Lusso by Margarita Fores

After walking around Greenbelt for a while, Joyce, Abby and I decided to have late lunch/merienda at Lusso. We wanted to try something new and Joyce said she read good reviews about the place.

And really, the al fresco dining area did it for us. The place is just fancy!

Potato Chips with Lumpfish Caviar Foam

For starters we had the potato chips. The crispness of the chips combined with the flavorful dip is just awesome. As soon as this was served, we just dug right into it. Yummy! I hope the chips were refillable tho! *wink wink*

Pepato's Braised and Grilled Short Ribs

I'm not really sure if this is the exact name of this dish. (Lol, forgot to take note!) Anyway, we loved this one too. The meat was tender, and all together with the sauce, mashed potato and grilled asparagus it was very delicious. 

Lamb Duet

This was kinda plain to my taste. I love salads and I found this to be a bit lacking on that "freshness" when you dig in to your greens. I've tasted better.

Spinach Taglierini

Joyce said she read good reviews about this pasta so we ordered one, and boy I can finally say I am one with you food bloggers out there! This dish awesome. The pasta was perfectly cooked and the sauce was just amazing, so rich and creamy. 

The food in general, tho quite pricey, was great and delicious. The waiters, in their white suit-like uniform were very attentive and helpful in making our decision on what to order. The place is very elegant and the ambiance is nice, good for hanging out with friends to catch up on each others lives (just like we did! haha ) Will definitely come back, probably at night this time around coz' the place, lit up with its gorgeous chandelier at dark is just beautiful. 4/5 stars for Lusso.

Chili's

Batchmates and I went to Chili's to celebrate our 9 months of being employed! Yay! 

Good food and a-smashing drinks were on our list and Chili's (as always!) never disappoints!

Bottomless Tostada Chips

I guess a table without this all time fave is like life without love, empty and lonely (haha) I believe this makes the whole dining experience complete (and full!) Refillable warm and crispy tostada chips with a flavorful house-made salsa anyone?

Texas Cheese Poppers

These cute little munchkins are so tasty. I loved the zesty chipotle ranch dipping sauce that comes with it as well, very flavorful.

Fajita Trio

Tender grilled steak, chicken and spicy garlic and lime grilled shrimp wrapped up in warm pita bread with onions, cheese and bell peppersYummy!!

Chicken Crispers

My friends loved this one, I didn't taste it though coz I wasn't really in the mood to eat chicken during this time. Hehe

High and Mighty Pie

The dessert didn't really appeal to me on the menu at first, but since Dottie (my friend) insisted we try this, we did and we actually loved it! Its vanilla ice cream piled high on a crushed Oreo and drizzled with caramel and hot fudge.. goodness overload!! :)

Strawberry Daiquiri

Cheers to 9 freakin' months!! 

Chili's is definitely a go-to place for friends who just wants to hang out and enjoy amazing and flavorful fare. The place, though a bit noisy and crowded is great. (Hey, great way to set a fun mood right?!) The service is excellent. 5/5 for Chili's!

Krazy Garlik

I've been passing this place since I was in college and I never really got that interest in eating here. Whenever I see a good place to eat, I make sure that I try it immediately and I get this sort of "I have to eat here!!!" voice in-my-head going on. This however, didn't appeal to me in any way. My mom has been constantly saying she wants to eat here recently and since i'm on a holiday rest today and I had the urge to go and eat out with the fam, I finally gave in. 

Krazy Garlik Lettuce Wraps

For starters, we got their wrap.The filling which consists of stir-fried minced chicken, turnips, coconut flakes, and diced ripe mango with the choices of chili sauce, hoisin, or garlic ranch as dressing, combined with either the lettuce or pita was really tasty. I think the diced ripe mango made this dish extra special.

Zuppa Frutti Di Mari

A combination of mussels, shrimps, clams, fish fillet and pasta in a rich tomato seafood broth they say in the menu. I, however, did not taste any shrimp or pasta in my broth. Maybe they ran out? I don't know. I liked the taste tho (but it would've tasted better with the shrimps and pasta you know!) 

Garlicky Crispy Pata

We did not like this at all, it was too plain. This dish needs a lot of improvement on taste and crispness.

40 Kloves Chicken

It's like a fried chicken with a creamy garlic sauce underneath. Nothing special for a chicken simmered in 40 cloves of garlic. Meh.

The place looks fine. I don't think they have a particular ambiance or theme going on though. The waiters/waitresses were attentive, as all of them are in the "Bistro Group". The food is nothing extraordinary and a bit pricey for the simple taste and little servings. Will definitely not come back. For a so-so dining experience, 3/5 for Krazy Garlik.

