A Day of "Free" Pleasure

My hubby and I decided to redeem some of my prizes which we still haven't used.  The day starts by having our lunch at KITCHEN in Greenbelt 3. (Read my review) then we headed to one of the Five Star hotels to avail our Spa Treatments at THE SPA (MANDARIN ORIENTAL).

This is the prize I have received in OISHI GOURMET PICKS' photo contest.

This is a 75-minute Swedish massage in a couple's room (with your own Steam Bath and Shower) plus complimentary tea and refreshment for Php 2500 each.

We are asked first to fill up a form regarding our basic informations and health conditions prior to massage.

 Hubby filling up the form

Then we went upstairs to have a steam bath and 75-minute massage:

 Relaxing ambiance at the couple's room

Note:  I fell asleep during the treatment hahaha.

Later in the afternoon, we headed our way to Edsa Shangri-la's HEAT RESTAURANT.   This is the prize my hubby had won on ZED's "Spread the Love this Month" photo contest.

The restaurant offers an international buffet served throughout the day. For the dinner buffet, we are particularly having an excellent sampling of both Asian and Continental dishes and desserts. 

The place is relaxing, not too crowded and the place for the food is awesome. It's placed on the center while the chef's are busy cooking the foods.  Likewise, there's a separate area for both smokers and non-smokers.

That night we we're accompanied by Zed's representative, Mr. Russ Esquierdo, and Candy Magazine's correspondent, Ms. Roxie.

 Hubby & I with Mr. Esquierdo of ZED (from left to right:  Mr. Russ, Hubby, myself)

With Ms. Roxie of Candy Magazine

(from top to bottom, left to right: Ms. Roxie, hubby and myself)

We were interviewed by them for a while...then it's time to chow!

My hubby and I loved Chinese cuisines so we end up getting the following:

Honey-cured & Hainanese Chicken, Pata Tim, Shrimp Dumplings,  Fried Beancurd,  Duck Dimsum, Siopao Asado and Tempura

I just said to myself, if only I could eat all of these cuisines, I will, but for now enough for this :)

My hubby actually ate 15 pcs of Tempura, 9 pcs of Shrimp Dumplings hahaha lolz.

On my way to the dessert station, I saw Beef Dumplings, Siomai, Italian Pizzas, Lobsters, Pastas, Soups, Taho, Maki, etc...too many to mention but my stomach couldn't accommodate all of them.  I still need a room for cake desserts :)

Now dessert time ^_^

This is the first one I ate, I actually forgot it's name :p

Then I grabbed a Strawberry Swirl, a combination of yogurt and strawberry:

Then followed by:

Panna Cotta:  One of the best 'zerts I loved here!  

I even forgot my name while indulging it ^_^ 

 Brazo de Mercedes

Who wouldn't love Cheesecakes? I'm crazy over it. 

The classic Tiramisu 

Chocolate Mousse

It was really fulfilling eating here.  I would definitely be coming back at this place....and this time, I'll make sure I will taste all of those I haven't with an equally hungry stomach hehehe.

The dinner buffet ranges around Php 1700++ net on Weekdays (Tuesdays to Thursdays) and Php 1900++ net on Weekends (Fridays as Seafood night, Saturdays as Barbeque night, Sundays and Mondays). Buffet here is cheaper than Spirals.of Sofitel. (Their Buffet is around Php 2300++ net excluding drinks).

RATING: (1 to 5, 5 is the highest)

Food: 5

Ambiance: 5

Service: 4

Cost: 5 (as compared with other 5-star hotel buffets)

Thanks to ZED for this opportunity to experience such wonderful dinner.

As the saying goes:  "The best things in life are FREE."

-xoxo-

HEAT is located at:

Edsa Shangri-La Manila

Level 1 Garden Way

Ortigas Centre, Mandaluyong City

Tel: (+632) 633-8888
Dress Code: Smart Casual

Menu: http://www.munchpunch.com/632/heat-edsa-shangri-la-hotel/menu

*Accommodates both smokers and non-smokers.

KITCHEN: "Kusina" in the heart of Greenbelt

I have been roaming around Greenbelt 3 for so long since I was working way back 2006 in Makati, when I got to discover this restaurant.  it has a homey and romantic ambiance.  Likewise, the place is not too crowded making it comfortable for everyone to dine-in. With their low ceiling light, the restaurant was turned into a perfect place to date and dine.

Two days ago, my hubby and I decided to go back here after 4 years (this resto is one of our first destinations in our dates) and we we're really excited to taste their signatured pasta.  I am talking about this:

UNDER  THE SUN

(Served with a garlic bread)

Php 255.00

It's a pasta with chili cream sauce and a mixture of seafood (clams, prawns, squid, tuna) in a plate. You can taste its distinct flavor of cream and cheese (I guess) with a bit of a spice (basil) and the kick of the sweet chili after every taste.  I suggest if you are going to order this one, eat it as the last entry for it has strong flavors.

We also tried one of their rice meals:

SWORD-IN

Php 285.00

Pan-fried prawns perfectly cooked...every bite of it is very rewarding.  The prawns are not rubbery nor overcooked, just perfectly seasoned and fried. It is served with crab fat sauce (taba ng talangka) over a rice and best to eat if you'll squeeze a generous amount of lemon (whih is also included in the meal).

KITCHEN  is also known on their famous BARBIE'S CUE (a combination of seafood and meat Kebab) for Php 240.00.  This will be my next project, to taste it!

Note: They are serving water with mint for free :)

I must say, this restaurant is best for those who wants solemnity while dining.  The ambiance is perfect.

RATE:  (Based on my experience)  1 out of 5, 5 as the highest.

