Home cooking/ Delicious recipes/Fruits/Desserts/Salad/Decorative Ideas | My Indoor and Outdoor Photography | Restaurant and Hotel Review

Craving Comfort? The Best Dishes to Order at Mann Hann

By on July 28, 2026

It’s Sunday once again and our family eagerly anticipates this day as it offers a break from our work routines. This day serves as a wonderful opportunity for us to bond as a complete family. We attend mass together, and afterward, we enjoy a meal at our favorite restaurant to indulge in dishes that we all love. Dining out allows us to relax, freeing us from the hassle of meal preparation and cleanup. It’s also a time for family members to converse, share positive experiences, and reconnect. This week, after mass, we visited our favorite restaurant, Mann Hann at the Estancia branch. Mann Hann is a well-loved casual dining restaurant chain in the Philippines, recognized for its affordable and comforting Filipino-Chinese dishes. This has been our favorite dining spot for many years, Sometimes, we don’t just go to Mann Hann on Sundays; we visit whenever we crave their warm, comforting food starting with the Mann Hann branch in Megamall, and later trying out the Greenfields branch and Mann Hann in Quezon City. When the Estancia branch opened, we all agreed it was the perfect place to dine, as it’s conveniently within walking distance from our home.

As always, it’s Mann Hann for our Sunday dinner. We are a family of five, and it’s great that this Sunday is so wonderful because there’s no line here. We usually have to wait for our numbers to be called for our turn. This is a rare occasion when the restaurant isn’t full. It can get really boring and frustrating to wait when we’re hungry

The waitress brought us the menu, but as regular customers of this restaurant, we are already familiar with its offerings, even without glancing at the menu. We simply ordered our all-time favorites and decided to add a few more dishes to try. We’ve sampled nearly everything on the menu before; it just comes down to what we’re craving tonight

Here, we have additional courses to enjoy, along with a few more from our usual orders. Some items aren’t quite enough to share among five people. As a family, we prefer larger orders to ensure there’s enough for everyone

House Tea

As a customary in many Chinese restaurants, we commenced our meal with house tea which is a complimentary beverage to initiate the dining experience. Tea is commonly served in many traditional restaurants in Philippines.

Maki Soup

We began our orders with Maki soup, dinner is not complete without soup as the first course. This dish has its roots in Binondo Chinatown and has become a favored item in many Chinese eateries. Maki soup is a rich and soothing soup made with soft pork chunks and egg white.

The soup was first served primarily and divided divided equally into 5 bowls.

Yang Chao Fried Rice

We ordered a second round, starting with Yang Chao fried rice. This particular fried rice is our favorite flavor in comparison to other cooking methods. Yang Chao fried rice is a classic dish featuring a vibrant mix of shrimp, pork, vegetables, and egg. It has a unique flavor, especially when served hot. Sometimes, when our appetite is really strong, one serving isn’t enough, which is why we usually order a machang alongside our first dish.

Machang

Machang is a Chinese Filipino dish made of sticky glutinous rice which is wrapped in leaves and filled with pork or chicken, Chinese sausage, mushrooms, and chestnuts. It is also my personal favorite.

Beef Broccoli

A delectable dish featuring tender, thinly sliced beef and fresh broccoli florets, all combined in a savory oyster sauce. It pairs exceptionally well with Yang Chow fried rice

Fried Squid Head

A well-loved fried squid head is quite renowned in Mann Hann. This savory dish is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside typically served alongside anchovies. If you glance at other tables, you’ll notice they are also ordering this dish indicating it’s a favorite among patrons.

Lechon Macau

Lechon Macau is a super popular Filipino-Chinese dish featuring roast pork belly that’s crispy on the outside and tender on the inside with a beautiful golden brown color.

Oyster Cake

We began ordering this Oyster cake at SM Megmall back when branch in Estancia wasn’t open yet. It was one of the first original items on the menu. Even now, we still adore the same Oyster cake.

Cereal Prawns

A deliciously addictive flavor that everyone enjoys.The prawn was cut along its back which enabled the seasoning and flavor to permeate completely. This is the reason it was so tasty despite the shell remaining intact.

