Gary V-- Still the best after 23 years!

You got to watch Gavy V @ 23 this coming Sunday on Channel 2 after Pinoy Dream Academy. This is one of the best Gary V concert that I've seen. We watched the last show last Sept. 8 and all the Gary V fans out there would agree that after 23 years, Gary V. still has that magic. There will also be a re-run in October in Music Museum, maybe you might want to catch that instead.

What I like about the show is that they used rectangular LCD panels to enhance the performances. I've seen this used also in musical broadway shows. In the particular photo above, the rectangular LCD screens transformed into large speakers as Gary and son, Gaby danced passionately to the song "Di Bale Na Lang." This is only one of the attractions in the show and I'll give you a sneak peek on this concert.

BTW, Let me know what you think after watching the concert this Sunday in TV.

I had a hard time capturing this photo, because of the bright lights from the video screens/ projector. But I'm glad I was able to capture this moment.

This was a cool treat from Gary singing "Huwag mo na Sana" with his daughter, Keana Valenciano as back-up vocals in the background video.

Gary serenading the crowd. This is one of the kilig moments and my wife wish that we bought the center tickets.

Gary and Gaby playing with techno music from their mac powerbook.

This was hilarious! Gary V imitating Martin and his facial expressions.

Booganda jamming with Gary V with the medley of Hataw na, Sayaweh, and Shout for Joy! This was fun and these band group is coincidentally from the pep squad of Lasalle Greenhills --- Animo Lasalle!

Encore Song. Gary sings a dedicated to Kristine Hermosa who was celebrating her birthday, as requested by Diether Ocampo. They were seated in the middle so this is an incentive for buying those center aisle tickets.

Josephine's Restaurant -- a Filipino Resto experience in Central London

I had an argument with my brother before I finally convinced him to go to this only Filipino Restaurant in London. It was a first time for both of us in Central London. We spent two and a half days, going to the different tourist places and usually we eat on the go to save time. We were debating on why do we need to eat in a Filipino restaurant in London. First of all, eating in a restaurant would set us back at least 2 hours and why do we need to eat Filipino cuisine in Central London when I am from the Philippines and going back the next day! Endless discussion but in the end, my argument of loving our own and supporting our fellow kababayans outside our country won. Also, I'll tell you an open secret, the Londoners have no food that they can call their own --- except for Fish and Chips. I hated all the food I ate and I was dying to eat Filipino food. After having the food trip in Singapore, I thought I would also be able to do this here but I was dead wrong! I was already dreaming of eating at least a decent meal in a Filipino restaurant only to find out that there is one and only Filipino restaurant called Josephine's somewhere around the Oxford shopping area.

If you are a tourist and you only have two days, would you spend the time to eat in a Filipino Restaurant in Central London? Or, maybe I'm just weird.

Josephine's Restaurant was a 5 minutes walk from Tottenham Court Tube station corner Oxford street. It was the best meal I had in London, and my brother would agree. The food is home cooked Filipino Fusion that could rival Guava or Filos in the Fort. They have been operational for 10 years now this September.

Philippines, Restaurants

The interiors are predominantly red with a large mural of bahay kubo on stilts facing a river.

Josephine's Restaurant is owned by Eddie (pictured above) and Josie Poniente who have been in London for 20 years already. They are proud that all the dishes are home cooked as you order them and they are not stored food heated in microwave.

This was an interesting description of Filipino cuisine.
"Filipino cuisine is an exotic, tasteful blend of oriental, european and american culinary influences. "

Hmmn... come to think of it, I would agree with it. We have a lot of chinese, spanish and american influence, so can we call this global cuisine then? But I'm still wondering why Filipino have not taken off globally and have its own equity plus following.

Only Kare-Kareng Baka in Central London! (8.50 pounds) Beef in Peanut Sauce. A traditional Filipino stew of beef with banana bloosom & vegetables in tasty peanut sauce and shrimp paste on the side.

(Ok, don't ask how much is the conversion rate or you'll die with how expensive it is when you convert it. )

My brother is an expert on Kare-Kare and he loved it! There is something with the thick peanut sauce that makes this a yummy treat. The servings are good for two and they use basmati rice which have lower sugar content than ordinary rice. My wife would definitely love this, when she was pregnant, she usually crave for kare kare aside from the chicken barbeque from Aristocrat.

Oh my favorite, Sinigang na Lapu-Lapu! (4.50 pounds) Tamarind flavour soup with chunk of radish and string beans

The sinigang broth was so deliciously sour and hot perfect for the cold windy afternoon in Central London. The vegetables are crispy fresh and the fish was surprisingly tender and tasty. Sometimes, you tend to neglect these food and I can't imagine how our OFWs survive in other countries if they don't have this kind of cuisine in their country.

Manok sa Mani -- Filipino Chicken Sate (4.50 pounds). Marinated grill chicken in skewer with peanut sauce.

This was OK and I can't remember having this type of food even here in the Philippines. This is like chicken marsala with peanut sate sauce.

The menu is very simple and I was pleasantly surprised that I can have Halo Halo in Central London -- Yahoo!

Halo - Halo with Mango Ice Cream on top. (3.85 pounds) -- Filipino Sundae? a refreshing concoction of original Philippine fruit preserved and beans blended with crushed ice and Mango Ice cream on top.

Simply the best! I can't ask for more while Im here. It was interesting that they use Mango instead of the usual Ube ice cream.

Here is a photo of myself and the owner Josie in an al fresco dining setting.

Josephine's Restaurant
4 Charlotte Street
London W1T 2LP
Opening Hours: Monday-Friday: 11:45am-11:00pm
Tel# 0207-5806551
email: Jores4@aol.com

Cupcakes by Sonja: Soft Opening

cupcakesbysonja_soft opening copy, originally uploaded by Our Awesome Planet.

