Ayala Avenue Filled Up for Tita Cory

Yesterday, the remains of former President Corazon C. Aguino were transferred to Manila Cathedral from La Salle Greenhills.

The route of the motorcade was from Ortigas Avenue to EDSA to Ayala Avenue, then to Buendia, to Manila.

As the parade drew near Ayala Avenue, office workers in Makati trooped to Ayala to pay their last respects.

I just noticed that my shots were not able to capture the yellow confetti. Thanks Paolo, my 6-footer officemate, for taking these shots.

More photos HERE.

Tapella Opens in Greenbelt 5

In a land where Spanish influence is seen in manners, in clothing, and in cuisine, it’s still good to discover a place where you can have that innovative Spanish flavor in every bite.

You will experience this at the newly opened Tapella Restaurant at Greenbelt 5, Makati.

When I went there, I was warmly welcomed by its amiable Executive Chef Alexandra Cacho. Muy bonita!

She gamely gave us a chitchat before the food tasting began. She told us that every year she would go home to Spain and be updated on the latest in Spanish cuisine. She would bring what she learned to the Philippines and innovate. She also added that Tapella has new dishes every six months, retaining of course the popular dishes.

Tapella interiors are cosy. The chairs are comfy and even if it’s a bit small indoors, there’s still some room to move around. The outdoor part is also perfect for al serenidad dining. The outdoor bar is perfect for dining and wining at nigthtime and enjoying the greenery of Greenbelt.

After a few minutes, the serving of different Spanish dishes began. We started with white garlic and almond soup shooters. It was my first time to taste some cold soup shooter. The taste was distinctly garlicky and you chew on bits of almonds. When you toss it up, you end up munching on slices of a grapefruit. It warms up the palate for the next dishes.

More appetizers came, whic are equally a delight to the palate.

the camembert with caramelized onions

chorizo stewed in red wine ~ yum!

cocido meat on fluted bread

garlic sauteed shrimp the modern way

el Bulli - calamari with black ink - this was topped with aioli dip

and my fave among the appetizers served was the octopus with paprika salt & virgin olive oil ~ twas my first time to taste octopus, and never thought I’d love it.

After the appetizers were the paella in different flavors. I must admit it was also the first time I tasted paella that I liked. I even texted Wizheart to tell him about it. The rice was perfectly cooked, and the flavors of salmon (the salmon paella was for the non-meat eaters), meat blended well together.

picadillo paella

creamy seafood paella

Alaska king crab paella

manchego cheese, chicken, asparagus, and shrimp paella

They have about five varieties of paella. You should check each one out!

The paella was served with the yummy steak! Burners were set up on the table, and beef strips were served. It was up to us if we wanted the meat to rare, medium rare, or well done.

Too bad, I had a meeting at 2:30pm so I didn’t stay for the desserts. But I know Tapella desserts are to die for. If their appetizers and main dishes tickled my palate, how much more the sweets.

Friday “Wine Nights” from 6 to 9, wine lovers can enjoy overflowing wine served with tapas for only Php600.

Indeed, at Tapella, there is a new way of dining. It’s fine dining on yummy innovative Spanish cuisine at popular prices.

As Tapella’s dining principle says:

“Start with a traditional base, pour an infusion of unique contrasting flavors and a spoonful of intense passion, a dash of talent and a sprig of innovation. Finish off with disconcerting textures and illusion.”

Getting there

Tapella Restaurant is at the ground level, Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center Makati. For the uninitiated, the resto is nearer Greenbelt 1.  You take the Greenbelt 1 exit going to Greenbelt 2. Right at the exit doors, you turn left right away, and you won’t miss Tapella.

Call for reservations: 757-2710 OR email at inquiry@tapella-restaurant.com.

Vamos a comer! =P~

Wendy’s Wrap & Roll

I haven’t been to Wendy’s for a long while now. So when I passed by Greenbelt 1 yesterday, I thought of dropping by for Frosty.

Then I saw their new offering, the Wrap & Roll. It’s chicken breast fillet and lettuce wrapped in pita bread. You have a choice of ranch or honey mustard for the dressing, and you can have it in regular or spicy.

I chose the spicy honey mustard dressing. I didn’t regret it. The chicken breast fillet was tender, juicy, and crunchy on its sides. The veggies are crunchy, the pita bread prepared just right, and the dressing, good! Overall, the wrap was yummy and filling, considering it was a bit small compared to other wraps I’ve sampled. =P~

The wrap & roll costs Php59.00. Frosty regular is Php35.00.

Check out Wendy’s new Wrap & Roll!

Revisiting Tokyo Tokyo Metro on Valero Street, Makati

Finally got to sample Tokyo Tokyo Metro’s food last week with Wizheart. One word about our experience: YUMMY!!!

Related post:
Tokyo Tokyo Metro on Valero Street, Makati

Fully Booked Rockwell Goes on Sale

Fully Booked Rockwell brings you another exciting sale.

S A L E
20% OFF
on regular items*
ROCKWELL STORE ONLY
June 25 - 30, 2009
(Thursday - Tuesday)
Store Hours
Friday & Saturday: 10am - 11:30pm
Sunday: 10am - 10:30pm
Monday - Thursday: 11am - 10:30pm
* 15% off on credit card payments.
Local and consigned items are not included in the sale

More info HERE.

Getting there:
Fully Booked Rockwell is on the 3/L of PowerPlant Mall, Makati City.

You can take Makati Avenue, go straight to Burgos St., then to Kalayaan St. to Rockwell Drive, or Estrella, EDSA going South, then right turn to Hidalgo Drive.

Bacolod’s Aida’s Chicken House is Now in the Metro!

Yes the famous Aida’s Chicken House of Bacolod City is now here in Makati. It’s at the basement 1 of Makati Cinema Square.

I sampled their chicken inasal (tender, juicy, and not at all oily, yummy!), stuffed spicy squid (equally yum!!), and chopsuey (lots of liver, veggies, yum!!!)

The ambiance is also good: cool jazz music and artworks (pen and ink, watercolor, wood sculpture) on the walls.

Check it out!

Getting there:
Makati Cinema Square is on Pasong Tamo, Makati. Nearby establishments are Waltermart, Don Bosco Technical School, Don Bosco Church on Pasay Road.

You can take a jeepney or cab in going there.

Golf Store on Rufino and Salcedo Streets

They often go on sale for their golf products and sports wear. What’s good about this golf store is that it has a coffee shop, Cafe Enzo.

The store and Café Enzo is at the G/F of Erechem Building, Rufino and Salcedo Streets, Legaspi Village, Makati City.

Check them out!

Karate Kid on KPMG, Ayala Avenue

On my way to the office this morning, a lady handed me this flyer. Karate Kid is now on KPMG building, Ayala Avenue, Makati.

From the flyer, they have affordable bento and other Japanese meals and drinks. Plus they had delivery service!

So, this Thursday, my officemates and I will most likely try the resto out.

We did and when we opened the Tonkatsu Bento, this is what we found:

so unlike from the photo, especially the tonkatsu, in the flyer and the taste is so-so (._.)

Click HERE for another resto on KPMG building, Ayala Avenue.

UCC Vienna Cafe Now at the 3rd Level of Greenbelt 5

If you can’t get enough of their brand of coffee, pastries and dishes, then go and check this new cafe out!

Jollibee’s (Magallanes) Order-and-Pick-up Service

Check it out!