Baby Meow is now about 7 months old inside K's baby bulge and as much as we want to celebrate our first year wedding anniversary on a secluded far away place, our options are limited to short travels on the outskirts of Manila. A few hours of browsing the internet led Misis K to one of several B&B's that dotted Tagaytay like how stubbles dot my chin just several minutes after shaving.

BBB

Hello, The Boutique Bed and Breakfast!

Quick Facts:
* Location: Aguinaldo Highway, Silang Crossing East, Tagaytay City
* Type: Boutique Hotel
* Rates: P6000 to P10000 for two, with a LOT of complementary inclusions
* Website: http://www.theboutiquebnb.com/

 
Place

It's fairly easy to locate being on the main road heading to the busier places of Tagaytay. Turn right on the Tagaytay "rotonda", head straight past Day's Hotel, and it should be on the left before the Lourdes Church with a huge construction work happening across it.

The facade looks modern in design and well kept. The red potted plants looked in theme for Christmas. The lobby is very welcoming with a fusion of "country/contemporary/shabby chic" look. It's not that spacious but most of the area is used well for function.

lobby

Just a few steps from the lobby counter is an entrance to the adjoining al fresco Hawaiian Bar-B-Que restaurant that opens up to a romantic vista overlooking Taal Lake. This way also leads to the upper floors where four of their seven bed and breakfast rooms are located. We asked to be booked on the first room of the hall - the iDream room.

iDream

Each rooms have different designs and iDream looks modern with mostly white and cream furniture. It has a private terrace with a good view similar to their restaurant's which is just a few meters away and below our room. We specifically picked iDream because it's farthest from the dining area compared to the other upper floor rooms. Not that the restaurant can get noisy on a weekday (there's not much customers when we visited) but for a weekend stay, it could be wise to do so.

view outside

Air conditioning works perfect. There's a good-sized TV with a DVD player (DVD's are available on the counter, we are even given a list of movies!) and an ample sound system. WiFi is available for free. Bed is king-sized with an overwhelming number of fluffy pillows (we're not complaining). That magic 8-ball (not sure if it's provided in all rooms) is a nice touch and kept us asking silly questions for a good part of the afternoon. We loved lounging on this huge Victorian chair.

The shower part of the toilet has a life-sized glass window that opens to the Taal Lake view (so literally I took a bath ogling at the breathtaking scene outside). Yung lower half ng salamin ay frosted so don't worry, no genitalia has been exposed during this activity. LOL.

illusion, the first of all pleasures

Food

There's a complimentary iced tea upon arrival. Coffee and/or hot choco are served before bedtime with biscuits.

Breakfast is served in bed for two with a huge selection of food! In fact, after the sumptuous meal, it certainly doesn't feel like breakfast at all. Pwede na kaming hindi mag-tanghalian afterwards! As with most B&B's, this is included with the package as well.

breakfast in bed

For dinner, we tried their very own Hawaiian Bar-B-Que.

On our Plate:

• Original Hawaiian Baby Back Ribs
• Sizzling Bulalo Steak
• Mango Shake

The back ribs is roasted perfectly and falls off the bones easily. Napaka smokey ng lasa. The barbecue sauce's tangy taste is not outright strong. The portion is huge and enough to make a couple lay down in food coma. The price is reasonable compared to some of the popular ribs in the metro.

baby back ribs

The bulalo steak is a huge slab of roasted bulalo portion drenched in gravy sauce. It feels redundant with the back ribs but we can't get enough meat and the pregnant missus needs the extra iron boost anyway. The meat is equally tender and this actually tasted more beefy than the back ribs. The gravy compliments it very well.

bulalo steak

busog lusog!

Rating (The Original Hawaiian Bar-B-Que): 6/7

Inclusions

Room rates include a 10-minute facial cold stone or foot massage for two. Guests may have it extended at their own expense. I picked the facial massage while K opted for the foot massage. It was heavenly and the masseuses were very accommodating.

Also included on the package is a choice of home made shampoo, conditioner, and room aroma from their extensive line of scents.

options

There are board games available to be borrowed from the counter for free but we are prepared to be locked on a room for one day and so brought our own. LOL. I also already mentioned about the DVD's. They can also be borrowed free of charge. The audio speakers on each room is mobile phone ready.

