Drive In and Dine In

          The last thing you'd probably find on this blog is a post about a carwash but I like the idea that this car wash not only serves cars but human bellies as well. :D

          Excluding those located near commercial complexes, there's one particular car wash along a busy highway usually just passed along by cars that offers a bit more convenience than most of its kind. Drive In Car Wash is considerably a new car wash on the block, having just opened last year. It is owned and managed by three senior entrepreneurship students from the University of San Carlos.

         Drive In Car Wash is a complete car care facility which provides customers with three services: exterior car washing, interior cleaning and car detailing. They use top quality products like Mothers and Microtech.

 



click to enlarge

        But the extra feature of this car wash is what sets it apart from others. It has a small dining area, catered by Pakals, a canteen whose main branch is located along Gen. Maxilom Ave. (commonly known as Mango Ave.), where you can comfortably indulge in some affordable yet filling home-cooked snacks or meals while your car takes a shower. Now, you don't have to suffer boredom while your car is being pampered.

 



          The weather can't stop you from cleaning your car as well. They have a rainy day package for only P99 so you can still enjoy a sparkly clean car from the inside, which is what matters anyway. :D

 

       And true enough, the early bird gets the worm. FREE coffee for early birds all week! From 8 - 10 AM. 

             So, if you often pass this area, don't forget this thoughtful car wash. Click on the photo of the map to enlarge. :)

FOR UPDATES:

Facebook: DriveInCarwashCebu

Twitter: @DriveInCarWash 

Instagram: DriveInCarWash

(Vlog Series) The Cooking Fashionistas: Episode 1

          Issa and I have been working on two projects together this year -- a blog series, When Food and Fashion Meet; and a vlog series, The Cooking Fashionistas. Our first post for When Food and Fashion Meet was published earlier this month, and now finally, the FIRST EPISODE of our vlog series is out! 

         So, what's this vlog series about? Well, if you can't decide which you love more -- food or fashion -- this is the perfect series for you! Basically, this concept is a product of Issa asking me to teach her how to cook, and me, asking Issa to teach me a thing or two about fashion tricks of the trade as well. Watch the video below and see if I'm right. ;)

        Lemme just fill you in on the recipe featured in the video and how to make it:

Ham, Mango and Cheese Quesadilla

w/ guacamole and fresh tomato salsa 

Ingredients:

1   pack          soft tortilla (up to you if you want 6" or 12")

1   small bar    Eden MeltSarap, grated

1   pack          King's Cooked Ham, sliced into half

2   whole        ripe mango, sliced

1   small stick  Magnolia Butterlicious

(for the guacamole)

1      whole   ripe avocado

1/2   pc        lime/calamansi

                   salt

                   black pepper

(for the tomato salsa)

5   whole    green tomatoes, de-seeded and diced

1   whole    red onion, chopped

2   tbsp       olive oil

1/2 pc        lime/lemon

                 salt

                 pepper

Procedure:

1. Make the tomato salsa and guacamole first:

          (for the guacamole)

              - Mash the avocado in a bowl with a fork.

              - Squeeze out the juice of half a lime or lemon on the avocado.

              - Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.

          (for the tomato salsa)

              - In a bowl, mix together diced tomatoes, chopped red onion, olive oil  and lime/lemon juice. 

                 - Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.

 

     2. Assemble the quesadilla on a plate in this order: 

                 

                        tortilla

                        grated cheese

                        sliced ham

                        sliced mango

                        grated cheese

                        tortilla

       3. Heat a teflon pan or grill pan or grill. Melt a bit of butter to give your tortilla that grilled look. 

        4. Cook quesadilla on both sides; at first, browning one side, and then browning the other until both are of crisp perfection.

        5. Slice on a chopping board and serve on a plate with guacamole and tomato salsa.

         Just 5 easy steps! If Issa can make it, so can you! :D

If any of you will try the recipe at home, it would be great if you could post pictures on my fb page: facebook.com/babeforfood

  For the fashion d-i-y, just visit my crazy little friend's blog, issaplease, and be amazed at all the wonders this girl could do to your wardrobe or style. 

