Food/Resto Review: Burgoo (Tomas Morato) March 25, 2012

I purchased a Deal Grocer voucher of a Burgoo set meal for 4 last January with the intent of using it for my birthday. And birthday came this March so off we used it last Saturday.

The voucher included salad, Seafood Au Gratin, Cream Dory Milanese, Cajun shrimps and a full slab of ribs. Since there were 8 of us and the meal was set for 4, I ordered a few more dishes – Sampler (onion rings, mozzarella sticks, fries, wings), Boneless Buffalo wings, Spaghetti Meatballs Bolongese. I must say that all the dishes except for Seafood Au Gratin and Cream Dory Milanese arrived room temperature. The taste was so-so and I was less impressed and a little disappointed with the overall experience. The only saving grace was the accommodating staff and the very helpful security guard who escorted each and every one of us alighting from and to the car as it was pouring that night.

Here’s a summary of the good and the bad.

Bad:

1. Dishes served at room temperature
2. Spaghetti meatball Bolognese was so dry and unappealing. Considering that it is such a simple dish and worth P395, I would think Jollibee would have done a better job had they had it in their menu.
3. The fries being served at room temperature is an utter let down. No fries at room temp is good.
4. The ribs were okay. Nothing impressive. It’s not the fall-off-the-bone type
5. The place gave me the impression that it is a wholesome family oriented place since they had drawing paper and crayons for every table however, they didn’t have a changing table. I think I just got used to the Ayala malls too much. Would have been nice to have one.

Good:

1. The staff was helpful and accommodating.
2. Overall the restaurant was clean.
3. Good for children as they provide crayons and drawing paper as their table “cloth”
4. Big TV
5. Conference room for events like baptism or special parties.

Will I dine there again? Maybe not… It’s actually not that bad, it’s just that I can think of other restaurants out there with the same food, same price category that do better.

Where to find the great balls of thread (yarn) March 20, 2012

I’ve gotten into motherhood not long ago – my eldest being just 5 years old – and now, I’ve moved on to grannyhood! No, I don’t have a grandchild. What I do have is an addiction for crocheting 🙂 I’ve scoured the internet for projects – ambitious or otherwise – free patterns and materials – crochet hooks and yarns. Unfortunately, since crocheting is not very popular here in the Philippines, I haven’t come across online suppliers that are selling other yarns that are not available in the malls. Moreover, the materials are not readily available anywhere. But, just like my past addictions (bead-making and scrapbooking), I’ve left no stone unturned looking for the cheapest prices and widest selections of yarn.

Here are my findings:

1. Heavenly Stitch (@ most SM Malls) – thy carry Cannon brand (by Coats) for 55 Php solid color and 65 Php multicolor; around 15 colors in the SM North Edsa branch. They also have the hairy yarn – Familia brand and Red Heart yarn – for about 20 php to 30 php. I’m not too sure how many colors there are for the hairy yarn because I’m not interested in them.

2. Notions at SM Department Store. Monaco and Cannon – 52.75Php for the solid color yarn and 59.75 Php for the multicolor. About 25 colors for Monaco and 7 for Cannon at SM North Edsa

3. Expressions (selected branches; Ever Gotesco Commonwealth) – 62-65Php.; about 10 colors

4. Cherry Fooderama (Congressional) – 41.75 Php for solid color, not sure about multicolored. They have both Monaco – about 20 colors – and Cannon – about 5 colors

The 4 colors I bought from Cherry Fooderama, Congressional

5. Kamuning Market (Del’s stall) – my personal favorite! 38Php for solid, 40 Php for multicolored; 35 Php for wholesale (3 or more pcs). About 35 colors for Monaco! 10 colors for Cannon. They have Anchor also but very limited and lots of Monaco Acrylic yarn (hairy type).

Lovely colors for a baby girl from Kamuning market. I wish I hadn't splurged so much in SM so I could have bought more in Kamuning.

Need I say more  for my favorite???

Edited (4/18/2012)

To add to the list:

6. Johanna’s Threadmart (Visayas avenue, near Tandang Sora) sells the Monaco balls at Php 30.50! And the selection is wide – 40-50 colors.

Baby #3 March 15, 2012

It’s been a long time since my last post! I have a lot in draft form but I realized that I’m trying to put in so much information in one post that I can’t possibly finish it in one session and with so many things (& kids) on my lap (literally), I never get back to it. So for 2012, my posts will be shorter with one or two main points in it!

I gave birth prematurely last November 28 after 2 weeks of in and out of the hospital and a ton load of shots that were just downright painful! I’ve gotten used to the needles and though I’ve been scared of ’em my whole life, I decided to suck it up and just take the leap BUT the medicines in those shots were the killers!

Here are the learnings:

1. when having premature contractions (before 36 weeks; i started having mine at 33 weeks), your doctor would give you the option of having steroids shots to hasten the development of baby’s lungs. This is given in 2 doses – 12 hours apart. It would be good if you check-in the hospital so you don’t have to go back and forth especially if you live quite far (like us) and with manila traffic and pre-term contractions, you’d be more comfortable.

2. what does a contraction feel like? and how does it differ from Braxton-Hicks contractions? Contractions are 3 things in my experience – tightening of the uterus/tummy AND pain in the area a palm above the pubic hair AND pain in the lower back.  Braxton-Hicks are practice contractions of the uterus and does not signify pre-term labor. It is only tightening of the tummy (feels like a watermelon) area WITHOUT the pain. ALTHOUGH, extreme tightening of the uterus to the point of being uncomfortable  is a  valid concern you should talk to your doctor about.

3. it would be better to wear a sanitary napkin when you’re having premature contractions. This is so you can measure the amount of blood (if there is) and show it to the doctor.

4. Special ultrasound procedures can ascertain the well-being of the baby in terms of heartbeat, amount of fluid in the uterus and the opening of the cervix. It would be wise for your doctor to recommend this. I would personally suggest to veer away from Intravaginal procedures as this worsened my contractions.

5. always have your bag, baby’s bag  and your partner’s bag ready by the 7th month! i did this for my first 2 pregnanies but delayed it with my 3rd and up to the last minute, I was not prepared. Good thing I had a yaya (nanny) who prepared everything by phone.

6. RELAX. RELAX. RELAX.

When in doubt or uncomfortable, always tell your doctor. She/he can’t always be sure or explain to you what or why it is happening but there are ways to make you and the baby safe.