Union Jack Tavern

According to Wikipedia, a pub, formally public house, is a drinking establishment fundamental to the culture of Britain, Ireland, Australia, Newfoundland, Canada and New Zealand. Most pubs offer a range of beers, wines, spirits and soft drinks. Many pubs are controlled by breweries, so cask ale or keg beer may be a better value than wines and spirits. Traditionally the windows of town pubs were of smoked or frosted glass to obscure the clientele from the street. Until the 1970s most of the larger pubs also featured an off-sales counter or attached shop for the sales of beers, wines and spirits for home consumption. In the 1970s the newly built supermarkets and high street chain stores undercut the pub prices to such a degree that within ten years all but a handful of pubs had closed their off-sale counters. 

The writings of Samuel Pepys describe the pub as the heart of England.

I confess that I love anything British, especially when I am drunk. Therefore, it is fitting that I share  my neighborhood pub: Union Jack Tavern - the coolest pub in the South with the best-tasting chicken tikka masala. The former being Union Jack the only tavern I know in the area and the latter because I haven't visited any Indian restaurant since I moved to Alabang.

The Place

Union Jack is unique because it is located inside a mall: Festival Mall to be exact. However, once you enter the dark pub, there's no indication that you're in a shopping area. I prefer to enter via the parking entrance so as to have the authentic pub feel. Ceiling, walls and most free space are decorated with anything British. 

Dark, heavy pieces of furniture dominate the place and there are at least 3 television sets with different sports shown. 

My favorite part, there is a grocery store next to the pub where you can get most English goodies: beer, soft drinks, chocolates and even savory. Don't forget to check the grocery.

The Food

Apart from having awesome beers and cocktails, the food selection is great. 

French Fries (or something like that ~ PhP 200)

I honestly forgot the name but this is an extra good appetizer. Great with beer, too - in short, pulutan material!

The plate is served piping hot. The fries is soft but not soggy, with the potato very tender. That's just the start. The mozzarella cheese is another story - a very good story. Very gooey and since the cheese has subtle taste - it adds the right amount of saltiness to the fries.

Awesome sauce!

Chicken Tikka Masala (PhP 245)

I haven't had a lot of tikka masala but I love New Bombay's rendition of the dish -peg, kumbaga. This version is also good.

The chicken is grilled well and the spices in the sauce adds tang to the entire dish. It also comes with very crispy pita. Can be shared by 2 persons if you don't eat a lot.

Apple Pie ala Mode (~PhP 200)

Tastes home-made! I remember the pie is very tasty - soft with strong cinnamon flavor. There's generous serving of baked green apples. I remember this is very yummy. 

The place serves a good selection of beer. We like the Spitfire as it is not too bitter and very refreshing.

Cocktails are also abound. I think this is their version of Long Island Iced Tea - very refreshing and the alcohol content is 28%. Hahaha! You can interpret my last phrase a number of ways :P

Before I end this piece, allow me to share National Geographic's Top 10 English Pubs, in case you'll be in the neighborhood. 

In Summary

1. The place is our go-to hangout place in the area if we are in the mood for alcohol. The atmosphere is very relaxed - perfect for unwinding. It is great for catching up with friends and if you want to drink with family. If you're (romantic) date wants to have a beer and watch sports - then maybe take her/him there. 

2. Food is good. We like everything we have ordered and the serving size is generous.

3. Price is also decent for the quality and serving size.

Union Jack Tavern

2/F Festival Supermall, Corporate Ave

Alabang, Muntinlupa

63.2.850.3739

Mandarine Spa

Massage is one of the best stress-reliefs known to mankind. I love getting my muscles released of tension through Swedish strokes. Now that I've transferred neighborhood, I am excited to try the massage places in the good ole South. After a quick Google search, I was convinced that Mandarine Spa offers the best massage in the Filinvest area. 

One Friday night, I invited Person A to Bellevue Hotel to try Mandarine Reflexology and Spa. They are known for their foot reflexology but I wanted to get a full-body massage, so we availed of a 1.5 hour full-body Swedish massage. Due to a prior appointment, the establishment is kind enough to accommodate us on a different time slot. This is Mandarine's lobby: much better than most spas welcoming area: 

plush carpet, cold temperature, calming music, nothing less of a 4-star hotel spa

and the exclamation point: hot red dates tea!

I tell you, this tea is very soothing, calming and sweet! Anyone who's a non-tea lover would like it. According to doyouyoga.com, when dried... red dates are high in potassium, vitamins B1&B2. It is believed to relieve stress, an antifungal and anti-inflammatory, improve digestion and used to relieve sore throat.

After 5 minutes, we were ushered to our massage room. The amenities exceeded my expectation considering that I paid much less than your average 4-star hotel spa.

The room has 2 massage beds with soft but firm mattress. A lot of side pillow to provide support to different body parts and lots of soft, fresh towels.

Then if you don't want to use the jacuzzi, the room comes with your own bath where you can take a shower before the massage. That's the door to the right. It is a must for me to take a shower before a massage because after one, I end up going home and sleep - without taking a bath. I am not a fan of taking a bath at least 4 hours after a massage. 

The bath is very zen, Asian: rain shower, nice stones and comes with liquid bath amenities. Towels and robes are also fluffy.

I tell you, for PhP 1350 for a 1.5 hour massage, I say everything is a steal.

