Dinner Buffet at Circles Event Cafe, Makati Shangri-La Hotel

This is actually one of my late posts.  Not too late because this dinner buffet with my colleagues happened only last month, December last year to be exact.  It was Friday night, just more than a week before Christmas.  It was my first time to enter and dine at Makati Shang.  I am very much thankful to my colleagues, especially to my bosses who had a bigger amount of share on the food (buffet) bills that I was again able to experience dining at one of the five star hotels in the metro.

This luxurious hotel is located near the popular malls in Makati: Greenbelt, Landmark, Glorietta and SM.  And, walking distance to MRT (Metro Rail Transit) - Ayala Station.

I really loved looking at those big chandelier and Christmas decors in the hotel lobby.  Of course, this would never escape from my camera lens.

And just a closer look at the angels that seem like flying..

Circles Event Café is located at the far left side of the hotel lobby.





Themed buffets are every night, from Mondays to Saturdays and big brunch on Sundays.  What we had was a “Seafood Market” themed dinner buffet, since it was Friday night.

The dining area is really big and spacious.  Even though almost all of the dining tables were occupied, the place still didn't look crowded and wasn't that noisy.  Btw, I noticed some public figure dining there that time.


Our table was located far from the buffet area.  Sorry I wasn't able to take photos of the buffets.  Aside from knowing and having read on some of the blogs/reviews that most of the five star hotels don’t allow taking pictures on their food/dish at the buffet area, yours truly is really a shy type person.  I didn't find anyone doing it so I decided not to take the chance.  And besides I was too busy eating hehe .  Anyway, I just took photos of my plates and some of the plates for sharing.

This plate was from buffet salad and sushi section.  Their salad and sushi/Japanese dish section are quite small, not the way I expected.



There were lots of fresh seafood cause it was a “Seafood Market” themed dinner buffet.  It was like eating at Dampa, you know what I mean—selecting your fresh seafood for them to cook in any dish you prefer and it will be delivered right at your table when its ready.


You should eat these seafood dishes while its hot..












This crepe was precooked, available in the buffet dessert section.  You should order freshly made cause this one didn't look or even taste delicious.





Coffee and hot tea are complimentary.  Bottomless iced tea has a charge and located on the buffet area so if you didn't read or notice the label that it has a charge, you might get one just like some of my companions.  Good thing, they informed me.  I rather drink coffee which I love drinking especially after having a big meal and with no extra charge!!


Chefs around the buffet area and the waiters/waitresses are not that friendly as compared to those in Escolta at The Peninsula Manila.  All in all, the food is scrumptious.  It was indeed a great dining experience.  The dinner buffet rate is expensive of course but trying or experiencing it once in a while or on an occasion is really worth it.




This is their bakeshop near the Circles Event Café entrance.  I didn’t peek inside to check the goods and the price.

Going back to the hotel lobby..





My photo op (haha) with some of the Christmas trees on the hotel lobby in front of the hotel’s main entrance.




(Belated) Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year folks!

Till next time! 

 

Circles Event Cafe at Makati Shangri-La, Manila

Ayala Avenue corner Makati Avenue

Lobby Level

Makati City  1200

(02) 813-8888

Website:  http://www.shangri-la.com/manila/makatishangrila/dining/restaurants/circles-event-cafe/

Dinner at Kanin Club, Ayala Triangle Gardens

As Christmas approaches, I together with close friends, officemates at the same time decided to have dinner at Kanin Club in Ayala Triangle Gardens.  This was not our first time to dine there.  But whenever we feel like going to Ayala Triangle Gardens, Kanin Club is always on top of our list.

This was the scene at Kanin Club that night.  Those people outside were waiting for their seats.  We were at number 8 (as far as I remember) on the waiting list when we arrived.

Btw, for those who don’t know Kanin Club yet, it is not a club/night club (hehe).  It is a restaurant that serves Filipino dishes with branches in Laguna, Muntinlupa, Quezon City, Mandaluyong and of course Makati.

And the ambiance, very Filipino.  With wooden floors and capiz windows, feels like dining at Vigan, one of the oldest and preserved towns/cities in the country.

Even if we already gave our orders before we got our seats, we still waited for 30 minutes I guess before orders arrived.



We didn't think much on what to order.  We just ordered our favorite Crispy Dinuguan and Seafood Kare Kare.

