Artist Chef Birthday Surprise

Last July 1, Chev celebrated his 29th birthday and I surprised him with a romantic dinner arranged by the Artist Chef. I had to work that day (it was a Sunday) so we met up near the office. He asked me where I wanted to eat and I nonchalantly suggested "Serendra, Portico or some other resto there...wherever..."but first I had to drop off something at “my officemate’s condo” near Ayala. “My officemate’s condo” was actually the venue for the surprise dinner and on the way, I was secretly consulting the map to the place. I remember he even asked me what floor her place was and I absentmindedly answered “20th floor” since I was trying so hard to read the map in the dark.

When we got to the condo I almost laughed out loud since the building was only 5-storeys tall! Good thing he didn’t notice. I had to convince him to go up with me since he wanted to stay and wait in the car.

3 floors later I knocked on the door of the Artist Chef’s place. I told him to wait by the hallway while I got in. I said hello to Joanne Manalang, the Artist Chef and checked the arrangements. Everything was just so romantic. The table was set up in the corner. There were candles and rose petals all over the place while instrumental bossa music played. I invited him in saying I’d take a little longer than expected so he stepped inside and got his birthday surprise :)

The dinner was great. The food was delicious. The ambiance was perfect. We had an amazing time. It really beats celebrating dinner for two at an expensive restaurant. We had a four course meal for a very reasonable price. Since Chev loves Spanish food, I chose the Spanish menu with Crema de Mejillones as the soup (mussel soup), Spanish potato salad for entrée, Paella Valenciana for the main course and ended with Crema Catalana or a really rich strawberry topped cream dessert. We also had two non-alcoholic pinacoladas (really yummy). At the end of the dinner we were both so full we could barely move hahaha. After eating, we sat down and chatted with Joanne, who by the way is my sister’s friend from college (also a fellow Thomasian) and talked about the food. She really researches and experiments with different dishes, usually from her favorite international chefs and then she concocts her own. We thanked her and said our goodnights and left her place grinning like Cheshire cats. Big, fat, full Cheshire cats.

Since the night was still young (and so were we...and yes, only God can make a tree) we decided to go to Serendra for a late night stroll (to at least burn off some of the calories) and for some book shopping at Fully Booked. It was a really good dinner. Compliments to the Artist Chef!! I hope Chev enjoyed his birthday. I would have loved to cook him dinner myself but my culinary skills are well, very limited. Happy birthday again Chevy!! xoxo

I recommend the Artist Chef to couples out there who want to try a unique dining experience. It beats eating at the usual places – Serendra, Greenbelt, The Fort… Here, there are no lines, no waiting, no hassle looking for parking, no parking fees, no loud chatter. It’s like a secret romantic hideaway in the city. So the next time you’re celebrating anything, give the Artist Chef a call and schedule dinner at her place. The Artist Chef is available only on Sundays. One friendly tip: try to reserve in advance since a lot of people make reservations. That’s how good her food is ;)

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All Grown Up

Last Father's Day, my high school girlfriends and I met up to celebrate the 1st birthday of Chey's son Joaquin Lorenzo or Enzo in Cavite. Jeng and I drove together to the venue, while her boyfriend Eugene convoyed us in another car. Despite having a map, and despite the fact that Jeng grew up and live in Cavite (I was the only non-Cavitenya among us 5), we still got lost. Because (1) we were making chismis in the car nonstop and (2) Chey drew a really lousy map (hehe) After a couple of illegal turns, we found ourselves in Enzo's Blue's Clue's party. It was so much fun seeing Joy and Merv and our cute inaanak Kyle there. We haven't seen him in a long long time and my, my, has he grown. The first words 2 year old Kyle said to me? "Oops I farted!!" He has indeed inherited his mother's charm!!! We all screamed "Joy na Joy!!"

Newborn Kyle. I am innocent

1 year old Kyle with pretty ninang (me)

2 year old Kyle. Super pilyo.

It was a swimming party but unfortunately for Kyle, he had a slight fever and was banned from the pool by mom and dad so he just played and entertained us by farting away all afternoon. Kidding. Kyle side from being sooo cute and funny is really really smart, speaking straight sentences and singing nursery rhymes and songs. He even knows the PCSO jingle! Despite having a fever, he played video games, stepped on ants, sang songs, bounced around, ran to and from the cake (which he wanted to smash with his chubby fingers) and played with balloons while Joy, Jeng and I sat there chatting and Merv chased after him all afternoon (in celebration of Father's Day). Every once in awhile, Joy would shout "Daddy faster!" when Merv would slow down while chasing Kyle and then go back to the juicy gossip we were spilling. Too bad my digicam got lobat (it always fails to take precious Kodak moments) and we weren't able to take much pics of each other (not even the birthday boy who was then so busy entertaining his guests while in the arms of Mommy Chey). But I managed to take some pics of Kyle during his "Lagot ka kay Tito Eugene" behaved moments and a pic of the four of us (we miss you Anne) while reminiscing about the time we posed as Sailor girls back in high school (with Chey as Sailor Moon and the rest of us as the less significant Sailor Planet Girls).

From high school girls to mothers. My, my have we grown up. And I'm so damn proud of my friends. Joy has grown up from the girl who impersonates Marimar in high school to this doting mom who has taught Kyle to be so articulate and smart at such a young age. And Chey who used to spend all her money on clothes and parties to this hostess mom throwing a kiddie birthday bash and giviing away Blues Clues cakes. And Anne, who used to play "Save Save" and "Name the Movie" games, do Brenda (also from Marimar) impersonations, is now raising a handsome binata in Bom and a little doll in Alyssa. It's amazing how they have transformed.

While Jeng and I..uh..um....uh we know how to cook really good spaghetti! And uh...we're good at Tabboo and poker...Don't worry Jeng, you are next in line. I know it.

Good boy. Takot kay Tito Eugene "the policeman"

2006: with Joy and 1 year old Kyle, and Chey and Enzo (still inside his Mommy's tummy)

June 2007: with Jeng (the next in line) Mommy Joy, Mommy Chey sans preggy bump

Though we are all busy with our own lives with almost everyone rearing children and husbands (haha) and we see each other only during weddings, baptisms and birthdays and occasional house parties, I'm so glad we still have that special bond. From Sailor girls to Spice Girls to College girls to Wives to Mothers, I know these girls will be around the many transformations in our lives. And I know underneath the "mommy facade," they will always be the silly girls I grew up with in High School. And we will always laugh at ourselves, no matter how old we will be...