All will be well

     Hi everyone! I know it's been a while. I apologize for being quiet. I temporarily stopped posting food pics out of respect for those affected from typhoon Yolanda. It may have caused extreme loss and damage, but it certainly didn't destroy the Filipino spirit. I believe all will be well. I have several food pics that I've been wanting to post and will be doing that soon. The blog will be undergoing construction, so please watch out for that. See you soon! God bless. #kapitbisig #pinoypride #alliswell #thebestisyettocome #onehundredpercentfaith

Prayers and support for the Philippines

     Hi everyone! Typhoon Yolanda has caused so much damage in country, particularly in Leyte, Samar and Capiz. Let's all help out in any way we can. You may send your donations through these ways...

GMA Network Kapuso Foundation

ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya

     Let's all do our part. A small amount will go a long way... it's the willingness to give. 

#kapitbisig #allwillbewell

Photo credits by Rappler.com, The Feast PICC facebook page, twitter.com/typhoonhaiyan

kapitbisig -a Filipino term referring to team work, camaraderie in supporting each other

Tempura galore @ Tempura Ten-ichi

     Another place Dad wanted to eat in was Tempura Tenichi, located at Imperial Arcade, which was just downstairs. This was a familiar place, even to me since it was my second time here. We had a late lunch so we stayed by the tempura counter and ordered the lunch sets. 

So picture perfect!

Comes with salad :D

     I was surprised lemon and salt were part of the condiments too. It was good with the tempura. I know Mom consumed the lemon. :D

     Personally I was happy with just the tempura sauce. ^_^

Thank goodness their were no fish bones here. ^_^

     Of course tempura is best eaten with rice. Everything was cooked perfectly... nothing overwhelming. My favorites were the shrimp and mushrooms. I believe both Mom and Dad enjoyed everything that was served. ^_^

Tempura Ten-ichi
Visit their website

New discoveries in Tokyo

     I'm happy to introduce our new discoveries. We came across these while shopping. ^_^

St. Marc Cafe

     While walking along, I saw a crepe display on the other side... or so I thought. Of course, being lured by their display, I was able to convince Mom and Dad to take a break there. We saw how busy it was, but good thing the line wasn't kilometric, so we gave in. The crepe display turned out to be ice cream in cones (pardon my poor eyesight). 

Their display

     Japan is known for their wax-made food displays. I believe it's one of the best marketing strategies... It worked for me. ^_^

Soft served ice cream with strawberries

2 of my favorites, ice cream and strawberries. ^_^

Royal ice milk tea

This was Mom's order. She loved this one too. 

     As much as we wanted to try the sandwiches, we were still quite full. It was a nice break from the warm weather. I'll make sure to have a sandwich and ice cream next time. 

Doutor

     This cafe is near the hotel. We stopped by here on the way back when Mom got a drink. While Mom ordered, Dad and I got intrigued with their menu because of their hotdog. Dad and I decided to have lunch here on our last day.

Lettuce dock

     This is the type of hotdog that pops as you bite, something that Dad loves. He ordered the German dock, which is like this one minus the lettuce (sorry was too hungry to take a picture).

Milan sandwich A boneless ham, bologna sausage

     Because Dad and I were still hungry, we agreed to have this one too. 

Iced tea

     The sandwiches had mustard (the mild one) and weren't greasy at all. I'm sure there will be a next time here on our next Japan trip. ;)

St. Marc Cafe

Visit their website

Doutor

Visit their website

Sushi feast @ Sushizanmai

     Of course, a trip to Japan isn't complete without sushi. There's a sushi place which is like a block away from the hotel called Sushizanmai. Dad has been raving about their sushi for a long time, so we were definitely excited to have dinner here. The place was a full house. Dad wanted to stay by the sushi counter but since all the seats were taken, we still managed to get a table. 

Their appetizer

Some kind of seafood with raddish. Pretty interesting!

They have a big variety... beware to be overwhelmed. ;)

Tempura

     

    They serve the freshest sushi at a reasonable price. For the specials of the day, the chef rings the bell and announces it right on the spot. It's no wonder this place is a hit for both locals and foreigners. Another place that makes it to the family's favorite restaurant list. ^_^

Sushizanmai

Visit their website 

Comfort and happy food @ Parkside Diner

     One of our favorite restaurants in Japan is Parkside Diner. This is another restaurant highly recommended by my parents. They serve sandwiches, pasta, ice cream, etc. If you're looking for something comforting, simple and happy (my sister Mitch would call this happy food because it's food associated with celebrating), this is the place to go to. 

Fried prawns

     The fried prawns come with tartar sauce. This wasn't overwhelming at all. It was just right and yummy!

Spaghetti with clams, tomato and mushrooms

Assorted sandwich

(with ham, egg, tomato, tuna and cheese)

American clubhouse sandwich

Love the buttery taste of the chicken! 

Strawberry ice cream

Chocolate sundae

     I wish we ordered everything in the menu. Believe me... everything we tried here was just terrific! This makes it in the family's favorite restos in Japan. ^_^

Parkside Diner

Imperial Hotel

Tokyo, Japan

Visit their website

Our home in Japan

     Imperial Hotel was our home for this year. This was highly recommended by my parents who have been loyal guests since the 80's. Since my first time here last 2009, I too have fallen in love with the hotel. 

Feels like you're in a Palace. ^_^

     Now let me show you our room...

I love the TV in the bathroom!

     You will encounter toilets with controls everywhere. Isn't this just the coolest thing ever? ^_^

     Besides our elegant, clean and cozy room, service is excellent! The staff (I mean everyone) are the most accommodating, cheerful and friendly. They never fail to greet and offer their service with a smile and bow. Last but definitely not the least, their food is one of the best, which I will talk about later on. Overall, we felt all positive vibes. ;)

Imperial Hotel

Tokyo, Japan

Visit their website