Hello 2012 & remembering 2011…..

Where I sit, it’s less than two hours before we ring in 2012 … a year referred to with doom by some. Hope not! We remain optimistic and abide by the reference to our Catholic prayer about a “world without end.” After the tsunami that hit Japan in March and the damages caused by typhoons Pedring and Sendong in the Philippines, we can only pray that there’d be no more calamities of such magnitude that will visit us in the coming year.

As we say hello to 2012, am ready to offer a thanksgiving because 2011 was, overall, a good year. There were hurdles but I’d like to believe that the good outnumbered the bad.Here are some highlights of the passing year that I fondly remember:

in Shanghai

1. Travelling for the first time to China where I was awed by the degree of their advancement. I loved the cosmopolitan vibe of Shanghai while relishing the landmarks in Beijing. Two days after the tsunami that swept Japan, we flew to Osaka and I thanked the heavens that the Kansai region was largely unaffected. I was glad to visit the Land of the Rising Sun after five years and it never ceases to amaze me. May was the time I flew to Brisbane, Australia. I still regret not exploring the continent but I savored those few short days enjoying the sunshine and observing the laid back lifestyle in the Gold Coast.

On the domestic front, we went to Tagaytay, Subic, Pampanga, Cebu and Boracay. Had fun staying in topnotch establishments like Hotel H20, Discovery Shores & Crimson Mactan. God knows there are still a lot of places to be explored in these beautiful islands. On my wish list this year are Bohol, Bantayan Island, Sagada, CamSur and maybe more of Palawan. Cambodia, South Korea, Indonesia, Thailand and India for overseas destinations. Am not venturing far coz am really still not over my Asia fixation… yet :)

P1090797

2. what is travelling without food, right? Even so, am glad I don’t have to travel far to tickle my taste buds because the food scene in Manila is exciting as it is. So many restos are opening that it’s hard to keep track. Still, I can’t quite forget the lechon dinners we’ve had at General’s as well as Pepita’s Kitchen and being invited toa.Impressions at the Genting Club of Maxims Hotel, Resorts World Manila.

It was also worth knowing these restos in 2011: Chef Jessie, 2nd’s, Lugang Cafe, Firelake Grill, The Cheese Steak Shop, Zubuchon Cebu, Dolce Vita Manila, Jasmine @ New World Hotel, Vikings MOA, Le Bistro d’ Agathe, Mama’s Boracay, Mama Lou’s Italian Kitchen, Daniele’s Ristorante, Kenji Tei… to name just a few.

It’s worth noting that I don’t get to blog ALL of the food places we go to. Most of the time am just enjoying good ol’ liempo, tapsilog, shawarma, ramen or Indian fare in our southern home base of Paranaque City :)

BYAHILO Year 2011 in Photos Part 2

this is the last of two parts. Here are some photos from my adventures this 2011.

master hopia
What is Pinoy Food?

Biri Northern Samar 00062
Biri Rock Formations

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Read the rest of BYAHILO Year 2011 in Photos Part 2



© Enrico Dee for BYAHILO, 2011. | Permalink | 2 Byahilo readers have made a comment | Add to del.icio.us

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Cioccolata Churros Cafe @ The Bayleaf Hotel Intramuros

I used to work for the newspaper (I still write in!) from 1996 to 2001 and I still remember the one-storey McDonald’s a few meters away that used to be in this spot. Now it’s being occupied by The Bayleaf, the newest boutique hotel to rise in Manila’s historic district of Intramuros.

Bayleaf Hotel Intramuros

I can’t help but wax sentimental, especially since so many places are being torn down in Manila to give way to high-rise condos and the like. But at least, they did a good job with The Bayleaf. Aside from the old McDonald’s, this area used to have only roadside stalls servicing the major universities around (Lyceum, Mapua and the nearby Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila).

I’ve made a mental note to stay in The Bayleaf in 2012 because it looks enticing. I heard that the view from the hotel’s Sky Deck is really good. Their main restaurant, 9 Spoons, also has great ambiance. You can dine here while glancing at Manila’s old landmarks like the National Museum and Manila City Hall with its giant clock.

Cioccolata Churros Cafe

Cioccolata Churros Cafe is the only food outlet I’ve tried in Bayleaf so far. Even though it is only a small spot in the hotel, I give it high points for its coziness. What to eat here? the churros, of course! This pastry of Spanish origin is simply divine when dipped in rich, hot chocolate. The fare they serve in Cioccolata doesn’t fail me in this regard. Only P75 for an order.

Cioccolata Churros Cafe

There are four churros variations to choose from in the short menu. There’s double dip (with vanilla ice cream), the dusted (with sugar) and this churros with coffee caramel sauce which was recommended by the server. Somehow, this fails to capture my tastebuds because am biased towards the one with hot choco which they call the “original.” The churros passes the mark for me though because it is tasty and just has the right crunch. I could linger over lazy conversation with friends while munching this and I wouldn’t mind the passing of time at all :)

Cioccolata Churros Cafe

Aside from the hot chocolate, the cafe serves an assortment of coffee, tea and cold blended drinks. They also have sandwiches but the quality of the bread in their hamwich (P130) left much to be desired. Let’s just say I’ve had better sandwiches elsewhere.

Cioccolata

Having said so, I’d like to try their other offerings like the grilled ensaymada, banana hazelnut croissant, s’mores and cinnamon bread pudding. Since it’s a fairly new establishment,Cioccolata still has room for improvement but I’d like to trim down my expectation especially since their snack items are priced reasonably between P75 and P120.

Mostly, am just happy that there’s finally a quaint coffee shop in one of my favorite parts of Manila. This is the view of the road while am having my coffee.The historic old walls in the background is just precious and makes me think of a time gone by.

Cioccolata

Here is where it all happens. Just keep your conversations hushed, the place is quite small ;)

Cioccolata Churros Cafe

Cioccolata Churros Cafe

Cioccolata Churros Cafe @ The Bayleaf Intramuros
Muralla corner Victoria Streets, Intramuros Manila
Telephone No: +63 2 3185000

Year 2011 in Photos Part 1

The year 2011 is about to end. And before we finally bid goodbye to 2011 and say Hello to 2012, lets take do a recap on where we have been to this year. I’m presenting to you a series of photographs I took this year. This just the first of two parts, covering the first half of the year 2011.

bailes de luces 052

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Read the rest of Year 2011 in Photos Part 1



© Enrico Dee for BYAHILO, 2011. | Permalink | 2 Byahilo readers have made a comment | Add to del.icio.us

WARNING: If you are reading this blogpost outside of Byahilo.com then it is highly possible that this post has been stolen! Report it to us!