Like I always say, filipino food is at the bottom of my favorite food list. If I had my way, it would be japanese or chinese all the way -with the rest of the international cuisines following suit, but filipino food is still last haha. Sorry.

On this occasion though, I didn’t mind it so much because: 1) We were celebrating Erika’s birthday & she LOVES filipino food, according to ate. Naturally we HAVE to make her happy on her birthday! <3 2) We were going to eat in chef Florabel Co’s upscale & sosi Crisostomo restaurant -so the food will definitely have a twist or fusion. 3) I googled it & they have the most imaginative & fantabulous names on the menu -which tugged on my playful side! ;P (Crisostomo, as in Crisostomo Ibarra. The lead in Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere novel.)

Because we are a family who LOVES (nice) surprises -giving & receiving! I got some festive balloons to greet Erika for when we meet up. Erika is from Bohol & it’s her first time in our part of town & I want her to feel our warm NCR-southern hospitality. ;P She’s also one of ate’s very first friends in college so we have a soft place for her in our hearts. And did I mention.. We (o sige na nga.. THEY) are having a SLEEPOVER yay! m/

My babyson is so nice, he carried all 10 balloons for me! <3

The balloon says it all.. Happy 17th Birthday, Erika!!! <3

Waiting excitedly for the dalagas to come..

Obviously, we were the first customers haha. Lagi naman! 😉

Erika finally arrives! m/

Sisig Linares 250 php

Erika’s favorite, Bistek Pelaez 795 php

Garlic Rice 65 php each bowl. (7 bowls -gutom kami haha!)

Don Maximino (spicy crispy pata) 550 php They have a non-spicy version. But this.. THIS I LOVED! <3 The balat was so deliciously thin & crunchy. The laman was soooooo tender. GRABE! <3

Binan (Tuna Belly) 800 grams, 1,400 php! But sooo worth it! -not dry at all!

Gising Gising 220 php

Sinigang ni Kapitan 430 php

Group picture for posterity.

and.. here comes the surprise birthday cake!!! 🙂

Happy birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you. Happy birthday, Happy birthday. Happy birthday to you!!!

Don’t forget to make a WISH!!!

Ube Macapuno cake.

Iday (suman with chocolate fondue) 180 php

and look! a bird dropped by to bring my bill haha..

My sobrang gasgas mastercard! :'((

I hope we made you day special, Erika! Happy birthday, may all your dreams & wishes come true!

PS – A stolen shot of their sleepover! 😉

Nag-karaoke ang mga inday! ;))