McDonald's National Breakfast Day

McDonald's Philippines will be joining the other 5,000 McDonald's restaurants in Asia, Middle East and South Africa for the first and biggest celebration of "National Breakfast Day", which will gonna happen on March 18, 2013.

All McDonald's restaurants serving breakfast in the country will be offering 1,000 delicious McMuffins for FREE from 5:00 AM to 9:00 AM via Dine-In, Take-Out, or Drive-Thru.

Terms and Conditions:

• Coupons for the FREE McMuffin will be given to 1,000 customers on a first-come-first-served basis.
• Coupon must be surrendered to the crew upon redemption.  Redemption does not require any purchase.
• The coupon is valid for dine-in, take-out and drive-thru only.
• Only one (1) coupon will be given per customer.
• Only one(1) McMuffin can be claimed per coupon.
• Only one (1) coupon can be redeemed in a single transaction.
• No coupon, No FREE McMuffin.
• Coupon/offer is not exchangeable to cash and/or other McDonald's products.
• McDonald's reserves the right to refuse redemption if coupon was found to be tampered with.
• Only original McDonald's issued coupons will be accepted.
• FREE product may vary from illustration.  McDonald's reserves the right to replace the free item at its discretion, without any prior notice.

Visit the McDonald's website for the list of participating branches.

Precious Moments with TRT Ladies

Earlier I had a pre-Valentine simple celebration with some Roadtripper ladies.  We headed to my dreamt place, the Precious Moments Showroom.

I've always been eyeing to visit this restaurant before. The venue is just along the way where the provincial buses enroute to the south passes-by (where I live).  What's more attractive than this not little Precious Moments statue that greets you at the entrance.  Also, I've already heard and read many more beautiful stories about it as you get inside accordingly.

Wow! so when I was invited to join the group, I really can't hesitate the idea and went to the metro (one of my favorite things to do, for some shopping as well - real roadtripper a.k.a "lakwatsera" in me).

Precious Moments was created by Mr. Samuel "Sam" J. Butcher.  What began as a mere drawing of tear drop-eyed children as gifts for family and friends evolved now as one of the most recognized forms of art in the world. More than cards and posters that give messages of love, care and sharing, the Precious Moments figurines with over 1,500 designs and continuously growing has also became a hobbyist collection.

Precious Moments in the Philippines primarily engaged in the production of the dolls since 1981, and operation of the restaurant and showroom. In July 2010, the Manila showroom was opened and it now houses most of its collection.  It also serves as headquarters for the Philippine Precious Moments Collectors Club with more than 150 active members.  Worldwide, the Precious Moments Collectors number to over one million.

So finally, I was here enjoying myself with their gallery. I am really overjoyed seeing those cute and lovely dolls and figurines that were created and sold over the years.  Some of them carrying beautiful messages.  This time they have transformed the place from the previous Christmas holiday set-up to the very cozy and romantic mood to suit those who will go on Valentine date tomorrow.  Actually, as of today, we can already see couples and some groups dining together.

So now let me share to you some of the photos I took from their galleries.

As our eyes and spirit truly enjoy the moments and chatted, so our tummies as we feasted on the famous Samburger, carbonara and some delectable desserts.

Can't resist to take home some of these cupcakes as "pasalubong" for my little boy. Sold at P35.00 each and the mini-heart cake which costs P180.00.

Cheers to TRT ladies:  MommyGiay, Jinkee Umali, Aileen Siwa, Joy Felizardo and Aylin Vedad.

photo credit: Aileen Siwa

Precious Moments Showroom is located at 95 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Ave, Palanan (near corner South Superhighway), Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines. Tel. nos. (+632)887-525/387-1092

For more information on how to become a Precious Moments Collectors Club, like them on Facebook or visit their website.

Visit MommyGiay on Facebook and follow on Twitter.

View more Photos HERE.

Reasons to Visit Isdaan Floating Restaurant in Laguna

One of the most visited place here in Laguna lately is the Isdaan Floating Restaurant. Why? because of its very beautiful and attractive surroundings which are really feasts to your eyes.

