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Author: Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco

3 Fun Ways to Bring Your Favorite Traveling Experiences Into Your Home

If you’re a travel junkie, then you have a true appreciation for the beauty in the world around you. Whether you love the sands of the Sahara Desert, the shimmering lights of Las Vegas, or the deep blue waters of Santorini, the fact remains the same that the beauty you encounter and the memories you create on your trips are priceless.

Traveling gives people new life experiences and opens your mind and eyes to a world of creativity and inspiration. In fact, people who frequently travel have their homes decorated in travel-themed decor (when they are home). Decorating your home in travel decor is a great way to showcase your traveling experiences and adventures.

Sometimes, your travel experiences are so grand that you don’t want to ever leave. In some cases, people do actually move to their favorite travel destination, but if you’re not able to do that, then a great way to keep your memories alive is to bring your favorite traveling experience home with you, and I’m not just talking about pictures and postcards either!

Bringing your traveling experiences home with you means incorporating every aspect of your travels. From the food to the fashion, to the entertainment! It’s not something you have to do every day, but if travel is something you love, then it is a part of you. So, grab your swimsuit or swim trunks and dive into these fun ways to bring your favorite traveling experiences into your home!

3 Fun Ways to Bring Your Favorite Traveling Experiences Into Your Home

Recreate Meals From Your Favorite Restaurant Destinations

When you visit other destinations away from home, one of the main things that people love to experience is the food. There are certain foods that are common among many places but depending on where you’re visiting, the way a particular dish is made can be totally different than what you’re used to!

A great way to incorporate your travels into your home is to recreate some of the meals you’ve eaten during your travels. Let’s say you took a trip to the Philippines and had a craving for a juicy steak, so you hunt for a restaurant and run into Red Baron Ribs in Banawe, Quezon City.

Red Baron Ribs does a different take on steaks! In the U.S. (and many other places) steaks are typically seasoned in an assortment of flavors and spices in a rub, then grilled, for the most part. At Red Baron Ribs, you can experience a steak seasoned without a rub, deep fried in a tortilla shell, sitting on a bed of rice. A steak like that is nothing you’ve ever experienced before, so why not recreate that meal at home. It could be your way of paying homage to your trip to the Philippines!

Bring Aspects From the Luxury Hotels Home

When you stayed at some of the luxury hotels during your trips, you fell in love with every aspect of the rooms. From the gorgeous views to the plushness of the hotel beds. Luckily, you can bring the luxuries of those hotels home with you!

In luxury hotels, the main luxurious aspect is the bed. The pillows are nice and fluffy and the bedding is so soft and plush that it made you feel like you were sleeping on a cloud! You slept so well that you didn’t want to leave. One way to bring the bedding aspect home is to create a luxurious sleeping environment with upscale bedding.

Another great way to relive the luxuries of your hotel experiences is to invest in plush robes. Most 5-star hotels have two plush robes awaiting its guests in the bathrooms of the rooms. They’re typically white and look like an ordinary robe, but once you put it on, your body is immediately covered in comfort. Try accompanying your luxury bedding with a warm and cozy robe, and see how quickly you will relive your fondest travel experiences in comfort.

Put Destinations and Souvenirs on Display

During your travels, I’m sure you picked up several souvenirs as keepsakes to your traveling adventures. Souvenirs can come in all different forms too. Some people like to collect shot glasses while others like to put magnets from their travels on display on their refrigerator!

A creative way to display some of your souvenirs is to use vintage suitcases as shelves. You can have them staggered along a wall showcasing pictures, figurines, and otherworldly treasures you’ve collected. You can also stack those vintage suitcases on your floors as an end table. On that, you can display a globe or a framed postcard of a destination you’ve visited.

Another great way to display your love of travel is to have a wall dedicated to maps. You can have a printed map on your wall and mark all the places you’ve been to with push pins. It’s a great reminder of where you’ve been and an inspiration of places you want to travel to next!

