Where To Eat : Kandingan sa SRP

My brother and I had a quick lunch at Kandingan sa SRP in Talisay. I've heard about this place thru blogs and some people who happens to wander in  South Road Properties area. Since my brother and I were hungry at that time and happen to pass by, I decided to try this famous eatery.

The Location

Located along the highway, no wonder this eatery causes traffic at times.   

Situated  at Cansojong, South Cebu Coastal Road, the place can be easily accessed. At 11:30 am the eatery was already jam-packed with people. I was quiet amazed their parking lot was almost full. So what I heard is true, this place is something else. A parking attendant helped us in securing a space to park my brother's car. As soon as I entered the place, a christian song filled the air. Waiters' uniform has bible verses printed on their back, some were young teenagers. 

Coffee, My Constant Drug

I have to admit I am a bit addicted to it. With my work where sometimes coffee is needed and especially during those times when boredom, stress or sleepiness visits me, I appreciate a cup of coffee.

Aside from being an anti-oxidant, coffee just brings in the calmness I need and somehow it became my usual companion when I need one.

No, I am not here for any brand-campaign. As a coffee-addict, trying out various coffee beverages happens to be part of the urge of “wanting more and more” of it. Aside from the health benefits I get from coffee-drinking, the following are my realizations why coffee has been my constant drug.

Sunday 2PM Cafe : Cafe with a Twist

I am a coffee-addict.  

I love coffee. I cannot last a day without coffee. 

Trying everything with coffee and it seems to be my way of life. 

My craving includes frequent visits from different coffee shops in the city or wherever I go. 

When I heard about a new Korean-owned cafe called Sunday 2PM located on the ground floor of Sarrosa Hotel in Cebu, I scheduled a Sunday trip to see what this cafe can offer. After our Kadasig Festival Photowalk, my coffee-buddy and I decided to chill for a while trying to regain our drained energy for that day. 

The floor space was  smaller than what I saw in pictures and compared to some usual coffee shops I've been to. There were shelves of books, manga, magazines and other reading materials to read on. A lot of little Polaroid pictures lined up on the walls, some  hanged like little clothes on a clothes-line,  hundreds of post-its everywhere, cute little wooden tables and chairs, cozy Korean music and I find it relaxing; I like it. 

Colorful, isn't it?

Some people find it a bit messy, I find it  cute

And this? A big thumbs-up!

                          

Cafe Noriter : A Playground

Saturday afternoon. I stumble upon this cafe called Cafe Noriter, a korean-owned cafe located at One Acacia Unit 10 and 11, Archbishop Reyes Ave Cebu City,  just a walking distance from Ayala Center Cebu. Since the name appeared foreign to me, of course searching it on the internet is tempting ---- and it means "playground" in Hangul. When my coffee buddy, Jocelyn and I came in, the name itself explained it well for me. 

There were post-its on the walls and even on the ceilings, plush toys everywhere, shoes on the floor and pictures everywhere. A playground, it is. I remember another Korean cafe called Sunday 2PM Cafe at Sarrosa Hotel, the ambiance was like this, only this is a bit bigger and not so quiet. I was thinking, since these are all Korean-owned, how come I wasn't able to get into this kind of setting when I was in South Korea? 

With freebies and discounts 

We got ourselves a mug of hot  and cold latte. It was as good as the price itself, worth it. On the counter, they were giving away some cards; like when you gather about 10 stamps from ordering drinks, you got yourself some discounts on your next drink or the staff could take a photo of you, print and hang it somewhere within the premises. Quite inviting isn't it? 

Living Above Worry and Stress : Imperial Palace Waterpark Resort and Spa

Life is a cycle, they say. Sometimes you're on top, sometimes you're not. Sometimes, you're happy, sometimes you're drowning in a river of sadness. Work sometimes consumes you and you must take it back. 

Ever since I came back from South Korea, I've been preoccupied lately. Work has been consuming me that I wanted to cut it out of my life. Even my Christmas vacation will be cut short since I'll be needing to run the production line. Stress is beginning to tag along with me everyday and I want it badly out. 

