The Sandwich Guy

This was a deal we got for free! Because L kept on using different email addresses to gain us "referral points", we didn't have to pay a single cent to avail this coupon. The deal was from cashcashpinoy and it was "199 for 1 Big Time Sandwich, 1 order of Any Pasta, Baked Potato and 2 Drinks at The Sandwich Guy (valued at P400)". We actually had forgotten we had this coupon but luckily we were able to remember and redeem one fine afternoon after L and I hit the gym.

L with his signature pose while waiting for our food

Upon ordering, we were suprised at the amount of food that this coupon comes with. To be honest, depending on one's appetite, the food might be able to feed three. We had a big sandwich, pasta, baked potato and drinks of our choice. L opted for Fit and Right while I chose Minute Maid. I have always thought they will just give us a a drink in a regular sized cup.

Food didn't look like much from this photo but I tell you, L and I weren't able to finish them all. Talk about CARB OVERLOAD!

We chose the Creamy Carbonara and I, personally was disappointed. The sauce was almost non-existent! We had to add the "falling meat" from our sandwich for this to taste better. We wonder if Spaghetti with Red Sauce would have been a better choice. Anyhow, the lack of taste in their pasta was very well compensated with the Baked Potato. We chose bacon and cheese, this was soooo good! L and I loved it the most. We will try their chili con carne and cheese variant next time.

TSG Big Time Sandwich (130php)

TSG Big Time sandwich is a double decker with 3 choices of delis (although I don't recall them asking us which we would like), 2 slices of cheese, tomato and lettuce. This was good and would definitely be enough for Lunch.

Everything was prepared here in their open kitchen

Overall, we will definitely come back for their baked potato, maybe for their sandwich and definitely not for their creamy carbonara pasta. Haha!

The Sandwich Guy

SM North Edsa - The Block

Cybergate Tower 1 

McKinley Hill 

Total Corporate Center 

Sun Plaza Building 

Pacific Star Building

Robinsons Summit Center 

Eastwood City 

Net Plaza Building 

One E-com Center - Mall of Asia 

Strata 2000

White Beauty: Ventoza + Massage

After hitting the gym, L and I decided to avail the coupon we have bought a few weeks back at Ensogo, P300 on Ventoza plus Body Massage choices of Enhanced Swedish, Chinese Reflexology or European Massage at White Beauty Face and Body Center (valued at P750). We called earlier to have a reservation but no one picked up so we went there without reservations and had an earful with the front desk ladies telling us that we should have called first. We explained we tried calling but no one picked up, we called around 1pm and they told us that during Wednesdays they open at 1pm which could have been the reason they missed the call. If you ask me, I really think they are just making up excuses.

This was the "waiting lounge" in front of the two locker rooms side by side, one for male and one for female. Take note, locker room. It is as big as the massage cubicles and this is where you will change clothes as well. They also have 1 comfort room/shower room, talk about space saver!

The hallway. At the right side are the cubicles. I was informed they do not charge extra for using the couples room.

At first, we felt kind of bad because the voucher clearly stated that the coupon we purchased was valued at 750php. Their 1 hr. massage is 350php while 1.5hrs is 450php and 15min ventoza is 300. They told us that what we will be having is a massage and ventoza (all in 1 hour!) Do the math, its not worth 750php as the voucher claimed it to be. When we asked about this, they told us there must have been an error on Ensogo's system. Next, we actually had no choice on which type of massage they will be doing, they did not even ask so the "choices of Enhanced Swedish, Chinese Reflexology or European Massage" was missing yet again. We felt like the deal was misleading and would not be what you expected. The only consolation we has was that our masseuse were both really good! 

White Beauty Face and Body Center

West Ave. Branch, 82-B. West Avenue, Quezon City 

Contact Nos.: +632 492-8049 or +63922-8488463

Upper Ground 19 Cityland Shaw Tower, Mandaluyong 

Contact No.: +632 914-5063

Chelsea Market and Cafe

L and I joined a Bazaar last December which turned out to be an Ultimate Fail (Read: ZERO foot traffic). Organizers seem to have lacked advertising and were to arrogant to admit it. We were traumatized, we vowed not to join a bazaar again. Hahaha! We were lucky that we didn't have to pay for the entire booth's rent since we had the booth split into two. Chaos inevitably happened as all concessionaires had lost patience. They were trying to buy us off with gift certificates as everyone were asking for a refund. I knew they would not give refunds so I had my hands on all gift certificates I could get. Bwahaha! I got 2,000php worth of gift certificates from Ardere Skin and Body Clinic in Ortigas, that were to expire on April 15,2011 so we availed whatever service we can. 