We concluded our meal with a dessert: Mann Hann’s Chilled Taho, which offers a cold, smooth, and sweet treat.

We introduced a convenient meal-sharing option that everyone enjoys. Almost all the food at Mann Hann is delicious. Whatever you order is sure to be a hit. You’ll definitely love the taste.

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Home cooking/ Delicious recipes/Fruits/Desserts/Salad/Decorative Ideas | My Indoor and Outdoor Photography

The Best Ways to Prepare Fresh Kiwi

By on July 27, 2026

Kiwi fruit is also known as “Chinese Gooseberries.” There are two varieties of kiwi: the green kiwi and the golden kiwi. The green kiwi features fuzzy, brown skin and an oval shape. Its interior boasts a vibrant emerald green hue, accompanied by a cluster of black seeds that create a rounded appearance, enhancing its visual appeal. Conversely, the golden kiwi possesses smooth skin and a pointed tip, containing red and black seeds within. The green kiwi is frequently utilized in fruit salads and can also be incorporated into green salads, serving as a refreshing snack. It is versatile enough to be used in shakes, smoothies, sorbets, jams, tarts, baking ingredients, meat tenderizer and sarsa, or as an exquisite dessert for any meal including as a salad topping. Consuming it in its raw form is the most enjoyable way to savor it. Nevertheless, both varieties offer identical nutritional advantages.

I’ve made some salads with kiwis; some are simple, while others are topped with them. I like to cut them into rounded shapes, bite-sized pieces, wedges, or quarters, depending on how I plan to use them. I can also prepare individual servings and simple rounded slices on a plate.

Like other fresh fruits, kiwis are best enjoyed in their natural form.

The advantages of consuming kiwi fruit are notable. It is recommended to eat kiwi in the morning to enhance energy levels, after meals to support digestion, and one hour prior to bedtime to promote better sleep.Try these for a fresh twist every day.

I had a blast getting kiwi fruits and other fruits from my fridge ready for today. By combining various fruits, I managed to whip up a fun mix for something different.The vibrant festive appearance and the bright green hue of kiwi fruit are just as delightful as its flavor. Kiwi fruits as a perfect snacks, good for outings and picnics.

 For a rounded or wheel cuts. An oval piece makes it into 6 slices.

 Kiwi with other fresh fruits

Strawberry fan using kiwi

Grill kiwi alongside some other fruits for a tasty treat

Enhancing a fruit shake with kiwi decoration

Presenting kiwi alongside other fruits, each in its own designated section on a plate

Kiwi cut in half-moon shapes

Note: Kiwis can be stored and refrigerated up to 4 to 5 days.

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Home cooking/ Delicious recipes/Fruits/Desserts/Salad/Decorative Ideas | My Indoor and Outdoor Photography | Shakes, Juices and Smoothies

How to Make a Melon Bowl

By on July 7, 2026

This is one method to prepare melon fruit for an impressive presentation on the table. Typically, I cut melon into standard shapes such as cubes, wedges, or half-moons however, this time I wish to try something different to serve to my guests. My friends have expressed a desire for melon fruit, so I have decided to put in a little extra effort to enhance my presentation. I will share with you how I accomplished this.
Today, I will demonstrate how to make a melon bowl. This process is quite easy and straightforward allowing you to make it at any time. The shell of the melon is relatively soft compared to the tough skin of a pineapple which can be quite challenging to handle. The advantage of using melons is that you can prepare them quickly especially when time is of the essence. This decorative approach will make your serving dishes more appealing and appetizing. It can be served this way for a delicious snack or a fresh fruit dessert for any meal. It looks attractive and presentable on the table.

Let’s get started!

A fresh melon, wash the fruit and dry. Cut melon in halfways.

Use a spoon to scoop out the seed. If you have a double-edged baller, you can use the other side for scooping.

This is my double-edge melon baller, which serves a dual purpose. I use one edge to create balls and the other to scoop out the seeds. I have a set of garnishing tools that includes a zester, channel knife, double-edge melon baller, butter curler, and more. These tools are incredibly helpful for crafting beautiful and neat garnishes. I purchased it for just P800.00 pesos at the supermarket.

