Singapore Eats: Jumbo Seafood Restaurant

Singapore has a special place in my heart because it is the first country I've traveled to outside Philippines!  

It all happened when I was hired by the bank that never sleeps in 1996.  I was part of a Regional Office so my work gave me the opportunity to travel around Asia.  This was actually my first and only job (for close to 13 years) until I "retired" when I got married.  When people ask me how I managed to stay, I just tell them two things:  I love what I am doing and I love the people I work with!  (As Confucius said . . .Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life!)

Soooo going back to Singapore, haha . . . 

One of the first restaurants I've tried was the Jumbo Restaurant in East Coast (thanks to our Singaporean Consultant who has become a dear friend) and the best thing I ever ate during that dinner was. . . Chili Crabs!  It is one of Singapore's most popular dishes.  

There are a lot of places to get Chili Crab in Singapore and I am sure locals (and tourists) would have their own favorite place but I keep going back to the first place which made me fall in love with this dish.

So when we went to Singapore last month, Jumbo was part of the itinerary.  We went there for lunch and ordered the following:

Crispy Fried Baby Squid

Cereal Prawns

I wanted Mom to try the Chili Crab BUT she doesn't like spicy food and I think she won't be able to take the heat so I asked the waiter what crab dish can she recommend that is not spicy.  So she said Steamed or " Sautéed" and I chose the latter one.

When our order came. . . I was surprised to see this!  

I was worried that it might be curry!  So I had a bad case of hearing. . . what I thought "Sauteed" was actually SALTED, haha!  The sauce was made of salted egg.  It was our first time to try this dish too and we loved it!  It is not salty at all, it had a good balance.

And of course, we had to order the famous. . . Chili Crab!

Finger lickin', lip smackin' good!

Don't forget to order Fried Mantou with your Chili Crab!  They are good in itself but best with the Chili Crab sauce.  The sauce is savory, spicy. . . I don't know what goes in the sauce, it is just packed with flavor!  Whoever invented this should be given a National Award, haha!  Sorry, wasn't able to take a photo of the bread because we were just too excited (and too hungry) to eat!  But they look like this . . . 

Image from www.yelp.com

You need to dunk (not dip, but dunk!) these bread on the sauce and savor the goodness of both.  Heaven!

Oh and if you're wondering what the kids had, they enjoyed the Yang Chow Fried Rice.

My mom has such simple taste which actually makes it harder to please her when it comes to food, haha!  But I'm glad she enjoyed eating at Jumbo and was happy with the freshness of the seafood.

I know writing this post would kick in cravings for some seafood goodness. . . I think I should start looking for places in LA where I can get some Singapore Chili Crabs!

For more details about Jumbo Restaurant and its other locations, please visit their website.

Our Favorite Hotel in SG: Swissotel The Stamford

As I've mentioned in my earlier post, we (Hubby and me, the kids, my Mom and my sister) went to Singapore for a short vacation before going back to LA.  

My sister and I thought it would be good for Mom (and for us) to take a family trip.  First, we just want to give her a break from everything (Dad's passing  last April and the days leading to that unfateful day).  Second, I want her to experience going on a trip with her grandchildren.  We are sure that Daddy would like Mom to take this trip.  

And guess what, he had a way of telling us he totally agrees with our idea. . .  there was a rainbow to welcome us in Singapore!  Deep in our hearts, we felt it was his way of saying that he is watching over us.

Hello Daddy!!!

As seen from our room . . .

I got the opportunity to try this hotel the first time when I went to Singapore for a business trip (years ago, when I was still working).  I love the location of the the hotel!  There are more than enough places near and within a good walking distance from the hotel where you can dine and shop.   The hotel is in a complex which includes the Raffles Shopping Centre and another hotel, the Fairmont Singapore. 

All the things you need as a tourist are at an arm's reach . . .  a grocery, a food court, a pharmacy, money changer. . .  and the best thing I love about the hotel is there is an MRT train station just outside of it which makes things really convenient!  

The Hotel Lobby

We booked through www.agoda.com.   We used Agoda because there was a promo for BPI credit card holders at that time.

We got a Grand Room (which we were able to try the last time my sister and I went to Singapore) because with 2 toddlers in tow, we need some extra space!

Our room has a contemporary design.  What I love most about it is it has a sitting area and two balconies.  I just wish though that the sitting area came with a long sofa just like what my Mom and sister had in their room.  

All Grand Rooms are situated at the corner of each floor.    

The bed may just be the kids' favorite part in the room!

Can you tell?  Haha!

They always woke up at the right side of the bed during this trip!

As for the bathroom, it was okay, it was clean, I wish it was just bigger.  

When I stay at hotels, I don't take anything from the mini-bar.  But sometimes, I just had to have a can of Diet Coke, haha.  So I take one from the mini-bar and REPLACE it before Housekeeping comes in the next day.

