Tried Elite's Coffee

We chanced upon a cafe we haven't tried when we went out to have a haircut, Elite's Coffee. It's located on Dona Soledad Ave. and has a salon beside it. I remember trying it once via Grab since we sometimes get breakfast delivered. 

I definitely liked the longsilog when we ordered, but don't remember the coffee. We went to the cafe first before going to the salon since there was a line. Sweetie wasn't around when Miggy and I tried the cafe via delivery, so he enjoyed looking through their menu.

We just had a full meal at K-street, so we each just had coffee. The boys had a Spanish latte (hot and cold) and I just got a cappuccino. It was tasty. What I'd like to try next time is to dine at the cafe. They have an extensive menu. The cafe is also pretty spacious and a nice place to hangout. It just probably needs a bit more parking space

Have you tried this cafe?

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Tried K-street

We're honestly holed up at home most of the time. Since I scheduled a family haircut day, we thought it would be nice to try dining at a new place. We saw an ad for a pad Thai place near us and headed there the other day. We thought it was located beside the Vietnamese place we tried. We were surprised to see a new nook of restos built before the area of the Vietnamese place. 

There were a couple of restos in the area. The pad Thai place was located on the second floor. Miggy chose the Korean place, K-street, so that's where we went. It was an odd hour and we were the only customers. The place was cozy and built for quick meals. We each ordered what we wanted to try. 

I got bulgogi, but it was strangely spicy (haha). I think they may have used a different sauce (one of the staff was new). It tasted good and I managed to finish the meal in-between gulps of strawberry lemonade. Miggy had the house special and Sweetie ordered the hickory barbecue. The meal was really filling and the good news is you can order their food via Grab or Food Panda. Maybe next time we'll try the bento meals so we can have some veggies. 

The nook of restos was interesting. We hope to try the other chicken place next time and we'll probably order from the pad Thai place one of these days (sorry, avoiding stairs for now). I wish the cafe will be open next time. Sweetie tried calling, but no one was answering. 

If you're from my `hood and want to try this place, here's the map to K-street: https://maps.app.goo.gl/XguqV46hJQZHkGNU8

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New Eyeglasses

Miggy and I have been overdue to get new eyeglasses. Five years overdue! My eyeglasses frame broke while I had it on. We immediately visited an opthalmologist last week

It takes a week for my eyeglasses to be made. I've been using progressive lenses for almost a decade now, so I was happy when the shop pinged me this morning that our eyeglasses were available.

Got our new eyeglasses today. I selected a plastic frame since I've been using a steel frame the past five years. It's lighter and with the correct grade the world feels brighter. 

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Tealive Now Open in Dona Soledad

Sometimes I feel the universe is conspiring to bring all my favorites near me! Tealive is one of my favorite milk tea places which I frequented whenever I visited Kuala Lumpur. 

I discovered it at KL Sentral. I usually got a room there because it's close to the office and after work I'd walk around to get some takeaway. Tealive had a stall near the escalator, so it's easy to spot. I'd always buy some and match it with whatever dinner I'd get for takeaway. 

They opened also in Singapore during the pandemic, but wasn't too accessible for me. I was so happy when a friend told me they also opened a branch in the Philippines. There was one in my city, but bit far. We would order once a quarter via Grab (delivery fees are expensive).

Anyway, I'm so stoked! Tealive now has a branch near us. If our village wasn't enclosed it would be walking distance from our home! Ah well, always good to have an excuse to go out. They opened last April 2 (quite obvious we rarely go out!). Ahhh, time for me to finish my drink and sandwich!

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Mary Grace Now Open at SM Bicutan

One of our favorite places to eat is Mary Grace. It's where we eat whenever I have a check-up and we've dined at their other branches as well. So, we were happy to see it finally open a branch nearby.

We were on the fence where to eat brunch, but when we saw Mary Grace open we immediately decided to eat there. The branch looked very inviting. It felt like we were dining at someones home.

The staff were very kind and efficient similar to their other branches. I got the tapa, Miggy got tocino and Sweetie got a special plate. I especially liked the mango pickle this time (it came with the tapa). It wasn't as sour compared to other branches. Ah, a perfect meal.

We were so full so we skipped dessert. We just got a mini cake for takeaway before we went home. Tried the black velvet cake. It's so good! I had a reaction though. It probably has an ingredient that doesn't go well with my meds. Next time we'll ask if they add any alcohol to their cakes.

Mary Grace at SM Bicutan is open during mall hours (10am to9pm).

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FamBam Day at The Sundry

"The Sundry" opened awhile back and we've been curious to check out the food court style place. From the outside you could see it had a number of food stalls. We finally got to visit today and the three of us got something different.

I tried the buffalo wings from Frankie's and Taiwan milk tea from Wann Mann. Miggy got boneless chicken from Wann Mann. And Sweetie got stir fried holy basil and tofu dish from Bangkok Station. Of course, we couldn't resist getting some fries from Potato Corner.

