We have yet to shake off our Spanish hangover. So when a lunch date was decided on, I wasn't surprised that venue was this modern Spanish restaurant in BGC.

I like the interiors. Modern but with that Catalan charm. I love the menu plastered on an old 33 rpm record and the prospect of eating my pulpo de gallego again.

We were early and saw how the lunch crowds filled up the place. Smokers dined outside, suffering the traffic noise and heat, but nevertheless enjoying same quality of food and service.

For appetizers, we ordered gambas al ajillo, chorizos (4 kinds), and calamares with alioli dip. We also ordered 3 paellas: Paella de Mariscos (seafood), Paella Negra (in squid ink) and Paella Pollo and Chorizos.

The chorizos made me crave for plain white rice. Enough chunks in there, doused with just enough olive oil mixing with the drippings and infused with lots of garlicky yumness. Gambas al ajillo had fresh, plump shrimps swimming in garlicky oil -- just as we want it.

Excuse this poor shot of the calamares. I swear though that they're crisped to perfection and again, would have paired well with garlic rice!

We liked all 3 paellas but found the pulpo not as good as how we remember it from our Galician foodporn. It's not bad by any measure, but then they obviously pale in comparison with the original.

The Paella Negra had us all guessing over the "moving" stuff atop the staple alborio dish. Fish flakes we're told, so thin that they look like they've assumed life on the steaming rice specialty. Goodness in a paellera dish!

All told, we had a good lunch . I missed my Galician beer (and a piece of scallop!) and I can forgive them for the "weak" pulpo . Would I go back? In a heartbeat!

Peri-Peri or Piri-Piri as they call it in Portugal and Africa. It's not your typical roast chicken for sure. Flavored with lemon, herbs and spices, the chicken is served with an array of sauces.

Either way you pronounce it, this chicken dish is a winner. Especially with the teens who may have grown tired of the usual fried, breaded, roasted and barbecued chicken.

We tried the Cuatro (1/4) chicken called Palmas served with a choice of 2 sidings from Java rice, cole slaw, corn and carrots. Also the Chicken Platter which includes a cuatro, salad and pasta bolognese.

Portions were generous. So with the Chicken Soup which I shared with my teen. Costs P35 a bowl, P60 for unli serving! What a steal. As for sauces we chose hoisin, sweet soy and barbecue -- all good!

The clincher is the budget-friendly bill. Our lunch for 2 went under P500. For a satisfying meal, check out this place on the 2nd floor of Greenhills Promenade. Cinema Level. Bon apetit!

My teens won't stop talking about this, their "new discovery". So how about we try it this time after a rather spicy lunch in another resto in the same area?

The tiny ice & custard place looks just as attractive as the many flavors it offers. Just behind it is their equally hip-looking coffee place.

Tempting to have my fav brew but I instead went for my black cherry italian ice topped with frozen custard. Gelati they call it. Not gelato but gelati. Sprinkle 'em with toppings and they call it blendini.

My teen tried strawberry which I also liked. Btw, I call it gelato but my teen insists it's custard. Whatever. It's good.

We drive by Croque along Pasay Road often enough to stir our curiosity. The facade looks really cool and reviews are promising. But it took a long time before we checked out the place which is in our neighborhood.

We came for breakfast but found none on the bread racks. They said they have them by noon yet. We were served complimentary buns though with accompanying olive oil & balsamic vinegar dip. And a sliver of herbed cream cheese.

The reviews gave a thumbs up on Croque's Eggs Benedict and Croque Madame. So we ordered that. What can I say? It took a while to have them served even when only 3 tables were occupied.

The wait staff were very friendly and cheerful. And they did serve very good cucumber shake and calamansi shake. So I'm assuming the problem lies with the kitchen staff.

Also, the 2 egg dishes are not outstanding. Mediocre even. Nothing much I can write about them. So I am tempted to check out those food reviews.

A pity. I do like the ambience here. The decor is tasteful and they surely have a cheerful wait staff. What went wrong?

I'd give it a second chance if only for their good coffee. But not in near future.

I always dread smelling like my lunch whenever we dine here, but food's good and value-for-money. Besides, the teens don't care if they smell like what they just ate.

I have yet to eat something here which I don't like. Beef, chicken or salmon, I always had a good meal. So with the teens.

Even their green tea ice cream was good. Told 'ya, it never missed a spot!

Solaire is one of those casino hotels off Roxas Boulevard just a block away from the City of Dreams. We found ourselves here one late afternoon before an 8pm concert in Solaire's Theater.

The spacious lobby and wide walkways from the Theater to the restaurant area made for a pleasurable walk in air-conditioned comfort. The interiors boast of artworks by Filipino masters like BenCab and the poolside promises lovely sunset views.

I never brought the teens and kids here before. Thought a casino hotel is.... er, a typical casino hotel. But the poolside chairs and the sunset views changed my mind. I should be back with them for a staycation.

Besides, both the Poolside and Waterside Restobar's menus demand a repeat visit. The dishes range from Spanish to American to typical Filipino fare. We chose the Paella Valenciana to go with our tapas and sangria while the boys had their typical Filipino comfort food.

The paella was good but the tapas not so. Hard to be unsatisfied with Filipino comfort food but they could have been served warmer. Sangria was perfect though.

After dinner, we moved to the nearby Oasis Garden Cafe for coffee and tea. Great way to spend time before heading to the Theater!

Finally back, and lusting for Filipino food! And among our favorites is this restaurant in Makati's Ayala Triangle bound by Ayala Avenue, Paseo de Roxas and Makati Avenue.

We first "discovered" Kanin Club years ago in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. Back then, we were intrigued and pleasantly surprised with creative dishes like Sinigang Rice and Crispy Dinuguan. Both pork-based but we didn't mind. Good is how we'd describe them.

Then we added more favorites like the Ginisang Patola and Tapa. We also tried the Crispy Liempo but found them too dry and ordinary.

But we really enjoyed the Tinapa Rice as much, if not more than the Sinigang Rice. The Tinapa rice is the usual fried rice or sinangag but with flavorful tinapa bits. Yum!

We enjoyed our lunch here as usual. Good comfort food with a twist. What clinched it is the budget-friendly prices, ambience and good service.