The Multiple Restaurant Review: Hokkaido Ramen:Santouka, Poco Deli, and Maru

Bonjour once again! I know this post is way overdue so i'm going to put all the blog-worthy restaurants I've been to in the past month in this one post. I (really) love eating a lot and i think it's a luxury that one should not restrict him/herself to (unless you prefer dieting). These restaurants are in the Makati area so make sure you try at least one of these when you're near!

Hokkaido Ramen: Santouka @ Glorietta

The authentic ramen hunt started when me and my family when to Tokyo last year. I made 3 blog posts about it and if you read one or two of those, you know I made a special mention of the ramen joint that my taste buds fell in love with: Ichiran. I swear if I had the money, I would franchise that business and eat there everyday! So much for wishful thinking.-__- Fast forward to now and I am still looking; the good news is, there has been a boom in the ramen business here in the country so i have had my fair share of almost-there-but-not-quite-authentic-tasting ramen. Santouka is one of these. The restaurant can be found in Glorietta right beside Outback Steakhouse.

The Medium Ramen and Chicken Gyoza and Small Rice Bowl Set

I arrived with my boyfriend before 7pm on a Friday and thankfully, we just waited a short time to be seated. The place was packed! In a few minutes there was already a line of people outside the restaurant waiting for their turn. I strongly suggest you go there early to avoid the human traffic. Anyway, on to the food. The restaurant might seem a bit pricey, but one order of food is already good for 2 people. The restaurant offers Santouka Set Menu which is kinda like your normal bento plus the ramen. The picture above is the Small Ramen and Chicken Gyoza and Small Rice Bowl Set which we had that dinner. It costs Php430, but i had my ramen up-sized to medium which is about Php60-70. Their bestseller is the Shio Ramen so it's a good try for first timers.

The Shio Ramen, Santouka's besteller

What i like: The Santouka Set Menu is value for money and gives the customer something to choose from other than the usual single orders. I liked the tofu and the ramen because both were tasty and the serving of the ramen is enough to make one full.

What i didn't like: The oiliness of the ramen, for me is a bit too much. Also, they charge extra for the Ocha (rice tea). I don't understand why it can't be a service tea instead. lol.

Poco Deli @ Ayala Triangle

Poco Deli is a popular choice for artisan sausage lovers, comfort food lovers, and comfort drink lovers. I mean, who doesn't love comfort food/drinks?? They also serve desserts, and wine, and imported beer. It's like a stressed person's food haven!

THE Bacon Slab

What i love: THE Bacon Slab. THE BACON SLAB. I don't know how i have to emphasize this. My gosh this is a meal made by the gods! Fat gods i suppose, but nevertheless! This is a MUST TRY.

What i didn't like: Actually, nothing. The service was good too. Will definitely go back to this place.

Maru @ A-venue Makati

Maru is one of those authentic Korean restaurants where you can get full just by their appetizers. When my mom and me ordered our food, they gave us 7 plates just for the appetizers. I am a big kimchi fan so imagine my glee when i ate kimchi to my heart's content.

 Told you i wasn't kidding about the appetizers

We had the Samgyupsal and Bulgogi, both of which did not disappoint. The price ranges from Php200 (Lunch Specials) to Php800 which is affordable given that they serve appetizers with refill for free.

 Cookin' Samgyupsal 

And oh, don't forget the beer. Korean food ain't complete without it.

That kimchi goodness o__o

What i love: The appetizers, the Samgyupsal, and the Bulgogi! Wait... That's all of it.o__o

What i didn't like: No comment here either. I have yet to comment on their service because there were no people there so the food came in fast. Lucky us!

Well, that's about it! Maybe i'll share more of my food hunting next time. Au revoir for now!:)

My Guilty Pleasure: Notebooks!!!

Usually, many girls' guilty pleasures include makeup, bags, shoes, or clothes. I am not saying i don't find any interest in any of those mentioned above (because i do), but i have always had a soft spot for beautiful books and notebooks ever since i was a kid.

Lo and behold my collection!

