Li Li at the Hyatt Hotel and Casino

Don't you just love it when something exceeds your expectations?  A few weeks ago, the family decided to have our Sunday lunch at LiLi in Hyatt Hotel.  When I was told of the plan to dine there, I did my best not to roll my eyes because well, surprise surprise... We're having Chinese food!  Again.  *sigh*  But all was not lost...  Things started to perk up when we found out that they had a dimsum buffet promo (yay!)  I've heard good things about LiLi's dimsum, and now was the chance for me to try them all! 

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How Li Li's dimsum buffet works:  Indicate the number of pieces you want on the box beside each order.  If no box is present, it means that the item is already in the buffet table.  I love this concept because the other dimsum buffets are usually on an order-only basis (which oftentimes takes a long, long time to arrive).  It just so happens that we were a bunch of hungry people, and having the other dishes already set up on the buffet table means that we can eat as soon as we sit down.

Assorted Cold Cuts

Peking Duck!!!

Some more cold cuts

Okay, forgive me for this, but I was not able to take down notes on which was which.  Everyone was just too hungry - I count myself lucky that I was even able to take photos first before everyone devoured everything!  LOL!  Just enjoy the food porn :)

...and as if we're not full enough, this is what the dessert station looks like:

The verdict?  It's not often that we find everything in the buffet delicious, but in this case, we did!  And it's not because we were hungry - everything really was superb.  Absolutely no scrimping on the ingredients here; the servings were big and scrumptious (and unlimited!).  And as if that's not enough, they also offer unlimited sodas, iced tea and local beers.  Need I say more?  Oh yes, before I forget, calling all Citibank credit cardholders:  enjoy 30% off on the Li Li dimsum lunch buffet from now till the end of November.  So hurry book your tables now and enjoy!  5 out of 5 stars!

Li Li is at the 5th Floor, Hyatt Hotel and Casino, 1588 Pedro Gil cor. M.H. Del Pilar, Malate, Manila

Outfit of the Week: Laidback

It's been a while since I've posted an outfit post.  Blame it on the lazy me.  LOL!  This week's outfit is what I call laidback.  Ever get those days wherein you just want to chill but do not want to look frumpy while doing it?  Here ya go!  A simple top paired with a simple pair of chinos plus a bit of bling equals a relaxed yet totally appropriate look.  If you ask me where I could possibly wear this out, then I'd say:

1.  Shopping 

2.  A kid's (or a grownup's!) birthday party 

3.  Lunch (or even casual dinner) out with friends  

4.  Weekend getaway/out of town 

See?  So versatile!  The key to the outfit is the chinos.  I love how it's relaxed, yet it gives off a not-so-casual vibe.  So friends, to you I say find the perfect pair of chinos and hoard, hoard, hoard!  

Top:  Zara
Pants:  Gap
Bag:  Hermes
Shoes:  Syrup
Belt:  Uniqlo
Necklace:  Lovisa

National Digital Arts Awards 2014

Globaltronics, Inc., the country's leading digital innovator, together with the Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC) and the Outdoor Advertising Association of the Philippines (OAAP), brings you the second National Digital Arts Awards.  A few months ago, Globaltronics, Inc. called out to all students and professionals who are interested to join the coveted digital arts contest.  Entries were received from all over the country, and judges in their respective fields were called to determine the winners.  

To celebrate this momentous occasion, the NDAA Awarding Concert will be held this November 21 at the Aliw Theatre in Pasay City.  Expect performances from bands like Parokya ni Edgar and Callalily -  and who knows?  There might be a few surprise guest appearances too!  

Tickets are available at Ticketworld and Akiba Cafe branches.  For inquiries, you may also call Globaltronics, Inc. at 7212878.  So what are you waiting for?  Go grab your friends and party the night away!  See you there!

Tim Ho Wan in Manila

Speaking of barbecued pork buns...  I realized I totally forgot to blog about my Tim Ho Wan experience here in Manila!  Argh!  But better late than never, right?  A few months ago, I finally got the chance to try out Tim Ho Wan.  Been wanting to try it out ever since they opened, but the long lines always prevented me from doing so.  So on an extremely rare and early trip to SM Megamall a few months back, I finally got my chance! 

Tim Ho Wan Manila, like their Hong Kong counterpart, has a very simple ordering process.  Each table is given a sheet of paper which lists down everything they have.  Just put the number of orders you want for each dish, give it to your server and wait for your orders to arrive!

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Baked Bun with BBQ Pork

Say hello to the very item that "made" Tim Ho Wan.  I've already raved and salivated over the one in Hong Kong, so trying out the Manila counterpart is a must.  Sad to say, I didn't find the Manila version as appetizing as the original.  It was good, yes, but paled in comparison to Hong Kong's.

Vermicelli Roll with Sweet and Sesame Sauce

Loved this.  Reminded me of the sidewalk vermicelli roll I usually get whenever I'm in Hong Kong.  It was both sweet and nutty, which was perfect.