February 4, 2019
Review of Nobu Restaurant (Nobu Hotel Manila, Parañaque City)

Nobu Restaurant is the world’s most recognized Japanese restaurant, known for its innovative new-style cuisine, paired with a hip crowd and celebrity following. We had a Sunday brunch here last month and were wowed by the extravagant buffet spread of sashimi and fusion sushi dishes. Everything was spectacular and a feast for both the eyes and the palate. Like Chef’s Nobu’s other restaurants, the food at Nobu (in City of Dreams Manila) follows in the tradition of Japanese cuisine with Peruvian and local flavors mixed in.

Review of Nobu Restaurant (Nobu Hotel Manila, Parañaque City)

Ambiance:

Elegant and calm surroundings make an incomparable backdrop for the exquisite view at Nobu Restaurant. The setup is buffet, fine dining with counters presenting food and showing how chefs prepare and serve the dishes. Wide open spaces of the lounge area are matched with some intimate booths at the sides.

Food:

You think you have to choose among freshly made Japanese sushi, sashimi rolls, yakitori, grilled seafood, but life is never this hard. Of course you get all! The Nobu Sunday Brunch is a well-curated buffet where you get cold dishes, hot dishes, grilled food from the kushiyaki station, crispy pork belly at the carving station, bread and lavish desserts.

I was super hungry when we came in, and the first things that greeted our gaze were the Nobu Sushi and Sashimi. I filled my plate up with Salmon Karashi Su Miso, Cup Sushi, Tuna Tataki with Matsuhisa Dressing, Shima Aji Jalapeno, House Special Roll, Oshizushi, Salmon Skin Roll, Crispy Spicy Tuna Roll, New Style Sashimi, and Chirashi—basically every starter that pleased my eyes. 😛

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Next, we turned to the hot items and thoroughly enjoyed a mix of cooked seafood, vegetables, and meat as well. You can’t go wrong with: Shrimp Wasabi Pepper, Umami Chicken, Salmon Honey Soy Glazed, Beef Gyudon, Kabocha with Quinoa Salad, Seafood Udon, Okonomiyaki, Miso Soup, and a steaming portion of Japanese Rice.

But the highlight of mains for us had to be the kushiyaki station, where a chef grilled skewers of beef, pork, chicken, salmon, chicken skin, baby octopus, nasu, shiitake mushroom, leeks, squid, wagyu beef, eggplant, and more—to be paired with a choice of wasabi pepper, terriyaki, or anticucho.

Just beside it was the carving station. We had an ample serving of the porchetta and vegetable fried rice.

Seafoods like crabs, shrimps, lobsters, oysters, and mussels can be grilled by request. The grilled scallops and oysters tasted exemplary.

Lastly, at the dessert section, there’s a wide selection of bread, pastries, and cakes, plus a matcha white ganache chocolate fountain, for dipping strawberries and brownies. We were all smitten with the sweet treats, but of all desserts (there’s a lot), the green tea, mango, vanilla, and raspberry sorbet stood out most. Runner-ups were the eclairs (vanilla, coffee, chocolate) and the baked a la minute (oven-based warm chocolate cake with green tea ice cream). #foodcoma

For drinks, we had lychee and cucumber mocktails. The natural flavors worked together in wonderful harmony.

Price for Value:

Offered at PhP 2900, the Nobu Sunday Brunch Buffet is available every Sunday, from 11:30am to 3pm. It’s inclusive of all food, sodas, juices, mocktails, coffee and tea. Alternatively, diners may choose to have the brunch with free flowing Moet & Chandon, a selection of Champagne cocktails, Bloody Marys, Mojitos, wines and beer, at P4,500++. Surely, the steep tab is not for the timid but the consistent level of taste and service makes you feel special.

No doubt, Nobu Restaurant in Nobu Hotel Manila stays true to its reputation for delivering great food. It is a recommended place to celebrate any special occasion or whenever you want to pig out and make sure all the calories will be worth it. The luxurious ambiance with a “sweep you into another world” feel, exemplary staff, and super delicious Japanese food justify the cost. Each bite provided interesting and unique flavors. It will be an expensive meal, but it is a perfect spot for those who regularly enjoy sushi and seafood.

