Trip Ko Lang

Since floss bread has been introduced by Bread Talk, I have always been an avid eater of their pork and cheese floss breads.  I have heard about Toast Box as a sister company of Bread Talk but it was just recently that I got a chance to visit the place.  Originated in Singapore, Toast Box has its main branch open in Trinoma, Quezon City…visited Toast Box for 2 reasons, (1) I love floss bread and want to try something new with floss and (2) I miss Singapore and visiting  Toast Box would help me reminisce my Singapore days.

Floss Clubhouse @ 169php

Toast Box’s Floss Clubhouse was first in our order list…food serving was just enough for 2. Clubhouse is a great afternoon snack and with Floss on it, it  just tasted superb! We really loved it.

Mee Siam @ 135php

We wanted to try something new and Mee Siam looked good in their menu, so we ordered for one. Taste was a bit tangy and spicy. We did not like it but it was just okay if you want to try a noodle soup with a distinct Asian taste.

Kopi

Kopi is the local name for coffee in Singapore and having different types like Kopi, Kopi-O, and Kopi-C. I had my Kopi-C (with sweetened milk) as add-on to our Floss Clubhouse. It was so good and I really missed the Kopi taste I had in Singapore.

Milo Dinosaur @ 89php

We had another drink, one of Toast Box’s featured drinks, the Milo Dinosaur. Most ordered drink especially by kids who just love drinking Milo and can’t get enough of Milo’s rich chocolate taste.

Toast Box is a good place to have a light afternoon snack with their featured breads like Kaya Toast or Floss Clubhouse and a hot cup of Kopi. Try it!

Xtremely Xpresso Cafe started in 2003, a simple coffee shop located in the business district of Subic.  Then it later grew, and now they have a branch in SM City Clark and Marquee Mall in Angeles. Famous for their good quality and affordable Italian food and drinks, this cafe has been a must stop coffee shop for tourists visiting Subic and Clark.

Xtremely Xpresso Cafe at SM City Clark

And so… we did! Xtremely Xpresso Cafe was part of our itinerary, we had a one big Valentine lunch, enjoyed their delicious pasta and extremely big pizza… we were all satisfied and even brought home some left over pizzas. We didn’t really expect that they were generous in food servings, food tasted so delicious and very rich. We were 4, we had 2 pastas, 1 pizza, 1 appetizer, coffee and flavored frappe drinks… and we had a difficult time finishing all our foods… hehe.

Mozarella Fingers @ 160php

Here’s a picture of our Mozarella Fingers, yummy, good to eat while it was really hot. Next picture is their big pizza, we ordered for Big Ben, one of their famous flavor pizza…

Pizza - Big Ben @ 549php

Big Ben pizza is known for having the best ingredients and flavor. It is loaded with meats like Pepperoni, Sausage, Bacon, Beef and on veggies, it has Garlic, Onions, Peppers, Mushrooms, Black Olives and two kinds of Cheese. An Absolutely Awesome Pizza!!!

Pasta - Meatball Spaghetti @ 190php

For our pastas, we had Meatball Spaghetti (photo above) and Veggie Lasagna (photo below). I loved more the Meatball Spaghetti; the sauce was great as well as their meatballs. Veggie Lasagna was just fine, white sauce was good but I didn’t really like the veggies included.

Pasta - Vegetable Lasagna @ 150php

Our Xtremely Xpresso Cafe experience would not be complete if we didn’t get to try their coffee drinks. We ordered for Lemon Tea Frappe and Strawberry Lemonade, just the usual drinks in any shop. But we also ordered some of their featured and best-seller drinks -  Shockwave and Mango Cremo. 

Flavored Frappe's - Mango Cremo @ 100php

Mango Cremo was a good choice. You can taste real mango flavor and it’s was so cool and creamy. Yum yum.  Shockwave was really something; the name itself would make you curious of its taste. And yes, one sip can bring you a shockwave… hehe. This coffee based drink was really strong, highly recommended for people who want to get some kick and make you awake!

Xtreme Frappe's (Coffee Blended) - Shockwave @ 100php

Overall, their food was great, prices were reasonable. But one thing we didn’t like was their service. The waiters were slow and a bit disorganized; they looked busy but you’re not sure why especially if there were just few people dining and you can’t find someone to assist you.

