Marina Oyster Seafood Grill - Good for Family Dining

Our family revived one of our past traditions: to dine outside the house once every month. For the month of April, we went to Marina Oyster Seafood Grill! 

The restaurant is located at National Highway, Pallocan West, adjacent to the Holy Trinity Church beside SM City Batangas. It's not really easy to see because from the road, but there's a sign at the entrance. 

It's our first time to dine there, so we took our time to order. 

Meanwhile, here's the complimentary shrimp cracklings

 After placing our orders, it's picture time! 

We didn't have to be shy to take pictures because we're the only ones eating there at that time. :)

 The dining area is spacious and regal-looking, so it would be perfect for business meetings, family gatherings and other formal events. 

Casa Marikit: Photoblog

Casa Marikit Ristorante Italiano, located at Banay-Banay, Concepcion, Lipa City (click here to see map), is a dining place you would not want to miss.

Its romantic ambiance and fine architecture definitely made me want to invite me beloved here.

The Place: Inside

The waiters.

Friends

The Food

Complimentary food

Pizzeria menu

Note: Prices are NOT yet subjected to tax and service charge.

Quattro Formaggi - Girlie's favorite

Yummy pasta with shrimps and cream sauce - forgot the name

Yummy pasta added with chili

Aftermath

Will not have pizza without this :)

The Lights

The Place: Outside

Kegs of wine

Casa Marikit Ristorante Italiano
Banay-Banay, Concepcion, Lipa City, Batangas
(Road to Mataas Na Kahoy opposite Lipa Air Force driving Range)
Phone: (043) 312-0454
Mobile: (0917) 869-2354
Email: casamarikit@yahoo.com
Restaurant Hours: 11am-3pm and 6pm-10pm

Berb's Bar

After having dinner at F. Baylosis, we decided to see Club Yolanda since it's not too far from Baylosis and my friends and I haven't been there yet.
It was a mini resort feel in it. It's a perfect place for a party because it has:
1. pool
2. Berb's Bar (for your drinking needs)
3. Fred's Seafood Restaurant
4. function hall

The Bar

It also is overlooking Batangas City, which is a perfect ambiance for partying.

The view

Anyway, since we were already there, we decided to try their drinks (we could not afford to eat again). We ordered mango shake, buko pandan shake, avocado shake (shakes at Php 150) and kamikazee (Php 100).

Friends - while waiting

While waiting...

They served complimentary peanuts and water. 

Buko pandan and mango shakes were served after about 20 minutes; we were informed that the avocado shake was not available because it was still bitter (they made us taste it first) after serving the other two shakes. It would be better if they knew beforehand about the condition of their avocado so that while ordering, they could inform us immediately about it, so that no time will be wasted. I hope they would heed this advice next time. :) We ordered mango shake to replace the avocado. The other orders were served after 10-15 minutes.

Mango shake

Mango shake: up close

Buko pandan shake

Kamikazee

Their mango shake is the second best mango shake that I tasted ever (first is TOSH's). It has right amount of sourness, and its presentation - with extra thin mango strips on top - is noteworthy. The same goes to the buko pandan shake's presentation. It's also yummy. I'm not a fan of pandan-flavored food, but I enjoyed drinking the shake.
The kamikazee, on the other hand, was quite strong on its alcohol content, but I enjoyed it because I wanted alcohol then. It would be too much for a party drink. I tasted better kamikazees (Tomato Kick's), but this would do.

After enjoying our drinks, the view, and a little chat, we asked for our bill.

Lesson learned: 12% VAT exclusive bill will be a shock if you don't calculate it firsthand, so beware of these things. It was a good business strategy, to exclude the VAT on the menu, because it really looked cheap; but it doesn't feel right for a customer's perspective after receiving the bill. :)

Overall, I liked the Berb's Bar experience. It would be a good place for meetups or reunion for financially stable people.

Summary:
Service: ★★★☆☆
Price: ★★★☆☆
Taste: ★★★★☆
Ambiance: ★★★★★

Anniversary Date at Cafeno

If you ever went to a Laiya beach, you would not not notice this restaurant. It is located on the side of an eye-catching Spanish era type house. When I first saw it, I immediately got curious on what food they offer. I even searched it in the internet - and when I did (NOMNOM LINKS - [afraid to use their images due to copyright laws etc]) , my curiosity heightened that I even posted (on FB) about my craving to go there. So when my dear boyfriend asked where we should have our anniversary, it's on my list. Because he's ever thoughtful, he picked Cafeno. :3

So, from Lipa City bus stop, we rode a van going to San Juan for 1-1.5 hours (Php 70 each).
Note: One would have to wait for the van to be full to depart. It has also the possibility to be a not-so comfortable ride, depending on how big the passengers are. Patience is a virtue.


THE PLACE

I was giddy with excitement when I saw the place's interior - it oozed with uniqueness and creativity~. Here are some photos with their tables:

Lamp, candle holder, earrings and sewing machine mixed to add this table a creative touch.

The sewing machine table.

Another table design, this time it's simple. Made from tiles, with a cute seashell on top.

The 'coffee table'.

THE FOOD
Because we hadn't had breakfast yet, we ordered breakfast meals, plus desserts.

Tapsilog. The kapeng Barako shot is a must-try.

Steamed chicken with 3 condiments.

My favorite part of the meal: atchara. This is the best atchara that I tasted  so far.

 I had the chance to try adding a barako shot to my rice, and it was a great experience. It only gave a hint of coffee, so one would not need to worry that the shot would ruin the rice-plus-viand taste. In fact, I think it became an appetizer.

I enjoyed my coffee after the meal, with sugar. J enjoyed his with sugar and milk.

Then, desserts were served.

Ice cream sandwich

Calamansi sherbet

I ordered the ice cream sandwich, but i was so full soI just ate the ice cream, which is creamy yummy, and left the sandwich part to J.
We also tried calamansi sherbet. It was so refreshing and not that sweet, which added to its awesomeness. It has calamansi peel bits which added flavor to the dessert. It will be an awesome treat after beach strolling in Laiya, or just for beating the summer heat.

I didn't have the chance to taste their famous Kapeng Barako ice cream because it was not available that time. Meaning, I have a reason to go back. :D

I'm sure GMA's 'Ang Pinaka' Yummy would reconsider their list when they dine in Cafeno in San Juan, Batangas. :)

Summary (the only flaw in this restaurant is that it's very far from me!):
Service - ★★★★★
Taste - ★★★★★
Cleanliness - ★★★★★
Price - ★★★★★

I loooove Cafeno. Have you tried dining there? What should I try on their menu next time I go there? :)

(Check out other photos here. :D)