Rediscovering SM Fairview

(from here onwards are 9 foodie field trips of the past year)

We are supposed to be seeing a movie at SM North's IMAX before we head to Fairview to attend Anne's birthday. But, our plan backfired as we discovered that the movie isnt worth watching. We decided to go straight to SM Fairview and check out was new.

After the longest time, i again set foot on the same mall that was a witness to a lot of *ugh* moments in my life. We were surprised to find that a lot has changed and the mall has a new wing already. New stores, new restaurants equals food trip!

One of J's favorite is Takoyaki Balls. and HUC on the other hand, is sickened by its taste but all that is about to change. They stopped by the Food Court and spotted Ohayo. They're not your usual Takoyaki as it has different varieties from Squid to Crab to Chicken.

a bed of Ohayo goodness

 
We also tried Gilson Nook's Coffee Jelly. It was not that bad. Surprisingly.

Coffee Jelly in budget

After a quick snack, we continued to stroll down the basement area when we spotted Magic Pop. It was kind of intriguing as it had a loud popping sound that echoes the entire area. It looked like a fluffy object flying out from that weird looking contraption. Magic Pop is one of Korea's favorite rice snack. It tasted like chicharon, a more filling one, but without the guilt. You can actually have fun eating this product because it is tasty and healthy at the same time. It comes in 5 flavors namely Chocolate, Strawberry (actually its not really Chocolate and Strawberry flavored but its more like a drizzle only), Cheese, Barbeque (which i looooooooooooove), and your trusty Plain. We really ate it as our pulutan and pairs well with beer. Well there goes the healthy snacking. Haha.

Its also good for dipping too!

Strolled a little bit farther and as we got to the far end of the mall where the entertainment center is located, we decided to go up to see the view as they had a contest of some sort.

Di na ako mabugnot mamasyal sa SM Fairview. Maluwang na siya!

 

 

Of course, we never forgot to stop by our childhood favorite food stall. Scramble! Its like a shake with a thicker consistency. Its pink but its not strawberry. Its topped with powdered milk and chocolate syrup (it was Brown Cow back then. I remember sneaking out of bed just to have a little, oh. okay a big gulp of it straight from the bottle.). But now, its just some weird flavored syrup. Boo.

Oh yes. Its cool to be Pinoy. :)

J likes his scramble done in a specific way. Topped with lots of powdered milk!

you can never have too much scramble in one day!

And for my most favorite part, SPAM JAM! We have heard of this and forgot about it and never got the chance to visit it. So, now's the perfect time!

This was once mine.. And now i miss it. :( See that? Its only 38php!

There were only 3 items on their menu. Spam Musubi, Spam Burger and Spam with rice and egg.

J's Spam Burger. The bread was nice. Its like pandesal. Thank God. Kus it would fail miserably if it was paired with sliced bread.

My Spam Musubi. I <3 it terribly.

Our short foodie field trip only cost us below 500php! At its a record! Even if we didn't eat real filling food, we still had fun. And its all that matters.

Oktoberfest at Sofitel

Earlier that week, HUC saw Cash Cash Pinoy, a site that "features something cool to do in several towns, all over the Philippines, at amazing discount prices of up to 90% off" as their website describes it. She initially discovered Twangoo, a site that works the same way but caters to a more posh and expensive crowd. 


At that time, their featured deal for the day was the P900 for Unlimited Food and Drinks Brunch at Sofitel’s Oktoberfest Celebration. HUC was itching to go and check out Sofitel and the much raved about, Spiral Buffet. She urged J to buy vouchers for the both of them. There goes her impulsivity, not even knowing and researching how the site works or if people ever had a bad experience with it. Not until she did experience one.


She bought the vouchers Thursday and the event would be on that Sunday. Up until Saturday afternoon, the email notification that contains the printable voucher never came into her inbox. She was already in dire panic kus Php1800 is not that big of a money but still, money that she and J worked hard enough for. She also cannot find a copy of it on her account. She decided to look for a Customer Service number first on their website and all around the web. But, to no avail, she didnt find any. Not unlike its other competitors like Buyanihan and Ensogo, which numbers can easily be spotted on their website. Now she tried to leave a comment on their Facebook Page in which she immediately got a reply. She was given quite a run around and was ready to ask for a refund when the voucher magically appeared on her account. Smile. :)


The two decided to leave early to get good seats. MRT ride-Cab to Sofitel. Oh boy Sofitel's huge! The cab parked on the Main Lobby(?) of Sofitel and asked the receptionist which was the way to the Oktoberfest Celebration. Being the lakwatsera-but-surely-to-get-lost type, she just nodded as the receptionist bombarded her with directions. The only thing that sticked to her mind was "tent". They went down the grand "Spiral" staircase and went out the pool area. They both didnt know which way to go and was on the verge of having a fight when J suggested to go ahead and pass by the Salon and voila! The Harbor Garden Tent was there. The area beside the tent was adorned with different rides for kids such as a carousel, balloon wheel ride, choo choo train and mini jets to name a few. Too bad the event was held on brunch time which meant, hot and sunny. Not good for kids. Armed with their vouchers, they went to the entrance and had their wrists stamped. They were then handed 2 humongous ceramic mugs.

German Club Manila Oktoberfest 2010 Celebration Commemorative Mug

The tent was huge and spacey and had an Inflatable Kingdom for kids. Stiltwalkers were also all over the place. Around the sides of the tent were the buffet tables which had an appetizer table, an assortment of sausages, pasta and HUC's favorite, the dessert table. They also set up a stage which played Authentic German Music from an Oompah Band and had a magic show too. Every long table, there were 2 beer dispensers which contains San Miguel Draft Beer. They were beer drinkers, no doubt. But at 12 noon, drinking lukewarm beer wasnt a good idea. So the two took turns on raking the buffet table. 

Beer Goodness at noon

Red Cabbage, Potato Salad and Green Beans

Bread Ball (twas wet so, it was kinda weird to eat)

Sausages

 

Sausages (again)

and mooooore Sausages!

you know what this is. :)

serving the Meatloaf

the Buffet table

J's plate

bite-sized Banana Cake

Cheesecake

Strawberry Panna Cotta

OKT

German Interiors

Oompah Band

J munching on sausages

busog ka na naman?!

There were different kinds of Bavarian food that was served. Some, unfamiliar in look and taste especially on the appetizer table. Beer was overflowing but not really given notice of because that was the last day of the Oktoberfest celebration and intended to be a Family Day. A lot of Milkmaid looking girls were also lurking around the place selling a bunch of memorabilias such as shirts, teddy bears, and even gingerbread cookies. The shirts were sold for Php600 so the cheapest thing that you could buy was obviously the cookies. Php100 for a cookie as big as your palm.

The pretty girl who sold HUC cookies.

Gingerbread cookies

After a filing brunch, the two went outside the tent. Sofitel's driving range was facing Manila Bay. They didn't stay for long as they also have a lunch engagement with J's family that they have to get to and were running late. Though their Oktoberfest date was cut short, the two clearly enjoyed the Oktoberfest celebration sans the beer. This really calls for a sequel. Sofitel: The Spiral Experience. :) 

Driving Range

Bye Sofitel! See you soon!