Resto options

I love coffee and Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf is a favorite. Moving to a new office building was more exciting because Coffee Bean is just downstairs! So I made my first trip to the coffee shop a month ago. I ordered my favorite spicy tuna linguine only to be surprised that it wasn't on the menu! So I asked the crew why.  According to her, that specific branch is the very first Coffee Bean bistro franchise. It is the higher end franchise and thus, has a completely different menu. Although they maintained the coffee menu of course. The ambiance is homey. The branch is quite spacious topped with its high ceiling.

I have a big appetite so I don't normally order salad for lunch since it won't last me through the afternoon haha. However, in this Coffee Bean branch, I was forced to order garden salad (more like Caesar salad) with grilled chicken. It was tasty! I really enjoyed it, surprisingly. It has a good amount too so it served my big appetite. The branch also offers a different array of pasta favorites. Prices average Php 350. You can give it a try. It's in Net Lima Building at 5th Avenue cor 26th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

From Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, you just have to make a turn (or two) then there's another posh restaurant, Da U De. I find it's white facade and interior really posh. It's very neat and spacious looking, considering they don't occupy a large space. That black couch - oh, I want to take it home! haha. The picture on the right shows you the little space they have but the layout was made to fit people without giving them discomfort. There are also tables outside so if you want "fresh air" you can try their outdoor tables.

Da U De's food selection is cool. The menu is not entirely unique but their version of various viands are. I ordered fried tawilis. I'm not a food expert so I can't really tell what ingredients are there on my plate but it's just delectable. Tawilis is a small fish and is only available in Taal Lake. You can't find it just anywhere. My iced tea is great but I really took the time to have a picture because of the cute straw. It's made of carton but it didn't taste like one. My friend ordered sisig and she has nothing but praises. She's a tough one so I can vouch that it's really good. The prices average Php 300. Da U De is also located at Net Lima's ground floor. Check it out if you have time.

 

the Summer playlist

It's been awhile since I last wrote. Been swamped with a lot of things... So, I don't know how many people in the world are currently lucky or unlucky to be experiencing summer. In the Philippines, you can barely brave the sun. It's soooo hot! So I thought we should all chill, relax, and think of cool... And since I love lists.   Allow me to share my "cool" playlist...

- Kokomo by the Beach Boys

The singers is just so fit for summer, don't you all think? "Beach boys" That's where we all want to spend days as hot as this.Yes, there's a place called Kokomo - the song says. "Bodies in the sand, tropical drink melting in your hand, we'll be falling in love, to the rhythm of a steel drum band, down in Kokomo." And these are just lyrics. You've got to hear it - trust me it's cool.

- Summer of '69 by Bryan Adams

Alright, this song isn't hard rock. It isn't cool and easy either so why is it on the playlist? Because it says "summer." hahaha kidding aside, it's a great song - it makes everyone think of the best days of their lives. For Bryan, it's the summer of '69. "Oh when I look back now, that summer seemed to last forever, and if I had the choice, yeah I'd always want to be there, those were the best days of my life."

- Santeria by Sublime

Hey, this song is just way too cool not to be in this playlist. It has funk. It has a little (well, a lot) of angst but the melody is just so LSS-worthy and so fun to sing along with. Whenever I hear this song, I just want to lie down in the sand and grab a margarita or even a simple ice-cold beer!

- Entire 50 First Dates soundtrack

This movie is cool and its soundtrack - even cooler! It has loads of reggae and reggae-inspired music. I don't know about you guys but anything reggae is effortlessly cool. Thank you Bob Marley!

- Anything Bob Marley (see preceding entry for the explanation)




- Beer by Itchyworms

Apologies to non-Tagalog/Filipino readers. Itchyworms is a Filipino band and Beer is written in Tagalog. It talks about heartache - a lover left alone. Towards the end of the chorus, the singer asks "What do I really like better? This beer or your love?" Well, whatever you're going through in life during summer time, it's just great to have an ice cold beer!!!

- Swimming Beach by Parokya ni Edgar

Again apologies to the non-Tagalog/Filipino readers. Parokya ni Edgar is another Filipino band and Swimming beach is also written in Tagalog. It talks about... well - swimming and beach. Perfect for hot summer!

- Overdrive by Eraserheads

Eraserheads is dubbed as the "Beatles" of the Philippines. And "overdrive" talks about long drive which is great to do during summer or vacation breaks. If you listen to the song, you'll be acquainted with various places in the Philippines. It's the perfect summer anthem.