My IT friend and The Village Chef

I have a number of pending activities and happenings to post but today I'll write about something that's fresh as it just happened a few hours ago.

I had a great time with my high school and college friends and dormmates.  Aileen, my IT friend whose two-week vacation ends today will be flying back to Singapore in a few hours.  I was out-of-town and busy for the past two weeks,  so it's only last night that our date materialized.

Aileen and I met with our other friend, her roommate actually in college, Arceli, the historian turned lawyer turned Village Chef.  Isn't that amazing? Yes, she's the chef of a restaurant in Marisol "village", hence the Village Chef. LOL.  I don't know if that is where the name came from, I just put that up, so don't take it seriously.

It's my first time to visit this restaurant and I must say everything is "eccellente".  It's not that I am biased because the chef is my friend but the dishes that we've tasted are all delicious and the ambiance is really great, a very cozy one.

The main entrance. Photo credit: The Village Chef's Facebook account. Heheh! My friend and I were excited to see the chef so we entered the restaurant immediately.

The Menu's cover.

Homemade Iced Tea, a refreshing one.  P50

Four Cheese Pizza, P320 (12 inches).  A must-try dish. I sooooooo love it!  I am not a fanatic of thin crust as I always get disappointed on thin crusts I have tasted before so when I order pizza it's always the thick one. There's one exception though, I am addicted to "panizza".  And the crust of this pizza is close to that so I am loving VC's thin crust now which  has changed my view of the thin crust.

Arugula! This herb has now been a  common name for those foodies who love Italian food. It's a nice touch to top it to the pizza as it gives a twist to its flavor.

Cannelloni, P170 or P180. For those not familiar with it, here's what Wiki has to say - "Cannelloni (Italian: large reeds) are rectangular pasta sheets that are rolled into a cylindricalshape encompassing a filling. After a pasta sheet has been boiled, it is typically filled with asavory stuffing which may include ricotta cheese, spinach, and various meats. It is then covered with a sauce, typically a classic tomato or béchamel sauce"

I love this too!  For those meat lover, this is for you.  The pasta was fresh and cooked al dente.  Cheese is also generously included in the dish which makes it more delicioso.

Photo credit: The Village Chef's FB account.  Panna Cotta, P80.  I got excited to try their Panna Cotta as this is one of my favorite desserts so I forgot to take a picture of it. LOL.  It was HEAVEN when I tasted it!  Its creaminess melted in my mouth!  The mango and cream topping added more flavor and contrast to the dessert.  I now know where to find the best panna cotta in town.  HEAVENLY!

Okay, after the dessert, we got a tour of the VC's kitchen.  Me and Aileen posing with the VC's chef, Arceli.

Outside the kitchen and into the garden.  The 3 of us.  Darn! I can see the burnt I got from the North and the fats.  Calling more sunblock and diet (ooops not that)  exercise. Heheh!

Aileen, who never grow old, modelling a pot arugula .  She still looks like the baby-face, sweet high school friend that I had back then.

The Village Chef has a beautifully landscaped garden and a green house where different types of herbs grow.  They also sell most of them which includes Arugula, Rosemary, Thyme, Tarragon, Oregano and Mint. Prices range from P60 to P150.   Here in the picture is the Italian Oregano which was added to our pizza.

Arceli also studied in The Blue Elephant in Bangkok, so some plants and herbs that are used in Thai cuisine grow in her garden.  Kaffir Lime is one of them.

After our tour in the kitchen and garden, we were served the Tarragon tea.  This is new to me and I like it so much! I can't wait to grow my tarragon and have this tea every morning.  Very calming!

Thanks, Aileen for the dinner treat. It was nice seeing you again after more than a year.  Thanks Arceli for the free desserts.  I super love your panna cotta. You bet I'll go back to your restaurant and bring my friends and family soon.

The Village Chef

406 Broadway Street, Marisol Subdivision

Angeles City, Philippines, 2009

0923-374-8752

Fri - Sun:

6:00 pm - 11:00 pm

Is summer over?

I've been meaning to post this last week  but I couldn't find the right time as I was busy with baking and preparing for my niece's 7th birthday party.   Added to that is the no internet connection on places I've been to.