To prepare the melon bowl, take a small sharp knife and cut a zigzag edge around the rim. It’s entirely your choice whether to do this or not. Personally, I enjoy creating the zigzag pattern, even though it requires a delicate touch. You need to measure accurately to ensure the melon stands firmly. Also, remember to slice a thin piece of rind from the base so it can stand steadily

Here is the full presentation of the melon bowl. Now, let’s take a look at the other half.

From one half, I scooped out the ball-shaped melon pieces and arranged them to fill my zigzag-patterned melon bowl.

This is the remaining half. I have scraped all the remaining flesh from melon bowl to prepare for making melon juice later .

I consider myself quite resourceful. I dislike wasting anything, especially food. I’ve saved the leftover flesh for my Melon juice later on. It’s a wonderfully refreshing drink, especially on a hot day.

Here’s the end result. It appears very clean and firm, just like this. I’ll keep this shell in the refrigerator until I need it. I can use it for other fruits in the next few days. It stays good for only 3 days in the fridge, so remember to wrap the melon shell before storing it.

Serve melon balls right in a bowl made from the melon itself!

This is the complete Melon Bowl. Isn’t it beautiful?Give this unique presentation a shot.

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Totapuri bird shaped Mangoes

By on July 2, 2026

The Totapuri Mango, a fruit that resembles the shape of a bird is smaller in size and easily recognizable due to its prominent upward peak that closely resembles a parrot’s beak. Locally known as “Pico,” a name derived from the Spanish word for beak, it is officially named for its bird-like appearance. These mangoes served as our dessert at lunch. Even though the skin is tough and thick, I was delighted to find it incredibly sweet. Just as I was getting ready to eat, I hesitated to spoil the bird design linked to the mango despite my strong desire for sweet mangoes.

I have taken photographs of several totapuri mangoes that bear a resemblance to a bird. Here are a few images that closely resemble a parrot.

These distinctive mangoes are delightful and exhibit fascinating traits

Some fruits and vegetables naturally take on forms that resemble animals, whether through their growth patterns or botanical types. Additionally, others possess distinctive textures or shapes that often inspire imaginative animal forms. This brings to mind my previous post featuring a radish that resembles human legs.

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Fashion/ Health/ Beauty | Home cooking/ Delicious recipes/Fruits/Desserts/Salad/Decorative Ideas | My Indoor and Outdoor Photography

Good Dieting/Healthy Eating Approach

By on June 13, 2026

Currently, numerous health issues are emerging. Some individuals refer to these as natural changes associated with aging, while others categorize them as deficiency diseases, advocating that proper nutrition is the most effective treatment. This underscores the necessity for us to be fully conscious of our dietary choices and to adhere to healthy food guidelines.

It is quite alarming to learn about the exorbitant costs and lengthy durations of certain treatments therefore, I make a concerted effort to limit my selections even when they are my favorites. I aim to ensure that the alarming health concerns currently prevalent do not affect me. It is crucial to distinguish between what I truly require and what I do not; for instance, monitoring my intake of proteins, fats, and sugars, as many tend to shun sweet desserts due to the unhealthy nature of sugary and dairy products.

Diet Sharing

  1. This is a test to steer clear of fatty and sugary foods. Simply eat within reasonable limits. When it comes to meat, moderation is key, as consuming too much can be hard on digestion. If you come across new recipes, feel free to try a few, but having a variety of food preparations is preferable.
  2. To lead a healthy lifestyle, I recommend focusing on low-calorie foods, which have no strict intake limits, allowing you to choose and eat freely.
  3. It is advisable to limit foods high in unhealthy fats, added sugars, and sodium. Additionally, diets that consist of large amounts of highly processed foods, which often have high levels of sodium, sugar, or unhealthy fats, are associated with negative health outcomes.
  4. It is essential to remember that free sugars and sodium form the basis of a healthy diet.
  5. My dietitian consistently reminds me to maintain a minimum of 1,200 calories each day, as this is my daily threshold. Starting and ending your meals with low-calorie options is equally beneficial.

