Most Beautiful Woman (In Husband's Eyes, At Least)

I saw this video featured in ANC. It made me blush and smitten! Here's a guy who was in a daze after a surgery and was not able to recognize his wife. Watch what he said:

Isn't this the sweetest?! The last part was funny. He asked his wife to turn around. Haha! Looking for that booty?!

I remember one of the silly conversations, via sms, that hubby and I had. Here it is.

Gaah! Who wouldn't get a swollen head even for a minute with this? *kilig*

Hongik Area: Trick Eye Museum

When I said I'd go back to South Korea I never thought I'd go back so soon. I am just so glad my husband is so kind that he allowed me to go to Korea with my two girlfriends, my ex-roommates. It wasn't all the places I have been to last time. I had also my firsts at my second affair with South Korea! 

My friends booked us 8 days of trip. We spent 5 days in Seoul and the rest in Jeju Island. Yup! Jeju!! Which I'll be sharing later.

We spent a whole day in Hongik area. First stop is The Trick Eye Museum. This is just near the exit 9 of Hongdae Station. The place is not along the main road so you really have to keep your eye on the small signage of the museum.

The Trick Eye (or Art) Museum is a gallery of paintings that uses trompe l'oeil technique which creates illusion in flat surfaces. This allows an interactive experience with the characters and the visitors. Everybody would surely enjoy this place no matter how little art inclinations you have. The paintings are changed every few months.

The small English sign of the museum.

 

We really enjoyed this place and consumed a lot of space in our SD cards. It brought out the playful and silly side of us!

 

The Carousel

I am so glad that hubby's work is able to make him work from home. He was able to squeeze in the Valentine Lunch Date during the weekday. Celebrating V-day used to make me cringe. It still does but a little so I am glad we had it on lunch. But I still have this girly thing in me. Flowers would really make my day. I may not show it but deep inside it does. Sadly, he hadn't had any for me the other day and had given me roses the other day. It didn't made so much impact in me but I still appreciate it. I wish he'd be more romantic, though.

Anyway, this entry is about our lunch at the Carousel. I have mentioned here that it was one of the options we had for our Christmas dinner. So last Feb 14 we were able to try it out. Carousel is a buffet restaurant at Royal Plaza on Scotts Road. It offers a wide array of cuisines from Meditteranean, Indian, Chinese, Japanese - which what they boast for, three stations of mouth watering deserts and a delectable cold seafood section.



I so wanted to eat more of the clams but twice I bit something hard like stones. Grr! I hate it when I hit something like that.

Hubby all too excited to eat. Did you notice Carousel's signature silverware holder? Unique isn't it?

The dessert stations.


My freshly cooked pesto pasta! I love seeing my food being cooked before my eyes.

And what's more, they also offer unlimited coffee and tea. Yey!

I took the lowest intensity but I still am not bale to finish the strong kick of the coffee after two sips.


So what can I say about my trip here at Carousel. Uhmm... I like the modern touch of the furniture. The Japanese section was good. I like the sweetness of their California maki. The cold seafood is good. But, the tables are not wide apart enough for you to have some privacy. You could actually hear what the next table is talking about. There are not much choices and special dishes served at each stations. The roast beef is a little tough and the sauce is bland. Refills of some of the food will not be made until you call the attention of the staff.


If you'd ask me if I'd go back? My answer is, not in the very near future. There are better dining places that is worth the money. Come to think of it I can't exactly tell you what is the best dish that made me ooh in Carousel because there seemed to be none.

Nevertheless, I am still happy that my beau took me to a date. Eating while chatting will never be a bore if it's with him.

I hope you all had a great V-day!


Carousel
25 Scotts Road, Singapore 228220
Tel: (65) 6737 7966
Fax: (65) 6737 6646
Email: royal@royalplaza.co.sg

Hacobina and Some Other Things

I miss my childhood treats. Puto seko, bukayo, cherry balls, wonder boy, choc nut, that sweet soft pink and square thing covered with flour, and the squared layered biscuit which I have known only now as hacobina. Hacobina is my lola's favorite which became also one of my favorites. I would munch it layer by layer until I finally devoured it satisfaction!

This is the hacobina that I grew up with.

But, this is the hacovina I can't get enough of! Jacobina by La Noceda Food Products, Inc.

I bought this on our way home from Laiya, Batangas at Sto. Tomas. When my sister and I tasted it, we can't just seem to stop. We were able to finish one pack in minutes! It was crispy, delicious and zero trans fat. It was soo good that I asked my sister to go to Mendez, Cavite to look for it. 

