The Hardest Working Restaurant Manager is Now in the Philippines

4000 Restaurants Cannot Be Wrong!

WOULD it not be great, as a restaurateur, to know how many diners will be coming, what time, and what will they be having? No more surprised and terrified kitchen staff and only satisfied diners.

ResDiary provides a web-based reservation and table-management tool to restaurant operators in over 4,500 restaurants, in 17 countries, allowing them to take online bookings through their websites, Facebook pages and through Twitter as well as by telephone and to process walk-in bookings.

With ResDiary.com now available in The Philippines, restaurateurs now have an efficient system that allows them to allocate reservations in a way to make most effective use of the tables available and capture customer contact details and other data of the customer.

The system offers restaurant executives the ability to manage table reservations using laptop, iPad or even a smartphone or to even e-mail or text to confirm customers’ reservations, remind them 24-hours before and request a review afterwards on a responsive micro-website.

Since its launch in September 2006, ResDiary is widely employed in United Kingdom, Ireland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, The Netherlands, Portugal, Italy, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand and United States.

ResDiary is charged for on a flat monthly fee basis, with no additional charges for bookings taken through the restaurant’s website, Facebook page, Twitter account or through www.booktoeat.com the portal operated for ResDiary customers by ResDiary. 

For more information on our restaurant reservation system please give us a call at 0925.5002659 or visit ww.ResDiary.com

Hanamaruken Ramen

Recently, I've been waking up to the cold weather here in Manila that almost feels like December. I felt like I'm in Tagaytay and I actually like it. :) This kind of weather made me crave for foods that are hot.. like soup.. and noodles.. and.. RAMEN! I've noticed that a lot of ramen houses were sprouting everywhere. Recently, a new ramen house opened in Trinoma where Ramen X is used to be located (which is now relocated in Eton Centris), HANAMARUKEN RAMEN. 

Hanamaruken originated from Osaka which is one of its favorite places for comfort food. It has over 40 branches in Osaka but thankfully we won't have to go there to try out their ramen as we already have it here.

Whenever I step inside a restaurant, the first thing I notice is their interiors. With Hanamaruken, it is mostly wood and iron. I love their minimalist take on it. Maculine with a touch of feminine artistry. :)

Kitchen utensils hanging that seems like they are suspended in the air.

Now time to try their ramen.

Signature Happiness Ramen, P480
A Shoyu Tonkotsu ramen topped with a large section of a tender, slow-braised pork rib that is their best-seller. No wonder, I love how tasty and soft their noodles is. The pork rib is so tender and flavorful that you know it is cooked for a long time. You can ask for an additional soft-boiled egg too. :) 

Pot Belly Ramen, P380A Shoyu Tonkotsu ramen topped with medium-sized sections of roasted pork belly.

Curry Tan Tan Mien, P320
Tonkotsu Ramen with sesame paste and curry. Perfect for curry lovers with a spicy twist.

Chasyu Ramen, P280
Shoyu Tonkotsu Ramen with slices of braised pork belly

Edamame (Soybean), P130
First time to try this. Salty and spicy.

Ahhh soo good! Although to be honest, their ramen seems to be a bit salty for me. But their noodles are well-cooked and the pork are soft and tender,  full of flavor with every bite. A bowl of ramen is actually good for sharing. It's also my first time to try Edameme so my friend and I searched on Youtube first on how to eat it. Haha Newbies! :)

As what Hanamaruken says, we deserve a bowl of happiness. :)

HANAMARUKEN RAMEN

Location: 2F Garden Restaurants, Trinoma

Official Website: www.hanamaruken.ph

Facebook: Hanamaruken Ramen Philippines

Twitter: Hanamaruken_PH

Instagram: @Hanamaruken_ph

I YAB U! Yabu: House of Katsu

Recently, an online friend (because we haven't met personally...yet) from abroad came back for a short stay here in the Philippines and because I was so excited to finally meet her, we decided to meet for dinner at SM North. When I saw Jen, the first thing I told her was that she is prettier in person! We were at first kind of shy with each other but then being friendly that I am (and she is too), we felt at ease. :) And before we start with our catching up and some girl talk, she told me to choose what restaurant we'd try. I chose Banapple not because I haven't tried it yet but because I wanted her to try it. Unfortunately, the place was crowded and we were on the waiting list. So then we decided to try YABU. I've heard good reviews about them and would want to find out what the rave is all about.