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Terraza Martinez Serves the Finest Spanish-Mediterranean Cuisine

By on January 16, 2026

It has been quite a while since I last savored Spanish cuisine. I think the most recent occasion was at Las Flores and Corazon. In the first week of the new year 2026, we made the decision to visit this Spanish restaurant.Terraza Martinez, a Spanish Mediterranean restaurant owned by Luis Martinez genuinely captures the spirit of Spain. It offers a variety of dishes intended for shared enjoyment, all within a stylish and welcoming environment which has earned it a spot in the prestigious Michelin Guide.

Bravo Chef Luis! Recognized by the MICHELIN Guide, it emphasizes quality, consistency, and value.

Terraza Martinez G/F, Shangri-la at, The Arcade, 5th Ave, Taguig, 1634

It was Luye who arranged this family lunch date and she suggested Terraza Martinez situated on the ground floor of Shang-Rila The Fort. She also recommended trying the restaurant’s specialty such as the Calamari Plancha and Paella Negra. We also sampled other dishes from the menu, we’ll come to that later.

We headed to BGC before noon because we had booked a table ahead of time. Everyone was super excited when we got to the restaurant. The restaurant had a cool and cozy atmosphere, featuring warm lighting, lovely terracotta tables, and soft, gentle music. The restaurant manager approached us with a warm welcome and guided us to our reserved table. They presented the menu and inquired if we had any food allergies. This is a testament to their care and concern for their customers. It felt warm, lively, formal and welcoming. Overall, it offered delicious Spanish cuisine too .

I already anticipated that we would have a great time. The atmosphere is also romantic, featuring a small candle placed in a container on the table. Its soft glow creates the perfect setting for intimate conversations and a leisurely dining experience.

We were served with complimentary bread, frequently characterized as warm, crispy, and accompanied by olive oil with tomato salsa. The complimentary bread was a delightfully delicious and remarkable start.

We had Croqueta de Jamon Iberico, a popular appetizer.The ham’s quality is key to the flavor of the dish, making it the most valued ingredient. The taste is truly excellent!

Bombas de Salmon Curado y Trufa Light profiteroles filled with rich, creamy truffle cheese and savory cured salmon. With the opulent scent of truffle, it’s a flavor explosion!

Croquetas de espinacas y Gorgonzola A rich and creamy filling made with gorgonzola cheese and spinach, finished off with caramelized onions. It had a wonderfully comforting flavor.

Calamari Plansa Tender grilled calamari, a dish that is simply prepared and ideal for sharing, served alongside small portions of grilled eggplant, cherry tomatoes, lemon, and more..

 Presa Iberica de Cerdo was one of the highlights of our meal. Tasty and tender piece of pork sourced from the shoulder of the Ibérico pig recognized for its remarkable intramuscular fat marbling which offers a sumptuous texture similar to Wagyu.

Paella negra is a beloved Spanish classic that you can’t resist returning to, it’s warm, comforting and perfect for sharing. This dish is a must-try, featuring rich squid ink, tender prawns, and scallops.

While the chef presented it with the components separated, he personally came to our table to mix it all together. You can see the photos above.

Ravioli de Espinacas, Queso Y Trufa  Spinach, Cheese, and Truffle. It was rich and creamy. The earthy taste of truffle is divine, This is my top choice.

Tarta de Queso Manchego for our dessert. This is certainly one of our top picks. Its delicate, silky texture and delightful sweetness.

Berries Ginger Iced Tea and Mediterranian Mule

Overall, this is currently our top pick for a Spanish restaurant It stands out from other Spanish establishments in Manila due to Chef Luis Martinez’s Valencian-style cuisine establishing it as a leading option in BGC for substantial, shareable Spanish meals.

If you’re in the mood for Spanish cuisine, Terraza Martinez offers the finest traditional cooking methods, utilizing fresh ingredients and vibrant flavors. This restaurant is ideal for a romantic dinner. It also accommodates family gatherings and groups of friends as well. You can indulge in crafted classic cocktails and sparkling spirits to enhance your evening.

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog.

