Emporio Armani Caffe

On my recent trip to Ho Chi Minh city (my last visit was in 2009), I saw several improvements already. New malls were starting to pop up like Vincom Centre (office/mall combination). District 7 is fast developing and becoming an urbanized area.

My first visit was actually a leisure trip so I was able to visit the usual tourist spots like Cu chi Tunnel (a must), Notre Dame Cathedral, Hall of Reunification, Central Post Office, etc. This trip was a business trip (I was there to attend the 7th Vietnam ITE, more of this on another post) so I limited my free time to visiting some malls and dining out. One of the restaurants that I knew I had to try was the Emporio Armani Caffe which is located inside Vincom Centre. Opened sometime in July 2010, this is the first and only Emporio Armani Caffe in the Asia Pacific region.

One of the two entrances to the cafe. It is a 2 story establishment and it is beside an Emporio Armani boutique.

Black flooring and walls makes a dark and sombre interior.





Unlimited return to the salad bar is included for the Entree during lunch time. Salad bar includes couscous, pesto penne, veggies and others.


My salad platter. I only had a serving as I didn't want to stuff myself before partaking of the entree.



I decided to order the Chicken Milanese with the delicious Arugula salad since this was one of the cheaper items at 226,000 dong (US$ 11.30 or Php 499)


Saigon Special beer to wash down the food. 66,000 dong (US$ 3.3 or Php 148) for a bottle.


My friend, Ana, ordered the Pork Escalop at 216,000 dong (US$ 10.80 or Php 477)

My other friend, Charmaine, order the Veal Fillet priced at 376,000 dong (US$ 18.80 or Php 831).

Overall, our bill came down to 1,173,480 dong (US$ 58.67 or Php 2,600) or approximately US$ 20 per person for entree, salad and a bottle of local beer.

Personally, as with most branded/signature items, I feel that the pricing is a bit overpriced. You are paying for the brand name obviously which is also an experience by itself. But the taste falls short and is a bit 'bleh' if you ask me. Given a chance, would I go back and dine at Emporio Armani Caffe?...your treat, I definitely would! hehehe but if I had to pay for it, I'd opt for the other cheaper yet better tasting restaurants around town.

Emporio Armani Caffe
70-72 Thanh Ton Street
Ben Nghe Ward
District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnam
Tel (84 8 ) 38247055

Bantayan Island

Admittedly a big big big fan of Cebu, I have yet to discover places outside of the city and its nearby surroundings. Luckily, I got the chance to visit Bantayan Island last August with a couple of my good friends who are all based in Cebu.

Bantayan is an island in the Philippines located at the western portion of the northern tip of Cebu Island. It is politically a part of the Province of Cebu. (source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bantayan_Island)

How to get to Bantayan:

From Cebu City, you can take a public bus to Hagnaya Wharf (takes about 2.5 to 3 hours). Or, you can do it like me and hitch a ride with your friends who abhor taking the public transport hehehe.

From the Wharf, you will have to take a one-hour or so ferry to Bantayan Island. The cost is very minimal for the ferry ride...only Php 180 (US$ 4) per way (non airconditioned which is fine since it is very breezy on the passenger deck). To book a hotel, you can either book through one of the numerous websites available (just google it) or just go there first to check out the hotel and book on the spot (do not do this during Easter Week as it is impossible for one to get a room during this period unless you pre book)

Bantayan Island, to me, is how I imagine what Boracay Island looked like in its early years before commercialism took over the Island. As they say, pictures paint a thousand words...

Ferry Schedules posted on the board

The Ro-ro (ferry) which can accommodate cargo and vehicles on its berth and passengers on the upper deck.

The postcard worthy scene that welcomes you as you approach Bantayan Island.

The resort where we stayed at. An air-conditioned room for four would cost like Php 1,800 (US$ 40) per night (includes 2 double beds and a day bed). My apologies as I forgot to take pictures of the room.

You can arrange with the resort to prepare you your meals and taken at one of the numerous beach front huts that surround the resort. We were spending like Php 1,000 (US$ 22) per meal for a group of 8 people.

Perfect for strolling alone on the beach...

....or with your special someone!

If you want a no fuss, low cost vacation in one of the cleanest and safest beaches in the Philippines, then go to Bantayan Island where people's smiles are still at its sincerest form.

Hotel Kimberly Manila

If you're looking for an affordable, clean, decent and conveniently-located hotel in Manila, then you don't have to look further than Hotel Kimberly. Less than a 5-minute walk away from a mall (Robinson's Place Ermita) and several dining and night entertainment options, the hotel is situated in the heart of Manila (Ermita/Malate area).

Rooms cost around Php 2000++ (US$ 45++) which includes buffet breakfast for two.

Simple yet functional hotel lobby.

I personally stayed for a night in this hotel last June (my room was upgraded though) and I must say I did have a pleasant stay.

My room was quite spacious and even featured a LCD TV which even some 4-star hotel don't offer. The hotel also offers free Wi-fi in all guest rooms! (which hopefully will become a standard in all hotels all over the world)

The bathroom included a bath tub (not included in the picture and is quite spacious.

The main and only dining area serves buffet breakfast. As with the rest of the hotel, menu selection is very basic...you have your egg station, bread, cereal, fruits, juice, 2 or 3 hot items, rice and bread. Nothing exceptional but enough to fill one's tummy and start of the day right. Dining area is also noticeably clean, a huge plus.

Hotel Kimberly Manila

770 Pedro Gil Street

Malate, Manila, Philippines

Tel (63 2) 5211888

Fax (63 2) 5267270

Website: http://manila.hotelkimberly.com/index

Moshi Moshi Pop Phone

Call me crazy...or quirky but I like unique looking stuff or gadgets. So it should come as no surprise that my latest purchase is the Moshi Moshi Pop Phone by Native Union (http://www.nativeunion.com/hk/popphone.html).

"Designed by the French designer David Turpin the POP handset combines classic style with a contemporary edge and is finished with a luxurious soft-touch texture. The handset has been manufactured with a high quality speaker and microphone and can be used with all mobile phones when fitted with the correct adaptor (sold separately) and when fitted with a USB adaptor (sold separately) can be used for VOIP computer telephone calls (Skype, Google Talk...). This product is fitted with a 3.5mm jack (compatible with the iPhone)."

Ordered this via Dimensione Robinson's Ermita and it cost Php 1875 (US$ 43). You can buy this directly though at Dimensione High Street.

The Pop Phone is supposed to reduce the phone radiation that is emitted by putting our handphones beside our ear every time we use one.

Some famous people that have been 'caught' using the Pop Phone:

Lenny Kravitz

Jamie Lee Curtis

...and Chef Roger Perez (who?!?!?!?!) hehehe. He's a good friend of mine, as well as being the Executive Chef of Manila Pavilion Hotel, and I took a picture of him while he was using my Pop Phone (he thinks I'm crazy for buying/using one so here's revenge hehehe)