Skip to main content

Posts

Lunch at a Teahouse

TWG Tea Salon and Boutique at Greenbelt 5 in Makati is a glass and glitz citadel with some of the finest collection of teas in the world. The Wellness Group (TWG) has its origins in Singapore and today has branches in many countries in Asia, The Middle East, UK, and the United States. I didn't come for afternoon tea. I was famished after a morning admiring the works of Carlos Botong Francisco at the Ayala Museum and TWG was in the neighborhood. I was torn between the salmon entreé and the chicken skewer with rice. I chose the latter. A meal would not be complete without tea, as my late grandfather used to say. While perusing the tea menu, I was overwhelmed by the number of tea selections. In fact, they have over 200 teas to choose from so I thought it best to ask my server for help. What I wanted to try was a combination of green tea and chamomile. It was siesta time after all and I needed a transition tea. My server didn't hesitate at all to recommend the Sweet France

Antonio's Restaurant, Tagaytay

Antonio's Restaurant is located in Tagaytay City which is a popular weekend destination and a short ride from Metro Manila. Taal Volcano rises from the waters of Taal Lake. It is one of the most active volcanoes in the Philippines. The second Antonio's restaurant (called Breakfast at Antonio's) has a commanding view of the lake and also serves lunch and dinner from the breakfast menu. This foyer impresses from the outset. Red paint on the walls provide a warm setting for the personal photos and antique "santos". This room evokes old world charm. The lower dining room is a spacious and elegant room, perfect for large parties. The black and white tiles spell classic! I dined alfresco beside the carp pond. It was a delicious visual treat to be surrounded by overgrown ferns and tropical flora. While the ambiance was casual and relaxed, this restaurant is home to fine dining and guests behaved accordingly. Hence the conversations around me were hush hush

Sonya's Garden Getaway

This floral path leads to the dining room. One of three gardens, the scented garden is a joy to explore. So many special touches, it's a pleasure to linger and dream of my own garden. At Sonya's Garden, I've learned to expect beautiful things and attention to detail like this crisp, white tablecloth with minute embroidery and elegant dinnerware. Pickings from the vegetable garden. Iceberg lettuce, oregano, arugula, cherry tomato, Roma tomato, tarragon, and this butter scented flower called butterbush. There's always fresh ingredients from the gardens for all the meals served at Sonya's. And after a most fulfilling dinner, tarragon tea will gently ease your digestive tract. Romance comes into play when evening falls upon the gardens. You can always find a little nook to while the time away with a good book. Wish I could have stayed longer. Sonya's Garden Barangay Buck Estate Alfonso, Cavite info@sonyasgarden.com http://sonyasgarden.co

Sonya's Garden

Only a couple of hours from Metro Manila, this bed and breakfast beckons weary city dwellers for some r&r and organic cuisine. I had resolved to go to Sonya's for mind and body rejuvenation. Instead I experienced a culinary epiphany. I had to ask the waiter if all the good food he spread out on my beautifully set table was for me. And he affirmed. So I slowly made my way through breakfast starting with my eggplant omelette, chicken adobo, mango salad, boneless milkfish, garlic rice and slices of papaya and mango. My stomach whispered "enough, please". Had to forego the egg omelette. Here's the breakfast of champions.

12 Hours in Singapore

Including a few hours of sleep, I was in Singapore for 12 hours. It was a good decision to stay at Clarke Quay as it is a short walk to Chinatown. With the Year of the Water Snake about to unfold, Chinatown was decked out in festive colors and lucky charms were prominently displayed in the stalls between beautifully restored buildings. Lanterns hung above the traffic lights across the neighborhood in the undulating movement of a snake. From my hotel room balcony, I had this commanding view of the Singapore River as it meandered through the urban landscape. *  *  * Images by Charie

Sunset

While waiting for my flight to Singapore from Narita, I was a lucky witness to this incredible sunset in the land of the rising sun.

Welcome 2013

Wishing all of you a Happy New Year in a peaceful world! *  *  * Image by Charie