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Emotion Egg Artwork

By on September 11, 2025

While I’m waiting for my beef to get tender, I like to pass the time by doing something wonderful. It’s a fun and simple egg art piece that showcases facial expression. The great part is that kids will enjoy these amusing egg arts. You can also teach your kids how to make this kind of artwork which will boost their creativity and help them grasp different facial expressions, an art appropriate for various age groups and skill levels.

It is referred to as emotion eggs, a mom and child artwork. I’ve also added my collectible plastic hen and chicks. Making this kind of artwork brings back fond memories from my childhood. I used plastic eggs, a black paint and a small brush for the facial features, a small hen with chicks, a real egg, and a sprinkle of imagination to bring all the facial expressions to life. That’s it!

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Papaya with a Star-Shaped Seed Cavity

By on June 18, 2025

The Philippines is home to various types of papaya, including well-known varieties such as Sinta, Red Lady, Sunset Solo, Kapoho Solo and among these, the royal star papaya stands out due to its unique internal cavities, which are shaped like a perfect star. It is recognized for its pleasant aroma; while some people find it sweet, others describe its flavor as mildly sweet, yet it boasts a long shelf life. It is indeed fascinating to observe how the interior forms into a star filled with seeds. One great thing about royal papaya is that you can enjoy Royal Star papayas even when they’re half ripe. Royal Star papayas represent a novel hybrid variety of Carica papaya.

The Royal Star Papaya is an incredibly nutritious tropical fruit.

Papaya, a tropical fruit renowned for its benefits on digestive health, is rich in vital nutrients, enzymes, and antioxidants, it is also recognized for its health advantages, certain compounds in papayas may possess anticancer properties and reduce the risk of heart disease in addition to numerous other health benefits.

I personally planted this papaya in our backyard, and it has developed into a beautiful, fruitful plant that produces many fruits capable of sustaining the family, you can count on it to provide us with fruits every week. Even after we pick the fruits for this week, you can still see the ripe ones ready for the next week. It is a wonderful pleasure to enjoy the benefits of the tree you have planted.

Core Section of a Star-Shaped Papaya

The star-shaped cavities are a natural variation in the structure of the fruit, especially when it has been cultivated from specific hybrids or varieties.

This star shape is formed by the configuration of the flesh and seeds within the fruit.

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Creative Ways to Serve Fresh Fruit Salad – Useful Tips

By on March 19, 2025

The most effortless way to host my guests is by presenting a Fresh Fruit Salad like this one. It is a perennial favorite that I typically serve during special occasions. From my finest creations of fruit and vegetable salads, you can gather several ideas to inspire your own. By experimenting with various fruit combinations, you may find the perfect pairings, while also discovering those that do not work as well. I have explored numerous ways to mix and match flavors, as well as different presentation styles including arranging fruit slices in bowls, individual servings, platters, cocktail glasses, salad bowls, cups, and many more.

The ideal blend is one that balances both sweetness and aroma. I’m excited to share my techniques for arranging and decorating fresh layered fruits on a platter. As illustrated, the images will convey the process effectively. Preparing this dish is enjoyable and allows you to create a stunning masterpiece by combining diverse tastes, textures, and colors. This salad is perfect for a hot summer day or can be served as a dessert with yogurt or a berry sauce.

The essence of mixing various flavors lies in the appealing contrast of sweet and slightly sour notes especially when attractively presented on a plate or platter. The best aspect of this recipe is that it requires no cooking! You can adjust the quantity of fruit based on your preferences. Any available fruits will suffice. Personally, I often include grapes, strawberries, kiwis, cherries, mangoes, apricots, plums, cantaloupe, pineapple, and peaches of any variety; even canned fruits can be used. It is best to prepare this salad just before serving and keep it covered in the refrigerator until ready.

Strawberries neatly arranged in a circular pattern on a plate Arranging fresh strawberries in a circular design makes for a visually appealing presentation. In the middle, a small glass holds four half-moon slices of strawberry, topped with plain yogurt and delightful pink chocolate sprinkles.

Fruit Medley Served in a Pineapple Boat Fruit shells can serve as creative vessels for presenting various fruit slices. Utilizing the fruit itself as cups, platters, or boats can create a distinctive and appealing presentation.