Inside, the restaurant looks spacious and neat that might be perfect for business-related meetings or romantic dates. Very Japanese that it also has Manga posted on the walls. I like it :)

Our Yabu experience started out with a bowl of sesame seeds. One of the waiters approached us and explained to us how to grind the sesame seeds and add your choice of sauce right after. According to him, you have to grind the sesame seeds well to let out the flavor. It smells good too. Then you pour 2 or 3 scoops of their Tonkatsu sauce in it. Too bad I wasn't able to take a picture. 

Sesame seeds after grinding

Different Japanese condiments to choose from. Photo from Yabu's official Facebook page

Whenever I try a new restaurant, I always ask for their best sellers. For Yabu, I tried one of their best seller, the Rosu Pork Set. It comes with small bowl of fruit, pickles, chopped cabbage, Japanese rice and soup.

On the other hand, Jen tried their Chicken and Seafood Katsu Set. Yum!

The katsu tastes really good and is soft too. I love that it is cut into small slices. They also serve unlimited rice and cabbage. I think I ate too much cabbage that I felt too full to have a second round of rice. Hehe It's a good thing that they have very friendly and accommodating staff. We didn't even have to ask for water refills because as soon as our glass were empty one of them would be present to refill it with water. Same with the cabbage and rice too.

Jen and I, ready to indulge the food in front of us! Hehe

In general, we had a good dining experience. We were able to catch up with each other's lives while enjoying the delightful food in front of us. I'll be coming back soon to try the other katsu sets! I YAB U YABU! :)

2013 year-ender post

2013. WOW. Looking back, this year has been one hell of a roller coaster ride for me. I laughed, cried, gained new friends, people who left and who came, felt stressed, angry, afraid, confused and a whole lot of emotions but what's important are the learnings that I gained along this 2013 journey.

WORK/CAREER

At the start of the year, I felt really blessed to be starting work at a hospital because I can finally practice my profession even for only a year of contract. I worked at Valenzuela Medical Center as RN Heals (program of DOH for nurses). I learned a lot from a year's experience of being a nurse. I overcame my fear of numerous procedures and was proud that now I can do it on my own. More than that, I met my workmates that has been more like a family to me. I am thankful for because of them, work has been fun and less stressful. :)

HEALTH

It was also this year that I felt like I was given a second life. It was around April when I experienced a severe allergic reaction that resulted to very swollen eyes and to almost anaphylactic shock. Thankfully, I was at the hospital that time and my co-nurses were very quick to respond. My asthma was also triggered (last asthma attack was in high school) I think maybe because of work that I almost quit my job. But thankfully I was very okay now with the help of meds and rest. Health is wealth so we must really take good care of our health.

TRAVEL

For the whole 2013 I have only travelled once because of my busy sched at work but I swear it is one of my most memorable trips ever! My bestfriend, Joanne and I went to CEBU with a limited budget but we were able to enjoy it to the fullest! Getting away from the city and all the stress from work and school for Joanne even for just a few days is pure bliss. Exactly what we needed. :)

RELATIONSHIPS

My relationship with friends and family this year has been healthy. I was able to maintain that strong bond among my closest friends and catch up with friends that I rarely see. I also gained new set of friends from work which became like a family to me. :)

 On the other hand, I guess I'm not too lucky with romantic relationships this year. Hehe Two heartbreaks in a year? Tough. But I guess that's God's way of helping me realize who's worth keeping and who's worth letting go. It might be hard but still thankful that I have experienced the most difficult and most heart-breaking heartbreak in my 24 years of existence. I learned lessons I would never have learned if not for that. :)

MONEY

Money... come and go. Hahaha :))

It's so nice to reflect once again on how my year has been. Mixed emotions in going through all of the things that has happened may it be good or bad, it shaped me on who I am today. 2013 may not be my favorite year but this is definitely the year that made me stronger and made me get out of my comfort zone. The year that made me the happiest career wise, but then the saddest because of the people I lost along the way. What's important is that I have no regrets on one single day that has happened.