[schema type=”review” url=”https://www.noburestaurants.com/manila” name=”Nobu Restaurant” description=”Level 1, Nobu Hotel Manila, City of Dreams Manila, Asean Avenue corner Roxas Boulevard, Parañaque” rev_body=”For reservations, contact 800-8080 (24 hours), 691-2882, 691-2885 or email noburestaurant@cod-manila.com” author=”Roch Sioco” pubdate=”2019-02-03″ user_review=”4.8″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”5″ ]

February 3, 2019
Top 5 Valentine Gifts to Convey Your Affectionate Feelings for Your Girlfriend

Hey guys! Is there any particular person in your life for whom you have strong feelings of affection and care or the one you feel lucky to have or the one who makes you smile like an idiot? If your answer is yes, then my dear you are in love.

Love is the most beautiful feelings and if you are experiencing the same with your girlfriend then express your feelings in such a manner that she can’t stop herself from saying “Yes” to you. Valentine’s Day is the festival of love when you have a golden opportunity to make her feel special and tell her how much you love her.

A romantic Valentine gift from your side can be the perfect medium of conveying your emotions of love, affection and care for her in a nice manner. Coming up with a thoughtful gift can be a little daunting task and make you fall into the dilemma of which gift is ideal to make your girl feel your love.

If you are scrambling for the right gift then you must check out this article as here we have curated a list of some amazing Valentine gifts that will speak your love for your girlfriend in a most prominent way and at the same time make the day, a memorable one. Gifting the below-listed Valentine gifts to your girlfriend is the perfect way to say “I Love You” to her.

Top 5 Valentine Gifts to Convey Your Affectionate Feelings for Your Girlfriend

Flowers

It is the most romantic gift that has the power to conquer your girl’s heart with its adorable beauty and aromatic fragrance. Give your girlfriend a bunch of fresh red roses online as roses are the symbol of love, care and respect as well as speaks your emotions in a very well manner. This gift is something that never goes out of style. So, go and get a fresh Valentine’s day flowers arrangement from your nearby florist store.

“Lucky to have you” Mug

Convey your affectionate feelings by gifting this super cool mug with a beautiful line “Lucky to Have You” printed on it. For the girlfriend turned coffee or tea addict, this mug is perfect. She can fuels her up by having a sip of coffee in it and at the same time, remind her of your love time to time. It’s a really adorable Valentine gifts that woo her heart and spell your every single feeling.

Makeup palette

Hey guy! Don’t be tensed! You may have no idea what kind of makeup your girlfriend use or which makeup brand she prefers the most, but gifting a makeup kit or palette can do the trick in your relationship. Trust us! It’s a better way to delight her heart. On receiving such a wonderful present from your side, she will feel how much you really care for her.

Stunning earrings

For the fashionista, it will be going to be the best present of her life. A pair of stunning earrings will seriously impress her and make her feel awesome on this day of love, Valentine’s Day. She will cherish this sweet & romantic gift and definitely feel your deep feelings of love. It’s a perfect gift for your girlfriend.

Personalized necklace

If your girlfriend loves subtle and meaningful jewelry, then an elegant necklace from your side will sure to steal her heart. Personalize this piece of jewelry with her initials so that she can feel your love whenever she wears it. You can get these kinds of Valentine’s day gifts online from any trustworthy gift portal as there are so many choices that will help you to buy the perfect one.

The above-listed Valentine gifts are lovely and romantic that surely embrace a special in her heart. Valentine’s Day is the day of love and it must be special for your girlfriend. Recreate those romantic moments again when you proposed her by presenting her the above-listed gifts. She will love it!

January 27, 2019
Presotea is Now in the Philippines! (Robinsons Magnolia, Quezon City)

What’s Presotea? Nope, it’s not just another milk tea store from Taiwan! Presotea serves milk tea but not only that. It specializes in serving brew-to-order tea based beverages with unique flavors and cocktails that bring out the distinct tea flavor every time.

Presotea is Now in the Philippines! (Robinsons Magnolia, Quezon City)

We met with the owners today and learned that what sets it apart from all the rest is its brewing technology. The name “Presotea” is derived from espresso-tea, since it uses a high-temperature and high-pressure espresso machine to extract the essence of tea. Each cup is freshly made in front of the customer giving them a fresh tea flavor and a healthier way of drinking tea with a bittersweet aftertaste.

