Thanksgiving 2011

 I was very excited to spend my first Thanksgiving in the United States last November amidst family and friends.

Happy Hour at PassionFish

You know you're old when you go to a bar for the cheap food during happy hour. Since I loved the food at PassionFish I was sure the bar food would be equally good too.

What I See TV show

For all photography buffs in the Philippines you have to watch this tv show called What I See featuring noted photographer Francisco "Paco" Guererro.

Cohen Lifestyle Dinner in the USA

Last November I went to the USA and visited my cousins from West to East coast. On my first night in Virginia my cousin was curious about what and how much food I ate on my Cohen Lifestyle diet.

Queso De Bola Cheesecake from Indulgence by Irene

Last week I received a text from Frannywanny if I wanted to try Irene's queso de bola cheesecake. I don't know Irene personally but I love cheesecake so I said YES.

Braised Beef Shanks with Caramelized Onions and Shallots

Last Chinese New Year's celebration I cooked this dish. I learned it from my cousin La who cooked it when I was in Virginia.

Chinese New Year 2012

Kiong Heet Huat Tsai or Happy New Year everyone! My father's side of the family usually celebrate Chinese New Year in a Chinese restaurant but this year we took a break from tradition and had the dinner in our house.

Around Middleburg, Va

After lunch at The Fox Hound we walked around Middleburg and did some window shopping.

Brunch at The Fox Hound

I arrived in Virginia early in the morning. After unpacking and some breakfast we drove to Middleburg, Virginia.

Recipes by Cafe Metro

Let me interrupt my posts on my recent trip to the US with this local restaurant I treated my office mates to last September for my birthday. I don't know how I missed posting these pictures.

Aria Cucina Italiana

The last time I went to Boracay several years ago I remember Aria Cucina Italiana was one of the restaurants we ate at. It's a good thing they now have a new branch at Bonifacio Global City so we don't have to go all the way to Boracay for good Italian food.

Napa Farms Market @ SFO's Terminal 2

I wanted to be at the San Francisco Airport's Terminal 2 early for my flight to Washington DC on Virgin America so I could leisurely walk around and look for something to eat. Unfortunately the line was long and I had to drop off my luggage.

Contraband Coffee Bar

With only four and a half days in San Francisco and so many coffee places to try I was lucky enough to sample some of the best in the city. I've been to Blue Bottle Coffee, Sightglass Coffee Roasters and Ritual Coffee Roasters. On my last night I was able to get the chance to try the newest coffee in town, Contraband Coffee Bar.

Yummy is 5!

YUMMY magazine celebrates its fifth year

La Boulange Bakery

I love French pastries and I swore I wouldn't eat any since I was on a diet but La Boulange Bakery was right there in front of me. I was just going to Loehmann's in Sutter Street. How should I know that next door was a bakery filled with temptation.

Off The Grid: Food Trucks at Fort Mason Center

Food trucks are really popular in the USA specially in San Francisco. I didn't think I would be able to eat at one considering my short stay in the city.

Marriott Hotel, Union Square, San Francisco

After my quick overnight trip to Napa Valley, we returned to San Francisco and I checked in to another hotel. This time I stayed in the newly renovated Marriott Hotel in Union Square.

Corison Winery and Cakebread Cellars

We visited two more wineries in Napa Valley before going back to San Francisco. The first stop was Corison Winery where we were greeted by this friendly labrador.

Oxbow Public Market

I'm not an "ice cream" kind of girl. I'm more of the "coffee and cookies" type. After lunch at Morimoto, we went to Oxbow Public Market for my coffee from Ritual Roasters. I only wanted coffee but Kit knew my weakness for anything 'chocolate orange' and he let me try the ice cream he bought.

Ritual Coffee Roasters at Oxbow Public Market

One of San Francisco's most popular coffee roasters, Ritual Coffee Roasters, had a branch in Oxbow Public Market in Napa Valley and I insisted that we go try it.

New Year's Eve Dinner 2011

Happy New Year to everyone!! I want to interrupt my posts about my recent trip to the United States with this post on how my family celebrated New Year's Eve.