Trying Out Chinese and Japanese Foods: Little Kodo and Shangkee

I've been gaining weight lately. I know, I know.. I've been eating a lot and visiting Buendia Food by the Court every now and then but ain't got no complains, people! I loved eating there anyway. 

One thing I'm hooked about this food park is the global twist with the food stalls that are present in the area.  Like when you're in the mood to try Japanese foods, your taste buds yearns Chinese delicacies or you're just hungry and want to try something new. Whatever you feel like eating or whatever floats your boat, there's 20 stores to fill your hungry tummy! 

For this blog post, I'll show you what my favorite foodies from their Japanese and Chinese food stalls! 

Shangkee Chinese Buns Delicacies

Everybody knows Siopao but have you heard Chinese people’s staple food, Cuapao? You'll miss half of your life if you won't discover this, I tell you. It’s an all-day meal: for breakfast, lunch, snack or dinner - anytime of the day! It’s very handy that you can just grab a bite anywhere you are. 

The next best thing is the price! It's only 150php - so worth it for a Jumbo Cuapao!

You can choose between Crispy Chicken, Peppery Beef, Chicken Teriyaki, Pulled Pork, All American, Ham and Cheese and all-time fave Classic Pork Belly! 

Classic Pork Belly

Christine Choco 
Co-owner of Shangkee

I want to try their ham and cheese on my next visit! Who wants to come with me? *happy dance*

Follow their IG at: @shangkeebunsph

If you're into Japanese foods, there's Little Kodo at this food park!

Takoyaki  P70

(Japanese Balls) Minced Veggies with bits of Octopus) 4pcs

My pick from them is the Takoyaki! It’s Siksik and sulit! It’s soft and tasty too. You know, I’m very picky whenever I eat Takoyaki since some Japanese food stalls doesn’t have much fillings inside. I tried a LOT of it from different stores from anywhere already (It's my go-to food, btw) but this one from Little Kodo is definitely one of the best I’ve tasted. 

Okonoiyaki  P150

Japanese Pancake (mixed veggies with bacon)
My second fave! Everyone should try this.

Ramen P150 

pork or chicken noodles with creamy soup

Ramen, Donburi, Gyoza, Sushi and other Japanese streets foods are there waiting for you too! 

Owner of Little Kodo

FB: Little Kodo

Look no further and visit everyone's fave food park, Buendia Food by the Court. I can't wait for these two stores to expand and grow to different branches and reach the South too! (I'm from the South,fyi)

Will you be visiting Shangkee and Little Kodo soon? Tell us what you think and drop a PM!

Buendia Food by the Court is just 10 minutes away from the Makati Central Business District. Buendia Food By The Court is located at 24 Sen G. Puyat Avenue corner Bautista Street, Brgy. San Isidro, Makati City. 

It's open from 5pm - 12mn

There are spaces for parking, no need to worry. 

Monster Energy’s Conor McGregor Two-Division UFC Champion

Monster Energy’s Conor McGregor Makes History By Knocking Out Eddie Alvarez to

Claim His Second Title and Is the First Fighter to Become a Two-Division UFC Champion

 Monster Energy’s Tyron Woodley Retains His Welterweight Title After Majority Draw in 'Fight of the Night'

New York, NY – November 14, 2016 – Monster Energy’s Conor “The Notorious” McGregor backed up his boasts and made history by knocking out Eddie Alvarez in round two, and winning the lightweight title to become the first UFC fighter to hold two titles simultaneously at the highly anticipated debut at historic Madison Square Garden in New York City. In addition, teammateTyron “The Chosen One” Woodley retained his welterweight title after fighting to a majority draw against Stephen Thompson. 

The featherweight champion, McGregor added to his legacy and legend with a wholly dominant victory, knocking out Eddie Alvarez at 3:04 of the second round to become the lightweight champion at UFC 205 at Madison Square Garden, before his adoring and rabid Irish and US fans. 

Ariany Celeste

The monumental sell-out event headlined by McGregor will go down as the biggest event in the history of MMA with record-breaking crowds and box-office records for UFC and Madison Square Garden now that UFC is live and legal in New York.McGregor delivered with a shockingly lopsided destruction of highly skilled veteran opponent Alvarez. 

A confident Alvarez came at McGregor (21-3 MMA, 9-1 UFC) with early low kicks to start round one, but as he advancedMcGregor countered with his deadly left hand and promptly dropped Alvarez to the canvas. While Alvarez sprang to his feet, his confidence was clearly shaken and McGregor’s Octagon control and accuracy would lead to two-more knockdowns in the first three minutes of the fight. 

