Random Chika # 3

1. Dinner at Pinoy Grill. We went to Walmart yesterday to buy some more stuff that we need in the Philippines. Then we had dinner at Pinoy Grill because Ford was craving for bulalo and crispy pata. As expected, the food was so-so and we paid $35 I think. The husband didn't give a tip anymore, hindi naman masyadong ok ang service eh.

2. Benadryl for Nathan. Please do not judge us, but after so much contemplation, nag-decide na kaming painumin si Nathan ng Benadryl para sa flight namin sa Pinas (pumayag din naman ang pedia niya). At 7 3/4 months, our son is overly active. Hindi ko talaga kakayanin kung hindi siya matutulog nang maayos kahit ilang oras lang. Vancouver to Manila alone is already 14 hours, eh yung Edmonton to Vancouver pa plus yung layover?

We had a test run last night and effective siya! Around 40 minutes after taking it, tulog na.

By the way, I am happy because I got to use my Benadryl coupon! From $8.99, naging $6.99 na lang (plus 5% tax).

NOTE: Sorry, Nathan. We will try not to do this again. Ngayong uwi lang talaga natin kasi hindi kaya ng Mommy. =(

3.  A Retirement Home in Pinas. I was surprised when I saw my aunt's new house in Pinas. Whoaah, it's so big! She and her husband are US citizens and have been living there for decades now. They retired last year and decided to build a house in Pinas, para raw may matutuluyan sila kapag umuuwi sila.

They must really have lots of money! Hmm, ano kaya ang gagawin nila sa napakalaking bahay na ito? Their four children are busy with their lives at hindi naman bumibisita sa Pinas. Wala na rin kaming kamag-anak sa Malolos because almost everybody's in North America na. Oh well, it's their money to spend hehe!

Picture taken from a relative's Facebook account 

4. Little Ceasars Pizza. Pod and I were hungry last Saturday (late) night at wala na kaming maisip kainin kundi pizza. He wanted to buy cheese-stuffed crust pizza sana from Pizza Hut but I objected. $22+ kasi at namamahalan ako. Sa Little Ceasars kami bumagsak. First time kong makakain nito, very ordinary lang ang lasa. Sabagay, what can you expect from $8+ lol! 

5.  Dresses for Girls. It's so exciting to buy gifts for girls, ang dami kasing choices! Sa damit pa lang, nakakaaliw ng mamili. Since it's summer, I chose some florals (mahilig naman talaga ako sa flowery things hehe). 

I always buy at Gap Outlet. Super mura kasi talaga. 

6. Sofia Paper Bag. I found this super cute paper bag at Dollarama. Pero tama ang instinct ko, dapat hindi na ito ang binili ko. Kasi naman may kapareho sa pinagbigyan ko. Nakakahiya tuloy! =(

Random Chika # 1

1. Ligo Sardines. I never expected that one day I will get addicted to Ligo Sardines! Never nga akong kumain nito sa Pinas dati (except when we had a retreat in high school and they served it for breakfast, tinikman ko lang).

But because wala na akong maisip kainin dito, dagdag pa ang sobrang pagkamiss kong kumain ng isda, sinubukan kong tikman uli. Ayun, nagustuhan ko naman!

I've been eating sardines for several days now. Ako kasi yung taong ayaw ng isang ulam lang kaya perfect ito na second viand haha! I will try other variations next time (masarap daw ang fried sardines sabi ni Joy). By the way, a small can of Ligo Sardines costs $0.78 at T&T Supermarket. Mura na by Edmontonian standards.

2. Ice Cold Water. I am back to water huhu! Sad to say, may UTI na naman ako and the cause is my addiction to pop (pop ang tawag dito sa soda o softdrinks).

I couldn't drink water that's not super cold. That's why I am thankful that our refrigerator has an icemaker. Sahod lang ng sahod sa dispenser hehe. Hay, super init pa naman ngayon dito!

3. Pinoy Grill's Crispy Pata. The husband had no ulam last night so we ordered crispy pata from Pinoy Grill. Medyo sunog siya at hindi gaanong masarap. It's $14.95 + 5% tax.

Hay, if only I can imitate mamoosh's delicious crispy pata. Kaso wala ring mabilhan dito ng harapang pata ng baboy. Siguro pinapakyaw na ng mga Filipino restaurants.

4.  A UP graduate with 1.004 GWA. It's all over the internet -- a UP student with a near perfect grade average. I am not surprised though. I've studied and taught in UP Diliman for so many years, nothing surprises me anymore.

Anyway, I graduated with a "laude" title too (hindi nga lang summa kasi bobing ako sa math and natural sciences). And where am I now? Eto yaya ni Nathan haha!

Lunch buffet @ Pinoy Grill

November 17, 2013 (Sunday).  Ford and I have been eating a LOT of Filipino meals at home ever since I arrived but still we ended up having buffet lunch at Pinoy Grill yesterday.

Because there's just two of us at home, we normally just cook a viand or two for our every meal so we got excited with the idea of eating more many ulam in one sitting. Also, masarap din kasing kumain ng pagkaing hindi mo niluto hehe.

Pinoy Grill is located in the west area of Edmonton. It wasn't my first time to eat there (we already tried their buffet last year when I came here for a six-week visit) so I already knew more or less what to expect.

Pinoy Grill serves lunch buffet only on weekends, Friday to Sunday, from 11am to 2pm.

A courteous Pinoy staff welcomed us in. There weren't many diners yet because it was only past 11am.

For only $10.95 (+ 5% tax + tip), don't expect a huge spread. Here in Edmonton, that amount is only equivalent to one plated meal in a Foodcourt.

Buffet is always a good option for people with big appetite like us haha! Sulit!

There is really nothing special about their food but when you are living a thousand miles away from 'home,' the mere sight of familiar dishes is enough to make you hungry and happy.

My husband particularly liked their desserts. As he said, referring to the cassava cake: "Ito ang hindi natin maluluto sa bahay."

Aside from food, what you will like in Pinoy Grill (and in any Filipino restaurant abroad) is the idea of eating with your fellow Pinoys. And with the TFC TV on, parang nasa Pinas ka na rin. =)

Next time I will try their ala carte dishes naman.

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Pinoy Grill
18216 - 84 Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada T5T 2B4
780.486.0005

Tuesday-Sunday
11:00 AM-10:00 PM