My youngest sister Celeste and her daughter Chloe will be going back to Netherlands by tomorrow after an enjoyable vacation here in the Philippines.  Of course, we are going to miss them a lot again but hopefully they will be able to come home again soon. So we had a get together dinner not here at Isdaan but in another nearby restaurant (will tell you later why, LOL).

Isdaan Floating Restaurant is like a theme park with its giant buddha statues, famous people, monkeys and gorillas, crocodiles, fishes and of course cartoon characters.  We've been here several times already and the kids almost always are excited as we are with the endless photo opp.  The sceneries here are real awesome as if you are in another country like Thailand.

  

Koi watching

with ex-Philippine President Joseph Estrada

One of the venue's main focal, a giant gorilla

This place is owned by the Ongpauco's of the famous Barrio Fiesta group of restaurants.  There is another place like this at Gerona, Tarlac.  Accordingly, almost the same massive set-up.

with a giant white buddha

singing cooks and waiters

play area for kids

enjoying coffee and suman

But this is not the place if you want good and affordable food.  Honestly the food here are not recommendable, no good taste at all; and so expensive.  So we are here just for our after dinner coffee and some dessert.  I ordered coffee and they served me a Nescafe 3-in-1 single pack sachet and a cup of hot water, I was charged P65.00.  I asked the server, why they don't have brewed coffee at least to match the ambience. I was told, to just write down my comments in a piece of paper and drop it at the comment box (oh, she forgot to inform me where the comment box is located, neither do I know where it is, ha!ha!).  Anyway, that's it.  Do not expect good food here, go somewhere else for a more satisfying eating experience. Just come back here and take photos.

As per experience, during daytime when the place is loaded with customers, they won't let you "in" inside the restaurant unless you already have given your food orders.  At late night time when there are already less number of customers, just tell them you will order coffee and some desserts.  At the same time, the staff will give you advise to order everything you may need because they will be closing soon.

View more photos HERE.

Dimsum Break Restaurant at SM North EDSA

Dimsum Break opens its very first venture in the Metro Manila food scenery. Owned and operated by a private family corporation Harbour City Dimsum House Co., Inc. (HCDHCI), primarily engaged in the fast food business in Cebu.  This is their 16th branch and the first one in Metro Manila and within the Luzon area.

What sets them apart, it is but very common in other restaurants or any other food outlets that dim sums are offered and served only as a side dish.  But with Dimsum Break, you can have dim sum all-day and with the interactive concept wherein customers just need to line-up and reach for their very own choices of dim sum.

Geared to keep attuned with the fast-paced urban lifestyles, especially for professionals who are always on the go.  One can get dim sum in  a dash and with the widest selection of over 20 steamed and fried dim sum ready for customers picking.

Everything here is very affordable, nothing exceeds P100 except for the yummy feeling one can get after you've tasted what's on the menu. Fried dim sum at P65, steamed dim sum at P65, rice pots at P68, noodles and soups at P80, vegetables at P55, beverages is from P15 to P35.

I was indeed privileged enough to sample their dishes. Here's what I got.

What I like most is their very own signature dish, "The Original  Steamed Fried Rice", its a complete rice meal in itself with a very generous servings of meat and shrimp bits, even kids will surely love it.

The venue provides a very relaxing atmosphere as well.  In here, one can get himself well rested while enjoying the savoury food. With the spacious tables and the unique "wooden steamer" which served as light covers, locally we call it "agkay" for a more enlightening ambiance.

About Dimsum Break

Dimsum Break is the fastest growing brand of Harbour City Dimsum House Co., Inc. (HCDHCI) based in Cebu, now in Metro Manila. This is the latest addition to their growing chain of restaurants. It takes its concept from the family's first venture in fast food business, the Ding How Dimsum House.  Established in 1969,the brand pioneered the concept of all-day dimsum dining in Cebu. Their other brands are the Ding Qua Qua Dimsum House and Harbour City Dimsum House.