 Alvarez (28-5 MMA, 3-2 UFC) narrowly escaped round one, and McGregor opened the second with a stinging left hand. “The Underground King” kept his feet under him, and for a moment Alvarez had some momentum landing a right and bullyingMcGregor against the cage. McGregor’s superb takedown defense and a quick reverse of the fence spelled the end for Alvarez. McGregor assumed the center of the Octagon and countered an Alvarez strike with a debilitating left cross and picture-perfect combination, putting the

lightweight champ to the mat with a TKO stoppage.

In typical McGregor fashion after the fight he reinforced what he’d stated before the fight that he wasn’t one bit surprised and “they are not at my level.” 

“They have to have size, reach, length…you have got to have some attributes.  If you come in any way equal to me I am going to rip your head off, it happens every time. “Eddie is a solid competitor, Eddie is a warrior, but he shouldn't have been in here with me and that's just the truth of it,” said McGregor.

McGregor announced at the post-fight news conference he is expecting his first child in early 2017 and intends to take a break until then.

Octagon Girls

          

Welterweight champion and Monster energy athlete Woodley retained his title as he and challenger Thompson fought to a majority draw and ‘Fight of the Night’ award. Woodley who came in as the belt holding underdog caught Thompson with hard strikes and took him down for most of round one, landing vicious ground and pound with both fists and elbows.

In round four Woodley knocked Thompson down and looked like he was in route to a TKO stoppage until sinking in a deep standing guillotine on Thompson, and then taking that guillotine to the ground. Amazingly, Thompson survived Woodley’s choke and controlled much of the fight when the two warriors were on their feet. The judges ultimately scored the five-round fight 47-47, 47-47 and 48-47 in Woodley’s favor resulting in a majority draw. UFC President Dana White said, “An immediate rematch makes sense.” This is only the third time in UFC history that a title fight ended in a tie.

Conor “The Notorious” McGregor and Tyron “The Chosen One” Woodley are Monster Energy’s elite UFC athletes along with Chris “The All American” Weidman, Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone, Dominick “Dominator” Cruz, Jon “Bones” Jones, Daniel Cormier, Ronda “Rowdy” Rousey, Cain Velasquez, and Anthony “Showtime” Pettis.

For more on Monster Energy’s MMA athletes visit http://www.monsterenergy.com.

Eau Thermale Avène for my Sensitive Skin

Mosquitos always bite me. My skin reacts so much when I'm exposed to pollution, dirt and even with products not suitable for me.

Back in my teenage years, I had this skin allergy hence, my derma told me to be very cautious when I'm outside. And since I have a hypersensitive skin, I'm also careful in choosing products for my skin. I make sure that I'm very persistent with giving my skin a whole lot of TLC it deserves. 

Last month, the leading French dermo-cosmetic brand, Eau Thermale Avene officially launches its latest offering. They had this #KeepCalmLoveAvene booth at SM Makati City. It's week-long event and shoppers can also participate in their photo contest. They can get to win Eau Thermale Avene products too! How cool is that?

with Mr. Air Urquiola

There's also a free derma consultation from their booth.

Here I am, attentively listening to Dr. Gaile Robredo

I religously apply and tried the products they gave me for a month before making this review. 

I'm loving it, so far! and I can really attest the goodness of this product.

They advice me to spray Eau Thermale Avene's Thermal spring water before and after I apply my make-up to make it last longer. You just have to wait until it dries up on your skin and ta-daah!

It instantly became my go-to makeup buddy. 

So amazing that it also doesn't have an expiry date! So good to be true but it's really pure! :)

I also brought my Eau Thermale Avene's Skin Recovery Cream with me at my Masungi trip! I applied it to my irritated skin whenever it gets red from something. (Yes, I'm sensitive like that but I still have the guts to wear shorts, Lol.)

 Eau Thermale Avene's Lotion gave me that radiant feel outside. It's very gentle with my skin plus it's fragrance-free which I love!

Try this awesome product too and visit their branch at Greenbelt 5, Mercury Drug in Glorietta 3 and SM Makati Department Store. 

You may also visit their official FB page at https://www.facebook.com/EauThermaleAvenePH/

Cibi Deliziosi a VERACE!

Ciao! 

Bongiorno a tutti! 

South people, hear ye! I have discovered a very posh, Italian restaurant with sumptuous food just right next to us -- Verace Ristorante Italiano! Last week, I was invited to experience a night in Italy together with my boyfriend Zoilo, lovely bloggers Pauline, Andrea and partners from Zomato. We arrived quite early and took advantage in capturing the restaurant's very cozy place! We were welcomed by two gorgeous ladies, Rachel Allen and Ms. Monica.

Ms. Monica, owner of the restaurant

Rachel Allen, Ms. Monica and me :)

The restaurant's name is Verace, meaning authentic, genuine and real. Ms Monica's husband, Chef Giovan brought Ischia, Italy's true Italian taste in the resto. And when they say authentic, it really is pure from Italy - not Italian-Amerian or Spanish-Italian.