Xtremely Xpresso Cafe is a must visit coffee shop if you’ll be in Subic or Clark. You’ll enjoy good Italian food at affordable prices. Do check it out!

It was 14 Feb 2010, an extraordinary valentine celebration, my 2nd time to see everything that flies… after 1.5 hours drive from Manila, we arrived around 11.30am in Clark Pampanga headed first in one of the most visited resto in the area for lunch (food blog to follow).

15th Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

At 2pm, we were already on the PIHABF grounds, it was a very sunny afternoon, heat was extreme but still we managed and enjoyed watching the sky exhibitions and got some good photographs.

Paragliding in Action

We witnessed kite flying, sky diving and paragliding in action. Although, there was a large crowd, you can still see everything up in the sky and enjoy the show.

Hot Air Balloons

Around 5pm, cars and hot air balloon crew were coming and positioning themselves on the main ground.  They started bringing out their baskets, spreading the envelope (the actual balloon), and igniting the burner.

Hot Air Balloons

We were able to see only the night glow; balloons didn’t fly just an hour of setting up, people watching and taking photos.

Good points about this event:

1. Entrance fee of 150php. It was really worth it; you can spend the whole day on PIHABF grounds, check out booths, exhibits and watch sky exhibitions.

2. Big space, you just have to look for the right spot to stay.

3. There are booths selling food and drinks.

4. Portable toilets are strategically located in the whole area.

5. This event usually runs for 4 days including weekends. So you have options on which date to visit, programs/activities are about the same for each day.

Things to consider before going to this event:

1. Bring shades, caps/hats, towel, extra shirt, and sunblock for sun/heat protection.

2. Bring picnic mat so you can sit and relax on the grounds. Big umbrellas can also be used.

3. Bring your digi cams and slrs.

4. Outside food and drinks are allowed. Don’t forget to bring water.

5. It is advisable to bring your own car; there is ample space for parking. Commuting can be a bit of a hassle.

‘Till the next Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta! See You!

Hello again Trip Ko Lang readers! Thank you for supporting my 1st Blogiversary Contest and for being a Fan of my Trip Ko Lang Facebook page. Just keep dropping by my site, new surprises are coming in my next posts… Anyways, the contest has ended and it is now time to announce our winners.

Congratulations to the following Trip Ko Lang readers:

Ann Saturno

Entry: Chocolatier Boutique
Prize: Pino Resto Bar GC worth 500php

I like this entry because it is a new foodie discovery that I also want to try and I’m really into desserts and chocolates so this Chocolatier Boutique is a must visit dessert place for Trip Ko Lang.

Lei Rivera

Entry: Amazing Cones
Prize: Tutti Frutti GC worth 200php

This is amazingly one-of-a-kind foodie that can be anyone’s favorite.

Anna Lissa Abello

Entry: Tuna Kilawin
Prize: Tutti Frutti GC worth 100php

Thanks for sharing your foodie discovery in Davao. Trip Ko Lang also loves to travel and try  famous delicacies/food in different provinces visited. I’ll definitely visit this when I get to Davao.

Trip Ko Lang would also like to thank Pino Resto Bar and Tutti Frutti for sponsoring these gift certificates. More power to all!

Hello Trip Ko Lang readers! In celebration of my upcoming 1st Blogiversary this February, Trip Ko Lang magpacontest… Yes, totoong contest eto and it will be all about FOOD, I have been sharing different food discoveries in this blog and I think now is the time for you to share with me your own food discoveries and favorites. All you have to do is to join Trip Ko Lang fan page, upload one photo of your favorite food or resto (it really doesn’t have to be the best shot…) and include a caption/short description – name of resto, food title and answer the question why is it your favorite? or what makes it special for you to like?

As for the prize, I’ll be giving away a free scrumptious meal for 2 in my favorite featured resto – Pino Resto Bar and will let you experience eating the Pino Resto way.  So start checking your food or resto shots, or visit now your favorite resto and start uploading them in Trip Ko Lang fan page. The most exciting, unique, tempting food/resto discovery or favorite will win! Good luck to everyone!

Contest duration 27 Jan to 12 Feb 2010 ( hey, you can still make this your Valentine date… hehe)

No limit for the number of entries per person.

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10 Feb 2010

My Blogiversary Contest is about to end and to add a little surprise, I’m giving away additional prize – a free dessert from Tutti Frutti Frozen Yogurt. Hurry, share now your favorite food/resto or any food discovery.