We left about 1030am in our house and on our way to Tagaytay we got hungry so we stopped and had lunch at Pamana. Who doesn't know Pamana, which is owned by Happy Ongpauco? I guess everybody knows it because you can't miss it when you drive along Tagaytay Road.

I love the homey feeling of this place. 

Very nice for the nostalgic photo op.

It was just a simple meal. Grilled seafood platter and Pancit Bihon. The grilled seafood was ok. I like the marinade of balanced sweetness and spice. The only thing that let me down was it was served a bit cold.

After lunch we drive along Tagaytay road and turned right at Mendez crossing. We asked several people where Jacobina is. You wouldn't be able to find it the first time because it is behind the Plaza/Police Station. 

We hoarded several packs of Jacobina biscuits, some boxes of cassava cake and egg pie. Oh my the egg pie! It was soo good, too. Pure egg without that flour feeling as extenders. The crust is not soo thick either. The caramel on top adds the right sweetness once you sink your teeth into it. Egg pie just like the old days when quality and good taste was the most important thing. My sisters said the cassava cake was equally good and heavenly! Not so sweet and you won't worry the roots would get in between your teeth because it was finely made. And, oh, by the way, Jacobina biscuits are also available in the US at selected Filipino Stores.

When we thought we're going straight home, we dropped by Ilog Maria Honeybee Farm. For years I have been wanting to go to this place. Finally!

I bought myself some stuff to bring back here in SG. Few things to try out such as candle, honey cider vinegar, honey propolis throat spray, propolis bath salt with eucalyptus and clay soap for acne. I chose the clay type soap vs the glycerin based because it is said glycerin can be comedogenic. My friend  already gave me virgin honey, honey propolis shampoo, peppermint soap, face oil and peppermint oil so what I bought are great addition to my Ilog Maria stock. I love Ilog Maria products. I wish I can hoard all of them. I'll have to share my reviews on each products in a separate post because honestly right now, I feel sleepy.

I enjoyed that quick trip to Tagaytay with my father and siblings.

Jacobina - La Noceda Products. Inc.

78 Gen. Luna St., Mendez Cavite

Ilog Maria Honeybee Farms

Aguinaldo Hi-way, Silang, Cavite

Melt The World Cafe

Hubby took me to a date last Christmas. We had a dinner at Melt The World Cafe! It was supposed to be at Carousel but we are in the waiting list so he booked us at the former. 

Melt The World Cafe is one of the dining places in The Mandarin Oriental Hotel. It offers  a variety of international cuisines from local dishes to Thai, Indian to Italian. From salads to bread to fresh sushi to cold seafood.

Table for two, please.


I like the interior of the place. It is simple and not too busy in the eyes. They could do better with the carpet, though.


Let's have our appetizers! (Sorry, I forgot what dressings and etc we had that night. Next time I'll take down notes. Hehe.)




Yes we had two servings of appetizers. Sarap, eh!

The cold seafood. This is the first time I had this. The prawns are fresh and there are so many sauces to chose from.



My main dish. Ohhh, I so love the grilled beef and most specially the crayfish! I think I had this again after our dessert. *wink*


And this one, too. The pasta is so simple. Just pure tomato sauce and some parsley as a garnish.


The dessert area. The.Best.Place.in any buffet.
Local desserts.

Chocolate fondue and Belgian waffle. The waffle is what some of the diners rave about in the Melt. And I can attest to that as it has the crunchiness outside and an almost chiffon-like softness inside. I could have had this two or three more but it was sooo freaking cold to the point my finger tips got numb, purple white and constricted!


Ahhh..Chocolates!

Fresh fruits!



Super busog and so happy! Writing this makes me want to go back. Or maybe we can try Carousel instead.


Beautiful lighting in the elevator. Looks futuristic.


When we were about to leave we saw this wood carving in the lobby. So intricate and detailed!



The overall experience in this buffet is just so great. Pure happiness! The waiters and cooks are very courteous and you would be surprised to hear them say, 'Certainly' instead of a simple 'Sure'. And the best part is the food. I have nothing bad to say with what I have tasted. But, I don't recommend eating here on Christmas or New Year's or I guess even on Valentine's day because the rate is outrageous! More than twice the regular day. Hubby is joking since the food choices are the same during a regular and special day maybe the reason for the special rate is this:

We find this a bit tacky. A picture frame! Parang sa kasal lang. Hahaha!