It has been raining the past week I left Pampanga and I was lucky to have another close-up pictures taken on my current favorite tree, the Flame Tree.  This tree is just near our office so on one of our breaks, my team and I decided to head to Mini-stop and pass by this beautiful tree to have a glimpse of it and a picture taken. On our way back to the office, raindrops started to pour.  If I remember it correctly, it started raining last May 29.  It rained daily until I left Pampanga  on June 5.  I have no idea if it rained still after that.  I guess, El Nino has ended and we're welcoming La Nina now.  I just hope not too much rain nor typhoon.

Isn't the tree very lovely? With its vibrant red-orange color, who would not be awed by its beauty?

I felt I was in another country when I saw the soil topped with fallen petals.  Actually, I always feel there's autumn season in Clark Field, Pampanga when some trees change their colors and leaves start to fall. Hahah!

Click the picture to see Abbey's smile. Heheh!

Abbey, Me & JB

Abbey, Jlyn & JB

Yours truly.  Have a "flame tree" weekend and enjoy the rest of the summer!

Goodbye IE, welcome GC!

My cousin, John saw me using Internet Explorer as my browser when we were on vacation a couple of days ago.  He suggested that I try Google Chrome and told me it's a lot faster than IE.

Today, I remember what he told me while surfing in IE and my patience is slowly dying.  So, I decided to download Google Chrome.  Boy! It was indeed fast and amazing!.  Interface is a lot better too as my window is maximized. I am not a computer techie and didn't even think a browser can make a big difference. Heheh!

Thanks, John for the suggestion. I can now blog faster and post more because of this. :)

Region 2

Finally after 4 days, I am now able to connect to the Internet.  Thanks to e' Place, one of the high-end restaurants in Cauayan, Isabela. 

I've been out of contact so to speak since Saturday, June 5 because  my family and I had to travel to Cauayan, Isabela to attend my niece's 7th birthday party. In the hotel that I am staying, there's no Wi-Fi! It saddens me that I can't connect to the Internet at night before I go to sleep and access my blog to document my day's activities. Such bad experience makes me buy Globe Tattoo or Smart Broadband just to be online whenever and wherever I am in any part of world. LOL. It's as if I  am traveling  often.

Anyway, this post is about some funny lines that caught our attention and put smile on our faces  on our way to  Sta. Ana, Cagayan. 

Posted at Jotay Resort & Restaurant in Sta. Ana, Cagayan.

 

Found on the entrance of one of the sellers of imported cars in Sta. Ana still.



Blurred shot but if we have cd-r-king here, they have dvd-r-king  in Cagayan.

Stress & Starbucks

Last Sunday was a stress for me at the early part of the day. Why?  Traveling from our place to Angeles City takes more than an hour with the usual 7 to 15 minute travel and this is the worst day so far for the week as there was no police managing the traffic.  Do they ALL get an off during Sundays that no one is seen working on the traffic?!?

What I really don't understand too is why do our government plan on doing roads when it was already the rainy season and classes are a few days to come which will cause heavier traffic and postponed work.  Added to the injury is why do they have to lift the "truck ban" when roads are being done or repaired? (I've heard one of the candidates agreed to lift the ban in replacement to his votes!)  Please help me understand this. It's causing much inconvenience on the majority of the people and it's really getting into my nerves!

The heavy traffic that I get to see and experience daily!



So being pissed at an early day, what did I do to cool myself? I was on my way to work but decided to drop by at SM Clark first. LOL.  Well, it's not really SM that I had in mind but the Green Tea Frappucino of Starbucks.  This frap is my favorite! I was offered to add hazelnut flavor to it and agreed as it was just free with my receipt from HSBC card as perk.  It was my first time to taste it with hazelnut. Boy, it was heavenly!!! I think will be always ordering this with hazelnut from now on.  Since I didn't have breakfast yet, I decided to pair my frap with Ham, Bacon and Gruyère Quiche.  I wasn't disappointed and finished it all before I even reached my office. Talking about hunger and forgetting about the 240 calories of the frap alone.  More and more calories are piling up my now heavy body. Hahah!



