Check Me Inn # 02 : Richville Hotel

Introduction:

I'll be starting a new collection in this blog. I'll call it "Check me Inn". Its about the Inns and Hotels where I stayed for both travels and rest. Please, don't be get the title wrong. My intention for this meme is to share to you my observations and experiences in the featured Inn or Hotel. My entry will surely make or break your decision thus I must forewarn you that this is just my Experience. You might have a different taste or observation thus it will make your experience different from mine. Also, I do not intent to write up something against the featured Inn or Hotel, my intent is to share to you my experience so that you can have some ideas in serving us - the Inn and Hotel Clients - better.

For the second installment : Richville Hotel in EDSA Crossing

Background Story before the stay:

Its Seminar days once again for my dear GF and finding a place to stay is the first thing to do to help her. They need a place near University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P). Their last place near UA&P cannot be contacted thus they resulted to find one again. Go Hotel in Mandaluyung was the first choice but since they are three pax getting two rooms is not practical. So I suggested Richville Hotel. To my happiness Mr. Cris helped me out reserved the room even without credit card. I also asked him that they(GF and her co-teachers) will be arriving early morning from a first flight and he agreed to let their things be stored first then they'll check in after the first day of the seminar. Mr. Cris also gave us discount. Thank You Mr. Cris.

The Room:

While waiting for them to arrive at the hotel. I seat comfortably in the lobby.

The south wing of the lobby is the coffee shop and restaurant.

and the north wing of the lobby is the front desk.

At last they arrived and they let me check out their room. It clean and neat. Since they are 3 in a room, the 3rd person sleeps solo and the other 2 sleeps in a queen bed. The bed is soft and the pillows are great. I'll surely won't snore on these.

I was amazed to see a tub & shower in their bath. The room and the T&B is really big too It's unusual for a standard room.

The room also has a very cold aircon and a big flat screen TV but that TV frame is deceiving. It also have a coffee table and comfy chairs thus they are able to do their lessons plans with comfort.

The Cabinet (sorry no photo due to lack of shooting space) is also big and very helpful in organizing their things. Over all, They had a very good stay in spite of the city noise of buses and MRT.

Also, included in the room rate is the buffet breakfast which worth 220 pesos. Nice isn't it? Since I'm not a staying guest, GF asked me to come back early morning to have breakfast with them and we will just pay for my buffet breakfast. Cool!

Verdict:

Aircon = cold 5/5

TV = with cable check! 5/5

T&B = spacious and clean 6/5 extra point for the tub

H&C water = good 5/5

Cabinet and coffee table = cool! 5/5

free breakfast = yes 6/5 extra point for the buffet

Staff = courteous and friendly 6/5 extra point for Mr. Cris for the discount

Room Rate = affordable and best value for money 6/5 extra point for the buffet breakfast

going back = YES

recommended = YES

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Photo herein is captured using
Canon Powershot A580 in
Richville Hotel
EDSA Crossing, Mandaluyong City, Philippines
last 24th of May 2013

Adobo Connection - SM City Calamba branch

28 October 2012

Me and GF has a staycation at GF's Sister's home in Batangas. From our home, we went to SM City Calamba to have lunch, mall tour and to visit Rizal Shrine in Calamba.

We rode a bus to SM City Calamba. Sadly, traffic routing in that area forced our bus driver to unload us at the back of the mall thus we made along walk. We then entrusted our luggage and stuff at the package counter so that we will not drag it along our tour. We then met her sister and her sister's kids at the food court. After a short malling, we went to Adobo Connection.

Her sister recommended this place for it was the latest food joint of the mall. Truly indeed, we are not the only one who have the same idea. The place is an SRO (standing room only). We waited a bit long. A group of students fortunately was done and gave us a long table good for us five before our meals came.

We had these:

Mama's Sweet Adobo (chicken)

Kuya Fried Adobo (mix)

Adobo sa Gata (chicken; spicy)

Kare Kare

These meals are good for a solo eater but we managed to share it so that we can have a taste of all variants.