There's also a "pillow menu" that I doubt anyone would  need since as I mentioned their bed has more than enough pillows to require more.

midnight snacks

Others
We had a good time. We watched one of our favorite chick flicks of all time, "Love Actually", and played a newly acquired board game, "The Tortoise and the Hare". In between, we just relaxed, ate, and slept (in no particular order LOL).

All of this within the majestic view of the Taal Lake. Sarap ulitin!

we'll be back

* * * * *

Acknowledgement:

• Tata Lino at Daddy Ben, sa pag-sundo sa amin pauwi from Tagaytay.
• Jam and the rest of The Boutique B&B staff, for the awesome service all throughout our stay. Astig kayo!
• Starbucks - Robinsons Tagaytay, sa pag tolerate ng aming mahabang tambay.
• Our Man Upstairs, for blessing us with a wonderful time together that we will cherish forever.  

Open Sesame:

I'm a gaming geek and it follows that Misis K is starting to appreciate some of the games I play, especially board games!

Segue.

Board games, especially the non-mainstream ones, are quickly becoming introduced to the "common citizenry" of the metro (that means the non-geek majority) by a number of food slash gaming havens that opened during the last few years. Some of these, which we have the pleasure to be friends with some of the men behind them, are Ludo: Boardgame Bar & Cafe in Tomas Morato, The Appraisery in Cubao X, and the Gaming Library-powered Makati B&B in Pasay Road.

Segue.

along Aguirre Ave (BF Homes)

The last thing we expect is for another gaming tambayan to pop up just a few cartwheels away from our place in BF Homes. Enter, Puzzles: Board Game Lounge along Aguirre Street and they just opened last October! As of this writing, we've already visited the place a couple of times and still planning to frequent it some more in the future.

preparing for a game of train routes

Chomp:

• Vanilla Milkshake
• Fries with Dip
• Grilled Chicken Pesto Panini
• Oreo Milkshake
• Beer (for Gelo)

The vanilla milkshake is vanilla ice cream incarnate. It's so creamy that it's more ice cream than a milkshake already. We're not complaining though, because it's just yummy! The Oreo variant tasted similarly. It only has cookie bits.

vanilla milkshake

There's nothing special about the french fries. It serves three they said, but we're pretty sure one person can make short work of it in no time. It comes with a special sauce that looks like flavored mix of ketchup and mayo.

french fries

The chicken on the panini looks pre-made and just reheated. Doesn't help na medyo bitin for the price yung size. Pasta is cooked al dente and the pesto complements it well. Sana lang mas madami ang serving.

chicken panini

Pay Day:

Pay P100 and you can play any board games from their collection. Their selection is quite intensive and even growing through the months since they opened. That price is a steal for gamers like us. For a hundred bucks, we can try our prospective games and buy copies of our own if we enjoyed.

Mahal ang food and drinks but still consider buying some if just to support the place for having a cheap and accessible gaming experience.

counter area

Say What:

The place can get really jam packed on Friday nights and weekends so doing a reservation ahead of time is wise. Not that the tables are few (the place is actually spacious and there are enough tables for about 7-8 groups) but surprisingly there's a good showing of gaming crowds in BF.

The place looks awesome with rows and rows of board games surrounding the main area. The vibrant interiors feels enjoyable and appears to invite patrons to have fun. One corner in particular looks very homey with multicolored bean bags and a low table. It looks like they need to get a bigger space soon though.

gamers united

As I mentioned earlier, there's a good mix of games both for the uber geeky play group and for those who are just getting into the gaming scene. Kahit mga casual family games like Jenga at Scrabble meron sila. A staff is more than willing to walk us through any of the games. Pero for both our visits, there's no need since me and a friend with us are familiar with most games na nilaro namin ni Misis K.

Natawa ako sa isang comment na nabasa ko about them. Maingay daw yung lugar. You can't expect any less noise on a gaming place unless chess or solitaire lang ang available na laruin doon. LOL.

hope he's still sober

Etcetera:

We can barely keep track of time while in there. Four to five hours just zipped by. Sobrang enjoy!