And with this, 2014.. I'm so ready. :P

Bar-B-Skew: Eat All You Can Skewers Buffet

The busy streets of Manila is not complete without vendors selling street foods almost anywhere. I remember back in my college days, after watching an el cheapo movie (Php25 only!!) we would go straight to eating street foods such as isaw (chicken or pork intestines), kwek-kwek ( quail eggs wrapped in orange colored flour batter), fish balls, kikiam and many more. Simple things that make us happy. Hehe

Speaking of street foods, a Southeast Asian inspired street food restaurant opened recently along Tomas Morato with its very catchy name Bar-B-Skew owned by Wero Doma. Upon entry, the place looks stylish with built-in pipes on top of every table. It looks neat and well-furnished.

They have the buffet counter which serves different kinds of dish to fill in your stomach while waiting for your chosen Bar-B-Skewers to grill. From isaw, barbecue, cream dory, liver,  marshmallows, vegetables and fruits. I just wish they have more choices though.

 Each table has its own built-in charcoal grill. No need to worry about the smoke because it all goes up to the built in pipes located above each table.

My pick! Chicken and pork intestines, barbecue, liver and marshmallows. :)

 While grilling, you have to bask your skewers into different choices of flavors that I miss to take a picture. Anyway, they have a variety to choose from such as ginger sesame, sweet, sweet and spicy, garlic butter, and hot pepper. I chose the sweet and spicy.

The restaurant is an eat-all-you-can buffet ranging from Php299 to Php349. Lunch Buffet starts from 11am until 5pm for P299. Dinner Buffet starts from 5pm until 12am for P349. Midnight Buffet starts from 12am for P299. Perfect for barkada! You can Bar-B-Skew all day long. :)

I enjoyed a lot that I can't wait to bring here my barkada and workmates too. It's just a perfect place to hang out, catch up while waiting for our bar-b-skewers to grill. :) Check out the links below for details.

Facebook: Bar-B-Skew

Instagram: bar_b_skew

Address: UG03 CTTM Square 68 Timog Ave Cnr Tomas Morato, 1103 Quezon City, Philippines

Contact Number: (02) 4128661

Operating Hours: 11am-2am Monday to Sunday

Pamper time at Luxe Aura Nail and Face Studio

Ever since I started working as a nurse, stress has been a part of my everyday life. Giving care to loads of patients is very rewarding, but can also be really exhausting most specially if you are working in a public hospital. Having a shifting schedule can be hectic too that's why sometimes I can't squeeze in a day to go out and have a "ME time" as what they say. So having been invited by a friend to spend a day full of pampering is definitely what I needed to hear! Even if I came from an 11pm til 7am schedule that day and I have no decent sleep, I still said yes. :)

The place responsible for my very relaxing afternoon is the Luxe Aura Nail and Face Studio located along Dona Soledad Ave. in Paranaque. The interior of this nail salon looks simple. It gave me an elegant and classy feel. The owners, Dr. Angel and Eric Bandola came up with this design so as not to scare the males (who would like to pamper themselves too) with furniture and ambiance that looks "too girly and kikay".

I noticed that their staff was too polite and all smiles. They made us feel really welcome. Ms. Dolly was assigned to me and she is too kind to answer all my querries. I like her. :)

I was offered to try the Espresso Foot Spa. Oohhh I smell coffee! :) 

Because the owners were doctors, they were very particular about sanitation. The nail files and other things used for manis and pedis were sterilized. Being a nurse, that's a plus for me and more reason to come back here. :)

The Espresso Foot Spa is a 7-step process which includes the Callous, Scrub, Mask (for 15 minutes), Cleanser, Oil, Butter, and Mist. 

Ahhh I loveeee it! I felt so relaxed and finally my feet feels fresh and free from callous! Hehe They also offered us coffee/tea. I lack sleep so I chose coffee.

I love how they have colorful sets of nail colors to choose from, plus different brands too. :) Some of these were Zoya, OPI, Morgan Taylor and Magnetto.

Since I'm a nurse and we're not allowed to have nail polish on our nails, I decided to be a little pasaway and tried OPI's liquid sand in light pink. I love it! My nails felt like they have sugar on them. Haha

I chose a beautiful blue color for my feet but because I have ugly feet, no pictures to share. Haha :) They also let me try their Muscular Foot Paraffin. I was not prepared because it's too painful but very rewarding by how your feet feels so relaxed after! No pain, no gain as they say. :) 

My tired hands and feet from everyday work finally had their chance to be pampered. They also have other services in reasonable prices so you might want to check their page on Facebook. :)

Facebook: Luxe Aura Nail and Face Studio

                Dona Soledad Avenue Better Living, 1711 Paranaque

                Open from 10:00 am until 10:00pm