When I took out the green tea frap, I was contemplating on my order. That is a choice between the quiche and the chocolate cake.  I was thinking of the chocolate cake the whole day. Do you know that feeling?  So the night after my shift and dinner with my friend, Nola, I invited her to Starbucks to check on the chocolate cake.  I was disappointed.  The chocolate cake that I was eyeing that morning has been sold out.  :(  SADNESS!  I ordered the offer of the day instead - Espresso Frappucino and Rum Cake.  I wasn't that happy.  The cake was so-so while the Frap, well it's not my favorite. Hehe!



Rum cake. It was moist and buttery but the taste of the rum was not that distinct. It was covered with white chocolate and topped with pistachio nuts.  I don't think this will pass for a second order for me. 



That ends my meal on that day. I don't want to get stressed again as I eat too much.  This is a bad thing for me as I don't get to exercise.  So, help me please!   Will you remove the traffic in our place and speed up the road widening?  Calling the government of Porac and Angeles City!!!

Thanks for the time, Nola!

Last Sunday after work, I met my friend Nola who came back from the US.  I haven't seen her for more than 3 years and with that said, a lot of catching-up of what's going on with our lives happened.

Our three and half hours of sharing stories wasn't enough but we had to separate ways as she only has a day left before her flight back to US and I have an early shift at work the following day. 

I always like it when my friends I haven't seen for years or even months would arrange a meeting with me. I feel very important and loved. Hahah! 

There's one friend who once told me that if you meet up with a friend you haven't seen for years and during your meeting, it seems like it was just yesterday that you separated ways since you still have so much to talk about to, then you two are real friends. I believe in that!

It was like that with Nola.  I guess no matter how many years we will be separated and add to that of no communication at all, the next time we meet, all chatting will still happen for Nola would always be a friend no matter what as she's one of the sweetest, kindest and wonderful person I have met. :)

Nola  and her Teriyaki chicken @ Teriyaki Boy in SM Clark



Me & Nola at the Clark Terminal. At our back is the transportation service where I work and Nola used to work.



Nola's pasalubong. Thanks, Nols! I love the scent.



I am happy of what she has in life now particularly having a great family of her own - a loving husband and a cutie, mestiso Matthew. I hope I'll meet them next time. I'll see you soon, Nols!

Abe's Farm - Sage's Christening reception venue

It only takes about 20 to 30 minutes from Mabalacat or Angeles gate  in Clark to Abe's Farm in Magalang.  The roads are in good condition so traveling is very comfortable.  Be alarmed though that you are reaching the foothills of Mount Arayat as you are nearing Abe's Farm so expect a little rockiness on the road.

It was my first time here though I have heard and read about this restaurant from friends and blogs.  I had very high expectation of this place and was thinking this will equate my Bale Dutung experience.  Unfortunately, it didn't.  Well, I should haven't expected it that way as it's wrong to compare them for each have different offer to its diners.  Abe's Farm is authentic Kapampangan food while Bale Dutung is Kapampangan food with a twist,  talking about fusion.



The entrance.



On the way to the restaurant/dining area.



Abe's picture on the left and Sage's picture on the right welcoming visitors in the restaurant.



Being a true-blooded Kapampangan, I can say I find the taste ordinary but very delicious.  Contradicting, huh? Don't be confused.  My family is known to be good cooks except for my mom who's an Ilocano (Hehe! She's good with pinakbet and pork tapa though.)  I grew up tasting loads of food on every occasion especially fiestas and Christmas where I have sampled the dishes prepared by the best cooks in our town as well as have tried numerous restaurants in my lifetime so I can say I can pass as a critic for true Pampango dishes.  So I should say again that the food at Abe's farm is ordinary but delicious.  It's like the dishes were from fiestas that I go to when I was younger.  I miss those days!

The buffet table.



My plate.  I finished all its content! Told you the food is delicious.



My dessert - Ube & Macapuno.  Indeed a tandem!



Me with Sage's parents in cream & white and friends at work.



Aids loves modeling her new bag. :D  Isn't she pretty surrounded with greenery? :D



Lovely couple, Pao and Ambo.  Is the adjective appropriate for them? LOL.



Refreshing and relaxing view of Abe's farm.



I may go back to this place to sample their other dishes and bring some friends or family especially when I want to relax and when I crave  for authentic Kapampangan food.

http://abesfarm.com.ph/