I recommend this for families and friends to have fun bonding moments and for geeky gaming groups who are looking to explore more games.

Gelo and Kat, playing Sushi Go!

Ratings: 
5.5 out of 7


Games Played During our Visits:

• Hanabi
• Ticket to Ride (recommended for beginners)
• King of Tokyo
• Munchkin
• Pagoda
• For Sale
• Sushi Go (cute!)
• Tales & Games: The Hare and the Tortoise (we bought our own copy after playing this in Puzzles)

the Queen of Tokyo enjoyed, aprub!

[obi.Oct.25]

Unang Padale:

Kubo kubo pa laang are, eh dine na kami malimit mag lomi!

Sa may Sabang sa Lipa ito. I can say, one of the best among a tight competition of numerous lomi places in Lipa. As I mentioned, nagsimula sila sa isang maliit na kubo at lumakas ang negosyo hanggang sa maging full pledged eatery na sila ngayon.

Mahilig si Daddy kumain dito nung nabubuhay pa siya dahil convenient kasi may katabing car wash. Ngayon, si Misis K naman ang dinala ng pamilya para masubukang kumain dito.

menu na tinakluban ang presyo

Paldo sa Mual:

• Chopsuey Rice with Egg
• Special Lomi
• Porksilog
• Sisigsilog
• Bangusilog
• Goto

Nakalathala sa bakod nila na champion daw ang lomi nila sa isang patimpalak noong 2012 Lomi Festival. And we think, rightfully so. Sobrang daming variations na ng lomi ang nakain ko bilang taga Batangas at isa sa mga pinakamalasa ang mauhog na lomi ng Liam's. Sa mga hindi maka-digs, sikat ang lomi ng Batangas for having this sipon-like consistency na sobrang sarap higupin lalo na kung mainit pa!

special lomi

Madaming toppings ang kanilang special lomi. May meatballs, pork chunks, atay, tsaka chorizo. Pero sana hindi masyadong sunog ang prito sa meatball at chorizo. Hindi din tinipid ang itlog na hinalo sa sabaw kaya ambigat sa tiyan. Pang dalawa ang servings ng isang order. Unless sadyang masiba ang kumakain. Tama din ang luto ng miki (egg noodle), hindi sobrang lambot at hindi din naman sobrang tigas.

chopsuey rice

Ang weird nung chopsuey rice dito dahil mukang sabaw ng lomi na nilagyan ng madaming gulay. Mauhog din ang sabaw kaso matabang. Ang mga toppings ay parang sahog din ng lomi (meatball, chorizo, at ground meat). Nagpadagdag ako ng extra sunny side up sa order ko.

porkchop

Parang tonkatsu yung karne ng porksilog (porkchop - silog). May breading ang porksilog nila unlike in most silog places na outright pritong porkchop lang. Manipis ang breading (which is good) at may lasa (which is even better). Good order ito.

sisig

Yung sisigsilog (sisig - silog) ay parang deep fried liempo na tinadtad ng medyo pino at pinirito sa sibuyas at iba pang lahok na pampa-sisig taste. Crunchy ang karne. Pero hindi ganito ang lasa ng authentic na sisig. So kung totoong sisig ang hanap, wag ito.

bangus

Maliit ang servings ng bangusilog (bangus - silog). Parang kalahating part lang ng dinaing na bangus. Pero at least, boneless.

May libreng sabaw na parang sabaw ng gotong Batangas. Sa mga hindi digs, ang gotong Batangas ay hindi "lugaw" as we know it. Ito ay entirely different dish na sinabawan at lamang loob ang sahog. Surprisingly, bukod sa lomi, ito pang libreng sabaw ang sumunod na pinaka masarap sa kinain namin. LOL.

Liam's Knows Lomi

Bayare ng Mulay:

Yung mga silog plates ay around P60-65 at P70 lang ang most ng sizzling dishes.

Ang special lomi ay P60 lang at P55-P60 lang ang iba pang pancit delicacies.

In short, sa halagang P150, gumagapang ka nang pauwi. As in!

Round 1: Fight!