Less of me, more of God

I just came home from an amazing worship night at Victory Fort! Its already late but I just can't afford to go to sleep without sharing all the wonderful and beautiful words of wisdom and love God has shared to me today.

Have you ever felt lost? or left alone? Imagine yourself in a barren desert- thirsty, alone and desperate for a sign of life ahead. I believe this is how people feel when they are paralyzed by their problems in life. I know I do. Sometimes, we find ourselves in this situation, kahit ayaw  natin. Lets face it, we're just humans, nobody's perfect and everybody has problems. There will come a time in your life where in you will have doubts, questions and uncertainties and find no one to answer these. 

"The LORD said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have."

Exodus 33:19, NIV

But fear not my dear and remember, that if you have God in your heart, He will declare His presence in your life at your most trying moments. He will be the confirmation that no matter how empty, sad and desolate you are, you will be saved. He will let his goodness flow into your veins and restore you. We don't have to wait to get to heaven to be good and to be renewed kasi andyan na si God oh, offering himself to you. You just have to accept him in your life and in your heart.

^"4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. ⁵ He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” ⁶ He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. ⁷ Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children."

Revelations 21 4-7, NIV

Those who have the Lord with them will lack no things. Actually, He will not just restore you, but He will make you NEW. So, whatever problems you have that paralyzes you, give it up for He will take care of you. Whatever dreams you have, lift it all up to God for He will be the one to fight your battles for you. He will wipe every tear from your eyes, erase every hatred you are feeling and give you a new life. That is His promise, ALL OF THAT and more... you just have to believe and accept Him in your life. Ganun ka nya tayo ka-mahal at ganun tayo ka-swerte na meron tayong God na katulad nya. ❤

I feel so blessed, thank you so much Lord. This day has been filled with Your goodness, a testament of how TRUE and GREAT You are. Thank you for blessing me with friends who keeps nurturing me with Your love and wisdom. For all these Lord, I offer you my whole being. I lift up everything to You- my joys, my sorrows, everything!! Because I know that the more I let You into my life and the less of me will be, the more of Your goodness will flow into me. You are the confirmation of a great life ahead of me. I want to worship you not because of your benefits, but because of who You are- my Creator, my loving Father.

Love you God! Forever and ever and ever! ❤ Goodnight!!

Banapple Pies and Cheesecakes

I've been to Banapple at Ayala Triangle Gardens several times before and their food never fails to disappoint! It has always been our go-to place to eat since its just near CVG when I was still working there, and now MMC. They offer great tasting food in big servings which makes it definitely worth the price. Also, their cakes are to die for!

Super Caramel Fudge Cake

I'm not really fond of sweets so I wasn't expecting to be amazed by their desserts, but OMG when I tasted the super caramel fudge cake, it was pure foodgasm! It has that perfect feel inside your mouth when you eat it, you can taste the chocolate and caramel joining together.. I loved it!

If you look closely, you'll see the melted chocolate dripping from the fork when I scooped it. Its that good!

Old-Fashioned Chocolate Cake

For chocolate lovers out there!

Choconut Oreo Cheesecake

I don't like choconut so I'm not a big fan of this, but my friends say it tastes great.

Asian Sunshine Salad

This is my favorite dish of all. Its fresh and tasty, its actually much better than a kani salad. The sweetness of oranges, the feel of the crisp wonton skins and honey-sesame oil dressing coming together is brilliant! Definitely a must-try!

Banapple's House Salad

This has a lot of going on in it. Mixed greens with corn, cucumber and bell pepper bits, crumbled banana chips, honey peanuts, and mozarella.

Fettuccine Jacintha

Its a delightful take on the classic carbonara, made even richer with herbs.

Chicken Breast Parmigiano &  Migs Gallabergher

Their rice meals come in generous servings so if you feel like eating your heart out, it will surely leave you satisfied. My friend, Audrey loves the Chicken Breast Parmigiano and only orders this one when we eat here. Every single time.

(The burger far back in the picture)

I tried the Migs Gallabergher before and didn't like it. It tasted plain and the chips on the side I think is from Oishi Potato Chips (eeek), so I don't recommend getting this one!

 

Banapple's customer service is nice and the waitresses are attentive. The ambience gives you a homey feeling. I remember hanging out here after work with Gab and Mich. It was pouring rain outside so we stayed longer than usual, unaware of the time, talking, eating and listening to Beatles. It was a lovely experience. 5/5 stars for bannaple!