Teacher Chef and the students prepare your food.

We enjoyed our dinner and loved the place.

Will be trying out next time with a group of friends.

Then maybe go watch a movie at IMAX after.

A Sweet Find: Dessert Solutions

On one occasion that we had late lunch at RCBC Building in Makati,

we found ourselves satisfying our after-lunch cravings at Dessert Solutions.

They have cakes, mini-cakes, mini-desserts, breads, cookies, crepes, and other pastries.

We tried Mini Caramel Cake P45, Chocolate Delight P60, Choco Crinkles P45.

My favorite would be the Banana Cobbler and their version of the Mango Tango, both are P60.

Pastries range from P22 to P45.

- - -

Happened to pass by Dessert Solutions on a Friday,

and bought pasalubongs 30% off the regular price.

I had one box of cupcakes, one banana cobbler, and one pack of chocolate crinkles.

TIP: They give discounts every Wednesday and Friday from 4pm to 7pm.

Of course, I have to mention that they have a jolly staff, really nice and shared a few laughs with them.

(Admit it, not all stalls have staff who are accommodating to customers' inquiries)

Dessert Solutions is located at the food court (beside Hotshots) of the

RCBC Building, Ayala Ave, Cor. H.C. Dela Costa, Makati City.

UST College Days Nostalgia

Happen to pass by Dapitan St. a few months back. Can’t help but to take snapshots of the places our college life at UST revolved in.

We used to frequent these spots and now it’s all just memories.

Asturias St. was our go-to place for anything and everything we needed. From index cards, folders, clear book, photocopying and binding.

Gifts, stationery, cards, flowers, teddy bears.

Red Image Photo Studio, several net shops, Fujifilm Photo Developing Studio, Video editing studios

Add to that the usual tambayans: Lovelite and it’s Footlong Rice and P25 shake; the food stall next to Lovelite that offers the same menu (we go there when the queue at Lovelite is long or when it’s closed); either have lunch or have early inuman at Tapsi; mani, fishball and kikiam stalls.

Of course, when we can’t think of anywhere else to eat, there’s Jollibee.

Who would have thought that you can find all these in just one block. Amazing, remembering it now.

The building at the back is the Central Library. My second home during college. It houses the Ed-Tech studio which handles the Tomasian Cable Television.

I was a very dedicated member then, was even assigned as the Management & Properties Head and produced several documentaries and canned shows.

Wasn’t able to go back after college though, I miss everyone there and I wonder how’s the organization now. Reunion, anyone?

This is the intersection of Espana Blvd and P. Noval, the streets nearest to the CFAD gate and Gymnasium gate.

What’s memorable? 1611, Zagu, P.E classes, AB Cheerleading practices and competitions, UST Church, and the football field.

Sigh, suddenly missing college.

Remember this Credits MTV?

Miss my broadcomm groupmates.

My Favorite Getaway: Potter's Ridge Tagaytay

Potter’s Ridge has this homey feel where you can relax and rest. You have the view of the Taal Volcano and Lake, and vast green scenery. Not to mention, the beautiful clouds that you can just stare at from sun up to sun down.

If you want to escape from the city and have a serene stay, it's a perfect place for a getaway, and so far it's my personal favorite.

I love the interiors. Every floor is filled with artsy and interesting stuff.

When the three of us stayed there last February, we all agreed that we forgot whatever worries we had and got the rest we needed.

Our intention really for that weekend was to spend some time by the beach at Nasugbu, Batangas, but we were disappointed when we got there and decided to drive back to Tagaytay instead. Good thing we spotted Potter’s Ridge and that’s where we spent the night.

It only cost us Php2,600.00 for the standard room, breakfast included. We got a good discount at that time ‘cause of our late check-in and it’s already an off-peak period for the hotel. Higher rates apply during peak seasons - usually that’s Summer, Christmas, and New Year. Complete rates here

(Note: Went back there last May and got a family room at around Php4,000)

You can find their restaurant upstairs coming from their lobby/main floor.

It’s spacious and is also filled with artsy items and furniture.

We had Filipino breakfast. Daing, Tocino, and Longganisa.

They served Kapeng Barako, the native coffee of Batangas. Kapeng Barako is definitely one of the best-tasting coffees for me!

It also has a lounge area where you can stay and relax after having breakfast.

I opted to read a book that morning, the one I’m holding is Paulo Coelho’s “The Witch of Portobello” - it’s a good one by the way, very inspirational. Free WIFI is also accessible at the restaurant, so in-between reading and chatting with friends I was able to check my emails and update online statuses.

Found peace in this place and whenever I think of having a relaxing and stress-free day, Driving to Tagaytay and Potter’s Ridge are on top of my list.

Potter's Ridge is located at Km 67 Aguinaldo Highway (after Mendez Market and before Splendido Golf Club). Manila Line: +632-985-6900/ Telephone No. : +63 (46)4130368/ Mobile : +63 919.4629897/ Email: info@pottersridge.net