Delish Treat: Rumah Kari

It must be very obvious, by now, that I am such a big foodie. I can attribute it to my Kapampangan lineage. My maternal grandparents are from Tarlac and I can boldly attest  that my grandmother's cooking treats are heavenly. At a young age, I am exposed to nothing but delicious food.

Unfortunately, unlike my mother, I was not able to inherit my Lola's cooking expertise. I may not have become a chef but I would gladly settle to what I enjoy the most... being a foodie! Thus, I am very grateful to God for giving me friends whom I can be with for food trips.

A couple of days after I arrived from Hong Kong, Faye and Bubbles brought me to Rumah Kari at Marfori Heights Subdivision (landmark is the Mercury Drug Store). Rumah Kari specializes in Indian and Malaysian cuisine. If you like the kick of spicy food then you will have a great time enjoying their offering.

Nurturing Friendship through Delish Treats
Image from Faye Anne Marie Escueta

The restaurant has a homey ambiance which can make dates with friends relaxing and convenient for updating.

painting/ pictures make the interior attractive

attractive counter top

My friends and I ordered different varieties of delights with Sambal Sauce: Chicken, Shrimp and Squid. You can choose to have rice or rotti and you can also request how spicy you want your sauce to be.

I had the squid which was very tender and for a first timer I like the sambal sauce. The Sambal meal costs Php 285 each and is good  for one person. Their meals do not have the price of a fast food but it can surely suffice your indulgence for quality food. I will surely visit Rumah Kari again and bring my mother.

plate setting

Chicken with rotti

Squid Sambal with rice

rotti

Date nights with friends can contribute to weight gain. But more importantly, it celebrates a bond from which one gains wholeness from one's union with and for others.

obligatory group picture
Image from Faye Anne Marie Escueta

Couple Selfie
Image from Faye Anne Marie Escueta

chillin' at their veranda with a bottle of ice cold beer

The extra pounds, money and time spent are all worth the genuine friendship! Persons (and food) are gifts!

How do you nourish friendship?

Wonderland: Subic

Discovering a wonderland is a dream come true for a wanderlust. Luckily, I have had the opportunity (though quite scarce due to my work) to be in places I have fell in love with. I only have a couple of places on my list but I hope to discover more of my personal wonderland in the future. 

The first on the list would be Boracay. I was just swept away by the pristine water and milky sand during my first visit in September 2011  (click to read my previous post) with my honey buddy, Faye Anne Marie. After that quick visit, I vowed to myself to return and I did on May 2012 with my husband, friend and bro-in-law for a pre- celebration of my 30th and our 10th wedding anniversary. Guess what? We will have another Boracay experience this October 2013 and this time with the whole gang. I would want my two girls and my mom to witness Boracay's beauty first hand. Although it is too early, I cannot keep ourselves from being super excited. Honestly, the desire to travel is one of my many motivations to work best and save harder. 

Boracay's laid-back experience is a sure treat for me. 

cave experience in May 2012

The second on my list is Subic. Ever since I set foot on the former U.S. Air Base, I have called it a happy place. It is not just because of the laid back experience, night out (which we hardly do in Davao) or the shopping spree at the outlet store but most of all this has been a bonding haven with my very beautiful (inside and out) friends. 

04. 2011

chicas with Mark at the Subic Yatch Club

chillin' at the club's resto

04.2013

Teachers know how to have fun... clean fun and enjoyment at the Pier One. It was indeed an epic night! (photos are from Mars Severino)

goofing around

class picture before going home

Laid back night out at the Lighthouse. It was a night of sweet music.

my chicas

Mars sharing his singing prowess

model wannabe pose

Child-like fun at Ocean Adventure was so fun despite the heat of the summer sun.

Ryan and friends

happy dolphins

We had a very good shouting exercise at the Treetop Adventure. My friends were able to try the Superman ride and Free fall.

the not so scardy crew

want to fall from that tree? i don't. LOL.

The tiger at Zoobic was friendly but still scary.

beautiful

more scary ba? LOL

We will be forever grateful for the hospitality and generosity of the Lacorte family who has been hosting us in Subic.

Lacorte brood

me and the beautiful Samantha

I have been in this happy place twice and I was happier when my whole family was able to have their own Subic experience. Our first stop was at the Zoobic then we headed to the Nike Outlet Store and had our lunch at the Harbor Point before going back to Tarlac.

Zoobic is not just for kids but also for the kids at heart.

fambam tiger pose

Lena was ecstatic after meeting the tigers

Lena's pony ride with Daddy Lo

AA's turn

And Oh, they could not forget about the shoe shopping!

panic mode

seeing double???

happy family, happy shopping

What makes a wonderland? Personally, it is creating meaningful and shared experiences with persons closest to our hearts in remarkable places (where ever it may be). Distance nor money cannot determine our wonderland. We do not need to go far or in posh places to make good memories which will be left in the deepest recesses of our hearts. Let us be in our wonderland! 

DelishTreat: Zabadani

05.18.13

Our beloved priest and friend Ismael Jose Chan- Gonzaga, SJ was in town and it was so unfortunate that I have to back out from our planned trip to Paradise Island because it was such a freaky Friday [please click on the link to read my previous post] for me. Luckily, I still had the chance to see him with Michelle and Anper for a Saturdate. We all agreed to have a dinner at The Peak of Gaisano Mall of Davao because none of us has been there. So for first timers, Michelle's older sister recommended Zabadani, a Middle-Eastern restaurant.

It was my first to eat at this Davao- grown restaurant and  I was intrigued by the aromatic and delectable taste of their food that I was able to consume a whole plate without noticing. My personal favorite were the Pita Cheese sticks and the Garlicy Ribs which we upgraded with Biryani rice.

pita cheese stick for Php140

Garlicy Ribs for Php 240+

One thing I appreciate from Zabadani is that they offer large servings. We ordered four large plates and it was more than enough for a table of six (and mind you we can eat a lot but they got us full). 

Syrian Beef Squares with Biryani rice

Grilled Chicken Breast with White rice

It was an added treat to find out that we run the same circle with the restaurant's owner. Wadi gave us complimentary drinks. The yogurt shake was refreshing. I had a heavenly foodie experience at Zabadani and I will surely come back to try their other offering. 

IJ with Wadi

coffee shot 

yogurt shake

the smile says it all.

I went home not only with a happy tummy but also with a grateful heart. There are just so many things to be thankful for. First, we were drawn to The Peak which has a beautiful ambiance (i will try the other restaurants soon). Second, trying something new is not bad after all. Zabadani made me appreciate more the food of other culture. I realized that going out of your comfort zone can be healthy too. Lastly, the place became more enticing and the food tasted more succulent because it was shared with people whom you value the most. These people you call your friends. That night was not just a celebration of good food, appreciation of culture but most of all valuing God's greatest blessing to humankind... FRIENDSHIP!

(L-R) Mark, Anper, IJ, Michelle, Karen

(L-R) Mark, Anper, IJ, Nonoy, Michelle