Family Time : Casa San Pablo - The Food

One thing that made our stay in Casa San Pablo very memorable is all the great food we were served. I mentioned in my previous post that the rates we were quoted already included all of our meals (except snacks, which we were allowed to bring in). I honestly didn't expect to be as blown away as I was about all the food. I was hoping that it wouldn't disappoint but I have to say, it well exceeded our expectations. 

We stayed overnight, so the meals that were included were lunch and dinner on day 1 then breakfast on day 2 (because check-out time is officially at 10am and we wanted to have lunch out). 

Day 1 Lunch (pardon the photos, I arrived late at the dining area because I went to nearby SM San Pablo with Sabine to grab a few necessities) : 

Lechon Kawali --- I really shouldn't have eaten this haha!

Lumpiang Hubad --- really fresh because everything was crispy

Alimasag sa Gata --- so flavorful!

The spread also included soup, but I forgot to take a photo of it. 

Then for dessert? 

This huge chunk of Ube! 

Let's take a quick break from the food so I can show you what we did that afternoon. I kinda fell asleep in bed while watching one of my downloaded TV shows on my laptop, because the airconditioning was also so cold. But in no time, the little girl was tugging at my blanket and asking me to go to the pool with her. I dragged my Mom with us as well. 

We chose the lower pool area (there's an upper pool area, too) so that the maintenance people wouldn't have to watch us while we swam. It was gloomy because it rained extremely hard after lunch. 

Now let's move on to what we had for dinner on Day 1 : 

Here's how our table was set at each meal time. Very simple, like having lunch at home. 

Cream of Mushroom Soup (I don't think it was made from scratch, though)

Sitaw and Kalabasa --- loved this! 

Roast Chicken Hamonado Style

And the dish that we easily ran out of because it was so tasty --- Grilled Tilapia! 

Dessert was not-too-sweet Leche Flan (argh, sorry I hate blurry photos!)

On Day 2, we only had breakfast which consisted of the following: 

Sunny Side Up Eggs --- obviously, late nanaman ako because hey, N woke me up at 7am and I had to go to the banyo first, of course!

Our very attentive server, Justie (sayang I failed to take his photo) told us this was Longganisa ala Lucban, because it tastes like Lucban Longganisa but is actually made in San Pablo City. Nom!!!

Sinangag (Fried Rice) just the way my family likes it --- with tons of fried garlic!

Fried Danggit --- too salty for my taste but that's not the kitchen's fault. This fish is really salty and I'm not much of a fan. 

The best part of breakfast? Unlimited brewed coffee!

And sipping it while enjoying the view from the veranda while Instagramming. 

Ahhhhh the life! 

I'm really missing this place as I type. Yes, the food is one of the things you should look forward to when you visit Casa San Pablo.  Not just because everything tastes good, but also because it's served home-cooked style with lots of loving care. 

Family Time : Casa San Pablo

Way before summer began, we knew we were going to stay put in Manila for the first time in ages. Just one of the many changes we have to deal with now that Daddy has gone ahead. It's all good now. I was dreading the start of Holy Week because I knew it would bring back so much painful memories of Daddy still being around and planning our annual family trip to our 2nd home in the North. But I prayed hard to be able to face, embrace and overcome the emptiness. 

I still wanted us to do something as a family though, so I searched and searched for places to go without having to get on a plane or drive too far. After seeing so many options, I ended up choosing CASA SAN PABLO in San Pablo City, Laguna. Everything I saw and read about it told me that this was the place I should decide for us to go to. 

We wanted to be away just for a night, and at the beginning of the Holy Week, so that we don't go head to head with the many others who are planning to take out of town trips. We all know what this is like, having gone out of town every year on Holy Week for more than a decade now. This time, we all just wanted a change of pace and to do something different from what we've gotten so used to. 

After exchanging email messages and texts with someone from there named Angelica (whom I didn't get to meet), we found ourselves in Casa San Pablo on the morning of March 25, Holy Monday, at around 10am. The drive was uneventful, as expected, and we were happy to know that we practically had the entire place to ourselves. Only one other room was taken, by a really quiet and young couple. 

Angelica, based on my headcount, assigned Rooms 1 and 2 for us. 

Room 1 went to N and myself, because there's only one bed in it --- a queen sized one with a stiff mattress. Win! We both don't like soft fluffy mattresses because they're not good for our ageing backs hihihi! Note that Room 1 had a small veranda up front. 

Here's what our toilet and bath looked like in Room 1

Nothing like a 5-star hotel's toilet and bath but it had its own distinct character which I loved. Best of all, it was clean and complete.

Room 2 was so much bigger than ours. There was the main bed which was also queen-sized, 2 single beds nearby (this photo), plus 3 more. 

The 3rd bed in Room 2 was this, tucked away in its own enclosable area. We actually turned this into the luggage/baggage depot haha. 

The 5th and 6th beds were on the 2nd floor of Room 2, where the loft was. Just follow Sabine!