Crispy Dinuguan

I think, it shouldn't be called Seafood Kare Kare.  It should be Tahong (Mussels) Kare Kare cause the plate had a great number of mussels on it than any other kind of seafood.  There were only 2 pcs. of shrimp on the plate which I’m very much sure.  Anyway, the taste is good except for the Bagoong Alamang.  Bagoong Alamang of Barrio Fiesta and Cabalen is still the best for me.

Seafood Kare Kare

We also ordered Pancit Bihon for a change.  And, we truly liked it.  It is not too moist and not too dry.  My friends and I have the same opinion about the taste, the taste is what we actually looking for a Pancit Bihon.

Pancit Bihon

And, to be an official member of the club, kanin (rice) should be included in list of orders (just kidding haha).  Well for me, I wouldn't appreciate those delicious dishes without kanin or rice.

Kanin (Rice)

After we have finished our dinner, we visited the famous Ayala Triangle Gardens Lights and Sounds Show.  Well, I won’t say much about this show or the place since I have been posting it more than once in this site.  And hey, I am not paid to keep on mentioning Ayala Triangle Gardens hehe.  I don’t know if Ayala would be thankful of me or the opposite but I don’t have that number of viewers and followers so my views don’t really exist in the whole blogosphere hehe.

Ayala Triangle Gardens Lights & Sounds Show

Hope I could dine again at Kanin Club.  There are lots of food choices in their menu so even if I dined there more than once, I have a lot of dish that I still haven’t and want to try.  Before I forget, their servings are really big.  Those orders I've mentioned was more than enough for us five.

Till next time!   

Kanin Club

Ayala Triangle Gardens

Makati

(02) 621-6109

Party at Shakey’s SM North Edsa (Plus Affordable Party Ideas)

If you’re looking for a party venue, why not consider Shakey’s in SM North Edsa.  I had my son’s birthday party there and I just want to share it with you (this post is dedicated to my imaginary readers looking for kid’s party venue plus party ideas at affordable rate).



I always wanted a party held at place inside malls.  Why?  First, mall is very accessible.  I won’t have the hard time giving instruction to my guests on how to get to the venue.  Second, there are lots of parking spaces in case most of them bring a car.  And, guests may want to do malling or shopping after since party usually lasts for 2-4 hours only.

Shakey’s in SM North Edsa has a function room with a capacity up to 100 persons.  Though I want party to be held at a place inside malls, I still choose a place (restaurant) where we (family and friends) would have our own privacy so a private function room is a must.

Use of venue is free if you reserve or avail their required minimum number of guest.  Also, you are required to avail the amenities for less than P4K.  Amenities include invitations, party hats, loot bags/souvenirs, prizes for games, a frame where guest may write message to celebrant, use of tarpaulin, few balloons, party host and use of sound system.

I didn't make or spend on personalized invitations.  I just used the free invitation cards from Shakey’s which I think is practical.  I gave them to family and friends who are actually neighbors; and to my officemates.  And, I created an event on Facebook and used it to invite family and friends who aren't near without having to meet them to personally give the invitation card (very much practical).

Invitation Cards

Loot Bags (Souvenirs)

a frame where guest may write message to celebrant

Mascot is not included in the amenities.  I paid less than P1K for Captain Shakey’s.

Cake is also not included.  Instead of ordering a typical customized 1-3 layer birthday cake, I chose cupcakes which I placed in a 3-tier cupcake tower plus one 9-inch Superman themed cake.  Btw, Shakey’s offered only Justice League themed party that time (Superman for boy celebrant and Wonder Woman for girl).

Cupcakes and cake are from Blushing Cupcakes Café.  Please read my separate post about those cupcakes and cake in case you’re interested or you like my idea.

If you will notice, there’s a balloon arch (above photo) on the cupcake tower and cake.  My friend has a talent in balloon decorating and made that, also the balloon pillar and balloons on the center tables like this one (below photo).


You could email or post a comment if you need a balloon decorator for a very reasonable price since friend is only starting in this business.  She used to décor only for families and friends.  I would love to refer my friend to you.  Btw, she only accepts weekends (Sat & Sun) events.

For additional party ideas, Shakey’s has official supplier for photobooth, clowns, food carts, chocolate fountain etc.  A friend lent me her chocolate fountain and used it instead in this party (another practical idea).

In addition, I put a candy corner for the kids.  There were lollipops, candies, chocolates, jelly drinks, gummy bears and Trolli Sour GlowWorms which I bought from Landmark Supermarket and S&R Membership Shopping.