With an excellent technological background in tea orchard management, they have a meticulous tea selection process and professional R & D team in its process and preparation. The espresso machine they use in the store is inspired by the Western technology and Eastern tea culture. The management from Taiwan even flew here in Manila to train the staff on how to use their espresso machine.

We tried all sorts of different tea variants and flavors. Each one was delightful! Truly, picking a personal favorite took me some time. What I also like is that the teas they serve aren’t concocted and made from powder form or the artificial kind. Presotea’s teas are brewed from actual tea leaves.

The top sellers are Japanese Milk Tea Macchiato with Red Bean, Blueberry Aloe Vera, Signature Fruit Tea Fusion, A-li-shan Iced Tea, Signature Tea Latte with Pearl, PPJ (Pearl, Pudding, Jelly) Milk Tea, Matcha Latte with Red Bean and White Pearl, QQ Passion Fruit Tea, White Peach Tea Macchiato, and Apple Passion Yakult. The teas can be served either hot or cold, depending on the customer’s preference. Sugar and ice levels can be adjusted. Also, there’s an option to go for a zero-calorie sweetener (liquid stevia). Additional toppings are optional: black pearl, coconut jelly, grass jelly, pudding, aloe vera, white pearl, red bean, and cheese macchiato.

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I ordered the Japanese Milk Tea Macchiato with Red Bean and Louie got the Wintermelon Milk Tea. The taste of milk tea and red bean together is heaven for me. The cream macchiato lends an extra smooth and creamy finish, with an appealing taste of fresh cream that lingers on the palate. I got 50% sugar and it was just sweet enough for my liking. Wintermelon Milk Tea was another great choice. Unlike in other tea shops, this one has real wintermelon in it (not sugar). The end result is a milk tea with a sort of haunting soft sweetness resembling caramel with a twist. 🙂 Love it!

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Here’s the Presotea menu, for your reference. Prices are affordable!

Launched in the first week of January 2019, Presotea in Robinsons Magnolia is the first branch in the Philippines. But internationally, it has over 300 franchise stores. Presotea has been well established and successfully launched in Taiwan since 2006. Through its outstanding management and product quality control, the brand has become one of the well-known tea shops in Taiwan and the business is still growing. It’s also present in countries like Indonesia, Canada, China and Australia.

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January 26, 2019
Review of 1919 Grand Cafe (Binondo, Manila)

The site of the old HSBC building has now been transformed to a very beautiful and elegant cafe in Binondo. After restoration and retrofitting done last year, it’s now called 1919 Grand Cafe. For a bit of history, the old Hong Kong & Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) was built from 1921 to 1922 and it was inaugurated on September 22, 1922. It’s located on a quiet and dark street frequented by filmmakers near our home. We could literally walk towards it with ease but for utmost convenience, we decided to just drive to the massive cafe for lunch one day before the New Year. 🙂

Review of 1919 Grand Cafe (Binondo, Manila)

Ambiance:

The interior design looks upscale but not stuffy. It’s the kind of place that’s perfect for almost any occasion, as it can accommodate large groups and even has function rooms with TVs on the second floor. These private rooms are great for hosting meetings, birthday celebrations, and other intimate events for four to about 20 people. The cafe accepts a minimum fee (differs per room) that’s consumable for food and drinks.

1919 Grand Cafe has a high ceiling and there’s a long bar at the far side making for a strong solo diner option. Behind the bar, you’ll see how the staff prepares and makes food in action. The dark walls with dark wood panels and polished floors give a nice warmth to the ambiance. Seats serve as accents and they’re upholstered in bright, Skittle-colored fabrics. I also love that their pillow cases have different witty statements on. 🙂

The walls are filled with built-in shelves displaying various decors, vintage stuff, and some wine bottles. The crowds were mostly made up of families who were slightly dressed up, fitting in right in this refined setting.

Food:

It was my first time to encounter the word “Albondigas” (PhP 450) on the menu. I asked the waiter and he said it’s vegetarian balls with pomodoro sauce. Inside, there’s white fungus, potatoes, and mushrooms. Served fried in a richly tart tomato sauce, these meatless balls are the ultimate comfort food for vegetarians. With a bevy of textures, it’s a healthy adaptation of a classic Spanish dish. Suddenly, I got interested to try creating these myself at home. I found a recipe here. It’s a must-try for vegans!