Note: To prepare a scooped-out pineapple boat in advance, simply place the pineapple shell on a cookie sheet and store it in the refrigerator. Cover it with a damp paper towel to maintain its freshness.

Salad of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables drizzled with Strawberry Yogurt A visually appealing arrangement features a mix of red and green apple half-moon slices, rounded kiwi pieces, half-moon orange segments, and a bed of lettuce underneath, all elegantly finished with a dollop of yogurt for a nutritious touch.

Prawn Salad with Fruits in a Cocktail Glass Ideal for gatherings, I combined a variety of fresh fruits that are in season, as you can see. This prawn salad makes for a delightful appetizer presented in a cocktail glass.

Circular slices of orange and cubes of dragon fruit presented in a dragon fruit shell A simple mix of dragon fruit cubes and round orange slices, all served in the dragon fruit shell.

Fruit Medley in a Petite Glass You can use any mix of fruits you like. Just layer them in the glass, and you’re all set to enjoy!

Fruit Display in a Fan Shape The fruit is arranged in a fan shape. Simply slice the strawberry in half to create an opening, then add the fan-shaped fruit slices inside.

Cantaloupe Bowl The Cantaloupe bowl is ideal for presenting its own fruit. I simply hollowed it out into a rounded form and diced the remaining fruit into cubes. It truly is that simple!

Note: Use a disposable plastic mini fork picker to easily lift those fruit slices. (Check out the picture above)

I hope you find some helpful tips and ideas in this blog. Give it a shot!

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Peking Garden Serves the Best Peking Duck in the City

By on December 13, 2023

At Peking Garden Greenbelt 5 Ayala Center Makati city, we celebrated the 90th birthday of my aunt Conchita with family, relatives and close friends. The fine dining hosted for more than 50 people, we all occupied 5 round tables leaving one table for food platform. The food was served at 7:30 as guests began to arrive as early as 7 in the evening allowing time for conversation and getting to know each other.

Prayers before meals was offered to thank God for our blessings.The birthday music (Chinese version) playing in the background to match the birthday celebration.The celebration brings family members, relatives and special friends closer together on the table, not only on this occasion but to every event. All the guests elegantly dressed in red and that includes me.This kind of gathering serves as a good bonding for us, helps us to strengthen relationship and connections especially to the business group.

For family celebrations, we normally had dinner in a closed-door room to ensure our own privacy. Scent of good food surrounds us, we are surrounded by the aroma of delicious cuisine throughout the evening. No significant Chinese occasion would be considered complete without an abundance of delectable cuisine involved. There was enough food served and mouthwatering. Awesome! It was an evening with a well balanced meal that contains all necessary nutrients. It not a fatty dishes, not even hot or spicy.

The birthday menu checklist, best selection of favorites are rare treats, variety of Chinese dishes contains low in calories and fats. Obviously, an expensive choices. The soothing effect of all seafood is irresistible so with the signature dish, the ”Peking Duck” How else to explain the sight of good food that gives such a burst of appetite.The presence of more favorites gives more excitement to eat. It’a an oriental feast!

Elegant and beautiful setting

Peking Garden Restaurant

The 90th birthday of my aunt is a significant milestone in one’s life, it is frequently marked by a grand celebration. In general, the older the person the larger the celebration.

The beautiful celebrant, Aunt Conchita cutting her birthday cake.

Birthday cheers and singing the birthday song. While the guests were enjoying, the menu goes a long way creating a good mood. The assortment of food becomes the focal point here. The 12 courses meal, a selection of Chinese specialties. You can see from the menu itself. Yum! I love this food, some are my favorites…

Lively look on the table,sparkling and superb! Everything was arranged oriental style. It’s a 12 courses meal for the celebration. Lets get started,this is such a long list of courses up to 12 and one vegetable salad not on list, that makes it 13-course meal all in all!

Vegetable salad complimented the meal. The best starter going to the main course.

Birthday Misua with Shrimp and Mushroom

In Chinese culture, the custom of eating noodles are thought to bring luck and long life so, everybody must eat noodles served for longer life. My appreciation for all courses, I was trying to get a picture perfect for the first course. The first course, it’s a Birthday Misua with Shrimp and Mushroom.