We'd like to thank Ejay Williams of Zage Media Productions for being so kind to shoot this episode for us and offered us his home for the set. I wish I had his kitchen. I DIIEE at the beauty of it. :D

And special thanks to Rachel Arandilla and Luis Quibranza III for being mechanical and moral support through the cameras and all. 

I hope you liked this post and I hope you'd look forward to the next episodes of The Cooking Fashionistas. 

Don't forget to like and share the video ad subscribe to our channel. Thank you! 

The Cooking Fashionistas Vlog Series

Hey, foodies!

        If you've visited this blog earlier this month, I just started a blog series collab with my good friend, Issa Perez of issaplease.blogspot.com, called When Food and Fashion Meet. Well, that's not the only collab we're doing... 

        We're also launching a vlog series together, entitled "The Cooking Fashionistas", where I teach Issa how to cook and she teaches me some d-i-y fashion tricks. She is after all my ultimate fashion guru. :D

          So, this vlog series is both for foodies and fashionistas. If you love to cook in style or love looking as good as the food you eat, or if you love cooking or food as much as fashion, this show is for YOU! 

        Fortunately, for this project, we have our great friend, Ejay Williams, to help us out with the shoot and even offer us his beautiful home and kitchen to cook at! 

          Hope you'll like it! Please do watch for it this week. Thanks! :D

  

Valentines Resto Destinations 2013

           I've been asked by friends and readers recently for valentine resto suggestions. Which reminds me, that day when roses and flowers suddenly pop out everywhere in bouquets is fast approaching; that day when the loveless dread the question "Where's your date?"

          It's always been just another day for me but okay lovebirds, this one's for you. Here's a list of resto's I'd love to be at if I had a date for Valentines. I haven't made reviews for some resto's yet though so I just added links to other awesome bloggers who did. Hope this helps! :)


1. Tavolata -- the Italian love affair

           Design Center of Cebu, A.S. Fortuna, 
         P. Remedio Street, Mandaue City, Cebu 
         Tel: +63 32 505 6211

(photo by jinlovestoeat)

          Who can't fall in love with Italy and not to mention, her food? Tavolata is the closest you can get to a romantic Italian setting with their perfect ambience and menu. The ladies will surely be swept off their feet and forget they're even in Cebu. PLUS, get this, NO SERVICE CHARGE. Now you're in love? 

           I dream of dining here myself someday. <3

            Visit  Jin loves to eat for a preview of the divine dishes and impressive ambience you'll find here. 



2. La Maison Rose -- pink is the color of love

        371 Gorordo Ave., Lahug, Cebu City 

•     Open daily,  12NN-3PM, 6:30PM-1AM
•     Tel: (+63-32) 268-5411

(photo by Brave the Waves)

           The color of the house alone is biased to feminine appeal but classy guys know this is the place to take a lady for that intimate and romantic date just like the movies. 

Review: Brave the Waves


3. La Tegola (Busay)

           Upper Busay, Cebu City (right before TOPS)
         (032) 419 2220

(photo by: http://cebu-life.jugem.jp)

               Feel the cool night breeze on top of Cebu with heartwarming Italian food to cozy up to each other. This place is always part of the list for Valentine destinations. 

           Sorry, I couldn't find a nice and elaborate enough review for this but try checking out cebu-life.jugem.jp.


4. Blu Bar -- just say "Yes!"

        Penthouse, Marco Polo Plaza, Nivel Hills, 
        Lahug, Cebu City
        (032) 253-1111 loc. 8245 or 8305 

(photo from marcopoloplazacebu.com)

            Of course, who could miss the Blu Bar, an awarded best resto in the country. At 1,000 feet high above Cebu, the girl of your dreams will definitely hold on to you (because she's scared of heights). But really, this place is a famous spot for marriage proposals as well. Take her here for some serious wooing. 

        Take a closer view at iluvcebu.com.


5. Maya 

           Crossroads, Banilad, Cebu City
         238 9552, 238 9618
        11am – 2pm, 5pm – 12mn
        www.mayacebu.com

(photo from theabacagroup.com)

             Maya has been ringing in Manila ears as the best Mexican resto in the country. Who could expect less from an Abaca resto? Maya will surely warm the ladies' hearts. 

      Take it from Tales from the Tummy!