We were warned that the pizza would take about 45 minutes to serve, so it’s best to order it right away if you intend to. Hence, it was a delight to have the Assorted Flavor of Pizza (PhP 680) on the table before half an hour passed. The four flavors were: cheese, vegetarian, seafood, and Hawaiian (bacon and pineapples). We each got a thin slice of everything and were thoroughly pleased. The crust was pretty good. It had the exact right balance of soft, chewy and crunchy. Taste-wise, the pizza was perfect on its own, no need to beg for condiments. So yes, it was worth the wait!

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Baked Rice Caldereta (PhP 490) is one of the house specialties. Packed with rice and topped with cheese, the baked beef caldereta was extremely flavorful. Showing off savory essence, the beef was tender and lean, while the chopped carrots imparted a balancing sweetness. Order with confidence.

Wonderfully plated with garlic bread, Pasta Negra (PhP 430) or the Squid-Ink Pasta was another striking dish. Imbued with a noticeable brine from the squid ink, the pasta consisted of clams, squid, and shrimp. Each one contributed to more notes of the ocean. Love it!

Crisp, tender, and tasty are probably the best three words to describe 1919 Grand Cafe’s Salt and Pepper Spareribs (PhP 380). These are always a crowd-pleaser as a popular dish in Chinese cuisine. The flavors of salt and pepper seemed to temper and complement each other.

Price for Value:

The next time you’re planning to go on a food trip in Chinatown, make sure to include 1919 Grand Cafe in your list. The sleek interior design, attentive service, and food are spot on, with reasonable prices to boot. Here, you can’t expect to get generous portions of authentic Chinese food when in Binondo, but you’ll be equally satisfied with their nicely executed dishes. Check it out!

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January 26, 2019
Review of Alter Ego (New Manila, Quezon City)

Why the name Alter Ego? From their About page, it’s because the mélange of flavors comes from the east and the west. We were surprised to find that it’s located on a street a few steps away only from Robinsons Magnolia. It was almost like a revelation and I guess not many people have already figured this out.

As with Kokoro Japanese Grindz, we booked a reservation here via Eatigo hence getting a good deal of discount from our bill. So, with “two personalities coexisting in a single self,” does their concept of having an alter ego actually work? This restaurant offers familiar and recognizable dishes catered to modern palates, but with new and exciting twists. There’s a different spin that could be put on with each dish, and the possibilities seem limitless!

Review of Alter Ego (New Manila, Quezon City)

Ambiance:

Alter Ego Fusion Restaurant has a calm and quiet ambiance. It’s the kind of place where you can kick back for hours, chat nonstop with friends, or work with your laptop on. It’s a laid-back place where you can enjoy your meal with no rush. Since it’s like “a hidden gem in New Manila,” we were the only customers when we came in so I had a great chance to take pictures of all parts of the restaurant.

Overall, the theme and interior design looked elegant and decent. There’s a front part featuring Azucar products proudly displayed at a chiller, and the justify and right wings where customers are to be seated. Outside, there’s an al fresco area, complete with a colorful wall mural, for a youthful vibe.

Food:

The food at Alter Ego strikes a difficult sweet spot; there were both hits and misses.

It was raining that day, so we thought soups would be a good start. We got Seafood Ravioli Laksa (PhP 220) and also shared a warm bowl of Pumpkin Soup Souffle (PhP 205). The presentations were simple, and the flavor profiles were so subtle. I didn’t like them as much as I expected from the descriptions on the menu.

As compared to the traditional laksa I relish, this one with seafood coconut broth was bland for my liking. The ravioli in the soup didn’t come out fresh but rather frozen then heated, far from the kind that would create a good sensation.

With a cheese souffle on top, the pumpkin soup wasn’t favored too much either. The egg white was fluffy like a cloud and just as light, but the soup itself had a weak stock with a little taste of seasoning and didn’t taste anything special.

Okay, so we didn’t have a strong start at Alter Ego. Following the soup dishes was a comfort Filipino dish given a twist by preparing it sous vide for six hours. Nicely plated, the twice-cooked pork belly (PhP 340) was probably the best thing we had here. The grilled pork belly perfectly went together with the ratatouille and the buttered basil rice. It had a good amount of fat and meat, and the flavor was quite sweet. The veggies in the mix livened it up, and we liked it.