But having a fancy electronic mini bar like what they have in the room means my thing won't work, haha!  

We enjoyed our stay in this hotel because of its excellent location and the nice staff we've had the pleasure of dealing with.  We will definitely go back to Singapore (for more food tripping) and stay in this hotel. . . which I am now officially claiming as our favorite hotel in the Lion City.  

Oh and there is a Starbucks and McDonald's (which is open 24 hours) outside the hotel. . . which make things sweeter!  Haha!

Of course, I got to have Twister Fries!!!

For more details about the hotel, please visit their website.

Swissotel The Stamford Singapore

2 Stamford Road

Singapore 178882

Tel. (65) 6338 8585

Fax (65) 6338 2862

Starstruck in LAX

Hello Blog and Hello dear Readers (aka my family and friends, haha!)!  I've missed you!!!

Things have been hectic since my last post.  Had some things to do and settle, errands to run, managed to take a trip to Singapore with the family and now, guess what. . . we're back to our second home, LA! (I call it our second home because Philippines will always be our first home)  

It has been two weeks now and we are slowly getting into our rhythm.  There are still 2 boxes left unpacked but those can wait (heehee).

We took a 1AM flight from Clark (this international airport was near our city) which had an 8 hr layover (I know, 8 hours!) in Incheon Airport (Seoul, Korea) and then the travel time from from Seoul to LA was less than 12 hours.  Having two toddlers on a long haul trip isn't easy but I'm glad the kids were manageable (meaning I didn't have a meltdown, haha) during the trip.  

Do you know what was the highlight of our trip?

It happened in LAX! (getting giddy again just thinking about it!)

I got . . . .STARSTRUCK!

Image from www.dreamstime.com

When I see paparazzi photos of Hollywood stars taken in LAX, I always wonder why I don't get the chance to see them in the airport considering I've been going to LA since 2008.  Tough luck I guess!

Oh but wait, there was one time!  I saw Mr. Big. . . Carey's Mr. Big!  I remember seeing him wearing a blue Hawaiian shirt, a far cry from his character in Sex in the City!  Haha!  

Well what do you know, my luck has changed!

After we got our luggages from the carousel, we were about to go through Customs when a lady from the airport told us to take the "Special Lane".   I guess seeing a couple, with a toddler and another one sleeping in the stroller managing 2 carts (we had 5 luggages) qualifies you to go in the special lane, haha!  She saw me pushing a cart and hubby pushing another one PLUS a stroller at the same time.

So I was walking with our little Princess and Hubby was behind us when he called me.  So I turned around and saw a ground stewardess (I think) in red (my best guess, she was from Cathay Pacific) ushering a lady who I though looked like Angelina Jolie. . . 

I continued walking and felt I had to turn around again, haha!

OMG. .. . it was ANGELINA JOLIE!!!  

What made me sure that it was her?  She was with a young man and recognized him as one of her adopted children (not sure if he was Maddox or Pax),

I am sorry. . . I have no pictures!  Starstruck!

But she wore a brown trench coat similar to the one pictured below, with her hair neatly tied back in a pony tail and was wearing brown Aviator-like sunglasses.

Image from www.peoplestylewatch.com

After a few steps, I turned around (again! haha) and saw the stewardess pushing our stroller which made it easier for Hubby.  As hubby told me later on, he had a 3 second moment with Angelina Jolie, hahaha! She told him and I quote "Let her help you" . . .yes, she volunteered the stewardess to help us.

Having a family of her own and travelling with 6 kids all the time, I think she knows that it's not easy, haha!

So I stepped aside, waited for Hubby and let them pass through first (they were in a rush), thanked her and gave her a smile.

I found her prettier in person.  Her aura exudes a sense of inner peace and calmness.  She radiates such grace and kindness and THAT to me, makes her more beautiful.  

Thank you Ms. Jolie for the kindness and the patience you have shown our family.  I will always remember it.


By the way. . .

Which do you think is cooler . . . Brad Pitt being there or Angelina Jolie pushing our stroller? 

Haha!  

In my dreams. . . 

LA Eats: Mama's Lu Dumpling House

This gloomy weather (we have been getting rains this week) makes me lazy, sleepy and makes me want to eat!  Rain and food just go well together!  Haha!

This kind of "bed" weather calls for something hot and piping!  So I thought of sharing with you this place we went to in Monterey, California called Mama's Lu Dumpling House.  

*(Okay, the Grammar Nazi in me would say, it should be Mama Lu's but I am writing the place's name the way it was posted on the restaurant's door, haha)

Image from this blog site

We had Xiao Long Bao . . . 

They were okay, but I prefer Din Tai Fung's because I like their dumpling's skin/dough better because it's thinner.  (You may read about by dining experience in DTF here) 

And Spicy Wontons!  I love spicy food but they weren't kidding when they said spicy!  These were so spicy that I wasn't able to enjoy them as much as I want to!  If you have a high tolerance for spicy food, you would love these!

