Bridging Gaps… Building Dreams…. Over A Cup of Latte.

My cousin Micah came over the Philippines to try “court life” at the Supreme Court. Micah, about to graduate from his Pol.Sci. degree at the University of Chicago; and, a few blinks away from his law degree, is very much excited about his future.
Given his few weeks in Manila though, he is very anxious about “life” as we know it, “life” at the Supreme Court and “life” years later…
With his uneasiness brought about by the adjustment phase and the culture shock; and, despite his hesitance for “overly commercialized US coffee shops” (as he calls them), I knew our evening should end in a “coffee shop.”
After enjoying al fresco dinner while listening to oldies music, I brought him inside Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf Eastwood. Apprehensive at first due to his take on overpriced, overrated, displeasing “signature coffees”, he ordered what I ordered – Moroccan Mint Tea Latte.
Confident about my tea latte, I hoped to be able to remove his anxiety, over a good cup of drink and a relaxing conversation about who he was, who he is and who he wants to become (vice-versa).
You see, we may be cousins but we didn’t grow up together. We’re cultures apart, lifestyles apart, dreams apart…. We’re practically strangers.

Micah: “Would I be able to go to NYU?”
Me: “Would I be able to write for a living?”
Micah: “Would I save enough to build a rest house in Boracay or build my jazz bar at Paris?”
Me: “When shall I be able to see the cities of the world?”

After finishing our drink, all stress faded away, our hearts inspired and thoughts connected.

I say, “I know you can get to NYU.”“When I’m a full-fledged lawyer, I’ll send you a ticket to enjoy my jazz bar at Paris.”

July Surprise Delights

Normally, it takes a list of pros and cons, calorie-counting, choosing from a long list of options, before I decide to land on a final decision whether this be for food, fashion or movie. But for the month of July, there were "decisions" I made without having to go through the process... And to my surprise, they were delights...

1. Kung Fu Panda - After a recommendation of Dean Wendell, I didn't think twice about watching the film. Most friends said it to be a feel-good movie. It indeed was. I was too gay after the movie that I was game to do kung-fu poses in front of Panda's billboard.

2. Numa Tea Salon Lasagna - The best lasagna I've had so far...

3. Coffee Bean's Spicy Salad - Light. Uncomplicated. Flavorful. Memorable. Filling.

4. Impromptu Meet-Ups and Dinners...

At Coffee Bean...

At Fez... Yummy Lamb Stew!

Flourless "Melts in Your Mouth" Chocolate Vahlrona Cupcake from Sonja's...

Dinners with Micah... Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich and Yummy Pesto at Jack's Loft and Lunch Buffet at Italianni's Eastwood (Php 395)... More pictures on my next blog. But this is the most price-worthy buffet I've tried. A table for "make your own pasta", a table for four scrumptious entrees, a salad bar and a dessert bar with yummy melted rich chocolate for fondue...

Cheap and Class for July: Hot Rocks and Contempo (Our New Rave Faves)

July was a month for me to try out many things which I normally would not.

Well, so far so good... I started with a sport....

1. Badminton - For those living at the East, I'm sure there are a number of badminton courts accessible to one's village. However, even if I am familiar of three badminton courts near my place in Cainta (Myan's at Valley Fair, court near LTO office. court along Imelda Ave. and a court near Sta.Lucia Mall), upon discovering this badminton court located at the boundary of Cainta and Pasig, I thought I found a jewel. This Greenpark Court offers the cheapest rates I've ever encountered. Every weekend, with my newly founded Badminton Club, we take advantage of their "Play-All-You-Can" promo of 50/head (Cement) and 80/head (Taraflex). We all agree in the club that even if this place is not air-conditioned and does not have spacious bathrooms like in Club 650, this still remains to be a badminton enthusiast's treasure.

2. Hot Rocks along Libis - This place is one of the greatest discoveries I've had in my entire life due to their cheap price and succulent steaks. However, we consider this a bane as this is a definite weight-watcher enemy. This restores all the calories we burn each time we go to Club 650 which is a walk a way from this meat-lovers haven. They have great desserts too. Our favorite is the cheap Ice Cream bucket we can share amongst the team. 100 ++ pesos for steak and rice, definitely worth it.

