Dinner with Richard & Terttu

Aloha Everyone,

Our conversation took priority over food. The four of us were together just about a month ago. Yet there’s always catching up over our families and mutual friends.

One thing we learned was for this particular restaurant, we have to inform them to bring out dishes one or two items at a time. Our table was soon filled with food. Trying to get the attention of one of the servers to clear empty dishes, waiving hand was futile.

Richard said that we are doing it all wrong. He raised his voice a little and said, “Boss”.

Almost instantly we were getting served.  I asked, ‘Why boss?’ His answer was you call them boss to make them feel important.

The usual selections of dim sum were good.

J.J. and I noticed that our favorite desserts seemed to have shrunken in size. We ordered extra dish and justified that maybe they have new supplier. The taste was still the same.

Aloha -- Cathi

All Phones Sold in Japan Must Have Audio Shutter Sound & Lunch at Kimpura

Aloha Everyone,

Nearly everyone from toddlers to seniors, we all have at least one mobile phone. The ease of talking photo undetected is threatening and could be dangerous. Especially in places like the Philippines, I’ve seen people pull out their mobile phone from their pants pockets and take multiple pictures or videos. There’s no prohibition unless the subject refuses to comply. Damages are done if your image is being used to promote food products or worse some undesirable behavior.  

I don’t include photos of people who are prominent in the photo. My sister asked me, “Where’s other guests?” I wait until they are out of my photo range or crop them out.

We haven’t gone to Kimpura for nearly 2 years. Since you can choose main dishes for your box lunches, I took a chance of ordering tempura and Zarusoba which came with chawanmushi (basically hot steamed custard egg). J.J. helped me with sashimi and shrimp tempura. We both agreed that desserts were the best.

For good service and large portions, the equivalent cost of US $50 for the two of us were reasonable.

Aloha -- Cathi

The Israeli Population in Manila

Aloha Everyone,

Morning dining room is where we hear Hebrew or Russian. The Israeli population is culturally but also linguistically diverse. Hebrew is the country’s official language, but Russian is spoken by about 20% of the Israeli population in Manila due to the large immigrant group from the former Soviet Union.

Israel is an international destination. J.J. and I recall seeing road signs in Hebrew, Arabic & English.

The two of us were dining in a restaurant that specializes in Filipino cuisine. Trying to order something photogenic yet it would be not too fishy and nothing too exotic. I think J.J. was partially successful.

The most photogenic was the baby squids prepared in its own ink . Noodle dish which tasted good but too much “natural” food coloring. Bright tangerine color even turned my lips in orangish color.

A group who sat behind us were conversing in Russian and Hebrew. We only were able to understand gist of their conversation. It’s a difficult language to learn but will keep my brain sharp.

Aloha -- Cathi

New Protein Bars

Aloha Everyone,

At Rustan’s Supermarket, I found a couple of boxes of protein bars. I now have sufficient amounts until our departure.

Lugan Cafe is a poor comparison to Paradise Dynasty. All their dishes utilizes pork. My preferred dish was stirred fried beans with chilies. Even then it took me a while to remove bits of pork from each piece of beans.

A funny conversation which I overheard. A Taiwanese man was joined by his colleague, a Korean man and his wife.  It’s seemed obvious that wife doesn’t speak Chinese. The solution was to carry on conversations using limited English vocabulary. To compensate for the lack of things to talk about, they ordered so much foods and beverages. The server assigned to their table kept on bringing more food.

Aloha -- Cathi

Japan Travel Fair & Lunch at Sugi

Aloha Everyone,

The Japan Travel Fair exhibit in Glorieta was packed with curious visitors. Whether the event was scheduled to coincide with Doll’s Day or Girls’ Day, also referred Hinamatsuri was anyone’s guess. Celebrated on March 3 of each year, J.J. and I decided to have lunch at Sugi, a small restaurant located across the street from Holiday Inn Hotel.

This is our 2nd time at this particular site. One thing we are impressed is the quality of food. There’s no shortcuts in ingredients. J.J. ordered one of the box lunches. He thought the sashimi was as good as it can be here.

My comments are while any of the 4 box lunches are impressive, 1/2 of the dishes were not appealing. Zarusoba with two pieces of tamago yaki were perfect.