Hase sa Paghunta:

Hindi madamot sa servings ng rice. Sobrang dami. Ika nga nila "pang-construction worker".

Hindi gaanong attentive ang mga staff. Nagpa refill kami ng sabaw pero nakalimutan na, kahit hindi naman ganun kadami ang kumakain nung pumunta kami. Hindi na kami masyadong nag-follow up dahil sobrang busy kami sa paglamon. LOL.

tindahan ni Liam

Open air ang lugar. Sobrang daming kumakain kapag peak hours. Sikat na ito ngayon at nasa level na ng "must visit when in Lipa". Tourist attraction na kumbaga.

Wag mag expect ng sosi na ambiance. Sa halaga ng pagkain at sa sarap ng lomi, walang karapatang mag demand. Wala din namang lomihan sa Lipa na may ambiance, lahat ay style karinderya.

Ang sabi ng madami Lechon Lomi ang must-try dito pero may mangilan-ngilan din na nagsasabing Chami. Pesronally, yung Chami ang boto ko. Pero baka dahil umay na ako sa lomi in general.

dos

Are Pa:

Isang oras na lang mula Maynila hanggang Lipa ngayon via Star Tollway. Dayo na!

Ratings:

6 out of 7

[obi.Oct.18]

Paunang Salita:

Kebab craving si Misis Buntis, one time after a weekday evening mass sa Greenbelt. Persia Grill lang ang may matinong kebaban sa paligid (bukod sa isang kebab kiosk sa Enterprise Building) kaya automatic na doon kami nag dinner.

Suki na ako ng Persia Grill noon pa, sa orihinal na branch nila malapit sa Valero Street. Hindi pa kami ni misis noon. Ganun na katagal. Yun ang mahal na version ko ng Mister Kabab. Kesa naman pumunta pa ako ng West Ave.

Nakakasalamuha pa namin dati doon yung owner na ex-PBB housemate na hands-on sa kanilang business.

Addendum: Days before we got this review posted, kumain naman kami sa Valero branch.

garlic and spice

Ang Kinain:

• Chelo Kebab Combination (1 skewer each of beef kubideh and chicken morg)
• Ox Brain
• Beef Shawarma
• Chelo Kebab Tikka (2 skewers of chicken tikka)
• Persian Burger

Medium well ang grill ng beef kebab nila. Smokey ang lasa pero medyo may konting lansa paminsan minsan. Nakukulangan kami sa beefy taste nito compared to Mister Kabab's.

chelo kebab combination

Yung chicken morg ay skewered chicken breast fillet na medyo maanghang ang marinade. Smokey din ang lasa nito parang yung beef counterpart niya pero maintained yung juicy-ness, unlike the latter.

So so lang din ang ox brain nila para sa amin. Bukod sa konti ang servings, may maanggo pa sa lasa nito. Not sure kung direct translation ng "maanggo" ang "pungent" pero parang ganun.

ang brain na oks

Mas gusto ko ang luto ng baka sa beef shawarma nila. Juicy at mas well done. Naliliitan lang ako para sa presyo.

May side order na humus yung chelo kebab. It tastes like any other humus. Nothing special.

beef shawarma

Yung chicken tikka nila ay parang chicken morg lang din na hindi maanghang na version. Instead, parang sa creamy yoghurt ito na-marinade. Kulay dilaw ito while parang dark orange ang chicken morg. As before, mas nasarapan pa kami sa chicken kebab kesa sa beef.

chicken kebab tikka

May katabangan ang beef burger patty ng Persian burger. Dalawang beef burger patties ito na naka pita wrap with lettuce, pipino and tomatoes ala shawarma. Dinamihan ko na lang sa garlic sauce para ma-enjoy ito. Malambot at malinamnam naman ang pita bread, kaya may pang-bawi.

Yung garlic sauce ang patok. Kaya mostly dinadamihan ko nito para mapasarap ang kain. Special mention din ang hot sauce nila na tamang kick lang ang anghang (hindi outright uber-spicy).

