Master Garden | Tomas Morato

Love for Pinoy food never goes away, may it be if your a full Filipino or have mixed race. It is our comfort food and wherever we travel around the Philippines we all have that favorite or special dishes we want to experience. Exploring our Islands is on my bucketlist, not just the sights but also the culture and food. Tho a lot of us don't have the luxury of time or money to travel there is an option for those with tight budget, if food is what you really want to try.

Located at Tomas Morato near Il Terrazo is Master Garden where they serve specialties from all around the country. Master Garden is a place where families will feel at home and enjoy each other's company with the addition of good service and extra facilities to maximize and savor their dining experience.

Found outside at the entrance is a mini cafe where they serve coffees and frappes, they have these tables also where you can play board games with your tito, tita and cousins. Plus this area is the smoking area.

The restaurant can occupy at least 100 people and they hold events as well, like family gatherings, birthdays and baptismal.

What I also love about Master Garden is their breakfast and lunch buffet which is located at the left most section of the restaurant. They have sago't gulaman for the buffet!

* Buffet - 145 pesos per head (food served are what most filipino families have in the morning like tapa, tocino, kesong puti, pandesal ang more)
7am - 10am
Breakfast free for kids 7yrs old and below

*Luch Buffet - 269 pesos per head
For kids 189 pesos
11am - 2:30pm

STEAK NI MASTER

STEAK NI MASTER

Steak ni Master is a Rib-eye steak with corn and carrot sides. The meat is tender is perfectly paired with steamed rice! 

SUGPO SA MAALAT NA DAGAT

SUGPO SA MAALAT NA DAGAT

Anywhere I eat I always look for shrimp or prawn dishes! Good thing they have the Sugpo sa maalat na dagat with salted egg sauce. My oh my this dish is the best in this post! The prawns are fresh and you can taste it's sweetness with every bite and the salted egg sauce equalizes every taste. I think I ate most of the shrimps!

ADOBONG KAMBING NI MASTER

ADOBONG KAMBING NI MASTER

Never have I ever thought I'll be eating goat meat! Funny story before I share this dish, while taking it's video I took a small part from it to dip in the vinegar then quickly ate it after. I described the taste like the local pares and the meat is tender and very flavorful! My companion told me it was a goat's meat and I was slightly shocked since I know they use goat meat for kilawin; I still liked the taste whatever meat used.

EL KATIPUNERO

EL KATIPUNERO

You don't need to travel to Tagaytay just to taste the best Bulalo, Master Garden is already serving it here at Tomas Morato! What we love about the dish is how soft and tender the meat is! They quickly fall of from the bone and no hard time chewing it. The soup is also to die for!

CHEF'S DESSERT

I've been in love with pinoy desserts and this dish made me love it more! Chef's dessert is a sticky rice cake with fresh ripe mango topped with vanilla ice cream and mascuvado sugar plated inside shot glasses. Every component is in harmony together and you can taste them individually at the same time.

LECHE FLAN

Last but not the least is the famous leche flan. The sweetness is fine and of course this dessert will not let you down.

Master Garden is the place to share our loved pinoy dishes with the family and friends. If you want to know more about their menu, click here.

OVERALL:
Food - I haven't tasted more from the menu but as per what we had everything tasted good, tho I was not a fan of the Steak ni Master but aside from that good, good, good.
Price - Reasonable for a family size or even just for two people. The buffet price is very good as well.
Serving - They did not withheld good food from us, so the serving is perfect for the price and it is also for sharing, win win!
Service - Master Garden has one of the best service we experienced! They were attentive and very helpful with our needs.
Parking - no problem with the parking, they can accommodate up to 6 cars parked in front of the restaurant.
Ambiance - I know the restaurant name does not sound pinoy but the vibe is welcoming, since us Filipinos are hospitable. You can feel it from every staff and the manager.

Master Garden
310 Tomas Morato Avenue Extension, South Triangle, Tomas Morato, Quezon City

Operating Hours:
Monday - Sunday 7am to 12:30am

Facebook: @mastergardentmorato
Instagram: @mastergardentmorato
Contact:  (02)277-5588 / 0906-596-0320

Lots of love

Alyssa ♥

Steak77 | Treat Yourself For The Perfect Dinner Date

Fine Dining, when people hear it some cringe because we all know how much the food costs and the small serving. I am actually one of those people who turn away from fine dining since I know it'll be pricey, however a thought came in that at times I need to treat myself every once in a while especially when I know I did a great job at work or if I did something good. Admit it, working hard drains our bodies and minds and we need to refuel it again; find an inspiration or reward yourself.

 It is not bad to reward yourself when you know you deserve it.

That mindset changed how I look at life, so I mostly reward myself with food! It fuels me, which makes me work harder so I always look forward to the day when I will reward myself again. 

This coming "swelduhan" if you think you did something pretty well or deserve a break and want to eat somewhere fancy with your loved one of officemates Steak77 is the place you HAVE TO TRY! They serve GREAT, GENEROUS and FLAVORFUL food and every penny is worth it.

