Sunday today, a needed break from the computers, from the TV, from the house. We strolled inside Glorietta to find lunch. Italianni’s was full house so we decided to eat at Dulcinea.

Dulcinea’s famous for their Churros con Chocolate and superb pastries since the 60’s.The restaurant’s ambiance encourages long meals and lengthy chitchats, that’s so Spanish-like.

The food was great, but the restaurant in Glorietta feels different. I like dining at Dulcinea in Power Plant, or in Greenbelt 1, service is more prompt and the place is much nicer there. Or maybe, because we were seated by the window and I could not help but be bothered by the passer-bys. Nonetheless the meal was wonderful. We only had Paella Marinera, of saffron rice with variety of seafood; shrimps, squid, and fish. The waiter informed us that there would be no shells because of the Red Tide. I didn’t know we have a red tide outbreak now. So okay no shells. But I would still go with another shrimp dish, Gambas al Ajillo, which was just perfectly tasteful, and the shrimps were so fat and good. We had complimentary mushroom soups, too, to sustain the hungry stomach for the long, but acceptable, waiting time of our orders. The Banana Crepes closed the almuerzo, and so we are full.

Gracias a Dios por la buena comida.

My Strawberry and Banana Cheesecake at “Heaven n Eggs” earlier today was heavenly. It has eternally been. But today is different, gone are the blue skies and white painted big chairs. For a very long time ’til today we decided to eat at the Glorietta branch, beside Bread Talk. The black, neatly-upholstered sofa didn’t change the taste of their delicious pancakes. As always, I had my graham and banana pancakes topped with whipped cream cheese, and strawberry syrup.

Husband had Angus Tapa and I got BiZtek fillet of beef with soy citrus glazed served with shoestring potatoes. I ordered one big Italian sausage pasta for Daniel, but ended up in the doggybag since he was more interested with my Biztek. The doggy bag was meant for me and/or husband for later to gobble up, of course. Also we don’t have dogs to feed.

I liked the sofa. But the old interior of blue skies, yellow, and white colors’ more cheerful and homey than their dark rockstar theme now. And Pepe Smith’s name on Heaven and Eggs’ new menu design feels weird. I have nothing against him, it’s just that I am not a fan of rockstars, but of blue heavens and good pancakes.

**Glorietta 4, Ground Level, Makati City, Philippines

It was one of the lazy days, when I could not think of anything to cook. But knowing my responsibility to feed my son, husband and I decided to just go out and eat. And then, the next dilemma would be choosing where to sup.

We often passed by this bright yellow restaurant, called Ebun, with golden yellow ornaments all over one wall but most of the time too late to check it out because we’ve already eaten. We usually  dine in any of the restaurants on the 2nd level of Greenbelt 3, or the restaurant rows in Greenbelt 2.

But last Saturday, we decided to give it a try. It was fairly good. And was told that this is one of the most authentic Kapampangan restaurants in the metro. The menu consisted of so Filipino classic dishes, and mostly, Kapampangan. People from Pampanga, a nearby province, is well-known in their unique and delicious specialties.

I ordered for Bulalong Baka with Mais for my son, which was so good. Sugpo with Aligue, Mussel  with Tomato and Green Mango Salad. I love shrimps and prawns, and whenever I see a dish on a resto’s menu I would really try it out. And their Sugpo recipe was amazingly like my Mom’s cooking and i liked it. The taste of Aligue or crab fat sauce makes the shrimps tasteful. The Mussels were average. Or maybe because I didn’t like it with tomatoes. When I ordered for it, I was imagining the mussels in tomato sauce. I think I would like it best with aligue.The Mango Salad was okay, though it shouldn’t  go with the rest of the dishes we had. Mango Salad, or Mango Ensalada, is best for grilled dishes.

We had Buko Salad for desert but I think it was plain.

I’d like to try their other dishes some other time.

Ebun is in Greenbelt 3, Ground Level, Makati City

The Bubba Gump is a great relief to a craving mouth and the hungry stomach. The food are served in large portions to sustain a big appetite. It’s fun dining atmosphere, and the smiling faces of the staff, creates a sense of familiarity. It’s like dining at home in a house that doesn’t belong to you. You’ll get the feeling of coziness from the friendly surroundings. But the decorations marked the name Forrest Gump all over the restaurant. The movie memorabilias , photographs, and even license plates and ping-pongs says it all. Forrest Gump!

The food is so great. For the love of sea food, nothing beats Bubba Gump. I, often, have Bourbon Mahi Mahi. A charboiled cajun Mahi Mahi with Bourbon sauce and shrimp served over mashed potatoes, or rice. Cajun Shrimp. Shrimp sauteed in hot and spicy Cajun butter sauce that you can dunk with garlic bread. Dippin’ Broth, Firepot Mahi, Clam Chowder are also favorites. Not to forget their Calamari and Shack Pasta. And the best smoothie, my Alabama Sweet. The peanut butter taste is so addicting. Little Daniel wouldn’t stop slurping, I’m afraid he’ll get brain freeze. Do babies get brain freeze?

“Stop Forrest! Stop”. If you need anything, pull down the “Stop” plates, the staff will attend to you.

Stop by Greenbelt 3. They’re on the 2nd level. Greenbelt is in Makati, to those who doesn’t know.

Pizza Hut is one of the popular and scrumptious pizza in the Philippines. But this time, it wasn’t pizza we had. Pizza Hut Bistro offers an array of pasta dishes on their menu.

We had pasta Puttanesca and Jambalaya. Jambalaya was tasty with the sweetness and spiciness just right. But, my husband says, he likes Chef d’Angelo’s puttanesca more. The crab roll salad is huge and appetizing.

The Carribean smoothie was perfect. The staff said its one of their best sellers. It’s a blend of banana, kiwi, and strawberries. I just had a grape smoothie, that was also good but not so special.

The Bistro opened, i guess, last year in Glorietta just beside Ascott Hotel (formerly Oakwood). We didn’t get the chance to eat there until now. We often passed the thought because it’s not quite accessible for us. Restaurants outside Glorietta is not quite in our list since its more convenient to dine with the baby just inside the mall, or at Greenbelt.