3. Contempo Cuisine at A. Venue Mall - This is just fabulous. For me, food quality and the taste of the fine ingredients used in the dishes surpass that of Le Souffle. Although my friends and I initially gulped air upon reading each entree (with the price!) we all conclude that this place is a winner especially for a dinner date.

We enjoyed the dishes a lot....

The Seafood Bisque (Php 265) The thick-just-right texture of this appetizer is delicate yet filling. The taste of the base definitely merges well with the soup base. It is a perfectly blended homogenous mixture, but the traces of the fine ingredients are something a trained tongue would definitely be able to identify. It's full of flavor but not too strong that it would leave you not wanting to eat dinner anymore. It is definitely a good way to start a meal.

The Braised Short Ribs (Php 680) My friend Sherlene tried this to try to satisfy her meat craving for the night. Just the sight of it made her full already because of this big, artsy bowl which contained the entree. I had a taste of her ordered food, and the harmony of flavors is perfectly achieved in this entree - sweet, spicy, bit salty. No flavor was too overpowering over the other. It was perfect for her rice pilaf. Meat was tender enough for lazy jaws to chew. A big serving probably fit for a big eater.

The Sake Salmon (Php 680) My friend Meg tried this one even if she was more of a meat person. The salmon which was as soft as the "falling-off-the-bone experience with ribs" had the taste of flavor, spice and hints of sake. Just enough, not overbearing as if enjoying a perfect rum cake. The noodles which accompanied the tender salmon was not bland but not too flavorful that it didn't outshine the main ingredient of the dish - the fish.

The Thai Surf and Turf (Php720) I initially thought this main entree was only as good as an appetizer sampler. The four small sections of the dish appeared as if it would not be able to fill the very hungry me. I was wrong. It was bursting with flavors - mostly tangy and spicy. The shrimp serving was the best shrimp recipe I've ever had.

The Seared Tenderloin (Php 920) This was a big dish ordered my friend who has a small appetite.... She finished the entire dish anyway... Need I say more?

Oh yeah, and my usual meter stick for a worth-it pricey restaurant is the free bread and the pate... Oh boy, they didn't fail me....

And the ambiance? Their glass kitchen, was sort of like a showcase kitchen. They also have a wine bar lounge area, a floor for functions and of course, a spacious dining area where we had dinner.

Oh yes, the decadent desserts. I liked the chocolate ganache mousse over the creme brulee. It was good but I say the food was great (comparable to hotel food), the desserts, hmmm.... Well, I've tried other better desserts in other places.

Go cheap or class? Depends on the mood.

Savoring My Ultimate Dream

The mixture of creamy milk. The hints of bittersweet mocha. The yin and yang of contrasting flavors. The long slurp to enjoy. The whipped cream settled on top of a perfectly blended drink.

My Ultimate Dream.

I enjoy it surrounded by a magazine page that reads “optimism” and a postcard which spells “best.” I think about my happiest thoughts, my grandest visions and my wildest goals.

At one sip, I seem to be far from the sweet and flavorful core of life’s peak and the best of success.

At another sip, I encounter a tinge of bitter morsel which puts a pause to the creaminess I enjoy… as if the little bumps in life and bits of silly mistakes which slow me a bit in my smooth driving in the course of life.

I think about the Physics exams I failed. The writing class I dropped. The relationship I stayed in even if it sucked….

I sip some more savoring in my tongue the sweet and bitter taste exchange. I gulp and finish the entirety left with the sweet and fluffy remnants of the whip which sank at the bottom. It has already blended with the last sip of the mixture.

I think about exploring Hollywood… Wine-tasting in Napa… Safari at South Africa… Street salsa nights at Mexico… Night strolling at the illuminated streets of Paris… Passing time while writing in the museums of New York… Basking under the sun in Tampa…. Resting at grass carpeted fields in rural Australia….

I get to taste my passion and feel my vision as I sit and enjoy my cup on my couch (which acts as if a time machine) at the Bean….

Every bit, delightful….

Aahh…. The ultimate dream….