Twas a good place to visit, although it could get very noisy when there are kids running around, plus it could get quite warm. Maybe next time we'll go on a weekday.

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It's Like Our Second Home Came Nearer to Us

I lived in Singapore for a decade. As a creature of comfort I eventually found a couple of places that became go-to places for me and my boys. One favorite resto we frequented was Old Town. I first tried it in Kuala Lumpur. I always visited it at the airport while waiting for my short flight back to Singapore. 

It eventually had a branch in Singapore. It was located near our dentist, so, of course, that's where we would eat after getting our teeth cleaned (haha). My Mom also loved drinking milk tea and liked it a lot. I was happy when we saw a branch opening near our home. We immediately went to try it during its soft opening. 

The menu was surprisingly more expansive than the one in Singapore. We were set to do some errands, so just had breakfast (aka merienda) food. The branch certainly got the look of the branches in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, so it brought back some good memories. 

Here's a glimpse of Old Town's menu at SM City Bicutan, they basically have food for different times of the day:

They opened a month ago, so operations should be efficient by now. We just tried another newly opened restaurant, but should visit Old Town again soon. Wangfu opened recently too, but I'd be over the moon when Nanyang opens too. How I wish they'd bring Spotlight here too, or at least open a store that sells fabric, sewing and craft materials too. 

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Wendy's, Coming Soon in Our Neighborhood!

A few months ago we saw an old building in our area demolished. They put up posters announcing that a Wendy's restaurant will soon rise in the area. Months passed and we eagerly awaited for it to be built. It's been 8 weeks I think since I passed the area and I was surprised to see the building has been built! 

They also put up a tall Wendy's signage which can be seen from afar (Chowking's higher though). I think when they finally turn on the lights we'll be able to see it from our home. I'm glad our neighborhood will have Wendy's again. There used to be one in SM Bicutan. I remember because we used to go there with my Mom and Dad. 

There are a lot of new establishments in our neighborhood. There's a lot of SME food providers and most of what we need is available in the area. SME businesses have extended far into what we used to call the "Fastract" area (a.k.a. Dona Soledad extension). The extension was almost empty when I did my driving lessons back in the late 90s. We also only passed by there as an alternative to go to the airport. 

Next time I'll take a video when we pass through Dona Soledad. I used to spend time mapping the area. There's probably a lot of things to update on the map now. 

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Burger Machine!

I found out that a new Burger Machine opened nearby. I read it from a group I follow on FB and they even gave me landmarks to easily find it. We were supposed to go to the hospital yesterday to see my doctors, but they re-scheduled. I thought it was a good idea to step out since I'm experiencing cabin fever already. I haven't gone anywhere since early April because of the heat. 

The easiest way to find it is to look for Phoenix Gas Station on Dona Soledad (Fastrack area, Brgy Moonwalk). There's a lot of parking space since the gas station is huge. I was so excited to go. It's been decades since I last got to eat at Burger Machine. There was one in Better Living before and we frequented it before. 

I was warned that supplies ran out fast. True enough, only the ultimate burger and double Bart Burger was available. We got 4 ultimate burger and 1 sansrival to take home. I was fascinated with how the crew prepared the burger. It's exactly how they used to prepare it decades ago. The menu though looks like it's been updated and they have other burger varieties. 

We ate the burger as soon as we got home. Sweetie recommended adding a slice of cheese. I wasn't sure if it would work since they added a dollop of Cheez Whiz on the burger. The burger was as yummy as I remember it. I think even better since it was the ultimate burger. I regret just getting one. Next time I'll order two, haha. 

Burger Machine <3 <3 <3 

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New Coffee and Cake Place in Our Neighborhood

Went out for errands today and passed by the gas station to visit 7-Eleven. Discovered that El Roi Cakes & Bread is already open. It's been a month since we were in the area so we didn't know it was already open. We dropped by to check it out since they had a sign out front saying they have coffee. 

The spot used to be Potato Corner, but it has transformed into a very cozy cafe. Aside from coffee, cakes and pastries, they also sell coffee beans, tablea and other local products. After preparing our takeaway, the owner, Kevin, went out to chat with us. He explained that they get their beans from Sultan Kudarat from a cooperative. This helps the farmers since it eliminates the middleman. 

Sweetie and I got a cold and hot beverage to try. We had to take it out since we got some ice cream from McDonald's (haha). We plan to go back to try their pastries. Just couldn't at the moment since we still had some from Chef RV's cafe. They had interesting strawberry pastry options. Yummm!

If you're from my neighborhood, the cafe is located at Caltex. Another cafe option in the same area is B1T1. (Map here).

*No gardening update for now. I've been busy making sure the pothos I re-potted last week will survive!

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