For a full overview watch the video below!

Steak77

66 Timog Avenue Trans-Orient Maritime Agency Bldg. Quezon City, Philippines

Operating Hours:

Sat - Sun 11am to 3pm, resume 5pm to 12mn

Tues - Sun 5pm to 12mn

Facebook: @steak77ph

Instagram: @steak77ph

For Reservations Contact: 0915 453 2476

Lots of love

Alyssa ♥

Forever Jolly Kid | Spaghetti Sweet Sarap

Iba talaga ang Pinoy Spaghetti, what I often think when trying different spaghetti dishes. Jollibee caught the perfect taste every Filipino kid looks for in a spaghetti, sweet-sarap. The rich tomato sauce is carefully seasoned to achieve peak tamis-linamnam goodness. Generous amounts of beefy and juicy hotdog slices are added in for a filling meal. Finally, creamy shreds of cheese are sprinkled on top to complete the one-of-a-kind Jolly Spaghetti taste.

My every merienda meal or even dinner mostly consists of Jollibee's Mushroom Burger Steak or the Jolly Spaghetti, it's that kind of taste my taste buds are always looking for. Jolly Spaghetti has become a comfort food for many Pinoys, like me, and it evokes all those wonderful memories of childhood.

Presenting the Jolly Spaghetti with these cute little boys as a member of the crew!

“Since its launch nearly four decades ago, the Jolly Spaghetti has remained a favorite among Filipino children from different generations and walks of life,” said Luis Berba, Jollibee Brand Manager. “Our newest TVC illustrates that unforgettable sweet-sarap feeling that Pinoys get whenever they eat Jolly Spaghetti. It’s like being a jolly  kid again, when every moment is filled with fun, good food, and the company of our loved ones.” 

The latest TV commercial for the best-selling Jolly Spaghetti, which began airing on March 26, 2017, features the British-Filipino child star Xia Vigor enjoying the product and how its timelessly appealing tamis-linamnam flavor will always bring out the jolly kid in everyone. Xia is the perfect example of a Jolly Kid, she is the persona what Jolly Spaghetti is all about. Her cheerful and articulate personality are why Jollibee believe she’s the best choice as kid endorser of the product.

The kids danced away with their new endorser and giving us smiles while we watch. Witnessing how Xia explains why she loves the Jolly Spaghetti shows how perfect she really is for the product.

Felt like a kid after the event! It's really cute they have a booth of cotton candy and so I enjoyed another childhood dessert.

Enjoy the best-tasting, sweet-sarap Jolly Spaghetti for only P50.00 Solo and P55.00 for the value meal with drink.. This sweet-sarap treat is available in all Jollibee stores nationwide and through #87000 Jollibee Delivery.

Oh My Bag | Bag Care Products

Bags are a necessity for women, even if we "almost" use only one bag we still want to buy a lot of them (guilty!). It has always been one of the favorite collections of women and as collectors we find ways to keep them at top quality and well taken care of. I know at times it may be pricey, but don't worry because with Oh My Bag you can now take good care of them without spending too much!

DEHUMIDIFIERS PACK OF 3 (10 GRAMS P49.00)

We see these little packs inside shoes or bags, they are dehumidifiers to keep your things dry and preserved well. I always put one in my bag!

BAG FILER (P150)

Second product I like from them is their bag filer! You can put your bag inside, whatever size it may be, to protect them from dirt and dust. You can buy one for every bag and keep them clean! For me I use it whenever I'm in the shop, I put my bag inside and put it under my table, that way I won't get worried getting my bag dirty.

HANDLE WRAPS (P299)

Having a beautiful bag is great, but putting an extra something to it like a handle wrap is better! You can buy different handle wraps for only 299! DIfferent wraps for different moods. I love their handle wraps for being stylish and chic! Plus you can easily wash them and they protect your bag handles.

Oh My Bag has a lot to offer to every bag lovers, they have Dust Bags, Base Shapers, Bag Stuffer and Bag Raincoat! If you want to know and see more products check the links below!

Oh My Bag

Binondo Branch - 2nd Floor Condominium, Plaza Cervantes St. Binondo Manila

Malate - 7th Floor Heritage Condominium F, Vasquez St. Corner Remedios St. Malate Manila

Greenhills - 3rd Floor, Shoppesville (inside beauty depot) Greenhills San Juan

Makati - 2nd Floor Cinderella, Glorietta 3 Makati City

Alabang - 2nd Floor Pop Culture (inside beauty depot)

Website: Oh My Bag

Facebook: fb.com/ohmybagphils

Instagram: @ohmybagphils

Lots of love

Alyssa ♥

Belo Review | Kojic Acid + Tranexamic Acid

We are now in the middle of summer, the sun is high, big waves of heat, tanned skin and tan lines are what we see everywhere. Keeping up with this waether gives a lot of issues to some of us. As a morena girl I get easily dark if I stay for just a minute under the sun without any sunblock, this has always been my struggle so I never go out without my umbrella. I was always on the look for products that can help lighten my skin or help me get back to my normal skin tone whenever I get too dark or tanned. There was also a time when I gave up using whitening products because of how my skin responds to the sun. Now there's hope when I started using Belo Kojic products!