Finally!!! Cupcakes by Sonja is opening. Don't you wish it was already Thursday? Please say hi, if you happen to see me there.

Also, you might be wandering where have I been and have not been updating my blog. I don't usually announce in my blog if I will be traveling outside the country with the hope that I can continue to blog. Unfortunately, I now realize that I need to go on blog leave. Anyway, I've been to London, UK and I can't wait to post my experience. Watch out for it!

Related Post:

Sonja's Cupcakes--- Creating the Cupcake Craze in the Philippines?

What a Spankadventure: The Very Best of Pampanga Cuisine!

(Left to Right, Back to Front Row) Ajay (annalyn.net) with son Paolo, my brother Rommel, my sister-in-law Clauds, Spanky Enriquez (spankyenriquez.blogspot.com), Bal the driver, Nina (justwandering.org), Kendrick Tan, our good friends Maong and Luisa, my lovely wife Rache, my son Aidan, and yours truly. Taken in Everybody's Cafe in San Fernando, Pampanga just before the Pampanga feast!

Related Post: Pampanga Food Trip- A Culinary Tour of Pampanga 1.0

It was a foodie dream come true!

I have always dreamed about the day that I would get to explore the very best of Pampanga food. Once again, that dream came true last Saturday night during our pampanga culinary adventure 2.0 led by Spanx. We ended the food trip with a kapampangan feast that we will never forget. From Mely's Sisig, to Jun-Jun's Barbeque and the popular Everybody Cafe's authentic Pampanga food. Of course, the meal will not be complete without the unique Pampanga dessert treat of Doren Tayag's Decadent Cake with Caramel Sauce and Aurely's Special upside down version of Brazo de Mercedes.

You won't be a certified foodie if you haven't tasted this cuisine. I will try my best to share with you our experience so you can be inspired to seek out these authentic Pampanga delights on your own time. I assure you can't find these types of food in the Metro and yes, you have to travel to San Fernando, Pampanga for a taste of all of these. Thanks to Spanky for another successful Pampanga Culinary Tour!

It would be difficult to top this trip because every tour gets better and better. We are thinking of a final Pampanga culinary tour 3.0 which will be the last of the Pampanga Culinary Trilogy. I do hope you can come and I'm sure that it would be one food adventure you will never forget. Watch out for this in October and I'll try to put an invite earlier so that you can block your own schedule.

Pampanga

The Uniquely Pampanga Feast!

Fried Catfish (P80) with Buro and Mustasa (P25). I was never fond of eating catfish specially the fried one because of its after taste. This one is an exception because the meat was fried well -- crunchy outside but tasty juicy meat inside. You eat this by wrapping a piece of catfish meat with Buro in a vegetable leaf similar to how you would eat a peking duck. The buro is so good that you forget that it is made from fermented rice.

Fried Camaru (P160). I must admit that these food trips are becoming adventurous bordering into the exotic. Although it looks like a fear factor dish, don't be deceived by its looks. This taste like bacon and you won't be believe me that this was the first dish that was wiped out!

Pindang Tapa (P160). I must admit that this is an acquired taste. This carabao meat taste like sweet but with a slimy sour texture that would make you imagine how this one is cooked. This was the only dish that was not finished but Spanx affirmed that this is a favorite pampanga breakfast meal.

Betute (P50/ frog). These stuffed frogs are intimidating at first because of its shape and looks. This is my first time to eat frogs and it surely tastes like chicken. The fried frog is stuffed with frog meat and pork, so it feels just like eating embotido. This was likewise very good and you got to eat this in Everybody's Cafe.

Jun-Jun's Barbeque (P40/stick). All my blog readers vouches for this, so we had to take out 5 sticks with us to eat in Everybody's Cafe. This is the best barbeque I ever tasted and it taste like Aristocrat Chicken Barbeque. It is marinated in Java sauce which makes the meat very tasty and you have the option to put more java sauce on top before eating. Each stick is already good for one meal, and the P40/stick is well worth it because it is full of meat and cooked while you order.

Mely's Sisig. Voted as the Best Sisig in Pampanga by the locals. Mely's Sisig is grilled to perfection, chopped and mixed with the special sauce which makes this dish very addicting. Contrary to popular belief that sisig needs to be in a sizzling plate and should be crunchy. I'm glad AJ insisted to buy this and take it with us in Everybody's cafe.

Doren Tayag's Decadent Cake with Caramel Sauce (P550/ box). The Best Chocolate Cake in Pampanga (if not in Metro Manila)! Now, I'm sounding like I'm exaggerating already but we had to seek out all these treats to taste the best of what Pampanga has to offer. Polly's Cake will be no match for this soft chocolate cake with decadent icing topped with oh so delicious caramel sauce! We had to get this from the house of Doren Tayag directly and I have proven that the legend is indeed true, that Doren's Chocolate Cake is the best chocolate cake in town!

Aurely's Special: Brazo de Mercedes (P125/box). Spanx has been raving about this dessert for days now. These highly rich in cholesterol brazo de mercedes are sinfully tempting. I should warn you not to eat one of these or you'll be addicted specially if you are a brazo de mercedes lover just like us. Thanks Spanx for introducing us to this unique Pampanga dessert.

I'm not exaggerating when I say this was the best Pampanga cuisine I've ever tasted! Although, just on hindsight, all of the pampanga food we ate are carbo rich and fattening if you think about it. So this is not for the diet conscious or for the vegetarians out there. I'll create a separate post on where can you find them in Pampanga if you decide to have your own food adventure.

Anton