6. Tinder Box

           Archbishop Reyes Avenue, Corner Bauhinia Drive

        Banilad, Cebu City

          (032) 234-1681 to 83

               This is one of the best places to have cheese and wine in Cebu. A resto that lets the food do the talking. Read a quick review by dinneratsixthirty.com
7. Rica's

            #1 Paseo Saturnino, Ma. Luisa Road 

         (032) 236-3562

photo by: stylesamurai.blogspot.com

                 Dine in classic chic interiors with heartwarming food where you're away from the other buzzing resto's around town. One of Cebu's best kept secrets. ;)

                Try some recommended dishes from diningcebu.com. 


8. Bellini

           Bellini Champagne Bar/ Anzani Restaurant
         Panorama Heights, Nivel Hills
         Lahug, Cebu City
         +63 32 2327375

photos by: stylecebu.com

           Most women can't resist champagne and this matched with a beautiful view of Cebu. One of the most romantic spots in Cebu. Take it from stylecebu.com. 


9. Lantaw

          Day-as, Cordova, Mactan
        (032) 514-2959/09236522270

          Busay, Cebu City  
        Operating Hours: 11:00am-11:00pm (Monday to Sunday)

        Contact number: (032) 511 0379 / 09339505323

Lantaw Floating Native Restaurant
photo by: beautyofcebu.blogspot.com

Lantaw Native Restaurant Busay
photo by: iluvcebu.com

               Lantaw just opened its second branch at Busay, so now you have the option to take your date to a nice view of Cebu's skyline with either sea breeze or mountain breeze. All factors -- ambience, food and view -- set the mood for a perfect night together.          

For a peek into their menu and more details on how to get there, check out: 
iluvcebu.com (busay) and libotero.com (cordova, mactan)

For those who are tight on the pockets... No worries! Here are great places to take your date without looking scrimpy. ;)

10. Simply J's

            10 Apitong St. Cor. N. Escario, Cebu City

          (beside Diamond Suites)

         Operating Hours:   Mon to Sun     11 am - 2 pm
                                                           6 pm - 10 pm

          Contact: (032) 505 8315

          Simply J's is simply elegant and simply perfect for a classy guy who knows how to treat his girl. Read about one guy like this: Babe for Food


11. 10 Dove. St.

             10 Dove St., Sto. Nino Village, 

          Banilad, Cebu City

          (032) 346 0618
          Monday - Saturday   11:30 a.m - 10:00 p.m.

             This place is a staple in the list of Valentines spots. Make your special someone feel extra special with a 3-course meal in a secluded resto with a simple and chic ambience. Perfect for an intimate dinner without boring a hole in the guy's pocket.

Read more at: Babe for Food and iluvcebu.com


12. Jango's -- dinner and movie date in one!

               This is a spot both for the lovebirds and the singles. You can have lunch or dinner here at everything for less than P200 then while the night away with a good movie. Lazy or clueless guys can get away with being smooth and fun here.  
13. The Chillage  -- Shop.Eat.Play!

          G/F Adnama Bldg, Larrazabal Ave., North Reclamation, 6014 Cebu City
          Operating Hours: Tues - Sun   10 am - 10 pm
          Contact: +63 917 704 3827

SHOP

EAT

PLAY

         One of my favorite places in Cebu! Another spot for both lovebirds and singles. All food at less than P200 but without compromising quality. This is a fun and intrinsic place to take your lovely date or friends to hang out. 

Read more at: Babe for Food: When Food and Fashion Meet 1


14. Scrapyard Lounge

             Henry Hotel

    No. 1, Paseo Saturnino, Banilad
    6000 Cebu City

   Tel. +63 32 520 8877
   Fax. +63 32 520 7511

   info@thehouseofcebu.com

           

              Enjoy a sleek interior and comfy yet classy ambience at Scrapyard with live music in the background for that special night. This is a place where conversations just flow.  

The Return of the Grand CHOInese Eat All You Can

            Choi City is the first and only Chinese resto in Cebu I've been to that has divine dimsum. I declare this resto to be a Chinese outlet right out of a hotel because the service and food quality are at par with hotel standards. 

