Certified Foodies - A food blog by siblings Mhel and Ken

Foodie Blog Reviews / Features

T.G.I. Friday’s Opens At Eastwood City

Most of us look forward to Friday. It’s the end of a busy week and, at the same time, the start of a well-deserved weekend for all those who hustle and bustle at school or at work. It’s the ultimate day for relaxation and enjoyment. But, guess what, we don’t really need to wait for Friday just to have fun. With T.G.I. Friday’s infectious energy and with their excellent food and customer service, everyone would feel like it’s Friday every single day of the week!

T.G.I. Friday's Sign - CertifiedFoodies.com

T.G.I. Friday’s Maxim: “In here, it’s always Friday.”

After more than 15 years since setting up their first in 1994, T.G.I. Friday’s opens a new branch in Eastwood City, Libis. This is their 13th and now considered as their new flagship branch since it’s the location where the brand has decided to implement major changes in architectural and interior design.

It is the first free-standing Friday’s branch. All of the other branches, as we all have known, are located in major shopping malls around the Metro.

T.G.I. Friday's Facade - CertifiedFoodies.com

Facade of T.G.I. Friday’s Eastwood City in Libis

From outside, the facade looks bright and very inviting. They have replaced the old canopies and awnings with movie theater-like sheds, giving the place a more modern feel.

Almost everyone who comes to Friday’s has their own camera, and surely they wouldn’t be able to resist having their pictures taken with these life-size models of Superman; the king of rock and roll, Elvis Presley; and the iconic, Marilyn Monroe.

T.G.I. Friday's Superman, Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley - CertifiedFoodies.com

Superman, My cam-whore sis, Mhel, with Marilyn Monroe, and Elvis Presley.

Friday’s is known for having an “artistic clutter” of memorabilia from decades as early as the ‘30s. Now they have decided to move forward in time by including pieces from later decades like the ‘80s, ‘90s, and even from the new millennium.



Oh My Gulay Artist Cafe in Baguio City – A Vegetarian Experience

Ever since a friend of mine mentioned Oh My Gulay Artist Cafe in Baguio, I’ve been dying to try their food. Why? First, it’s a vegetarian restaurant. Since Baguio is known as a popular source of fresh vegetables like broccoli and lettuce, and other crops like strawberries, oranges (from Sagada), etc., I know I can only expect the freshest ingredients on anything on their menu.

Oh My Gulay sign on the 4th Floor of La Azotea building along Session Road in Baguio - CertifiedFoodies.com

So, during our 5-day vacation last month, Oh My Gulay (O.M.G.) was definitely on our itinerary. We kinda had a hard time finding it ’cause when I did my research, someone said it’s located in "Green Azotea" building. We hired a taxi for the whole day (we went to Good Shepherd and Strawberry farm.. will post about that next!) and the driver doesn’t know any building with that name. Turns outs, it’s at the La Azotea building and the color of the whole structure is, well, green. :D

La Azotea along Session Road in Baguio City where you'd find Oh My Gulay - CertifiedFoodies.com

It’s along Session Road so it’s pretty easy to find. It’s right in front of Metrobank. Oh My Gulay is on the 5th floor and there are no elevators. So, you’d have to climb up all the way to their floor. There’s a bookstore, a store that sells cell phone accessories and Blackberry covers, a gym and other food stalls.

The stairs going up to the 5th floor, to Oh My Gulay Artist Cafe at La Azotea - CertifiedFoodies.com

Now, before I go on about Oh My Gulay’s food, let me just share with you some of the photos we took of their restaurant. The whole eclectic design drew my attention.

View from the second floor, dining area of Oh My Gulay in Baguio - CertifiedFoodies.com

Even my bro Kien was fascinated by the intricate structure and decorations, both on the first floor and second floor. He took most of the photos of the restaurant and even went upstairs.



Chocolatey Goodness + Gone Chocco, THE Blog for Chocolate Lovers

I am a chocolate lover. Wait, let me rephrase that. I’m a DARK chocolate lover. But, I still enjoy other kinds of chocolates. Just like what we see in movies and on TV, chocolate is a mood-booster for me. It’s still my choice of comfort food.

  Dark Chocolate - CertifiedFoodies.com
Dark Chocolate – CertifiedFoodies.com
Photo credit: Sense & Serendipity

 

I had the chance to try different chocolates over the past years. Most recently, I’ve had these two new additions to the list of my favorite chocolates – Lindt Pistachio and Ritter Sport Dark Whole Hazelnuts – and, my long-time favorite, Ferrero Rocher.

Lindt Pistachio Chocolate - CertifiedFoodies.com
Lindt Pistachio Chocolate
I love that the chocolate is soft and the pistachio gives it a li’l crunch.
 
  Ritter Sport Dark Whole Hazelnuts - CertifiedFoodies.com
Ritter Sport Dark Whole Hazelnuts
I usually don’t like chocolate with nuts, but I enjoyed this.
 
  Ferrero Rocher Chocolates - CertifiedFoodies.com
Ferrero Rocher Chocolates
Different variants. I enjoyed the dark chocolate the most.

 

I know, some people may say I might need acne products for eating lots of chocolates. But, you should know that chocolates actually are rich in antioxidants called flavonoids that are known to improve the heart’s health. I guess that’s why eating chocolates is comforting.

I prefer dark chocolate over any other kind of chocolate. I love the bittersweet taste and I’m not really a fan of milk and chocolate. Dark chocolate is my favorite comfort food. I also prefer enjoying a plain bar of dark choco, without nuts or anything crunchy mixed, while enjoying movies at home or writing a blog. I’m trying to lessen my cravings for it since I’m trying to lose weight, so I limit myself to one li’l square of chocolate every now and then.

A few of the more affordable dark chocolate I’ve tried are from Hershey’s, Meiji and Goya. Of the 3, I love Hershey’s the most.

  Hershey's Special Dark Chocolate - CertifiedFoodies.com
Hershey’s Special Dark Chocolate
Photo credit: Meals and Miles

 

And, back in high school, I got so addicted to this very affordable milk chocolate – Lala. It only sells at about Php 8.00 now at the market. It brings back a lot of memories for me.

  Lala Milk Chocolate - CertifiedFoodies.com
Lala Milk Chocolate
The more affordable alternative.

 

Gone Chocco – THE Blog for Chocolate Lovers!

While I was doing my daily rounds of bloghopping, I came across this blog that just melted my heart. As soon as I landed on this blog, I quickly browsed through past posts and I can’t believe at how much chocolately goodness I found. The blog I’m talking about is Gone Chocco.

Gone Chocco - The Ultimate Chocolate Lover Blog - CertifiedFoodies.com

The author, Kath Lockett, is the ultimate chocolate lover. And browsing through her blog, reading how she describes or reviews the chocolates she’s tried, really makes me want to try everything she’s featured on Gone Chocco. Really mouth-watering, especially the way she takes photos of the chocolates. Here are a few of the chocolates she featured on her blog that I’d love to try. I wonder where I can buy them here or if they’re even available here in the Philippines.

  Lindt Dark Chocolate Bars - Photos from GoneChocco.com - CertifiedFoodies.com
Lindt Dark Chocolate Bars
Photo credit: Gone Chocco

 

  Choceur Chocolate Bars - Photos from GoneChocco.com - CertifiedFoodies.com
Choceur Chocolate Bars
Photo credit: Gone Chocco

 

 

What’s your favorite chocolate?

Thanks for reading!Written by blankpixels




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