Lastly, we got Devil’s Curry (PhP 230). It’s a fun course but not so much a “can’t-miss” entree. Cooked with Portuguese-Malay curry sauce, southeast Asian chili, herbs, and spices spiked with vinegar, the seared chicken dish was interesting and last meal-worthy. The bold spice and warm notes of curry brought depth and interest to an otherwise basic curry. I loved that the chicken was tender and the sauce was a little thick, which complemented the steamed white rice well.

Price for Value:

Alter Ego in Hemady, Quezon City provided us some enjoyable dishes and some not-so-impressive ones. Nevertheless, this casual restaurant featuring balanced Eastern-Western fusion dishes deserve some attention. Choose main courses well for a boss-impressing lunch or a lingering wine-fueled dinner. Since it’s quite empty at peak mealtime, there’s more opportunities to book the place for an event. It’s a nice neighborhood hot spot where diners can leave with a novel experience. Without the 30% discount from Eatigo though, prices would seem more expensive considering the value.

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January 20, 2019
Review of Kokoro Japanese Grindz (Tomas Morato, Quezon City)

Kokoro Japanese Grindz offers Japanese-Hawaiian fusion food and specializes in sushi rolls, ramen, and takoyaki. We came here for lunch and enjoyed 30% discount off the bill thanks to Eatigo. Based on photos and reviews online, the ultimate showstopper has to be their sushi rolls.

Review of Kokoro Japanese Grindz (Tomas Morato, Quezon City)

Ambiance:

Kokoro Japanese Grindz seems like a neighborhood-y type of haunt. The setting is photogenic and lovely to behold. With light wooden fixtures, colorful backdrops, and ambient lighting, this restaurant on the ground floor of Creekside Square doesn’t lack in charm. The decors may be minimal, exuding a vibe of surf culture, but there’s no need to be fancy anyway.

Food:

Usually when a restaurant has many menu sections, it’s not a good sign, but here there’s much more good than bad. We tried getting one from each section and ended up with a bunch of pretty items that tasted as good as they looked.

For our starter, the Gyoza (PhP 160) wasn’t the most memorable but it was okay. The ground pork filling was tasty and the wrappers were pan-fried to just the right consistency, providing a light, savory crunch to accentuate the meat. The dish was accompanied with soy ginger sauce. Although this condiment wasn’t even necessary, it complemented the gyoza well.

Secondly, we opted to try their Takoyaki (PhP 140). I was craving for it for a long time now and was pleasantly satisfied with its overall taste and texture. With a good mouthfeel, the takoyaki was filled and topped with lots of precious goodies and a riot of condiments: negi, cabbage, aonori, katsu sauce, wasabi mayo, mashed egg, and katsuobushi (dried, fermented, and smoked skipjack tuna). These battered octopus balls were seriously a delicious and gooey Japanese treat!

Since Kokoro Japanese Grindz is also known for its ramen, we couldn’t get away not ordering at least one. We shared a bowl of Taboo (PhP 330). It’s ramen with tonkotsu broth base with triple garlic, served with fried garlic, mayo, garlic oil, kizami nori, pork belly chashu, negi, moyashi, and ajitama. It was creamy but not too thick. There’s a comforting profoundness to the broth that I enjoyed, all brightened up with a bit of seaweed which gave a hint of umami depth.

Loco Moco (PhP 290) is their take on Hawaii’s comfort food. It looked appetizing on the plate, served with pork belly chashu, gravy, sunny side up egg, togarashi, negi, and kizami nori.

As shared on my Instagram feed, Bathala (PhP 280) is the bomb! What more can I say? It’s a textural and tasty masterpiece, with sweet, salty, and spicy flavors in one bite. The preparation was flawless and this one really conveyed all the wonderful characteristics of its ingredients beautifully accented by just a kick of moderate heat. If we ever go back to this restaurant, I’d order this again with no hesitation. Yum!