         Choi City offered a shabu-shabu and dimsum eat all you can last year and due to public demand, the two favorites in Chinese cuisine are back for the feasting at the same price -- P398! Such a reasonable price for such a grand feast! When I say grand, I mean GRAND. Expect to find 11-15 kinds of impeccable dimsum! Anyone on a Chinese craving spree can indulge in this grand feast until June 1, 2013. The feast is inclusive of bottomless iced tea, unlimited jasmine rice with a special sauce and dessert!

       If that's not grand enough, Choi City also gives you a chance to win an iPad mini whenever you dine during the Grand CHOInese lunch promo.  

        

            Choi City is now also available for catering needs for any special occasion. There's no other reliable caterer for the perfect dimsum and Chinese cuisine you want for special occasions, especially for Chinese clans in Cebu. With the same great service and food Choi City brings from the resto to your occasion, you can be assured of a smooth and successful reception or party.  

              Choi City catering ensures that they serve quality food by going the extra mile of cooking on site. Both host and guests can then enjoy freshly cooked, warm food the way it should be. Chinese New Year is right around the corner so book that catering now to experience the best of Chinese New Year on a plate! 


*photos from Choi City


Choi City Seafood Restaurant
South Arcade, Banilad Town Centre (BTC)
Banilad, Cebu City

Contact:  (032) 239 0800, (032) 239 0999

Facebook: ChoiCitySeafood
Twitter:  @choi_city 

M Lhuillier Food Products Go Global

         I had the honor of being invited to M Lhuillier Food Products, Inc.'s thanksgiving dinner for the international standard certification of their dried food products one night, courtesy of Dr. Nestor Alonso of Freeman and Patty Taboada of Sun Star. It was held at the Lhuillier's own Filipino fine dining restaurant, Pino!, at Lahug. I was introduced to the royal couple, Senorito Michel and Senorita Amparito Lhuillier. FYI, they are the French ambassadors of the Philippines. It was heart-stopping to actually shake hands and converse (briefly) with these graces whom I only see from a distance during food events at the Marco Polo. They were actually very down-to-earth and accommodating.

Senorito Michel and Senorita Amparito Lhuillier (center) with their son, Charles (rightmost)

            M Lhuillier Food Products, Inc. has been in the export industry with their tropical dried fruit products since 1989 but just recently obtained the GMP (Good Manufacturing Process) and HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) certifications, which deem their standards approvable internationally. They currently export to 11 countries and are  constantly trying to penetrate new market. Now, they can easily export to any country with their international certifications. 

            The only food bloggers present that night aside from myself was Ana Ortiz of The Sweet-toothed Diaries (nice meeting you!), whose blog is part of my blog reads. We were given gift packs filled with the dried food products. Of course, the most popular one is the dried mangoes. 

           I am actually a big fan of dried mangoes and I wish I could have a regular stash of those Belgian chocolate-dipped kinds (too lazy to make my own). I think I've tried all brands of dried mangoes in Cebu so I was curious about this one.  

          They're Dried Mango Delights was my favorite among their products. I was delighted to find that their variety had just the right sweetness to get you eating more. It was also soft to the bite. I love that dried mangoes give us a totally different experience of mangoes -- one of the prized products of Cebu. 

M Lhuillier Food Products are available in Cebu at local grocery stores and souvenir shops. Price range: P10 - P100

When Food and Fashion Meet 1: Shop. Eat. Play

Hello hello, dear readers! 

       I know I've been saying it over and over but I really am and have been so excited about this! And I hope you are, too! If not, I'm sure you will be at the end of this post. ;)

        First of all, let me refresh you on what this little project of ours (with THE Issa Perez) is:

Two enthusiastic ladies exploring the best city in the world, Cebu, on a 

quest to uncover the best places to shop, dine and lounge around.

From hole-in-the-walls, downtown best-kept secrets, 

to fancy date spots and splurge sprees -- we’ll be on it!

         What do you think, eh? Issa Perez has been one of my dearest friends for 6 years now and we've managed to keep in touch and catch up with each other from time to time despite our different lifestyles. She's a dynamic fashion blogger and one thing we both have in common with our blogs is that we cover "Cebu Secrets" in our respective niches -- fashion and food. This detail brought us to the concept of doing a collab for this blog series we named "When Food and Fashion Meet" to offer our readers convenience and something interesting to look forward to on our blogs.   