Dimsum Break together with the other two brands, continue to build on the household name established by Ding How since 1969 and have become synonymous with authentic, quality dim sum cuisine, served from the heart at pocket-friendly rates.

Today, Dimsum Break is popularizing the novel means of serving dim sum - the interactive style.
Now serving at the
3/F SM North EDSA Annex, EDSA, Quezon City
Metro Manila, Philippines

They are open 10am - 9pm (Sunday - Thursday) and 10am - 10pm during Fridays and Saturdays.  You can also visit and like their Facebook Page for more updates.

The Famous MOCHI Sweets Invades Manila

Filipino's are known to have sweet tooth, such we are "sweet lovers".  Now come to invade the local food scene that will surely suit the Filipino taste is the ever popular MOCHI SWEETS, that we have seen in Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and China.

Business partners Jason Yap and Samatha Paz chanced upon Mochi Sweets in their trips to Malaysia and Vietnam and saw the store drawing huge crowds. Both only in their early 20s but with entrepreneurial exposure from their parents, they decided to write to J Sweets in Hong Kong and were soon awarded the official franchise for Mochi Sweets in the Philippines.

Garry Cheng, President of J Sweets was in Manila to grace the unveiling of the first Mochi Sweets store in the SM Mall of Asia. He was very excited for Filipinos to try Mochi Sweets. He says their dessert is superior to other desserts which loosely uses mochi but don’t produce the right texture and experience. Cheng offers a clue on how premium their product and standards are: “We learned from Japan. We had a Japanese chef who creates these delectable concoctions for us and we use only 100% Japanese mochi.”

Just looking at the cute and colourful balls of Mochi Sweets neatly placed in its classic gift box and you understand why it has earned raves abroad. “First impression counts,” says Jason Yap, president of Mochi Sweets Philippines. “Mochi Sweets first tempts you with how it appeals to the eyes. But the real pleasure is the taste and experience once you bite into it. This is because Mochi Sweets is made from the best ingredients. There is meticulous control to ensure consistency of quality. We do not short-change our customers. We aim to satisfy each customer and make them enjoy life’s simple indulgent treats.”

Hence, the real test is resisting the urge to sink your teeth into these decadent sweets. Mochi Sweets comes frozen and you have to wait 10-15 minutes for it to thaw before you can bite into its gummy goodness. But unlike those with ice cream filling, Mochi Sweets is not prone to messy meltdowns as you eat it. It is also a perfect to-go or bring-home treat since it does not melt all the way through and will be thawed and just-ready by the time you meet your family and friends.

Jason Yap further shows how Mochi Sweets will be enjoyed: “We are a gifting society. A box of Mochi Sweets has 6 to 12 pieces and will definitely be a fun gift for sharing during those special moments and celebrations. Customers can pick different colors and flavors of Mochi Sweets based on the personality and preference of the lucky recipient and this makes each box of Mochi Sweets special and personal.”

Mochi Sweets indeed has a wide array of flavors – from the classic favorites to inspired special concoctions. Clear winners for chocolate lovers are the wickedly good Chocolate Mousse, Cream Chocolate and Dark Chocolate. Coffee aficionados will find delicious comfort in Caramel Macchiato. Kids and kids-at-heart looking for something wholesome will enjoy the fruity confections: Strawberry Mousse, Mango Yoghurt and Honey Lemon Cream. Those who want something different and exotic can try Sakura (or cherry blossom, which is very popular in Japan), Green Tea and Durian Mousse. Currently, Mochi Sweets offers 17 flavors and will continue to dish out cool and yum variants that will make customers think Mochi Sweets when they crave for desserts and comfort food.

From the first Mochi Sweets kiosk in SM Mall of Asia (beside the Skating Rink), the team of Jason Yap and Samatha Paz will open three more Mochi Sweets stores this quarter. The next two stores will be at Robinsons Galleria and Eastwood Mall. They promise rapid expansion in 2013 with the biggest Mochi Sweets shop already slated at SM Aura which will open at BGC.

You may visit their Facebook page and follow them on Twitter.

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