Too bad, the Chocolate Fountain didn't work.  Anyway, the kids still have enjoyed and the choco fondue was almost consumed/emptied after the party.  I should have brought a red tablecloth.  That pink tablecloth (in above photo) was an eye sore (haaay..).

Before I forget, here’s the set meal I selected per pax with 1 glass of iced tea each (same set meal for kids).  Cost: less than P200.

All in all, it was a great party for me indeed.  I know son had a great time celebrating his birthday with his dearest family and friends (mom knows) which I think is the most important.  I love you son!  Wish you all the best in this world..

Till next time! 

Shakey’s SM North Edsa 2/F

351-1594

Website:  https://www.shakeyspizza.ph/

Blushing Cupcakes Cafe

I have been planning and preparing to throw a kid’s party for my son’s birthday when I found Blushing Cupcakes Café in Sky Garden, SM North Edsa.  I was actually looking for a birthday cake near the party place.  Sons’ birthday party was held in Shakey’s SM North Edsa.  Thanks to the internet, I was able to find Blushing Cupcakes Café.  Before placing an order for the said party, we tried their cupcakes first (of course).

Currently, they have three branches: Club 650 Libis (beside Shopwise); Sky Garden, SM North Edsa and CW Home Depot Ortigas.

Blushing Cupcakes Café in SM North Edsa is quite small but just a perfect place to have coffee and dessert before or after shopping in the mall or after having a sumptuous lunch or dinner in one of the nearby restaurants at Sky Garden.

They have various cupcakes to choose from.  And, I was surprised that their cupcakes aren’t really expensive.  Price ranges from P33 to P57 each!!!

I just ordered these four cupcakes for takeout.

Blushing Cupcakes (from left to right, upper to lower portion): Red Velvet P39; Chocolate Glaze P36; Cookies and Cream P36 and Blueberry Cheesecake P52

I love the Cookies and Cream.  Anyway, I always love Cookies and Cream as a flavor in any desserts.  Another thing, the icing is what I like most about their cupcake.  I have tried other brand in the area (since I was looking for a perfect dessert, giveaway at the same time and cake for my son’s birthday party) and their icings are far better.

Wonder what my son’s birthday party cupcakes and cake are?  Well, here it is.

Son’s birthday party held in Shakey’s SM North Edsa was a Justice League (Superman) themed party.  Blushing Cupcakes Café customize cupcakes and cakes.  Good thing, 9-inch Superman cake (above photo) is available in their designs.

Their customized cupcake worth P60 each, plus P15 each if you want to add cupcake toppers.  That’s expensive.  Well in my case, since my motif is red and blue, I just ordered 15 pcs. Red Velvet and 15 pcs. Blueberry for P39 each.  And, I just had the DIY cupcake toppers.  I only used clip art from MS Office, printed it in white board paper, cut and then attached on toothpick using scotch tape.  I also bought there the Cupcake Tower (3-tier) and personally designed it with red and blue ribbons from SM Makati.

Here is the sample computation of my son’s birthday cupcakes and cake:

The DIY Cupcake Tower Kit (3-Tier)      P 400.00

15 pcs. Red Velvet                                  585.00

15 pcs. Blueberry                                    585.00

1 pc. Red Velvet (free)                             -0-

1 pc. Blueberry (free)                               -0-

9-inch Superman Cake                             900.00

2 meters Plain Red Ribbon                         10.00

2 meters Plain Blue Ribbon                        10.00

32 pcs. individual boxes (free)                  -0-

                                                        ------------

Total                                                 P2,490.00

                                                        =========

Isn’t that cheap?  But not the way it looks (I hope you agree with me hehe).

Btw, order of said cupcakes and cake should be placed at least one week before.  And, they don’t deliver so make sure you have a buddy with strong hands to pick up and carry those.  My decision was right since Blushing Cupcakes Café is just a few walks away from Shakey’s in SM North Edsa.

One more, don’t expect the 9-inch cake to be delicious as the cupcakes.  What would you expect in customized birthday cakes (even with other brands), just a mere decoration.  Anyway, a party or any event wouldn’t be complete without themed cakes.

Till next time! 

Blushing Cupcakes Café

Sky Garden

2/F SM North Edsa

Brgy. Pagasa

Quezon City

664-0538

Website:  http://www.blushingcupcakescafe.com