          So one afternoon, we took to the streets, walking and commuting in jeepneys, to the Cebu Secret destinations. First, to...

Cebu Handicrafts Vendors Association
North Reclamation, across SM North Wing parking lot

How to get here by jeep:
(from downtown) 01K
(from Ayala or Lahug) 04L

         I've noticed this place whenever I pass by North Reclamation going to SM and I also read about it on Issa's blog before. It may just look like a couple of yellow shabby shacks across the North Wing parking lot of SM but it's a haven for tourists looking to buy some local or native accessories as souvenirs and gifts to friends. Issa and I made a mission to buy our own souvenir to remember the first day of our collab -- friendship bracelets!

          All the items sold here are HANDMADE and of export quality yet unbelievably low-priced! You can buy beads here and create your own accessories, too. The things you find here are so much more expensive in the malls and souvenir shops. 

(photo by: Issa Perez)

Mission accomplished!

bracelets @ P10 each!

like grade school best friends :))

          I'll leave it to the fashion blogger to expound more on what you can get here. :))
After that little ocular of the pretty handicrafts, we then headed off to...


The Chillage
G/F Adnama Bldg, Larrazabal Ave., North Reclamation, 6014 Cebu City

Operating Hours: Tues - Sun   10 am - 10 pm

Contact: +63 917 704 3827

Twitter:       @thechillage
Facebook:    The Chillage
instagram:   thechillagestore
tumblr:       thechillage

How to get here by jeep:
(from downtown) 01K
(from Ayala) 03Q to SM, get down at Sun Gold and take a 01K to Cebu Doctor's University 

         I've been so curious about The Chillage since I've seen photos of it on instagram by fellow bloggers and I also visited the stall during Sinulog Blastoff. Issa and I had to WALK around the whole block of Cebu Doctor's University (CDU) before we found the entrance to Adnama bldg where The Chillage is. The entrance was enchanting in itself. 

         A rush of excitement filled me when we got there. I couldn't wait to get inside!

first view as you enter -- the radiant cafe

           Issa and I felt like Alice in Wonderland, finding ourselves in a different world, completely cluttered with quirky things that made our heads spin in amusement and euphoria. We couldn't stop gushing over the things in the shop and the modern details of the interior.

           The concept of The Chillage is, it's a retail store on the front part, a cafe as you go deeper, and a place to "chill" in their own little fun room.  It's a totally wholesome environment, suitable for family, friends, lovers and artists! Their tagline is Shop.Eat.Play. Thus, the title of our first post for our series since it's exactly what we did.  

          The Chillage offers exclusively local products from Manila and Cebu; from accessories, to clothing, to toiletries and what nots. It makes you appreciate local products at a whole new level. 

Lookie what we found!

          They even have free candy. And they taste good! :D

           I have to mention, I'm a fan of pretty restrooms, and so far, this is THE best in town, hands down! Talk about finding a couch right inside the restroom for your girlfriends to hang out and share beauty secrets while doing each other's make up. :D

         I was just as excited to try the food as much as I was excited about the shop. The menu surprised me by how affordable it is! Everything's less than P200! They have pasta, sandwiches, salad, chips&dips and dessert. I guess they're really catering to the students of the neighboring university. 

Theo & Philo chocolates from Manila! Dubbed as the best by Spot.ph 

             We got their Taparoni (their version of beef tapa and macaroni) and Spinach Dip. Both had generous servings and reasonable prices! It was then that I fell hard for the place. It was so impressive to find that they did not use just ground beef. Now that's an HONEST menu; a rare find these days. 

Taparoni  P130

Spinach and Cream Cheese Chips & Dip  P90

I'm in love :)

The Fun Room

- the epitome of chill

           What a day! I fell more in love with Cebu because of The Chillage and since I love it so much, I'll be making a separate post about it. This post is getting so long. Haha. 

            So, that was it. Hope you guys enjoyed it as much as we did! Next post for the series will be out next month, March 2.

             Please visit Issa's blog for her take on that fun-filled day. :D