Blame it on anime, or just the love of cartoons and art. I have been doodling and sketching ever since goodness-knows-when. It's a healthy but frustrating habit, since i am a bit obsessive-compulsive when it comes to my drawings.

My favorite one of the lot has to be the Moleskine my boyfriend gave me for my birthday this year. He knows i've been eyeing every Moleskine stand i get to see in bookstores so he decided to buy me one himself. Yup, he's very sweet.:)

For those who are in a budget or want to give your artist friend a gift this Christmas, i promise you won't regret buying Yeah Notebooks. My previous doodles have always been done on this notebook because they always have those non-ruled ones on eggshell colored paper, like the ones used in Moleskine. It works great with Uni Pin drawing pens too!

Ok that's about it for the random post. Have a happy weekend etranger!

In2It Waterproof Eyebrow Colour Review

Almost all magazines have said the same thing: brows make a difference. A LOT. Which is why i asked my sister for advice as to what was a good product. Surprisingly, she didn't offer a high-end one but something you usually see in department stores: In2It Waterproof Eyebrow Colour.

This makeup won't hurt your wallet as it just costs Php 300. It comes in 3 different shades which you can blend to your liking.

 I have seriously bony fingers.o__o

Here's a close-up look of the kit. For soft touches, it's best to blend 1 and 2 shades together. For a more defined look, use 3 in the blending process. :) It's also advisable you purchase a natural-haired eyebrow brush  for better blending because the one included in the kit are synthetic and rough. Make sure your brows are also groomed (or at least pluck those annoying stray hairs to make it look clean).

I tried this kit during a wedding and the weather was very hot and humid. Thankfully this baby lasted all night! It didn't look unnatural because the colours and pigmentation aren't strong as you can see from the swatches below.

Overall, i am very satisfied with my sister's advice! To sum it up, here's why i like this brow kit:

• It's affordable. 'Nuff said.
• The packaging came with a mirror and a brush which you can use for touch-ups (if you need any).
• It comes in 3 shades which you can blend to your liking.
• The colours are soft, which means it doesn't look unnatural (with the proper blending of course).
• It lasted all day! Hot and humid and it didn't buldge, disappear or smear around my brows.

And here's the only thing i didn't like:

• The brush. Although it's good for those touch-ups, the bristles are rough. I prefer using a softer brush for blending.

Enjoy and thanks for tuning in!♥

Tokyo Trip Day 3: Ginza and Harajuku

On to our last full day in Tokyo. The weather is still gloomy but pleasant enough for walking. Our first stop is Ginza, which is known to be at par with New York's 5th Avenue.

Gloomy weather but not enough to dampen our giddy spirits.:)

From the Shimbashi station, it took only one stop to reach Ginza using the Ginza line. A few steps from the exit and we are inside the Mitsukoshi department store.

Mitsukoshi is mainly known to tourists as serving free food treats at their basement floors. Too bad we didn't get to try any though.

Those strawberry shortcakes looked too cute to eat!

My sister eyeing the freshly baked bread.

We went outside the department store and strolled around the area to find a quaint looking door. If you noticed, there's a sign on top of my head that says 'SALE'. When we got back home i did some research and found out that the month of July for Tokyo meant Summer Clearance Sales. Yes people, sales! It's actually the reason why we were able to buy stuff in Ginza despite the usual assumption that it's too crazy expensive to afford anything except for a cup of tea.

Along Ginza.

My favorite discovery in Ginza would have to be the Manneken Belgian Waffle store which is near the Mitsukoshi area. 

Lots of waffles to choose from! But i opted for the original which happens to be their bestseller too.

Hello, crispy yummy Belgian Waffle!

One of the easiest ways to experience a country's culture is through its belly. Never deprive yourself of a good snack when you're travelling.

The closed Ginza street to accomodate the many people that visit the place.

Ginza haul! The clothes came from G.U. store and the makeup from Matsumoto Kiyoshi drugstore, all within reasonable price ranges.

We headed back to the hotel and ate lunch before heading out to Harajuku. Nothing beats a hot ramen on a cold weather!