Since we are already in Ortigas, we have decided to avail yet another voucher we availed from cashcashpinoy. This was for a 53% off (470php for 1000php) worth of food and Drinks at Chelsea Market and Cafe in Podium.

Chelsea Market and Cafe in Podium, Ortigas

The place is really really nice. L actually thought it wasn't a restaurant because at first glance, all he saw was the "market" part of the restaurant. The servers had cute outfits, they were like modern marketers (if there were such a word. haha!) I especially liked their Pluie-like boots.  

We were sitting near the bar and the different alcohol bottles caught my eye. Spot the glass container near L's beautiful head. :) That's a huge glass filled with choc-nut! I kind of wished they give those away to customers for free, but that did not happen so I guess they are a part of their menu somewhere.

Focaccia Bread with whole clove of Roasted Garlic (I thought it was a corn!) (Php 0.00)

Oven Roasted Seafood and Tomato Pasta (Php 495)

This was super delicious! Everything was perfect. Even the shrimps were so fresh! Any pasta lover cannot leave Chelsea without tasting this!

Hickory Smoked BBQ Baby Back Ribswith braised Asparagus and wild rice Pilaf (Half Slab - Php 695, Full Slab - Php 1100)

Even this was awesome! The meat was so tasty and the wild rice pilaf adds texture and flavor all the more. 

We were really very happy with the food and their service. One thing I hate most is always having  to ask for water refill when I am so thirsty! Most of the time, servers even take so long to respond. Haha. This didn't happen at Chelsea at all, half empty glasses are refilled automatically. Service was excellent, Food was excellent. We recommend everyone to try them out.

 Chelsea Market and Cafe

The Podium, Ortigas

Serendra, Fort Bonfiacio

Puerto Galera

L and I decided to go on a weekend getaway as soon as it hits April and because we both love the beach, Puerto Galera seem to be a clever choice since it is only hours away from Manila. We rode Jam Liner (+/-3hrs) and got off at Batangas Pier, from there we rode a Ferry (+/-1.5hrs) going to Puerto Galera. We opted to ride Galerian Lines and we don't know if all Ferries are like this but it took forever for us to depart. They kept on waiting for passengers to the point that even though we were booked for 9:30am, we left at around 10:30am already. We have already purchased roundtrip tickets prior to this incident and sadly, even our return trip from Puerto to Batangas Port took so long to depart. We vow not to ride Galerian Lines the next time we visit, we hope other ferries stick to their schedule. Sabang and White Beach were our choices but have chosen to go to the White Beach instead since this was the place frequented by locals. Sabang on the other hand were flocked by tourists.

Upon arrival, there were still a lot of vacancies because it was still a weekday (we arrived Friday). Prices were almost same for all 1,300-1,500php/night. They insisted that come the following day (Saturday) there would be a lot of people already that is why they cannot give the rooms at a lower price. We initially planned to stay where L have stayed before but they can only give us one night. Since we are staying for two, we have decided to stay on Orchid's Lodge, a place nearby.

Sign was so and hidden one can easily miss it

Our room had a queen sized bed, TV, and A/C. Just the basics but was good enough for 1,300/night.

What we liked best was it's location. See the steps of stairs on the lower left? That's our room. Literally a stone's throw away from the beach. I think it's almost impossible to get a room beach front due to the number of restaurants and bars occupying the area.

Puerto Galera is the place for budget travelers. Everything is very reasonable. Rooms as I've heard are way cheaper during off peak season. The price we had was their peak rates already. 

What's for breakfast, lunch and dinner? Ihaw-Ihaw. You will see a lot of this when you visit.

Want to try something different? Turon with cheese (15php). This was okay, more cheese would have been wonderful!

The water was clearer than I expected, I have heard not so good feedbacks about the beach. I was very pleased when I saw the place, it was like a mini Boracay. Residents there, surely know the flow of people because come Saturday, the amount of people seem to have doubled. Not excessively much though, just noticeably fuller.

Friday

Saturday. See how much more people there is? There are more people by the shore than those on the water probably because the water is so so so cold! 

L and I trying to fight the cold. It was like swimming in a bucket of ice!

Overall, Puerto Galera is a nice place to relax and unwind. When you visit, do not forget to try their own island mix called Mindoro Sling. Tastes like four seasons but with a super strong kick!

For more information on Puerto Galera and accomodations visit http://www.puertogalera.org/