Persian burger

Ang Binayaran:

Medyo mahal ang pagkain dito at about P270 average per dish. Pero maganda naman ang service at ambiance kaya medyo justified. Pero kung sarap ng food lang ang habol, parang lugi sa presyo dito.

menu

Iba Pang Komentaryo:

Hands down, the place is great (both sa Greenbelt at Valero branches). Sa Greenbelt, pati ang amoy ay Middle Eastern. Nakakagutom pag pasok pa lang. Malamig ang aircon at in-theme pati ang mood music.

Maganda ang interiors at may Persian feel talaga ang fixtures. Understandable ang menu at may variety ang dishes.

Good service.

peace, yo

Pahuling Salita:

Magandang pampalipas ng cravings sa kebab. Pero kelangang gumastos ng kaunti.

Ratings:
4 out of 7



 
[obi.Aug.6]

Intro:

Nasa panulukan ito ng Aguirre Street at yung kanto ng Presentation of the Child Jesus Church sa BF Homes, tapat ng Starbucks sa Phase 3. Kaya minsang tinamad kami lumayo pa para maghanap ng makakainan after ng mass one Sunday, tumawid lang kami para dito na lang magpalipas-gutom.

food photos

Food:

• Asado Pork and Lechon Macau (Combi Meal)
• Hainanese and Lechon Macau (Combi Meal)
• Beancurd Roll
• Pork and Shrimp Siomai
• Taiwan Petchay
• Roti Prata

The combi meals are combinations of two of their menu mainstays served with rice, soup, konting kropek, at iced tea. Matabang yung soup, tulad ng most free soups in similar hole-in-the-walls. Ironically, di namin type yung hainanese chicken nila (and K is a hainanese chicken fan) dahil dry at kulang sa luya ang lasa. Matabang. Supposedly, yun ang specialty.

asado pork and lechon macau

Yung asado pork masarap sana. Manamis namis. Kaso bahagyang lumalaban sa kagat. May pagka-kunat. Yung lechon macau pa ang patok dahil crunchy. Lechon kawali talaga ang dating. Can't go wrong with that.

Bumawi sila sa dimsum. Yung beancurd roll sobrang ganda ng pagka steam. Juicy at malasa yung tofu at lahok nito sa loob. Parang kumakain kami ng dimsum na may karneng sahog kahit dapat wala. Pero baka nga meron naman? Regardless, basta masarap. Patok din sa amin yung pork and shrimp siomai. Malaki yung servings at jampacked yung laman sa loob. Parang puro at walang extenders.

pork and shrimp dimsum + beancurd roll

Hindi ko alam kung ano difference ng Taiwan Petchay sa bok choy pero parang pareho lang ang tingin ko. In any case, nalulugian ako dito kasi sa halagang P65 per plate, parang ilang hibla lang ng petchay ang sinilbi sa amin. Nilagyan lang ng konting timpla ng oyster sauce.

taiwan petchay

Yung roti prata is served with condensed milk at curry sauce. Dalawang malaking roti per serving so sulit. Paborito namin ito ni K from sa mga ibang restaurant na napuntahan namin na meron neto. Happi Hen's tasted the same. Parepareho lang naman ata ang lasa ng roti anyway.

roti prata

Damage:

The combi meals are at P150 a piece and that's as complete a meal you can get. May drinks pa. Additional dimsum costs from P65 to P80. Frankly, I'll just go for a plate of dimsum and extra rice. Sobrang mura lang lalabas nun. Masarap pa.

Nasi goreng as alternative to plain rice looks interesting to try next time, kaso pang maramihan ang serving at P170 per plate.

menu slash placemat

Feedback:

Very unassuming yung lugar. Walang pagpupumilit magka-theme ang interiors. It's plainly a place to have a quick meal and that's it. Kung wala nga yung malaking signboard nila sa harap, parang extension lang sila ng bahay na kadikit nito.

Maliit yung floor area kaya on a busy day pwedeng maging jampacked dito. Dinner nung pumunta kami at after a Sunday mass pa so expected namin madaming kumakain, pero wala naman masyado. Tama lang.

dining area

May menu sa entrance. Dun mas maganda pumili ng kakainin kasi may pictures ng mga pwede ma-order, kesa dun sa papel na menu na dumodobol as placemat. Halos alas-otso pa lang ng gabi pero madami nang wala sa menu, tulad ng gulaman at hakaw. Saklap.

