Lately, I have been choosing to stay in serviced apartments over hotels. I feel more "at home" spending the night in one rather than coming home to a hotel room.

It helps that serviced apartments are better-located now. As with Oaks On Market Street, just a few turns from Flinders Street or a few blocks from Federation Square and the iconic Flinders Rail Station.

We got a 2 bedroom apartment with our 5th person comfortably sleeping on the sofa bed in the living area.

The corner unit offers a panoramic view of the city of Melbourne. It was tempting to sleep in and cook our meals but that's NOT what makes a holiday. At best, we'd brew our coffee and warm some bread and pastries in the oven for our breakfast.

For sure you'd long to come home to a place like this after doing the Great Ocean Road, a visit to Melbourne's Yarra Valley vineyards or simply going around the city.

This serviced apartment is in:

60 Market St, Melbourne

VIC 3000, Australia

Telephone+61 3 8631 1111

How can you go wrong with a title like that? If it's delicious, I'm happy!

From Binondo Church we walked along Ongpin Street then turned left towards Benavidez Street. Happy Delicious Kitchen is right at the corner where you'd also find tea eggs and fried siopao.

Have not tried the tea eggs but the fried siopao is delish. You may also choose to eat lunch here. Just choose 3 (P150) or 4 (P200) viands and they'd serve them on stainless steel divided plates much like those you find in school cafeterias! :))

Much to choose from. And all looking yummy. As for those tea eggs, I'd probably try them next time?

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Chef Colin Mackay of SALA Bistro and People's Palace fame has good reasons to be all smiles these days. Blackbird Restaurant in the pre-war Nielson Tower of the former Manila International Airport across Manila Pen is creating a buzz.

The former Control Tower is looking real smart with its new modern decor. Hardly any curtains nor blinds to shut out the outside view. Dinner here is as refreshing as fine dining amidst one of the few landscaped parks in Makati.

And try to imagine the tarmac somewhere here and the runways spanning Paseo de Roxas and Ayala Avenue. The transfer of the international airport to Parañaque led to the development of Makati's CBD but for this pre-World War II structure as a reminder of its place in aviation history.

From the Entrance Lobby Bar, one can engage in people-watching or simply watch the traffic sans the noise while nursing a drink. The chairs and sofa are comfortable. The service, more comforting.

We chose a table in the main hall, though it was tempting to dine at the upper floor or go al fresco. I like that tables were set apart, not crowded at all. And that the sounds of chatter from the next table are subdued by fine acoustics.

The prawn scotch eggs and crab cakes are good antipasti. The soft shell crab had to wait for the next visit. We likewise enjoyed the mushroom soup and seafood bisque. Delish!

Unfortunately, I failed to take photos of the soups and twice-cooked beef short ribs. When I remembered to take photos, only the mushroom lasagna and desserts remain :-(

On my second visit, we had the same antipasti and pomelo salads, but likewise tried the salmon pie, burger, nasi goreng and seafood linguini. For desserts, we enjoyed the apple tart and a shortcake. Also loved their Vittoria coffee.

The Baked Alaska and Brownie Sundae are alright, but not the kind I'd dream about. No worries. I'd be back to try other dessert choices next time. Btw, for 6 of us dining here, the bill was quite reasonable.

I do think, however, that for the price we pay for meals here, Blackbird should get rid of the paper over the table linens. Looks like they have them on during lunch hours and off come dinner time. Yet prices remain same either time of day.

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I hardly order steak especially for dinner. But a date in Antonio's always guarantees the best steak meal. Just imagining that slab of good meat makes us drool while having some drinks at the lanai.

Medium Rare. Just how we like it. Chef Tony Boy was in full control our meat cooks and sizzles perfectly! Good for sharing, this size does not leave one wanting.

Tomahawk Wagyu Steak and 3 orders of fish for this hungry pack of 9 diners. Chef Tonyboy whipped up a bacalao appetizer (On freshly-baked bread) to precede the 3 hour dinner of salad, mushroom cappuccino before the main entreé.

Nine diners. Ten desserts. The macarons were compliments of the Chef. And those 9 desserts sweetly passed around the 9 gourmands.

And there's more. With ice cream. The bomb!

We didn't do justice to the sweet endings, esp to the chocolatey delights. Our apologies to the Chef. The meat and fish dinner combination was simply too heavy for an evening meal. But trust me, they're all good.

When you do visit, come early for cocktails at the lanai and enjoy the gardens. Try organizing a big group to occupy one of those long tables and enjoy those desserts! And be sure to share them!

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I have always planned on coasting along Maginhawa Street near U.P. and engaging in some serious but budget- friendly foodtrip. Got my chance today, in the company of 3 teens with good appetites ;-)

Those Food bloggers are absolutely right. Maginhawa Street is lined with so many tiny joints catering to different tastes. We passed shawarma, tapsilog, mexican, burger outlets before deciding on pasta and pizza at #79A Maginhawa Street.

We ordered the Tre Formaggi and Margaritha Pizzas. Both very good --- crunchy thin crust, cheesy and savoury. But the Tre Formaggi is really a winner.

We also tried the Pesto Pasta and Carbonara. Both bleh. Sorry. It's ok for the price, but if you really enjoy pasta, skip these 2. The Carbonara even looked drowning in cream sauce though it certainly looks better once blended. Just the same, my taste buds say "average".

Can't say how the other pasta dishes fare, but I'd go back for the pizzas. Value for money, dining for 4 at less than P800 ain't bad at all.

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Another good find in Maginhawa Street. It was tempting to order gelato where we had lunch, but we were set to try other outlets.

Once inside, my "elves" agonized over the many tempting choices. Well, that was perfectly understandable. It's like passing Purgatory before a Taste of Heaven. (Pun intended, maski corny) 😉

The place is so tiny it could seat only 15 or so. But the dining area and their restroom are impeccably clean. Plus there's wifi!

I was also pleasantly surprised that they do have a (very limited) selection of (very reasonably-priced) munchies like burgers, chili wings, sausages, and club sandwiches.

As advertised, A Taste of Heaven serves only low-fat milkshakes. So.... INDULGE!

Make your own Magnum Bar? No thanks. We'd rather sit in and order the "signature desserts" from the menu. I simply don't have the patience to line up and then agonize how to make my dessert bar.

First time I was here, I was not that bowled over. The desserts LOOK good but I found them too sweet.

And so we tried something more "fruity" the 2nd time around. Good. But NOT exactly something that would qualify as a future "craving".

Is it me? I felt weird NOT being that impressed. I love ice cream. I love desserts. But 2 visits here and that's good. I don't feel compelled to visit again. Perhaps I found them overly sweet? I prefer subtle flavors, even with my desserts. But then, maybe it's just me :-(

Mid-afternoon and we were hungry. Not content with the usual merienda fare, but rather ready for some heavy meal. Kaya in Power Plant Mall is a good choice.

Bibimbap to satisfy our growing boy's fascination with Korean "fried rice". I chose my long-craved for grilled mackerel. My personal favorite, accompanied by kimchi and spinach banchans.

The rest consisted of our usual, perenially-ordered, must-eat beef stew, plus katsu and onion leeks pancake. Sounds like a full dinner? Maybe so. 😄