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El Diablo (PhP 250) was another standout. Made with tuna, crab meat, avocado, cream cheese, baked tempura shrimps, wasabi mayo, sweet sauce, aonori, habanero sauce, this deep-fried sushi roll had a balanced bite of sweet and savory I reveled in. There was much more going on here than in your typical roll. Loved. It!

Their specialty sashimi, Abura Salmon (PhP 220) was served with their special blend soy sauce, ginger, cilantro, and sesame seeds. The course brought out no less than four cuts for us to enjoy. The salmon had a clean and mild taste and was great with a dab of soy.

Finally, we opted for something with vegetables and quickly, the Veggie Spring Rolls (PhP 150) filled up that last remaining bit of space in our stomachs. Tightly wrapped with rice paper, the rolls were composed of cucumber, avocado, shredded carrots, and green leaf lettuce. The pieces had a satisfyingly crunch but were a little bland. Good thing, the Japanese sesame dressing was also provided for the rescue.

Price for Value:

Operating somewhat under the radar, Kokoro Japanese Grindz did not disappoint. Hardcore sushi roll purists may be put off by the liberal use of toppings, but I found that they largely added a new dimension to the dish. Many bites were great but there were also those that were okay to pass. Service was attentive, with excellent recommendations and a good cadence of dish delivery. Prices have good value; the range won’t burn a hole in your wallet.

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January 19, 2019
How to Create a Perfect Art Wall in Your Home

They say that home is where the heart is. But I say that home is where the ART is. Confused? Well, let me explain.

Art is all about self-expression and realization of the world and its complexities as seen and observed through your personal lens. That’s why art is so private, soulful, and relatable, just like your home.

The color to our bare walls, the music to our hungry soul, the light to our shadowed corners, art is a part of each and every one of us even if most of us aren’t professional artists. Here are some interesting ways you can turn your home into a true depiction of yourself through your art and creativity.

DIY Crafts

Not many people are born with a calligrapher’s hands or a painter’s creativity, but crafts are a mode of art that doesn’t need much from anyone except focus and the will to create something beautiful by their own hands. So depending on your preference, you can make wall hangings, wooden carvings, famous quote frames, quirky lighting fixtures, photo frames etc. etc. – the choices are endless!

If you wanna try something with a mix of painting and crafts, acrylic pouring is a great idea. It’s easy enough to understand and get started with as the things you’ll need are pretty easy to come by and you can find many online tutorials as well.

All such DIY crafts add a feeling of self to the room which is very hard to replicate.

Personal Pictures

Whether we accept it or not, almost all of us love to take photographs. Doesn’t matter if its landscape, miniature, self-portraits, family & friends or events, everyone enjoys photography in form or another, which makes it one of the common and profound artistic expressions.

So if you’ve been planning an art wall in your house, you can get started with your personal photography. Simply shortlist the most favorite photographs from your collection, get them printed (even framed if you want) into a desirable size and put them up at the wall. I personally suggest getting the wall painted beforehand into a neutral but refreshing color, different from the rest of the room, to bring more focus to the photos.

You can get funky, whimsical frames for your photos or simply paste them over the wall with hand-painted decorations around to add a more personalized touch. Trust me, this photo wall will become an absolute charmer in the room.

Paintings

Paintings and drawings are a great asset for an art wall in your home. They add color, dimension and a whole lot of sophistication to the space and don’t need any other embellishment to snag the focus – the art speaks for itself!

If you are into murals, then turning your wall into one would be the most awesome idea. You can incorporate small elements, like personal photographs or lighting accents etc., to create a whole story around the mural. Unique, expressive and attention-grabbing!

Lighting Fixtures

Lights can make or break an art piece. To hit you with its full force, art needs proper lighting. So it’s imperative that whenever you start working on your art wall, you make sure that it is designed with the lighting accents, sources, and angles in mind.

The right type of lighting placed in the right position and angles can change the whole feel of the art. Warmth, liveliness, darkness, depth, joy, sadness – everything can be downplayed or enhanced tenfold just by adjusting the lighting.

So think about the ambient lighting in the room, the placement of white and gold lamp lights, fairy lights, additional overhead lighting or DIY craft lamps addition while planning the whole look of the wall and you’ll be surprised at how the simplest art can become so impactful in the toggle of a switch.

January 19, 2019