And for our picky eater, we ordered some Yang Chow Fried Rice

We also tried one of their popular dishes, Deep Fried Fish with Seaweed which was good!  

We also enjoyed the complimentary peanuts they served.  The peanuts are mixed with some salt and sugar, something new in my book.  We were about to finish ours when I remembered to take a photo of it, haha!

Personally, I would go to DTF for my Xiao Long Bao and Spicy Wontons BUT I want to go back to Mama's Lu to try the other items in the menu!  They have a pretty extensive menu!  Yep, there's more to them than XLBs and Wontons!  Their other popular dishes include the Beef Wrap and Green Onion Pancake.     

What is also nice about this hole-in-the-wall place is that their food (which is flavorful!) . . . is not reasonably-priced. . . because it's cheap!  Prices range from $5-6.99!  (Not $7. . .but it's $6.99! Haha!)  It is probably one of the inexpensive dining places we've been to here in LA.  

Good food, extensive menu and excellent prices only  mean one thing. . . .MUST.COME.BACK!

Mama's Lu Dumpling House

153 E. Garvey Ave., 

Monterey Park, CA

Pampanga Eats: Matam-ih Restaurant in Clark

Something serendipitous happened last Sunday.  I was supposed to go to Manila to visit my Ninong and Ninang (our godparents in our wedding who are such a lovely and loving couple!) but guess what?! They were in Clark (which was a 30 minute drive from our home) for the weekend!  Talk about perfect timing!

So I was going to meet them in a restaurant which sounded like (because I wasn't sure, haha!) "Watami" (though there is really a Watami restaurant in Makati, haha) in Clark.  After a few turns and U-turns (and a Ninong who stood by the road to give me an easier time finding the place!)  I finally got to the place!  It sits on a lot by the main road of Clark (along M.A. Roxas Highway).  It is ironic how friends from Manila are the ones who told me about this place!  Wait, but I have an excuse!  I've been gone for a year and the place just opened last August 2014.  (Heehee)  

The name of the restaurant is. . . MATAM-IH!  And it serves Kapampangan food!  (But it does sound Japanese right?  Haha!)

Matam-ih means "delicious" in the Aeta (pronounced as Eye-ta) dialect.  The Aeta are an ethnic tribal minority group who live in Central Luzon.  The restaurant actually employs members of this tribe.  I've read in some articles online that one of the reasons why the owners (the Rodriguez family of Capas, Tarlac, led by Mayor Antonio Rodriguez Jr. and his son Antonio "Third" Rodriguez III) put up this restaurant was to give them source of livelihood.  A big population of this tribe can be found in Tarlac.  I love how the owners kept this ethnic group in mind as they conceptualized the restaurant. 

MATAM-IH is an open air restaurant with a pavilion-like structure. 

The restaurant also has air-conditioned rooms like the one pictured below which is good for 16 guests and requires a minimum consumption fee of Php 4,000.  The fee includes 3 hours use of the room. 

There is also a bigger one (good for 60 guests) with a minimum consumption fee of Php 10,000.

Our sumptuous lunch consists of . . . . 

Fried Hito with Mustasa and Buro (Fermented Rice with fish)

Inihaw na Liempo - loved this!
Wish it came with sawsawan (dipping sauce) made of vinegar and garlic, heehee

Begukan Babi (Pork Binagoongan) - 
It is also good, it has a nice balance of sweetness and saltiness

I am not sure if this is Pinakbet or just mixed vegetables, haha!  I like how the vegetables were cooked, they weren't mushy.

Adobong Pusit (Loved this! My top pick, reminds me of home)

We (meaning 6 adults! haha!) also had Sinigang and Laing (which was also good!).  I wasn't able to take a photo of the other food because we were busy catching up!

We also got a chance to talk to one of the owners.  She was so nice and pleasant and she even gave us free dessert!

By the way, I'm not saying everything is good because we had free dessert. . . but because we really enjoyed our lunch!  (Thank you again Ninong D and Ninang A for the nice lunch!)  

Manggang Atin Inangit

This dessert was delicious!  It is made up of sticky rice cooked in coconut milk, topped with vanilla ice cream, chunks of yellow mangoes and I forgot what the brown topping actually is.  I asked what it was.  But it is sweet, like caramelized brown sugar, I think.

When you dine in this place, you will also be serenaded (singing and chanting) by this group.  Kindly watch and give them some of your precious time and hope you spare some tip for them too.  It is not easy performing in front of a group! 

They ended their performance with funny pick-up lines for each of one of us in the group like this one:

Q: Ma'm, google ka ba?

Bakit?

A: Kasi lahat ng hinahanap ni Sir, nakita niya sa iyo!

Haha!  

