The Three Lechon Flavors of General's Lechon

Hello my lovely porkers, we meet again.

Three Little Pigs

Since I traverse back and forth Cebu on a regular basis, I've become somewhat of a lechon-snob. I like my porkers tasty, crispy (skin), and tender (meat) without the over-abundance of fat; the combination is next to impossible. I've even gone as far as to roast my own lechon de leche (suckling pig) just so I can attain the perfect pork. So imagine my delight when I was invited to chow down not one, but three different types of lechon from grassroots company General's Lechon. I say, why settle for one when you can have three?

I don't normally attend events for bloggers, but when Anton and Spanky call for a gathering, I'm (almost) always in because I know these two have dining du jour down pat. And when they holler "Lechon", my ears begin ringing.

Cupcake Confidential

FML

So I started my Monday with determination that TODAY was the day I begin the road to recovery; recovery of my figure, that is. So imagine my disdain when I arrive toting a lunch-pail full of juice cleanses for the day and see this sitting pretty on my office desk. 

 A friend is developing a new concept for cupcakes and wanted ToT's honest opinion on the quality before she forges ahead in her endeavor. Honestly, I wanted to kill her for putting Day 1 of my Master Cleanse on a serious test of character. I was ready to battle the cupcake demons... but then I spotted a smidgen of red... RED VELVET!?!

Battle of the Breakfasts: Bouchon at Venetian Las Vegas

I just finished watching Hangover 2 and, though the movie is now based in Bangkok, I couldn't help but reminisce the last time I hit up Sin City and lived the suite life.

Instead of partying it up and waking up with a nasty hangover, I decided to take the old-lady route and got up early to have one of the best breakfasts I've had in a very, very long time.

 Yes, I went to Bouchon Bistro, Chef extraordinaire Thomas Keller's casual counterpart to French Laundry.

I Miss Thinking Like This: Backblog #3 03.25.07

I just found this in my drafts and realized that, a friend really needs to hear this right now. This is the last installment to the three part back blog during my soul and self-searching days, aka 2007. Some friends have been fans of my writing before I decided to commit myself to writing about my passion which is travel and food. One friend in particular, admits that he prefers my old posts about life and the in-betweens, the intangible and the inexplicable. Well, deal with it. ToT is staying put.

Mexico 2006

03.25.07

It's been far too long since I last put my thoughts into typed words. Suppressing emotions has never been one of my best traits, yet somehow it finds its way into my daily routine and I find myself staring off for moments at a time, looking off to space and realizing that I've failed to sit down and see the bigger picture of the days that passed me.

The year that was has been a mishmash of sorts, trying new things, going back to old ways, going places, staying in. During the earlier part, it felt as if everything was at a standstill; things were moving too slow, or not moving at all. By the latter part I would catch myself panting at the speed at which precious moments passed me by. Sometimes, all it takes is one blink and everything around me turns 180.

Roomie's Letter to Philippine Airlines CEO + PAL's Response Letter

UPDATED: PAL's response letter below. Read all the way to the bottom.

This is roomie's letter to PAL's CEO. Just want to share so that maybe, someone actually makes improvements with PAL and their procedures.

"I actually wrote it to Jaime Bautista, the COO after the flight attendant told me to write him. In the in-flight magazine he urges customer to send their complaints and comments to his email address. So it's sort of long but I can't explain all that in a few short sentences!" -Roomie

Dear Mr. Bautista

I am writing you to share my personal experiences with PAL. It is quite a long email, so I appreciate your patience in reading it.

I have never flown PAL before until last week, when I decided to give it a try to fly from Jakarta to Manila because of the favorable fares. I usually stick to Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific when flying anywhere, but their prices to Manila were quite steep. My best friend lives in Manila and I wanted to visit her for a 4-day weekend.

Here are the highlights

The Sequel: Max's Chicken All-You-Can is BACK!

I'm not even going to act like I don't care about cheap eats and great deals like the next hungry person. I CARE. And that's why I am excited to announce that as a sequel to the highly successful promotion for the restaurant's 65th anniversary in the food business, and after much demand and requests for a part deux...

 

Max's Chicken All-You-Can Promotion!

“Chicken-All-You-Can fever has never really waned since its successful launch last year. We have received an overwhelming clamor for this unlimited chicken offering from our customers all over the Philippines. Now, Chicken-All-You-Can is definitely here – and it’s bigger and better,” said Bobby Simborio, Corporate Communications Officer for Max’s Group of Companies. 

Here's what you need to know:

• Chicken All-You-Can for  P199/person inclusive of a Pepsi drink (That's about USD4.50)
• Add  P28 for bottomless soda/iced tea
• Happening daily from June 10, 2011 to July 10, 2011, 6pm-10pm
• "As an added treat to its customers, Max’s is also giving away free PhP 20 money coupons for every PhP200 spent during the Chicken-All-You-Can promotion. A maximum of three accumulated coupons per transaction may be used to “purchase” any Max’s products within a year after issuance." 
• The fine print: NOT INCLUSIVE OF RICE. Yay for Carb-less dieters, Sorry for carpinteros.
• Sorry my kababayans, only available at Max's restaurants in the Philippines.

 I'm gonna surprise my staff with unlimited chicken very soon... Well after this post it probably won't be much of a surprise. I CANT WAIT! 
 

Check out the House that Fried Chicken Built

Battle of the Breakfasts: Beachside Brunch at Nick's, Seal Beach

The perfect breakfast scene.

Nick's Deli on Seal Beach

So apparently, I've visited the home of the "breakfast burrito" in California, and I didn't even realize it until after the fact.

 And this is the breakfast burrito in question... Is it the best?

SoCal peeps definitely love their breakfast burritos. Ever since I could remember my first BB at Lily's on Zuma Beach (a haunt for Pepperdine kids), the fascination with handheld, fastfood fare was too good to be understood. To be able to feed oneself with one hand while driving/texting/studying/surfing/tanning with the other is a trademark of the quintessential Californian, and I've had my fair share of Brekkie Burritos.

Trip or Treats 2.0

In a few weeks or so... ToT will have a fresh newlook! 

 Blame it on ToT's upcoming birthday or on a sudden attempt to organize everything in my life. Regardless, I promised Anton D. of Our Awesome Planet that at some point, my blog will be as pretty as my posts!

What do you think, guys?

Battle of the Breakfasts: Huckleberry in Santa Monica

Hello Green Eggs...

In Manila, I could care less about breakfast. But whenever I'm back in LA, or Santa Monica, I look forward to breakfast dates and brunch plates.

 One such breakfast nook I thoroughly enjoy is Huckleberry Cafe, located on Wilshire Blvd. in Santa Monica. Roomie recommended this place so I knew I would immediately like it.

Huckleberry is quintessential Santa Monica: easy-going, California casual, and local market fare fresh. The interiors are clean and the diners friendly. The order counter is flanked by flowers and other goodies to heighten your sense of sight and smell.

Battle of the Breakfasts: Blu Jam Cafe on Melrose

Since Roomie is in town for the weekend, I'd like to reminisce on one of our favorite past-times: Eating! We are both very similar ladies who definitely like to lunch.

 But not before I tell you the story of how she bullied me to go hiking. Sure, I hike now.