"Relish the good times"

It's been a while since I last posted here - and if I say "awhile", I mean it. In restrospect, my last decent post was in the year 2013 which is 5 years back. What happened in between is already written in history, for now, it's a fresh start for me. A lot has changed obviously as we mature, but if there are certain things in my life that are wired to me from the beginning, it would be my love for writing.

If you noticed, sixty percent of this blog's content has been deleted - I have been contemplating of changing the blog's name for awhile, but realized that it's better to evolve from its origin. The blog has now a different theme (a far cry from the very crude fashion subject), that is to "relish the good times", which perhaps can also be attributed to the blog's title - "That's so Nice!". Years back, I remember my colleagues use the blogs title as an expression of appreciation to people who 'dress to impress'. Now,  I'd like to focus more on the "good" here, but of course that would be based on my perception. My perspective may differ from yours, but what the heck? This is a free country.

Relish (v) means, to "enjoy greatly", and in that sense, this blog will focus on the things I enjoy immensely. This blog will cover a lot of tangibles - food, places, activities, etc., and will tackle some of my thoughts about life. 

Hopefully this year, i'd be more consistent in placing my canned thoughts through this blog. Aside from being an outlet for stress, this blog will serve as a window to who I am. To those who know me, im not a fan of spoken words. Not that i'm not eloquent, i just hate impromptu. I like my word-choices to be packaged just the way i like it. I'd probably ace a written interview than the oral type (if there's such a thing). 

 Have you ever visited Tagaytay during weekdays sans the buzzling tourists to enjoy the wonderful scenic views without getting annoyed? Recently i had, and it's such a great experience! One highlight of my visit is our dining trip to Pamana restaurant just along Tagaytay's main road. 

From afar, you'd notice this white 3 storey building that exudes an elegant vibe that you'd immediately conclude that the prices of the food offered here are also sky-high. I also didn't know that this place is owned by the famous and controversial Ongpaucos' (think: Heart), whose clan is famous for their Barrio Fiesta chain of restaurants.

As i entered the establishment, i was immediately mesmerized by what i saw - cobblestone tiles, off-white interiors, old photographs and memorabilia from the 50's to the 90's, antique furniture,  an outdoor view of vivid greens paired with a blue sky canvass which will automatically prompt your involuntary reflexes to put your camera out - point and shoot! We were greeted by  courteous waiters who guided us to our seats while they gave us a history of the  place.

Pamana in english, means inheritance, heritage, or legacy. This was the inspiration for the restaurant's name since most of the items here were relics from former Barrio Fiesta bistros restored and now put into good use. It's like a museum to preserve the memories of how the family started that's why for me, it's like a mini-museum. 

So, to address my assumption about the price of the food, surprisingly, price ranges from 200 - 500 per dish in large servings. We only ordered a few entrees but we were satisfied by all the flavors! Plus, the staff were very courteous that i gave them a huge tip after!

 Pamana Restaurant

Aguinaldo Highway, Tagaytay City

Beside Boutique Hotel, near the Tagaytay Rotunda

For Reservations, contact Vangie Reyes +63920 856 1970 

What I Wore:

Turtleneck - H&M

Skirt - Stradivarius

Bag - Bally

Necklace and watch - Parfois

Scarf - Mango

Shoes - Australian

So it's another Raintree hangout spot - that's so nice!

Whenever i pass by BHS central, i would always see this dimly-lit place jam-packed with young professionals clutching their cocktails or glass of wine. I never attempted to go here as a "walk-in" guest, since i knew that this is a frequent go to place for people who needs to unwind after a long stressful day. Just beside the slazzy Stella in Bonifacio Highstreet Central is it's sister restaurant called the "Rocketroom".

One rainy holiday though, i was thinking of grabbing a drink with a friend in BGC, and for some reason i attempted to make a reservation 30 minutes before our "call time". Lo and behold, when i arrived at the place, i was the only guest inside the airconditioned part of the place, while a few foreigners were consuming their last bottle of wine. So finally, i was able to have a stress free dining experience here at the Rocketroom maybe because it was a holiday, and the rain was pouring hard.

I like this place at night because it exudes a mixture of modern yet quaint flair which gives you a relax yet cool "feel" at the same time. It's different from Stella, since the latter is all about 'casual' dining experience. 

I only ordered a few entree's on their menu, but one thing's for sure - you could also order from Stella's list(You may click the link below this review for their menu). As for the price, i would say that it's very affordable for ordinary wage-workers like me! :)

With a dear friend and brithday boy Jerard.

Rocket Room

Garden Level, Bonifacio High Street Central
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
Tel. No. 621-3222
Open from 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Click this link for other reviews and their menu.

What I Wore:

Dress - Banana Republic

Bracelet - 

Shoes - Ever New

 “One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.”

 - Virgina Woolf

I'm a sucker for all things nice and delicious, that's why i am very happy to announce that finally, Singapore Food Republic by Nasi Lemak (owned by H.K. Tan) opened their second branch at the 4th Avenue of Fort Bonifacio Global City. It's very near St. Luke's Hospital, just at the backside of HSBC building.

Aside from the gastronomic delights offered here, what I also particularly like is the quality of their service. When i went to visit this resto, I met the owner himself, Mr. HK Tan. When i saw him, he was just clad in a yellow shirt and jeans, walking around clutching a dishcloth.

He went to every table and asked the customers how the food was like, and suggested the proper way (or the best way) of eating some of the dishes. He made sure that all the dishes were served properly and on time, (he actually served some of the orders himself!) setting a good example to his employees. Then i remember, a good leader should "get his hands dirty sometimes".

For me, this restaurant offers the best of what Singapore has to offer, only nearer. So, to those from the South who finds it difficult to go to Robinson's Galleria Ortigas just to get a taste of delicious Singaporean cuisine... we now all have a go to place! So far I'd rate all the dishes , the service, ambience, and the value for money a 5/5. I would love to go here over and over!