The 2nd course is a Doubled-boiled Winter Melon Soup with Assorted Seafood. It is clear and tasty. Why clear? well, you don’t see any tiny floating particles, totally clean and clear! Winter melon was considered to be healthy, nourishing and cleansing to the body.

For me, a delicious soup is when you bring up the total hotness of natural flavor of seafood and vegetables.

Each round table is good for 12 guests and to every table, one Broiled-Winter Melon Soup bowl each. What a huge and heavy shell. It’s just perfect enough for 12 people. You can see the assorted seafood individual bowl down there, nourishing and full of flavor. The 4 empty wintermelon shell which serves as a serving dish for the soup.

In a small bowl, it is hot and delicious.It gives specific taste as it is appealing.

The 3rd course is Peking Duck, the restaurant signature dish. Peking duck can be prepared in a number of ways. In spite of the variety of specialties, the Peking duck still remains the favorite dish of the night.

In here, it is served two-ways, you can see below as details shown on photos and the other one is Minced duck with Fresh Lettuce.

The crispy skin of Peking Duck with a stalk of spring onion. How to wrap a Peking Duck? Click this link

Cutting the Peking duck breast in thin slices

The clever way of dividing into pieces. Thin flesh of Peking duck carefully arranged in a circular shape following the edge of the plate.

The duck flesh at the center and the crispy skin on the edge of the plate or vice versa.

Strips of Peking duck served with tortilla, stalks of spring onions and Hoisin sauce.

The whole Peking Duck is a special treat for all of us, full of flavor and deliciously fragrant. It’s addicting, once you start eating it, you just can’t stop, you want more and soon craving to eat again.

The 4th course is Deep Fried Almond Prawns.

Prawns breaded with thin almonds.The perfect match.

The 5th course is Braised Sliced Abalone with Vegetables

Pretty Oh so good! The sparkling abalone is tender and tasty. The fresh green color of the vegetables was completely preserved maintaining vegetables green color and nutritive value.

The 6th course is Whole Lapu-lapu with Scramble Egg White

Whole Lapu-lapu with Scramble Egg White served on a big oval platter, looks deliciously elegant.

The 7th course is Sauteed French Bean with Minced Garlic. The only vegetable being served aside from the salad, preserving the fresh green color, it is sweet and crisp.

The 8th course is Golden Crabs with Salted Egg

The 9th course is Minced Duck with Fresh Lettuce

The Minced duck serves with iceberg lettuce cup and Hoisin sauce. It’s an iceberg lettuce wrap.

The 10th course is Steamed Supreme Soup and Pork Dumpling.

Steamed Supreme Soup and Pork Dumpling, something that will suit your taste.

Champagne Moët & Chandon, French champagne appropriate for the event. The world’s most loved French champagne.

Cheers! Happiness and good health for everyone! Long life for aunt Conchita!

The 11th and 12th  courses are desserts; Birthday Bun and Chilled Mango Shake with Sago. I’ve missed to photographed the last one.

Sweet dessert, the Birthday Bun, What’s inside the Birthday Bun? A sweet bean paste.

This is my plate. How good is that? Always on the go for my favorite choice! My appetite grows stronger for food, after the first bite and another bite leads to another bite, there seem to be more…

Bravo ! Highlight of the evening’s entertainment was a special number,violin solo rendition by Jason Gan.( one of Aunt Conchita’s grandchildren) The audience were all quiet as excited to hear the musical piece. Jason’s twin sister a lovely girl, Daniela, check photo above beside Aunt Conchita.

Other photos taken during the celebration. You will see here all the guests who flocked to the elegant and fabulous evening gathering; family members, relatives and special friends. It was a celebration full of laughter and excitement. The birthday treat is a blessing and sign of thoughtfulness. Thank you so much aunt Conchita!

Peking Garden Restaurant  specializes in authentic Chinese cuisine. When we have celebrations, we usually host them here, we are frequent customers at this restaurant, whatever dish was ordered, it was always excellent and the ambiance made you feel comfortable while dining.

I’d like to give a round of applause to all foods served on the list item. I would like to thank the chefs for all the dishes that are offered. Congratulations and Best wishes!

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