FOOD: 5

AMBIANCE: 5

SERVICE: 4

COST: 4

I will be definitely coming back here!

-xoxo-

For more informations about their menu, click HERE.

KITCHEN is located at: 

1/F Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center

Makati City, Metro Manila

Philippines

(02) 757-4565 to 66

SOURCE:  http://www.munchpunch.com

WHAT WE NEED NOW: A SMART Choice of BROADBAND

Today is another busy day.  Taking care of my baby, emails, blogs, and online activities that completes my everyday routine...


Did you know that 50 to 60 percent of my time (or should I say maybe even your time) is revolving in the WORLD WIDE WEB?


That's true.
Come to think of it,  I am almost spending more than 12 hours (or more) in the internet.


Wondering what am I doing?
I'll give you a glimpse how it works :)

ONLINE CONTESTS

For 2 years now, I have been constantly joining blog, photo and video contests,  anything where in I can get "free products", promos and giveaways,  even  joining events with online contest addicts,  hahaha!   Recently, I have been very active with these things and I am very grateful that it turned out so well.  

Proof?


Just to name a few, I have won the following:


-an iPod Touch 8GB, 5k worth of GCs and an Ice Cream Cake being the most creative blog: 
Winning announcement:

Winning entry: http://gracesongbird.wordpress.com/2010/10/09/caramelbiscuitandcreamhaagendazs/
Prize:

-an iPad 16 GB wifi & products by being one of the winners in Committing to Change:

Winning announcement: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/icommittochange/posts/169955326372459 

Winning entry: http://gracesongbird.blogspot.com/2010/10/i-commit-2-change-great-start-for.html

Prize: 

-an iPhone4 as one of the winners in most creative avatar:
Winning announcement:  

Winning entry & prize:

-an iPod Shuffle 2GB as the best team (ehem I'm the leader of the group):
Winning announcement:

Winning entry and prize:

-Php 5k worth of SPA GCs at a 5 star hotel:

-Php 10k cash as the 1st runner up in a blog contest:
Winning entry: http://gracesongbird.blogspot.com/2011/01/real-pulpy-deal-now-within-our-reach.html
Prize: 

-a digital camera plus the chance to see my photograph in exhibit (within ASIA COMMUNITY):
Prize:

-a watch worth Php 15k as one of the winners in a photo contest:
Winning entry:

Prize:

...and more freebies & prizes:

Well it only proves that INTERNET is a TREASURE MAP!

BLOGGING

I have been blogging since 2007 with the use of different social networking sites (Multiply, Friendster, etc..) and on different platforms (Wordpress, Squidoo, Blogspot, etc) as a part of being a Virtual Assistant and of course, to document my personal sentiments and share them (experiences, recipes & product and food reviews) to my readers.

ONLINE GAMING

It is one way of bonding with my hubby.  Ask me everything about DOTA (Warcraft) and I'll ask him :p

DOWNLOADING

Movies, mp3 songs, videos and games...name it!  I have a lot of 'em ^_^  

The great thing about this is...It helped a lot in my toddler's development.

In this video, you can see how my baby boy has developed his analytical skills with the educational game we just have downloaded.

                                 

SOCIAL NETWORKING

It is my way of unwinding and sharing my "'WHEREABOUTS" and the blahs of life :)

MEDIA STREAMING

Watching my favorite MTV's of Regine and Mariah Carey is really comforting...or funny videos of babies laughing hysterically made me laugh. :)  Likewise, episodes of GLEE that I have missed is not a problem at all!

I can't live without an INTERNET!  It's like the air I breathe :)

We have been a SMART BROADBAND PLAN 999 (Canopy) subscriber for 3 years and we are satisfied with the service we're getting.  In fact, my hubby & I will still be renewing our contract with them and even planning to get a higher plan (PLAN 1995 Wimax) to get the maximum potential use of the internet, especially now that my hubby is dealing with clients that needs  reliable and faster internet connection.  Not to mention, it will be beneficial on my online activities especially on joining contests. ^_^

So for the readers of my blog, I believe that today (not next month or next year) is the best time to get a personal broadband connection.  You see, it is already a "must" and not a luxury.  All you have to do is subscribe to SMART BRO Unlimited Home Broadband Plan 999 or 1995 because of all the amazing freebies they offer:

a.  Free All-In-One HP Printer
b. FREE Call & Texts with SMART Gold Lite Plan 300 for 6 months subscription
c.   Free 1 month broadband subscription

With the SMART BRO Unlimited Home broadband, you'll get consistent surf speed and stable signal.  Hurry 'coz this promo runs until June 4, 2011 only! visit  the nearest SMART Wireless Center or any SMART BRO accredited agents, or log on at SMART BRO WEBSITE or check SMART COMMUNICATION's FACEBOOK FAN PAGE if you want to know more about the promo. ^_^

Take note that these promo is open to all new paid and activated accounts for:

Smart Bro Canopy Plan 999

Smart Bro Wimax Plan 999

Smart Bro Wimax Plan 1995

(Note: Free HP Printer and Gold Lite SIM Card must be claimed within 60 days after activation for Bro account.

Beyond this duration, freebies are forfeited.

Subscriber must submit the following documentary requirements: Fully accomplished and signed Service Application Form (SAF) Proof of Identification Terms and Conditions)

Per DTI-NCR Permit No. 1871, Series of 2011.

Nothing beats SMART BROADBAND based on my experience and on the benefits I got using these connection.  I am a living TESTIMONY of how it makes my day exciting and fun even if I have a very busy schedule. Therefore I can only say this: It is fun to live a life with it!  Go for it for it is PROVEN!   

-xoxo-

This is my official entry for Smart Bro's Broadbandest Blowout Contest.