Happy 2014 + 2013 Favorite Food Trips

Happy 2014 everyone! How was your new year's eve celebration? I hope you had a good one. Mine was pretty lame. Just at home with my parents. No fireworks display. Went to church with my Mama which I don't usually do every last day of the year. Felt like I have a lot to pray for 2014. Good thing the mass started before firecrackers set off on the street. After the mass, I spent the rest of the hours preparing this "comeback" post while waiting for the time to strike 12 mid-night. Of course, welcoming the new year would not be complete without food on our table. We had Mama's macaroni salad (as requested by me because it's my favorite), mango float (which I made), spaghetti, cake (my brother brought), fruits and sparkling wine. Although, for me, it was lame, I'm still very grateful that I welcomed the new year with my family.

So glad 2013 was over. It wasn't a good year for me and my country. Hopefully, this new year I will be able to redeem myself. That is why my ultimate goal is to secure a job. Also, be a responsible citizen and serve the people the best way I know how. Just as I hate to look back on the past year, I realize that not everything that had happened are bad. Moments like meeting new friends, the opportunity to travel alone, the chance to work in the hospital again even in the shortest time, visit new places and happy hours with my family and friends are still worth remembering.

Along with this new beginning and new hope brought by the new year is this new blog "The Tasty Life Diaries". Inspired by watching a lot of food shows like Tasty Road and Eat St. on TV and all of my previous food trips with my friends, I've decided to return to blogging. This time I will concentrate more on food, best local food spots and discovering recipes. I'm not a food expert nor a food critic. I just love to eat and discover places and stuff. I hope that is crystal clear. :) Here are my top 5 favorite food trips of 2013. Enjoy!

CHINGKEETEA, located at Marfori Compound CDO. It's a Taiwanese restaurant filled with cute, vintage stuff. They serve milk and fruit teas. One of the best, I think, although my first drink of their milk tea was not memorable. I still recommend you to go to the store, grab their best seller "Wintermelon Milk Tea" and have an "Alice In Wonderland-like" experience. Also, visit their Facebook page here. 
 
T.G.I. Friday's, first in CDO. For me, a new restaurant to enjoy good food and company of friends is a go-to place. What I love about it was they still inject Filipino style to American cuisine and I love their signature red and white stripes. The crew were really cute in their uniform, and they were very entertaining. :)


Candy's Cafe, very pretty right? One of the pricey restaurants in the city but so worth it because their food tastes heaven. It was originally located at Lim Ket Kai Rosario Arcade, but because of the bombing incident last year, it is now in Centrio - Ayala Mall. They serve Italian, American and Filipino dishes that you can enjoy with your family and friends. Aside from the food, I also love the interior design of the place.


Love seafood? Order and enjoy Tali Beach at Blackbeard's Seafood Island. Composed of grilled squid and fish, shrimps, crabs, oyster, pork BBQ, rice, roasted chicken and fruits. When it comes to seafood, Seafood Island is my pick next to Panagatan Restaurant (in Opol and soon to open in Centrio - Ayala Mall).


Italianni's Restaurant, another expensive restaurant and first in CDO. Fantastic for formal dinner or occasions like Valentine's Day or anniversaries. So if you plan to take your girlfriend for a special dinner date, I recommend Italianni's. Cozy, service is fine and the food is great. 


Whew! I didn't mean to make this first post too long, but the photos are too many I want to share them all. :) I hope you enjoyed reading and looking at the photos as much as I did. I'm really excited about this new blog. Can't wait to post more. 'Til my next food adventure!