Very cozy place! According to them, they will still replace the furnitures and stuff. Yet, this 2-month old restaurant already has that Italian vibe! They also have free wifi, clean restrooms and bar area outside so you can drink all you want accompanied by good music in the patio! hehe!

Not to mention, a very reasonable price!

Some of their guests in the patio 

JD, Vodka and Bacardi from the bar area.

Photo with the two lovely owners of Verace! Yay! :)

Chef Giovan and Ms. Monica

Tetris inspired wall stirred by their love of the Tetris game! 

(very creative DIY)

the very pretty, Rachel Allen

She's professionally trained with a background in bartending! She worked before in Tgifriday's, Starbucks and Chili's - no wonder she has an exceptional service!

nice  and approachable partners from Zomato Philippines

pretty bloggers Pauline and Andrea

At first, I thought we're just going to be served by few set of foods but to my delight, we're able to taste ALL of these!

Appetizers:

Melanzanie Ripiene (Rolled eggplant, cheese and fresh tomato sauce)

TBh, this one is my personal favorite! The eggplant + cheese + tomato sauce combo is just superb!

I can eat it with rice, actually! haha :)

Parmigiano Fritto (Deep Fried Italian Cheese)

This one is new to me. From the first look it looks like a chicharon but after I've tasted, I knew it's really authentically made. I forgot to ask what Italian cheese are these but it's very soft and tasty (not too salty)!

Calamari Fritti (Fried Calamari)

Ohhh! I love their version of fried Calamari! It's very crisp, flavorful and the dressing, just uhhhmmm so good!

Yummy appetizers!

And now, we're all ready for the... *insert drum roll*

PASTA!

Linguini Allo Scoglio

(Classic Napoli spaghetti with fresh seafood, in homemade tomato sauce)

I'm honestly not a fan of tomato based pastas but since this recipe has seafoods in it, this one is an exception. So forgive me if I ate too much of these! (guilty, haha) Definitely a must try since the basic flavors of tomato never overpowers the genuine flavor.

Spaghetti Alla Norcia

(Sausage, white cream, garlic and cheese)

The plating doubts me if I'll be the first one to try. It's so pretty delish to look at! And btw, white sauce pasta entices me! Okay, it's clear, I;m not on a diet that night. 

I would definitely recommend this one if you want a light meal or maybe you can order a bread as well?

Risotto (Italian rice with parmigiano cheese, garlic and white wine)

I just took a small portion, because it's rice people! But wait, I took another spoonful. I'm sorry, Chef Giovan really knows how to entice our taste buds!

I'm quite full already but Ms. Monica brought another set of food, Oh my, pizza!

From the moment I saw her, I did wonder how did she maintain her slim figure when surrounded with great foods! 

Four Cheese (Mozarella cheese, parmigiano cheese, asiago cheese, and pecorini cheese)

I actually looked for the menu + prices after I tasted Four Cheese, honestly. And to my delight, 12-inch pizza costs 200 to 355php only! Very affordable, eh? Try their thin crust pizzas, guys! Trust me, delicious is understated!

Tartufata (Cream truffle, eggs and mozzarella cheese)

Sunny side-up egg in a pizza? Oh wait, I thought it would be weird to eat it but okaaayyy, I ate my words. It’s yummy!

Pizza Insalata (Mixed greens, olives, and shredded meat topped with feta cheese)

For those healthy eaters, I recommend this pizza! And because I still have an egg hang-over, I immediately took the part of the pizza where there’s hard boiled egg in it! Hihi!

We still had time for a short chatting while waiting for the main course. We learned that most of the ingredients are not just bought somewhere but is carefully and meticulously ordered and is acquired from a direct seller so it's 101% fresh! We also learned their backgrounds and it's amazing how these couple started putting up a food business with pure dedication and love of making good foods. I believe they will definitely get more recognitions in no time!

Master chef Giovan's feature at Inquirer.net

Pollo Alla Verace (Roasted chicken with herbs served with bucket of potatoes)

We were already full but we finished everything in this plate. Why does this chicken tastes so good! The herbs and spices made it more flavorful.

Dessert

Panna Cotta

They served us the chocolate, caramel and strawberry Panna Cotta! 

I've been to various Italian restaurants but this one is the BEST. okay, no sarcasm included. really the best. Come and see fo yourself! 

So if you want to taste the authentic Italian foods I've been raving about, come visit

Verace Ristorante Italiano!

They're located at #43 Rose Ave, Pillar Village, Las Piñas

Yes, it's in the south! Go visit with your friends and family :)

I'll be making a good food review in Zomato's app soon!

You should download this app, guys! It's very helpful specially if you want to know more about the shops/foods near your current place. More about Zomato on my next blog :)

Bulging tummies, uhmm we don't care! So here's a photo op from us 

minus the drool worthy foods :)

Can't wait to be back!