Nathan is now five months!

Our little boy turned five months last April 13, 2015 (Monday). Isn't he the cutest??? #biasedmom

For a change, I asked the husband if we could celebrate Nathan's fifth month somewhere other than our house. Nakakasawa na kasi hehe. Malaki na rin kasi si Cheeky Boy so we can take him out of his car seat na for the picture-taking.

I suggested that we go to Max's Restaurant. September pa nang huli kaming kumain doon (when Tito Ric, Tita Lita, and Chanitz came to visit us) kaya parang nami-miss ko na.

The little boy behaved well at the restaurant... thank goodness! The past weeks, nagkaproblema kami sa kanya when there was a crowd, sobrang umiiyak. He's not used to being with people eh, kasing kaming dalawa lang palagi ng daddy niya ang nakikita. =(

 
More picture taking while waiting for our food.

Family groufie!

Ford and I were minding our own business haha!

Anyway, I wasn't able to prepare well for this month's cake. Kasi nga kakain kami sa labas, mahirap magdala ng cake na maraming anik-anik. We just stopped at Safeway on our way to Max's to get yet another small cake. Then I bought a piggy topper at Dollarama. The candle was from Walmart (which I bought a couple of days before).

I love the pig topper because I am fond of calling Nathan "Cheeky Boy Babooooy" haha!

Here's what we ordered - fried chicken, pork sinigang, pork sisig, and spaghetti (for long life).

Ford also indulged on halo-halo.

Getting Nathan's attention is quite difficult now. Masyado na nga kasi siyang curious sa paligid.

Blow your candle, anak!

Wacky shot daw sabi ng server. The two boys looked good, ako lang ang mukhang ewan.

Yehey, another month has passed! Nathan is getting bigger and smarter every day! And look at his gorgeous skin. We always receive compliments about it. In fact, the Filipina server at Max's said that his skin is even better than skin ng mga puti... ang kinis daw kasi. At rosy cheeks talaga!

We love you, Cheeky Boy aka "Batang Daldal"! You're filling our home with your sweet noises and we couldn't be happier. You bring so much joy into our lives. Thank you for being such a good boy, always smiling. Hindi ka mahirap alagaan kaya sobrang lucky ni Mommy!

Julie's Bakeshop in Edmonton

We were at a dinner party last Friday and some friends mentioned that there is already Julie's Bakeshop in Edmonton. Really, Julie's??? Saang kuweba ba ako nagtago at hindi ko alam??? I mean, babad na babad ako sa social media, how come na-miss ko ito?

Oh well, I got so excited. A Filipino brand here in Canada (lalo na sa Edmonton) is very much welcome! Lalo tuloy akong umasa na magkaka-Jollibee rin dito soon haha! #asapa

I was not a Julie's fan way back in Pinas. There was a Julie's branch in our area (Marilao crossing) but it closed a long time ago. I found their breads "very ordinary," or mas masarap pa nga yung mga tinitinda sa local bakeries sa may amin.

Anyway, I am hopeful that this Julie's bakery will satisfy my craving for Filipino breads. We've tried buying from Filipino bakeries here in Edmonton but sadly, aside from pandesal, wala na silang masarap na tinapay. Ang layo ng lasa sa mga ensaymada at Spanish bread na hinahanap-hanap ko.

We thought bukas na ang Julie's so we went there last Saturday. It's located just across West Edmonton Mall (WEM), malapit sa clinic ng OB ko. Kaso sarado pa pala.

Still, we tried walking-in (the door was unlocked) and a very nice Caucasian lady informed us that they moved their opening date to April 27. They are still "perfecting" the breads, according to her. Nangangapa pa rin sila sa paggamit ng oven. She and her Pinoy husband went to the Philippines to train (franchise nga kasi).

There were some breads on their display shelf and she asked us kung gusto naming tikman. Ate June chose the pudding while I asked for the cheese roll (I don't know how it's called). We were so thrilled kasi ang sarap! Pinoy na pinoy ang lasa! We readily gave our seal of approval.

We are now looking forward to April 27 to taste their other breads. Sa wakas, hindi na rin kami made-deprive sa tinapay (lalo na si Ford who happens to be a 'bread person.'). I am so glad that the bakeshop is located here in the west area, kahit araw-araw makakabili kami. Sana lang affordable ang presyo.

I think this is the very first Julie's Bakeshop in Canada. Haha, nagle-level-up na talaga ang Deadmonton!

Manila Grill Express (Edmonton) Revisited

December 27, 2014. Ford and I went to Lucky Supermarket to buy some Tilapia and shrimp that we'll contribute on our New Year's boodle fight dinner with friends. But before grocery shopping, we've decided to have dinner first at Manila Express Grill.

I was surprised because they have a nicer menu layout now.

We ordered Pancit Palabok...

And crispy pata...

And yep, they tasted good enough. My husband particularly liked the palabok. At malaki ang serving, talagang meant for sharing.