So yes, Room 2 had a total of 6 beds. Too big for us, actually, but we were happy with all that space.

Each room had its own conversation pieces. Room 1 had this ... 

It's an oil painting by artist, E.J. Cabangon, entitled Hanging by the Moment. The stuffed rabbit belongs to his 5-year old daughter. She and the rabbit are inseparable. The story behind this painting is just so touching. I'll share it in a separate entry. :) 

This wall is what gave Room 2 character ... 

It's a collection of Hot Wheels toy cars. I failed to get the history behind this though. But even my girly girls found the idea cool. 

You're probably asking by this time, what the rates are like. You'd be totally surprised if I tell you that we didn't spend too much and that the rates already included all meals (except snacks). You can shoot me an email message at nonstopbabble@yahoo.com if you want me to let you in on the friendly numbers for these rooms (and the 16 others they have). 

Meantime, speaking of meals! This was probably one of the biggest highlights of our super short stay in Casa San Pablo. The meals were such a treat for all of us! Please stay tuned because my next entry will be about all the glorious food we were served!

Casa San Pablo is located in San Pablo City, Laguna

Visit their website at www.casasanpablo.com to know more

P.S. This is also worth mentioning. When our booking was confirmed, Angelica sent me an email message containing not just our confirmation letter (which we had to present upon entering the premises), but also several attachments which included a map from Manila, places to see around the area and how to get to each of them. Really so efficient!

A Really Quick Trip

It was quick but it was also so worth it. Maybe it's 'cause we didn't have to go very far plus the drive going there and coming home was hassle-free. We chose to beat the Holy Week rush by going on Holy Monday and just staying overnight.

Yup, that's my Sabine in the photo enjoying one of the many hammocks in the open area of 

CASA SAN PABLO. Watch out for my more detailed entries on our overnight stay at this really quaint bed and breakfast place down south. Hmmm ... I think I might have to have multiple entries on this one. Wait for them! 

P.S. Not in any way a sponsored post :) 

Our Awesome Weekend

The family went on a much-needed respite and was privileged to have stayed at this beautiful place somewhere in the south. Unfortunately, I'm not allowed to say whose property this is, upon the owner's request. I was a bit sad that my Anissa wasn't able to join us on this trip due to dance rehearsals for the dance concert she'll be performing in tonight. I'm hoping we can go back sometime in the not-so-distant future. 

The stay was extremely short, just one night. So I had to make sure to take in as much as I could while I  was there. I'll let the photos speak for themselves because really ... this place was so amazing, I was speechless most of the time. 

Pool Area

A portion of the huge balcony of the house where we stayed

The walkway outside the house that was assigned to us

At the foyer on the 2nd floor of our house, this door led to our bedroom. Awesome detail.

Our house was Filipiniana-themed. I loved these capiz windows.

The main road leading to the main property. So well-maintained. 

So much more to see 

These are just photos I took using my iPhone 4s (fab quality, huh? my poor Lumix has been sitting in the dry cabinet for months!). There are more photos in N's DSLR camera. I will share those as soon as he's converted them. 

Oh this place ... until today, I have only dreamed of going to a place as beautiful as this. 

More soon!

I miss Singapore

The sights, cleanliness and discipline are what I miss most. Nevermind that it's hotter and more humid compared to Manila. The fact that the place is alikabok-free makes it a winner.

The food ... the glorious food

Plus the idea of eating in a food court is never discouraging because their food courts are clean, huge and servings are as generous as the ones dine-in restaurants. I wouldn't mind eating in places like Din Tai Fung, of course. I'm saying their food courts are never a sorry choice either.

The shopping ... but let me qualify that.

Only when the shops are on sale, because a lot of times it's more expensive compared to Manila prices. Plus, there are only a number of shops that are not here yet - Sephora, Cotton On, Victoria's Secret are some. Note the leftmost photo though ... the only brand I hoard on whenever I'm there is Charles and Keith. Cheaper by P300-P500 per pair. Hence, the multiple shopping bags on the stroller. I also love Singapore's local brands for clothing and shoes. You'll find most of these in department stores like Takashimaya (Ngee An City), Isetann, Tang's. Bugis Junction, which reminds me of a more upscale, Greenhills Commercial Center, is one of my favorite stops because there are bargains there if you look carefully and are patient about going around. The GST refund is something you shouldn't forget to take advantage of when you're there. Accumulated purchases in one store on a single day (minimum of Sgd100) automatically entitles you to claim it. On one of my business trips, my GST refund paid for my meal - not food court - and some pasalubongs for my staff at Changi Airport before flying back.

Most importantly (and this doesn't just apply to Singapore), it's the precious time spent with the kids and seeing how much they're enjoying every minute of it all. That's hard-earned money well spent. 

Hoping to go to Hong Kong sometime in the 4th quarter but yes,

I'm really missing Singapore terribly. Need to plan a return trip soon.

I love sunsets!

This photo was taken recently when we spent the weekend in Calatagan. I was able to take it just in time to catch the pretty colors!