Belo released three products to keep our skin at their best, the Kojic soap has been around for months now and the BB cream. Adding a new product, I'm glad to have tried it, it is the BB Body Cream Tone Correcting Spray. 

A little background first, what is Kojic Acid? It is an organic compound that effectively inhibits the production of tyrosinase and melanin, giving skin a visibly lighter appearance.
Tranexamic Acid - A peptide proven to inhibit inflammation and melanin formation. It is ideal for stubborn dark spots that do not respond to other skin lightening ingredients.

In this blog is the review of my 3 week use and thoughts about the product. 

Belo BB Body Cream Tone Correcting Spray

When we hear BB cream we immediately think it is to be used for the face, but let me tell you Belo created one that's especially made for your arms and legs. The tone correcting formula focuses on making your skin flawless, evened out and glowing, while it conceals dark spots, as it whitens over time. It's claim says it whitens the skin deeply with its Kojic Acid + Tranexamic Formulation, it has SPF 50 and PA++++ which protects skin agains age-accelerating UV rays.

Directions:
- Shake well before use
- Hold can 6 inches away from the skin and spray
- Blend evenly
- Spray additional layers as needed

My Experience:
At first, I admit, I did not know the spray will have any color (it's a BB spray Alyssa, duh?!) since my focus was it's a tone correcting spray. I thought it will be transparent in color, so when I sprayed it I was shocked! The shade says it's "natural" so there I am again expecting it to be clear haha! I guess I was excited too much I didn't notice it will really be like a BB cream. Moving on, I placed it 6 inches away from my skin and sprayed on until it covered the top portion of my arms. I quickly blended the formula, it has a liquid-like substance formula, around my arms until it covered everything. It only required 1 spray to cover my entire arm. As you can see on the photo below my skin tone is not even, as I have dark spots, but when I used the tone correcting spray I'm glad my arm looks even! I was really skeptical at first and thought it was a gimik but it works and helps conceal any dark spots.

Does it transfer to your clothes?
- No, I wore a white shirt after my first use and there were no transfers.

Did it melt from the skin?
- No

Did I use it on my legs?
- Yes and it was not sticky

It's just like putting on a BB cream but on your arms and legs. I'm glad about this, however it does not match the color of my face since it's a lighter shade haha! The claims are also true, it lightens your skin as it conceals dark spots. Will I use it again? Maybe, but for now I'm good with a simple lotion with SPF 50.

Above: With BB Body Spray, Below: Without

Left: Belo BB Cream (face) Tone Correcting, Right: Kojic Intensive Whitening Bar

Belo BB Cream Tone Correcting claims to cover blemishes and imperfections as it works to intensively whiten skin. The formula consists of Kojic Acid + Tranexamic Acid, Tone Correcting Formula and SPF 50 & PA++++ just like the tone correcting spray. So they, the tone correcting spray, have the same focus, to conceal dark spots as it whitens your skin. 

Directions:
- Tap before use
- Apply a small amount onto face and blend evenly with fingertips.
- Can serve as a primer substitute

My Experience:
I haven't used BB creams on my face before and this will be the first time. It says you can use this alone everyday for a flawless base, or layer it under your favorite foundation and that's what I did! I used the BB cream as my primer and blended it with a sponge than my fingers. The product does not easily settle on your skin so you can blend it well plus it has a matte finish and is not tacky. I have tried using it with my Mac foundation and Too Faced Born This Way foundation and I was glad with the outcome! My face became flawless and smooth plus the makeup did not move around my face, it did not settle on some lines, it's perfect! Shall I use it again? HELL YES!

BB Cream Tone Correcting

It's claims say it is the most intensive whitening bar. Combining Kojic Acid and Tranexamic Acid is clinically proven to whiten 64% better than products that use Kojic alone.

For best results:
- Discontinue other whitening brands one week prior to use as this may not be compatible.
- Use twice daily for the face and body.
- Use with Belo Intensive Whitening Body Cream and face and neck cream

My Experience:
I was not a fan of Kojic soaps because my skin usually becomes darker whenever I get exposed to the sun! However I gave Belo a chance to change my mind and now I can't say I'm hating it because I do think it's lightening my skin! Adding Tranexamic Acid to Kojic is a big leap for my skin. I haven't seen any drastic changes yet because I don't let it stay on my skin for too long because of the stinging sensation. But I'm hoping it will whiten my skin in the long run. Will I use it again? Yes!

All in all I loved the new products of Belo! Many thanks to Sample Room for letting me try these amazing products! If you want to try these products as well click on these links:
Belo Intensive Whitening Soap
Belo Intensive Whitening BB Cream
Belo Intensive Whitening BB Cream Spray

 Till my next review.

Lots of love

Alyssa ♥