Another notable exception is the quality of the toilets. Immaculate and all electronically controlled. No wonder some guests were lingering enjoying the soft music which I believe one can choose :-)

Aloha -- Cathi

Dinner at Hossein’s

Aloha Everyone,

Specialty restaurant of Persian, Arabian and Indian cuisine. When we arrived close to 6:00 pm, the restaurant’s outdoor and indoor dining areas were busy. The setting is more for a large group of people. With waiters rushing plates of food or clearing plates, the decimal level was high. The high ceiling only bounced sounds.

I had studied the menu and knew exactly what I wanted to eat. Vegetarian Samosa, not available. Any other samosas, out of stock. I ordered the 2nd item on my list, Baclava. They came in a set of 3, though we couldn’t tell any difference.

J.J. did better with his ordering. Humus, lamb kebabs. They were excellent but after eating a couple of lamb pieces, I was finished.

Quality of food was good. They reminded us of Turkish cuisine in California, in UK and Greece.

Aloha -- Cathi

Disposable Face Masks & Gloves

Aloha Everyone,

Whatever viral infection I am still dealing with, I try to avoid making direct contact as much as possible. I use disposable face masks as well as disposable gloves. On an ordinary day, I use two each of these products. 

Went to purchase a box of 50 pcs of face masks at Mercury Drug Store. For gloves, the two of us walked to Japan Home Center in Glorietta. It is an excuse for us to get our daily walking done.

Aloha -- Cathi

Trying to Avoid Potentially Risky Situations

Aloha Everyone,

Among our family and friends, we hear of people falling. Accidents could happen anywhere. It could be at home in your familiar surroundings, but more so once you’re walking around the neighborhood. Poor condition of the road is one hazard though less avoidable are pedestrians.  

Often, they walk in groups and take up the road or suddenly stop. If children are among them, strollers could get in the way.

Most of these advices are common sense but it is a good reminder for those of us who are in our Second Fifty Years.

Aloha -- Cathi

Haircut Appointments

Aloha Everyone,

J.J. and I walked into a salon to inquire if we could get haircuts. For J.J., he was sitting in a barber’s chair within 10 minutes.

Appointment was set for me two hours later to see an experienced stylist who specializes in women’s hair. My hair was long, and he had to cut about 1.5 to 2 inches off. I asked for shampoo first then the cut. I am very pleased with the result. I made my next appointment with Nick three weeks from today. J.J. and I will also have our manicures and pedicures on that day.

Aloha -- Cathi

Almost Perfect Lab Results

Aloha Everyone,

My lab tests came back, and the results are almost perfect! All are within reference range including Calcium (Ionized), Chloride and Potassium. Sodium is just 2 points less than reference range.  It probably had to do with the bland diet I’ve been on. Dr. Kanapi MD was visibly pleased. He felt it’s a matter of time before I return to normal. 

To celebrate this wonderful news, J.J. and I went to dine at a Japanese restaurant. He chose sashimi and rice dish, but I stayed conservative with small plate of cold green tea noodles.

Aloha -- Cathi

Family Party at Alec & Tintin’s House

Aloha Everyone,

J.J. had one day symptoms of what I’ve been experiencing for over a week. Until we have the lab results back from Dr. Kanapi MD, I chose to stay in our hotel room to sleep.

J.J. said that this was a relatively small group at the family gathering. Including J.J., there were 20 people. 

For early dinner, I was looking for something gentle to my stomach. Unfortunately, vegan soup was not the right choice.

Aloha -- Cathi

No Energy, No Appetite

Aloha Everyone,

J.J. told me that when he wakes up in the middle of the night, he thinks of what I should eat to regain my appetite and energy.

His suggestion of Italian food or burger with fries didn’t help.

J.J. found Dr. Kanapi, MD at MakatiMED. I’m hopeful that with lab works he ordered; we can find out what’s causing my discomfort.

Aloha -- Cathi

Electric Vehicle Shows at Glorietta

Aloha Everyone,

All of them were KIA models. A couple of enthusiastic salespeople approached us to see if we would like to go on a test drive. Here it means you sit in the passenger seat.

Out of curiosity, J.J. asked the asking price for an SUV. For example, the asking price of the navy-blue SUV was US$100,000. J.J. asked if there are any electrical outlets once you are out in the countryside. Their response was, “Yes, they are working on it.” At this point, electric cars are meant for the wealthy individual who wants to have it as their “trophy” in their enormous house with a large garage to display their toys.

Aloha -- Cathi

Our Dining Out From the Previous 2 Weeks

Aloha Everyone,

Here are some photographs of our dining out from the past two weeks:

Aloha -- Cathi