And so when I had the chance to go to Imperial Palace Waterpark Resort and Spa, I did not hesitate. I want to de-stress for a while, I think I deserve to have one.After our company party at Crown Regency Hotel and Suites, a few of my colleagues went to Imperial Place, about 10 to 15-minute drive from the previous hotel we're in. We were booked at Mactan Suites, honestly it was my first time to try in a bigger and better hotel suite. 

I was really exhausted from the party though all I did was eat, took photos, drink and jamming with the live band, oh yes, maybe because of my wearing-stilettos-all night exhaustion. My feet cried out for rest that as soon as I entered the suite, I walked barefooted around. Imperial Palace was soooo huge that it took us a lot of time getting to our suite at the far edge of the hotel from the lobby. The hotel hallways were so quiet, I thought we were just the only ones walking on it. 

Interior design was superb; lobby was not that huge and  spacious but its okay though; the quiet hallways and of course barefooted around our suite is sooo okay

and oh, of course, there's chocolate!

Oh I love chocolates! Those dark little cubes my mouth loves to relish. Those big bars that I cannot resist on having.Those coffee toppings I love sipping on. Those little crunchy cookies I love munching on in-between analysis and planning; those times when it seemed the world is against you; when experiencing the down side of life; those weaker moments, those days when the most pressing thing you have to do is nothing; those happy moments with family,loved-ones, friends and thyself --- chocolates seems to be one of my wonderful companion (oh well, next from coffee and ice cream).

Chocolates are mainly made from a seed  of tropical Theobromo cacao tree (so, I've heard). They are mainly fermented, dried, cleaned, roasted, then ground, then liquefied and experts knows what else are needed to be done;  I could care less how it was made, I am more interested on tasting them. Chocolates commonly comes in dark, milk and white varieties. Some are being used as cake toppings or on coffee. Usually branded as mood-enhancer or food for the goddess, I think chocolates have been one of my sources of simple happiness, and I am sure many girls would agree with me.

See how creative Japanese people are? Design :cookie-chocolate-cookie.

The Many Faces of Kinilaw!

I have always been a lover of Kinilaw or Kilawin, (Philippine  delicacy in which the main ingredient is raw fish or meat marinated in vinegar, pepper, chili (preferably siling labuyo), chopped onions, calamansi,cucumber,turnip and other garnishes).

And since I am living in an island, filled with the gifts from the sea and a traveler, I will be sharing some photos I took during my food trip with Fish Kinilaw in it (this is obviously one of the first dish I'd pick when ordering). I prefer raw Tangigue fish (Spanish mackerel) than Pork Kinilaw. I dunno, maybe it has this sweet and cottony-feel-like texture when taken and of course, since this is taken fresh, you'd appreciate the sweetness of the fish even better.Preparation is also simple that even a small ten-year-old child can prepare this --- all you have to do is chop,chop,chop and combine all ingredients!

Penong's at Davao City : with chopped  green mango,turnip,cucumber,calamansi and  no tomatoes (photo taken by my good friend, Myla)

Sky and Starbucks et al : Bigger than Coffee

Coffee... 

I have to admit I am a bit addicted to it. With my work where sometimes coffee is needed especially during those times when boredom, stress or sleepiness visits me, a cup of coffee just come in handy, may it be an instant 3-in-1 coffee, brewed,expensive or not. ^^ 

Aside from being an anti-oxidant, coffee just brings in the calmness I need and somehow it became my usual companion when I need one. 

I like it better with cream in it. Though when I was in college, having a mug of black one made me awake the whole night when a week of exam is on, now it seemed my cravings would usually involves something creamy. 

Surprisingly, my love for coffee has evolved -- various brands, flavors, cafe ambiance etc. Honestly when I was young and living in a remote place away from the chaotic but exciting city,  I've only known coffee as pure black, with coffeemate, milk, chocolate and simply coffee with sugar. Damn, I didn't know things like frap,espresso or latte or whatever you call it. Now, it seemed I have this urge to try 'em all! ^^ I started with Starbucks coffee. The brand, of course I know would costs more than my taxi fare, but still my adventurous urge wants to. ^^ I've tried their coffee from espresso, latte, tea, hot chocolates -- and guess what? -- I love it!!! Since then, I am beginning to look for other kinds or brands of coffee.

Starbuck's cold Green Tea Latte