Outro: Thank you Ate Don for this treat.

Verdict:

Food = 5/5
Ambiance = typical for a fast food place
Price = 5/5 - budget saving

Pros : yummy
Cons : SRO is a good sign that they serve good meals but please wait to be seated.

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Photo herein is captured using
Canon Powershot A580 in
Adobo Connection
SM City Calamba,
Calamba City, Laguna, Philippines
last 28 of October 2012

Isdaan Floating Resto-Fun Park Part One : the Food

29 October 2012

Isdaan Floating Resto-Fun Park

National Highway, Calauan, Laguna

My GF and I went to her sister's home in Sto. Tomas, Batangas to visit her and her kids plus a quick tour in Laguna-Batangas Area. As part of the Itinerary we went to Isdaan Resto-Fun Park in Calauan, Laguna for lunch after our short stops in San Pablo and Nagcarlan towns (also in Laguna)

Quick facts:

* Isdaan Floating Resto-Fun Park is claimed by others to be located in Bay(,Laguna) but its NOT. It's Politically under the town of Calauan just right after Bay.

*  Isdaan Floating Resto-Fun Park is under and managed by Bario Fiesta group of companies, which includes: Bakahan at Manukan; Bario Fiesta; and Singing Cooks and Waiters. Thus the place have four (4) restos in one.

* The First Isadaan Resto-Fun Park is located in Gerona, Tarlac and soon they will open a new branch in Talavera, Nueva Ecija

For the first part, I'll share to you what we ordered. As I mentioned, the place is like having four restos in one place thus the menu is so big and its hard to choose for all of them are a bit pricey but deliciously good.

GF and her sister placed the order as I roam around with her sister's two kids and cousin for a picture taking. Here's what they had ordered and as early as now, I'll tell you that all are so good.

Every fiesta have rice so since we are a total of 6 pax we had two "Bagong Saing sa Kaldero". Each Kaldero is good for 2-3 pax. See that spoon? It's not a normal serving spoon, its just a simple table spoon we used as a serving spoon. Thats how small the pot is.

Bagong Saing sa Kaldero

Pros: Nothing beats a newly cooked rice strait for the pot. Much cheaper than ordering individually cupped rice.

Cons : Each pot have burned  rice and they are a big waste and it affects the taste. We had about more than a cup of burned rice.

What I do love about their "sisters" tag team, they ordered a dish per food group:

For Appetizers and Salad we had "Enseladang Talong" and "Tinadtad na Mangga"

Enseladang Talong

Tinadtad na Mangga

For the pork we had two: "Inihaw na Spareribs" and "Lechon Kawali"

Inihaw na Spareribs

Lechon Kawali

Then as for our soup and chicken we had "Tinolang Manok". GF's Sister said that while we are all away -for our picture taking - they served the Tinola incased in a bamboo tube - Kapangpangans call it "binulo" - then poured in this bowl.

Tinolang Manok

Pro: Serving it in Binulo style makes it more "pinoy".

Con: They used a bit ripe papaya thus it dosen't taste like good'old Tinola.

Lastly to quench our thirst -from our travel, from the sunny heat and as we say "panulak", we had three pitchers of Ice Tea.

Ice Tea Pitcher

Over all Pros: They are all good and Tasty

Over all Cons: for a big guy like me, their serving as somehow not big enough for me. If you share it, you'll all get a bit.

Verdict:

Ambiance = 6/5 you'l be transported to another place like Bali or Thailand.

Food Taste = 5/5 except for the tinola which is 4/5.

Budget = 3/5 its abit high priced compared to its serving.

Service = 6/5 they are so honest, courteous and friendly.

To get there:

*by Bus: Ride a bus en route to Sta. Cruz, Laguna and they will drop you off on site.