Walang initiative yung mga nagsisilbi kaya kailangang hingiin ang karamihan ng kelangan namin (e.g. yung menu na papel, tubig, sawsawan, kalamansi). Low expectations naman kami so oks lang.

Nag-order kami ng soy chicken at lechon macau combi, pero hainanese chicken ang binigay sa amin. Hindi ko na pinapalitan dahil gutom na ako. Hindi tuloy namin natikman yung soy chicken nila.

hainanese chicken and lechon macau

Etcetera:

This is going to be on our list of go-to places kung gusto namin ng quick gutom fix around BF Homes. Don't expect too much on their service though and stick with the dimsum.

Ratings:

4.5 out of 7

[obi.Sept.7]

"Selfie"

Location: Home
Camera: Samsung Galaxy S4
Date Taken: September 14, 2014

Ang Pasakalye:

Galing kami sa fiesta ng Mendez at pauwi na ng Manila ng maisipan namin mag-dinner na lang along the way. It's when we were looking for where to eat that made us remember LZM's bulalo and that they have a branch in Silang, along Aguinaldo Highway (nakakain na kami dati ni K dun sa kanilang restaurant sa Tagaytay). Time to know kung consistent ang luto ng bulalo between branches!

With help from Google (and Daddy Ben), natunton naman namin agad kung nasaan yung resto nila sa Silang (which I heard is the original branch).

lutong bahay specialties

Ang Chicha:

• Boneless Bangus
• Bulalo
• Iced Tea

Walang kupas ang bulalo! Mainit. Madaming gulay at sahog. Madaming laman yung beef kahit malalaki ang parts ng buto-buto! Higit sa lahat, madami pa din ang servings. Pwede pa humirit ng sabaw refill. Same experience as the Tagaytay branch's version. Consistent!

bulalomnomnom!

Malaki pa din yung boneless bangus. Around anim na tao ata kaming nag hati-hati dito pero may natira pa din. Ganun kalaki! Sobrang malasa. No need isawsaw sa toyo. Truly, ito ang kabalik-balik dito.

bangus asus!

Ang Damage sa Wallet:

P380 yung bangus at P400 yung bulalo. Pero sa dalawang yan, anim kaming nabusog at may natira pang konti sa ulam. Ganun kadami, kaya sulit na sulit.

The other dishes goes for P200 to P300, pero wala kaming nasubukan sa mga ito. We stick with their specialty. For sure though, madami ang servings to justify the cost. Nasilip ko kasi sa kabilang lamesa yung servings ng kare-kare.

menu

Ang Hirit:

Lumang bahay ang datingan ng itsura ng branch na ito kaya kami nahirapan maghanap (kahit dapat madali lang dahil nasa tabi mismo ng main road). Parang hindi kasi ito resto sa kalumaan, kapag tinignan from sa labas. May malaking puno na nakaharang sa tabi ng entrance at ang pinaka-palatandaan lang ay ang old school na aluminum signboard na nakalagay sa labas na may nakasulat na LZM Restaurant.

Itsurang bahay din ang loob, na nilagyan ng madaming lamesang kahoy. Medyo malinis naman kumpara sa relative age ng istraktura. May mga pictures sa dingding ng mga personalidad na nakakain na dito. Yung iba yata ay family pictures ng may-ari kasi either hindi ko kilala yung mga nasa litrato or parang 80's yung panahon ng kuha.

old photos on the wall

Madami-dami ang kumakain nung nandun kami, given na masyado pang maaga for dinner (maga-alas sais pa lang ng hapon). Sikat ang LZM sa area na ito at ilang beses na din silang na-feature sa mga TV shows na tumutukoy sa mga good spots to eat around the Tagaytay area kaya hindi na din nakakapagtaka.

Mabilis magsilbi yung mga staff at mababait. Hindi kami nag hintay ng matagal sa order namin.

sa loob

Ang Buod:

Kelangan naman masubukan yung ibang putahe. Definitely, may next time ulit!

Mas okay kumain dito kung madami dahil pang maramihan ang servings.

panoramic

Ang Hatol:

6.5 out of 7

[obi.January]