Prawn Dumpling

Again, another winner.  The skin was thin but doesn't break easily, and the prawn pieces are huge!

Beancurd Skin Roll with Pork and Shrimp

Not bad.  The beancurd skin was very soft.

Vermicelli Roll with Shrimp

If I could stuff my face with Tim Ho Wan's vermicelli rolls every single day, I would.  Hats off to their vermicelli roll maker.  Theirs is one of the most delicious ones I've tried.  The skin was oh so thin, and the insides was plump and juicy.

Vermicelli Roll with Beef

Again, vermicelli roll.  Guess I'm on a roll! (pun intended)  LOL.  But seriously, Tim Ho Wan Manila's vermicelli rolls are highly recommended.  Even better than Hong Kong's, I daresay.

Beef Ball with Beancurd Skin

Pretty good too.  Is there anything that Tim Ho Wan can't do well?!

Pan Fried Carrot Cake

And don't get me started on their pan fried carrot cake.  Ok, this is actually what we commonly know as the radish cake.  For some reason our Hong Kong and Singapore neighbors like to call them as carrot cake.  No biggie.  They can call it whatever they want as long as it tastes goooood!  Tim Ho Wan Manila's version is a definite must!  Absolutely loved biting into the huge radish chunks.  Yum!

So the verdict?  Oh what they heck, just take all my money.  5 out of 5 stars!

Tim Ho Wan is at UG/F SM Megamall Fashion Hall, Julia Vargas Ave. cor. EDSA, Wack Wack, Mandaluyong

Tuan Tuan Chinese Brasserie

After battling the crowds and the long lines in H&M, finally it was time to eat!  I was already to tired to think of where to eat.  Luckily, we stumbled upon Tuan Tuan - a Chinese restaurant that was having their grand opening that very same day!  (Little Trivia:  Tuan Tuan is brought to you by the same group that brought Lugang to Manila!)

Nai Cha (Cantonese Milk Tea) 

There are milk teas, and there are MILK TEAS.  What's the difference?  Milk teas are those bubble tea places all over the Metro.  MILK TEAS, on the other hand, is the original Cantonese milk tea, which offers a very strong tea flavor mixed with creamy milk.  The latter, my friends, is the best milk tea on this planet that no bubble tea place can ever replicate.  If you've ever been to Hong Kong and tried the milk tea in Cafe de Coral or any small corner snack shop, then you know what I mean.  I've tried one or two authentic Cantonese milk teas here in our country, and this one, though just a bit lacking in the strong tea flavor, is good enough to satisfy a quick nai cha craving.

Crispy Barbecued Pork Snow Buns

Ah, barbecued pork buns.  Ever since Tim Ho Wan started the craze here in Manila, it seems that everyone has gone cuckoo trying to outdo them.  Tuan Tuan's version is extremely crispy on the outside, with big juicy pieces of barbecued pork inside.  A perfect mix of sweet and savory indeed.

Grilled Ox Tongue

Tender and melt-in-your-mouth, with just the right amount of saltiness to balance off the strong flavor.

Honey Garlic Spareribs

Would have been great, but it was more bone than meat.

Pork Meatball and Liver Congee

Not a fan of liver, sorry.

US Premium Beef Rib and Tendon Curry

Ooooh.  This was the creamiest of all curries I've ever tasted.  The beef rib was soft and tasty.  I'd definitely get this again the next time I go!

Pan Fried Halibut Belly with Soy Sauce

This was tasty while hot.  But when we went back to it after having a few other dishes, it started smelling really fishy.  Was a bit tougher too.  Wish they had the fillet version - I spent too much time separating the fish from the fish bones.

Pan Fried Boneless Chicken

Nicely crisp and sweet chicken skin with very soft dark meat.

Pan Fried Pork Chop

This one was pretty tender too.  But paled in comparison when compared to the other dishes.

Original Halibut Soup with Beef Tendon, Bean Curd and Lanzhou Flat Noodles

One of the specialties in Tuan Tuan is their make-your-own noodles where you can choose the soup, noodles and toppings.  We had the original halibut soup.  When a soup base is made out of fish, there's a 99% chance you'd expect it to smell and taste fishy.  Boy was I wrong.  The soup was tasty and a bit milky, but void of all fishy smell and taste.  The flat noodles was cooked just right too - not too hard and not too soggy.

The verdict?  We loved Tuan Tuan!  In fact, my Mom loved it so much that she even dragged my Dad and Brother to dine there the very next day.  LOL.  Admittedly, I'm not much of a fan of Chinese food.  Blame it on my parents who fed me mostly Chinese dishes while growing up.  That said, Tuan Tuan surprised me.  So if you're sick of the usual Chinese fare and want something different, I would highly recommend this new Chinese kid on the block.  Heehee!  4 out of 5 stars!

Tuan Tuan Chinese Brasserie is at the 3/F, SM Megamall Fashion Hall, EDSA cor, J. Vargas Ave., Mandaluyong City