On to Harajuku. From our hotel we used the Ginza line and went down at the Ginza station, then used the JR line and went out at the Omotesando station. Just a few meters away is the famed Takeshita-dori street. It's an alley packed with stalls from gothic dresses to coffee shops.

We didn't expect so many people in such a narrow alley! You can also see the outlandish outfits the people are wearing.:)

I especially liked this one. I'm not sure if they're mother-daughter or two sisters but they looked so cute!

My brother taking a picture with a Harajuku local.

Finally found a Boss coffee!

Me and sis taking a picture with a saleslady.

Family picture.:)

Going straight through the Takeshita-dori street would lead you to Harajuku street. My favorite store there would have to be Putomayo.:)

here were so many cute gothic and Alice In Wonderland merchandises that i had a hard time picking what to buy!o__o 

The street leading to the Omotesando-dori area.

Quaint hamburger joing along the street.

 The area had that distinct european feel to it. 

Omotesando-dori area. The lush trees were a refreshing sight to see.

The roads of Omotesando-dori.

The overpass going to the Meiji Shrine area.

The Meiji Shrine closes at about 5pm so be sure to visit before then. We were just able to take a family picture outside the beautiful entrance of the shrine before it closed.

Harajuku haul. The last but certainly didn't looked like the least.

After walking til' our feet were sore, we went back to the hotel and had our last Tokyo meal. Me and my sister opted to go back to the Ichiran ramen joint because the food was really great. Overall our trip to Tokyo was more than what i expected it to be. The vibrant culture--the clash of the old world and the new was such a delight to see. I would definitely be going back to this place if i had the chance.:)

Tokyo Trip Day 2: Akihabara and Shibuya Pt. 2

On to the 2nd day! We decided  to go back to Akihabara and Shibuya as we couldn't get enough of both places. We arrived in Akihabara early so we were able to experience the Japanese salespeople shouting at the top of their lungs to attract customers to their stores. It might work for some people but my siblings and me decided to keep good distance although it did provide good entertainment.:)

We were lucky enough that the weather was pleasant for most of the day.

Back at Don Quixote! The branch in Akihabara is right next to a Pachinko Slot building. At the entrance there are life-sized Evangelion figures. You wouldn't miss it.

Getting a picture with an Asuka Langley life-sized figure.

Inside Don Quixote. So many stuff including these too-cute-to-eat snacks!

My sister outside a Taito Station. Good thing we didn't give in to the urge of trying these games else we're gonna get hooked.o__o

Loving the outfit of the girl in blue.:)

After the Don Quixote shopping we headed back to the Atré mall where we were supposed to meet up with my mom and brother. There were some pretty nifty stuff in the mall and we ended up buying again. I bought for myself another magazine and a mouse pad of the railway station of Tokyo.

Another haul! I already have a favorite: Fujifilm Instax camera in white! Plus of course, japanese magazines like Vivi.<3 p="p">

Later in the day we went back to Shibuya. It was raining then and the bright lights complimented the gloomy weather.:)

A Don Quixote branch in Shibuya! It's near to the H&M store so you won't miss it.

What i loved most about Tokyo was that anywhere i went or stumbled into had that special charm. You don't need a guide to experience their culture, you just need your feet to take you where you wanted to go and surely you'd be captivated by what you'll find. Like this basement bookstore for example.:)

I have an innate love for bookstores. This one isn't an exception, especially seeing how quaint the store is and the items they're selling.

A guy taking his time in the book section.

They even sell Tamiya. i haven't seen these stuff in years!

We took a break at this small coffee shop called Caffé Sentito which is situated above a flower shop called Momoya.

The exhausted faces of my siblings.

I wasn't kidding when i said the place was small. But that was all part of the charm. It really makes me think how we could do this at home.. hmm.

The super friendly staff with our ordered drinks.:)

I almost didn't want to drink my coffee when she handed me my cup! It's just so cute!o__o

Wacky pictures with the staff. The one on the left is actually the owner. lol.

On our way back to the Ginza station. The bright lights of Shibuya is incomparable to anything i've seen.:)