*by Private: Right turn after SLEX / ATeX Calamba Exit's roundabout to Sta. Cruz, Laguna just right after Bay-Calauan Boarder (SLEX-Calamba-Los Banos-Bay-Calauan)

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Photo herein is captured using
Canon Powershot A580 in
Isdaan Floating Resto-Fun Park
National Highway, Calauan, Laguna, Philippines
last 29th of October 2012

White Wine and Blue Cheese

I admit this is my first time to have a "white wine and blue cheese". My usual is red wine (sangria) and cheddar cheese - yes! during a religious rite.

Greetings here in Cagayan de Oro. Im here for a short stay to be with myGF as we celebrate the feast of St. Augustine and to offer thanks giving as we are blessed to have four (4) years as BF-GF.

Upon my arrival, GF and her parents fetch me at the airport and then went to have dinner as GF's aunts are here too. after that bountiful dinner - which I'll blog soon - we went to a Wine Bar the "La Vetta". Google said "la vetta" means "the peak".

For this session, our host treats us with "the beach house" which is a Sauvignon Blanc and a Blue Cheese.

At first, I not into wine thus I haven't tamed its taste then here comes the blue cheese which is my very first time to eat. Rumors are right blue cheese is really "out of the ordinary". Taste it and you'll know what I mean.

PS : Thanks GF's aunt for letting me have this kind of "first" experience.

entered as and entry to:

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Photo herein is captured using
Canon Powershot SX130is in
La Vetta
Rosario Crescent, Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro City
Misamis Oriental, Philippines
last 23rd of August 2012

Puto Maya, Moron and Binake

27 August 2011
Cagayan de Oro City,
Misamis Oriental, Philippines


Kagay-an Festival fever was high. Many merchants bargaining their trade including these native deli and my good host shared these to me so that I can taste the life Kagay-anons have.

Upon seeing these gifts I immediately mixed Milo and so little of hot water to have a simple choco syrup. You'll see why in a bit but first, here's the serving platter.

The green triangle (a) is "Puto Maya" whole grain glutinous rice cooked in coconut milk. Some makers use two different kinds/colored glutinous rice to achieve that two-toned effect. It taste like biko but puto maya is not that sweet thus its best with choco syrup. Sadly, we don't have choco tablea for this thus we used Milo instead.

If Puto Maya is whole grain, "Moron" (b) is ground. The white crust is made of ground glutinous rice with coconut milk and the brown core is just the same plus cocoa. It also have peanuts inside so be careful. It can stand without the choco syrup but its more fun if it is chocolatey :D

Lastly, and this is my favorite among the three is the "Binake" (c). Its made of (ground and) mashed corn grains cooked with coconut milk. It's like eating corn and milk - mais con yelo without the ice. =)) I also like the packaging, they used corn husk thus its golden yellow.

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Photo herein is captured using
Canon Powershot A580 in
Cagayan de Oro City
Misamis Oriental, Philippines
last 27th of August 2011

my 33rd Birthday (1st of 3 entries)

I celebrated my 33rd Birthday last 27th of November. I am so happy that the Lord has given me another year to live and to love.

I'll be making a three (3) part series that will share how was the celebration went. For this first installment, I'll be featuring

My Birthday Cakes

This cake was made by a homebaker-entrepreneur My Delectable Treats who is based in Sto. Tomas, Batangas. She is my GF's sister. For products and info, visit her in this Facebook Page link.

I'll skip the background story, Ill just jump to feature the cake. As you can see, the cake is so simple, simply because me and GF will still travel for the next 12 hours before we reach our respective homes. Its a chocolate cake (my favorite) on a cream cheese frosting. The cake is so dense and heavy thus a slice is good for my big sized appetite. Its so yummy good! Perfect with coke or coffee.

Thank you so much My Delectable Treats!!!

BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE!!!

My CFC Singles for Christ community also gave me a mocha cake from Goldilocks. Thank you so much SFC North A1E!!!

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Photo herein is captured using
Canon Powershot A580

for the My Delectable Treats' Cream Cheese frosted Chocolate Cake
it was taken in our home

for the Goldilocks Mocha Cake
it was taken in Hilltop, Lagro, Quezon City and in our home respectively

last 27th of November 2011