Workday Lunches: My idea of a Happy Meal

My Cafe Med Appetizer sampler with Kofta, Baba Ganoush (ahem, mine's better haha) and falafels-->One of my favorite things to eat EVER.

Had this for lunch sometime last week. I'd eat it more often but eating here gives you the most bangin' garlic breath- not a very good look haha!

Cafe Mediterranean is located on 2/F Alabang Town Center

Kitschen Confusion: Is it a banana or a weapon?

I just had to share this craziness with you!

I walked into the kitchen and saw these insanely GIGANTIC bananas. That is NOT a table knife, it's a chef's knife!

Still don't believe me? That's a TOASTER behind the bunch of bananas.

This is probably the best photo--Not only is it bigger than a 750ml wine bottle, it's just as fat too. 4 people could share this one banana!

I'm sorry but I'm just so amazed!

Traveling Tummy: Beach Grub

A word of advice: When in Boracay, Eat Local.

The little mom n' pop spots on the island are being invaded by franchises like Starbucks, Yellow Cab and Shakey's. Why anyone would go all the way there to eat that is beyond me. Especially when there are so many island-grown establishments that are REALLY good. If you are worried about price, there is something for everyone, and one of my favorite spots is the very tasty, very wallet-friendly SMOKE.

Smoke is a little hole in the wall spot in one of D'Malls little turns. You can easily miss it but it's to the left of the big Andok's

Our photographer, Pao had Bulalo. I had this before and it's really good on a cold beach night. Ok, so it was 3 pm but it was really gray and windy the whole weekend.

Then we shared this sizzling bulalo. Oh-my-god. Garlicky goodness. I heard they have crispy bulalo too. Madness.

I had the salpicao- which I always get. Can't go wrong with this for P99 pesos. I think they cook it in butter too for extra flavor. It's actually best to go here late at night in that moment between being drunk and a hangover.

Smoke is located at D'Mall, Station 2, Boracay

Out of the Kitschen: Truth

I don't spend ALL my time eating.

Untitled from Sarah Meier Albano on Vimeo.

Listen to me and my girls as we ramble for roughly 8 minutes... Don't worry, it's good stuff :)

Sarah-sarahmeier.tumblr.com
Danielle-trustme-itsparadise.blogspot.com

Traveling Tummy: What breakfast should always look like

The "Braz"-- sausage, scrambled eggs, garlic potatoes and toast with butter and jam.

Pain Perdu minus the bacon with a side of tapa and fruit bowl.

This was what breakfast was like at Ti-Braz over the weekend.

Now back in the city, this is what I had for breakfast today:






Yep. NOTHING. Sadness.

Kitschen Chaos: My very first Crepe

While hanging out at Ti Braz in Boracay, I casually mentioned how cool it looked to make crepes and how I wanted to make one. My friend and manager of the place, Danielle was like "Go ahead and make one" which of course excited me and scared me at the same time. The people that make them make it look so easy but I knew mine would be a mess.

So, Sarah, the enabler that she is (Hi Sarah! haha) said she wanted a crepe and to make one for her, so I gave the list of ingredients I wanted and went behind the bar.

As expected, my first attempted was disastrous. haha. It's harder than it looks!

My second attempt was waaaay better. Ok, that's a lie. It was better, but not by much.

First four layers-- ground beef, emmental, garlic and tomatoes

Last few layers--- bechamel, basil and parmesan cheese

I cheated my way into making it look awesome!

About to serve it to my favorite taste tester, Sarah! (sarahmeier.tumblr.com)

Ta-daaaaah!!!!

Visit Ti Braz for crepes on the island! If you're nice and make pa-cute, maybe Danielle will let you get behind the counter too! Oh and their breakfast is awesome here.

Ti Braz is located next to Cafe del Mar (With the big mermaids!) between Station 1 and 2. 50% off on all crepes every Tuesday!

Workday Lunches: Cafe Mary Grace

I usually bring my own food to work, but there's days I just can't be bothered to prepare anything or I forget and end up walking over to Alabang Town Center to eat.

We were gonna go get pho but I got sidetracked by the possibility of my favorite ensaymada at Mary Grace. Never tried their food before but I'm glad I did now!

Mary Grace has the whole nostalgic,wholesome thing down pat, with little notes from customers under their glass tables. So cute.

Started with the Onion dip served with cassava chips. This was amazing. It had the texture of kropek (prawn crackers) but made of cassava. The dip was filled with caramelized onion flavor mixed with cheese. I could have eaten just this.

But no. Despite the fact that I am leaving to go to Boracay this weekend, I still insisted on eating pasta- as if I haven't been eating enough!The pasta serving for the Pasta Vongole looks small and you at first will feel like it won't make you full, but halfway through, I was stuffed. (I still finished it though)

My workmates Trina and Tanya both got the chorizo and olive pasta. I think I want this next time.

My girl Margaux got this cream dory pasta with creamy leek sauce, or something like that. She said it was good, but also heavy.

A nice way to spend a Wednesday lunch hour (followed by Sebastian's ice cream)

I never even made it to my ensaymada!

Cafe Mary grace is located at Ground Level, Corte De Las Palmas Alabang Town Center.
Tel: 384-0129 / 828-8476