An English Tea Party in Manila

To make my birthday memorable not just for me but also for my closest girlfriends, I decided to host an English Tea Party for my 23rd bash. Honestly, I've never had a birthday party since my 18th. My birthday oftentimes conveniently falls on Holy Week so I can't really have a party during that time, can I? Anyway, I had the tea party a week after my birthday since I was at Sagada on my birthday weekend. I asked my friend Gab to design my invitations. Can I just say, she did a great job! Thanks again, dear!

Back to the party--I asked Portia, the owner/chef of Isabelo Garden Restaurant, if she could accommodate the tea party on an afternoon. Isabelo's open just for dinner so of course I had to ask permission. I couldn't think of a better place to have my tea party than in Isabelo. It's quaint, quiet, and the food's great as well. I love it that Portia customized the menu for my tea party since her current menu doesn't really have food for that kind of a celebration. She really sat me down and asked what I wanted, how I envisioned the place to look like, if I wanted flowers on the table, etc. This is why I love Isabelo--the service is great and Portia really takes the time to get to know her clients. That's why I'm a loyal customer of Isabelo...which reminds me, I have to take some of my girlfriends there soon!

Going back (again), I had a fun time hosting my English Tea Birthday Party. The food was good, my girlfriends were all dressed for the occasion, great conversations--what more could I have asked for? The party even extended until 9 in the evening! What can I say... I am a very content, happy 23 yr old lady :)

just...lazy

Hallooo everyone, I'm still not quite up to writing all my backlog entries because I'm lazy like that--haha! Please understand, this is a process. I can't just spew out articles like invectives to ___ (which can come out quite easily). But I do hope that this weekend will prove to be inspiring/motivating so that I can finally post those entries. What I'll do now is share with you guys a few pictures from my Holy Week weekend in Bukidnon, my English Tea Birthday Party, and my recent Pahiyas Festival day trip. Enjoy!

HOLY WEEK 2010, BUKIDNON

MY ENGLISH TEA BIRTHDAY PARTY

PAHIYAS FESTIVAL 2010

Glee's Season Finale..and other random things :)

Watching Glee's season finale on a Saturday is the best way to spend a lazy day at home. The last 2 episodes were soooooo intense! Aaaaaack! I actually cried while watching the sectionals. Heehee :)


The past 2 days at work weren't really good ones because, well...people problems. Actually, I have a problem with only one person in the office. Am trying my best not to react in a way that would make things worse. This will pass....it's not as if this is the first time I've had problems with that person. Lord, please grant me the patience I need to deal with her...


Got off later than usual from work. I was trying to contact people if they were free to drive off to Tagaytay last night, alas no one was available. Thankfully, Simon went online right before I left the office so I asked if he was free. He was a bit down in the dumps as well so we decided to chill at Farsi (it's a cool kebab place near Tomas Morato; great ambiance, yummy food, FREE WIFI! I think it's at Scout Lozano). Seppi followed after a few hours. After Farsi we were supposed to hang out at Coffee Bean at the UP Ayala Technohub but it was closed already so we settled for Starbucks (hahaha!). Spent just an hour there...was too sleepy I had to go home.

I woke up late this morning so I wasn't able to go to the doctor. I've been having this throbbing pain in the right side of my head since Sunday...I hope it's not something bad, but I do need to get it checked...maybe this coming Tuesday I can drop by the doctor's.


Okay, I have to go and prepare for dinner...Raiz, Kten and I are having dinner at Isabelo's. Yay! I'm sure I'll be posting something about that but I'll post it maybe in a couple of weeks next year (hahaha!). I have lots of backlog entries--am really sorry :| So many things to write about! :) Actually, I already made an entry about Isabelo a few months back. Isabelo is DEFINITELY one of Manila's hidden culinary treasures. If you're looking for a laid back yet sophisticated ambiance, Isabelo is one place you should try. No walk-in customers, though. You have to place your reservation at least 3 days before and you should pre-order your menu because Portia (the owner) cooks everything! Okay, I will really have to make a separate entry about Isabelo.

A secret garden hidden in the Metro

My friends and I had dinner at the quaintest restaurant I've been to--Isabelo Garden Restaurant. It's tucked away in Brgy. San Roque in Marikina City in the compound of the Dee family. Run by Portia Baluyut, who co-owns it with her mom Stephanie Dee-Baluyut, Isabelo gives off such a homey, calming feel that you instantly fall in love with the place. Portia prepares the food which is why you can't just drop in. You have to place your reservation and pre-order your food. The menu is filled with mouth-watering options, and my friends and I were able to try a few. We were served bruschetta (which was just so good, by the way). Simon ordered Grilled Salmon Steak, Esther ordered Orange Herb Chicken (served with roasted vegetables like marble potatoes and carrots--which were really sweet!), and I ordered the Portobello Pasta. I found the pasta really good because I could taste the white wine used and even if the sauce is oil-based, it didn't seem to be too oily, for lack of a better term. It's a bit tangy, which really upped the flavor for me.

I can honestly say this is a restaurant I'll keep coming back to. It's a place where you can just dine, relax, and have great conversations with your girlfriends over a bottle of wine (I have to ask if we can bring our own wine, though...hoping there's no corkage :p). Isabelo Garden Restaurant is just so lovely! Yes, that's the word I've been looking for to describe the place. Absolutely lovely :)

Click here for more info on Isabelo :)

I'm actually going back this weekend. I'll be bringing my family so that they can experience dining at Isabelo.