I love this place because food and service is good!

When you are in Clark and you are craving for some local and Kapampangan food, please visit Matam-ih Restaurant and I hope you enjoy their food as much as we did.  

I know for sure, I'll be back before I leave for LA! 

MATAM-IH Restaurant

Lot 1-D, M.A. Roxas Highway, 

E. Jacinto St.,

Clark Freeport Zone

Pampanga

For more details, please visit their FB page.

What's in my name?

Compared to my last name when I was single (made up of 9 letters), my married name is shorter (5 letters!) and easier to spell.  I am sure people who know me will agree!  Haha!

But there are still times when people don't get it right.

Two years ago. . .

Same place. . . last week.

Billion. . . De Leon. . . .

Yes, they still don't get it! Haha!

Pampanga Eats: Meat Plus Café and Cookbook Kitchen

One of the things I am thankful for in my life is having a sister.  Here is a fun fact for you (I think I've mentioned this in an earlier post), we share the same birthday.  We are not twins. . . we were born six years apart.  I guess our Mom thought it was cool for us to have the same birthday, haha!  

I don't know exactly when we got closer but I am sure glad we did!  We love each other but if there's one thing she hates about me. . . it is the fact that I was the one who chose her name!  She wished I did a better job in doing so, haha!  (Sorry sis. . . at 6 years old, I had a limited choice and didn't know better!  But kudos to our parents for the vote of confidence, haha. . . For the record, her name is not bad at all!)

One of the things I love doing with my younger sister is having spontaneous lunches (besides shopping, heehee)!  And this is one of the things I truly miss doing since moving to LA last year.  Now that I am home, you can say we are making up for it! 

Here are two places which we have visited in the past weeks:

MEAT PLUS CAFE

I have been hearing about Meat Plus for the longest time from family and friends who frequent Subic. It is even hailed as a Subic landmark!  Luckily, I don't have to go there as we have one right here in our city.

If it's your first time to try this place and you don't know what to order, I suggest you go for the BBQ Pork Ribs because it is consistently good.  

I know. . . the presentation and plating can be better.  A side of veggies would be nice right?  This dish tastes better than it looks!  The meat is so tender and moist and the BBQ sauce is sweet and tangy. . .like a mild American BBQ sauce. 

My sister got a Cheeseburger.  It was not bad but I will get my burger somewhere else.

And we tried their Steak too.

I should have ordered it medium-rare (this was well-done).  The meat was a little bit chewy.  The best thing about this plate. . . the mashed potatoes!  Because it was made of real potatoes!  I enjoyed it though it needs a little more salt.  Well, less salt is actually good! 

Someone was really happy with what is in her plate!  

I think they used bowls and not scoops for the ice cream!  Haha!  For Php 160, I think it is reasonably-priced.

It is a good place to eat because there are more than enough choices in the menu.  You can also buy your preferred meat cut from their ref and for a minimum fee (I think around Php 150-200), they can cook it for you.

It was just my first time to try this place but I'll be back to try the other items in their menu. =)

Branches:

1) 6 Sampson Road

Subic Bay Freeport Zone

Zambales

2) G/F Northwalk III Building

Manuel A. Roxas Hwy,

Clark Freeport Zone

Angeles City

3) G/F Kingspire Business Centre

Km 71 Mc Arthur Hi-way

City of San Fernando, Pampanga

********

Revisiting COOKBOOK KITCHEN

The first time I tried Cookbook Kitchen was in their original branch (a hole-in-the-wall type place which added to its charm) in Mandaluyong.  I heard from the waiter though that this place is now closed.  I remember the best (and most popular) dishes we tried were the Pork Steak with Honey Mustard Sauce and the Parmesan Crusted White Fish.  For dessert, they are known for their Kittin's Scarlet Cake.

Today, I have a new favorite dish and it always, ALWAYS hits the spot for me!

Pasta Adobo!!!

If you like Adobo, you will love this!  And don't get weirded out that you are eating it with pasta noodles, haha!  It has fresh tomatoes, pork adobo flakes and garlic bits!  Yummers!  

Another family favorite is their Fish and Fries which comes with 2 dipping sauces: creamy pesto and spicy red wine (I think. . .sorry Mommy Brain moment). 

We also tried their Coffee Musdslide (okay, I'll be honest, it's either Mudslide or Mudpie!  See, it was so good that we forgot the name, haha!)

Reminiscent of Friday's version

This place is cozy, a good place to get some comfort food and offers good service from its staff.  I am sure I am going back for some more of that Pasta Adobo and MORE from its menu! 

Cookbook Kitchen

Greenfields Square

Km 76 McArthur Hi-way

Sindalan, City of San Fernando,

Pampanga

Cookbook Kitchen

Libis Eastwood Mall

E. Rodriguez Jr. Ave.,

Bagumbayan, Libis, QC