The next time we go to Lucky Supermarket, I'll drop Manila Grill Express again to try their taho naman. =)

Pork Sisig in Edmonton (to be updated)

Are you a pork sisig lover just like me? Sisig is my default order in Filipino restaurants (here and in Pinas) so I've decided to compile the different types of sisig dishes that I've tasted here in Edmonton.


Little Asia Noodle House

Max's Restaurant

Summerside Grill Restaurant

Cusina ni Mutya

Lola Emma's Filipino Cuisine

Panciteria de Manila -- the best sisig in Edmonton so far! (10/1/14)

Will update this post later! =)

Lola Emma's Filipino Cuisine (Edmonton)

I've been reading some good reviews about Lola Emma's Filipino Cuisine online so the husband and I went there one Sunday (August 24, 2014) to eat.

I like Lola Emma's signage. Nice and neat.

You see, buildings and establishments here in Edmonton look the same. Usually plain and rectangular lang. Very simple and not visually appealing.

So sa interior na lang magkakatalo.

At doon panalo ang Lola Emma's. They really made an effort to decorate the place. Ginawang Pinoy na Pinoy ang ambiance.

At the entrance, they have this bulletin board where shows, concerts, and other 'Pinoy announcements' are posted.

Their reception area is very native Pinoy. I love their chairs and their framed photographs showing bits and pieces of Filipino culture.

Only two tables were occupied when we arrived. I have yet to see a Filipino restaurant here in Edmonton na jampacked (except for Max's ha). It was a Sunday noon so I was actually expecting more people. I want to be with people eh, para kunwari nasa Pilipinas din kami at maraming kasabay na kumakain.

I like their tables, the ones in the middle. Kinda reminds me of Mang Inasal haha!

Lola Emma's has a small stage. May show siguro dito kapag weekends.

They sell Filipino breads din pala (which they outsource from a Filipino bakery).

There was only one server that time and she gave us this menu. Overwhelming sa choices.

I find their food a bit pricey though.

Here's the prices naman for bulk orders...

I noticed that they have a small function room for private parties. Medyo plain nga lang, parang hindi photogenic. Mas maganda sa labas.

Anyway, I was craving for pancit palabok for days so that is what we've ordered. I was a bit disappointed nga lang kasi yung noodles niya ay hindi pang-palabok. But the serving was big though.

We also tried their sisig (because it's our favorite). Honestly, hindi namin nagustuhan ang lasa. Tapos masyado pang maanghang.

We paid around $36 (just the two dishes plus 2 cups of plain rice) and we felt that it was not sulit.

However, I cannot comment about Lola Emma's overall food quality because we've only tried two dishes. Perhaps we'll be back again to give them a chance at redemption.

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Manila Grill Express (Edmonton)

Just across Lucky Supermarket (North Branch) is the building where another FIlipino restaurant Manila Grill Express is located.

The place is actually very small, having only 8 tables that cannot accommodate that many customers. From where you are seated, you can already see the kitchen. And by observing the staff, one can deduce that this restaurant is family-operated.

The place is clean and has free wi-fi. And I love their wash room!

We went there one Saturday night and all the tables were occupied. Many were even ordering bulk for take-out.

Their menu is quite confusing though. They handed us this one-sheet laminated menu...

But they also asked us to take a look at their 'Daily Special' written on a small white board...

They also have a menu posted in two of the TVs behind the counter! Medyo magulo talaga.

I wish they can just come up with a visually appealing and complete menu list. Meron din kasi silang offerings na wala sa listahan.

So far, I can not comment that much on the quality of the food as I have only tasted their chicken mami and meat platter. We've ordered the same thing the two times we dined there (we're such creatures of habit noh?).

The chicken mami tasted fine. Although one time it tasted 'mapait.' Must be from the vegetables. But the serving is huge, pwedeng for sharing.

There was a time in my pregnancy that I craved for chicken mami so I asked my husband to buy some take-out mami for me. I noticed na syempre mas maliit ang lalagyan kapag take-out. Mas sulit kung dine in.

Their meat platter is a combination of grilled pork, beef, and chicken. Masarap naman. Medyo pricey nga lang for $16.95 (plus tax and tip).

I've read several good reviews about their other food (like crispy pata, seafood platter, etc.) but I have yet to try them. Hopefully soon. Eating ala carte in Filipino restaurant is hard on the budget din kasi. Also, dalawa lang kami palagi ng asawa ko kaya hindi kami maka-order ng sari-sari kasi hindi namin mauubos.

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Oops by the way, I've tried their pancit bihon na nga rin pala (take-out). Manila Grill Express is now my official 'bilihan ng pancit' kasi gusto ko ang lasa. And if you are lucky, calamansi ang kasama at hindi lemon.

$30 (plus tax) Pancit tray

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Manila Grill Express
13905 127 St. NW Edmonton, AB T6V 1A8
(587) 524 -1884
Store Hours: Monday: closed
                    Tuesday - Saturday : 11am - 8:30pm
                    Sunday: 11am - 7pm