Now on to the massage!

When our therapists arrive, massage begins with stretching then an hour is spent kneading the back and legs. The strokes are very soothing and consistent like you can't feel that there's only one person massaging you. An hour into the massage, the therapist will get a warm towel to wipe off the oil and soothe your body. 

I like the massage. Person A is still undecided - he's meticulous, like that. 

Here's the list of services.

I will definitely come back if I can't think of any better massage place and I have the moolah to splurge. My value for money massage is somewhere in Pasay Road, Makati and comes at PhP 300/hour. The amenities are very spartan but the massage is good and you can go get 3 hours of bliss, if you like.

While driving along Commerce Avenue, we noticed the sign that Mandarine Spa is opening in West Gate. 

Stay tuned.

Mandarine Spa
Westgate, Filinvest Corporate City
Alabang
63.2.215.7869

Mandarine Foot and Body Spa

The Bellevue Manila

Filinvest Corporate City

Alabang, Muntinlupa

Daily 1PM-11PM

63.2.771.8181

D-d-d-dora

Meet Dora

She drives 

She appreciates flowers

Before the Dora - fication, she looks like this

Then she went to Jinu Hair, a Korean Salon in Alabang. 

The hair stylist, Mr. Sem Park, discussed with her the look and length she wanted to achieve. In this case, the then-not-yet-Dora wanted to cut her hair short. Mr. Sem proposed to sport bangs to better frame her face and to lessen the weight of her hair by doing a layered cut. The hairstylist meticulously cut her hair layer by layer. Also, the wash came after the cut so he had an idea how it looked like once the hair is blown dry.

The salon has a simple interior but it feels spacious.

The reason why the now-Dora likes to have her hair cut by Koreans is they seem to really know what their doing. Even if she doesn't cut her hair for 4 months, it looks like this. 

Meaning, the cut gets better with time. 

She's still not sure whether Jinu Hair is the best hair-cutter in the South but she's willing to go back to this place to evaluate it further. Hair cut costs PhP 500. 

Jinu Hair

Unit 3GF, MSA Prime Center

Madrigal Business Park 2,

Alabang

Tuesday - Sunday

63.2.659.7242

Mona Lisa Ristorante

Undoubtedly, Mona Lisa  (La Gioconda) is considered the most famous painting in the world.

Photo: Heart-2-Heart

If you name your restaurant after the Mona Lisa, then it must possess the novelty of da Vinci’s painting. I first heard about this restaurant from Heart-2-Heart and was convinced that the place is worth trying. While I had no idea where I can find it in Alabang, I accidentally arrived at its doorstep while enjoying my Frutti Froyo. They’re located in the same building along Commerce Avenue. I call it the "Army Navy" building because it's the most prominent establishment in the block.

The Place

The place has a fine dining ambiance. It’s spacious and exudes warmth. I don’t remember the yellow table cloth, but it doesn’t look tacky as it appears in the picture. We reserved the table by the window which has a good view of Commerce Ave.

Photo: Heart-2-Heart

The place is packed on a Thursday night! That’s a good sign.

Photo: Heart-2-Heart

Waiters/waitresses are impeccably dressed, of course with the Mona Lisa tie.

Bread in a basket is served with pesto, butter and tomato while they wait for your order. 

The bread tastes freshly-baked and pillow soft.

Pappardelle Porcini e Tartufo (PhP 400)

Don’t worry, that sounded Greek to me, too. I just want to order pasta in truffle oil, hence the choice.

Olive oil, garlic and funghi porcini mushroom sauce, with truffle oil.

This dish does tastes like truffle oil and worth going back for. Pappardelle (large, broad, fettucine) is al dente and the sauce is heavenly. The portion is quite small though to be shared by 2 persons.

Risotto Alla Pescatore (PhP 480)

Arborio rice, sautéed and simmered in white wine, tomato sauce and cream with a medley of seafood.

What sets this apart from the risottos in most Italian restaurants in Manila is the use of Arborio rice. It is short-grain rice grown in Arborio, Italy mainly used for risotto. It is cooked just right and has a starchy taste. The wine and cream tempers the sour taste of tomato. It’s also one of the best risottos I’ve tasted.

Apart from pastas and risottos, Mona Lisa also serves insalatas (salads), zuppa (soup), panizze (thin pizza that can be rolled with alfalfa), pizza, calzone, meat dishes, fresh pastas (!), and paninis.

It has something for everyone.

Tiramisu (~PhP 200)

If you haven’t noticed yet, Person A and I are tiramisu lovers. If there’s tiramisu in the menu, more often than not, we order it.

Mona Lisa offers two varieties: classic and strawberry tiramisu. This is the strawberry tiramisu, the best seller according to the waiter. I don’t like the taste of strawberry with my tiramisu. Hence, I would most likely opt for the classic one. It is worth noting though that the biscuit, cake, coffee and mascarpone taste good.

In Summary

1. Mona Lisa is one of the finer Italian restaurants. The place has a warm, inviting ambiance and ample seating space. Great for dates, night with friends and family gatherings.

2. The pasta with truffle oil and risotto tastes great. I personally think that the place lives up to the “Mona Lisa” name.

3. Price point slides to the more expensive price range and for the taste of its dishes, I say not bad at all.

Mona Lisa Ristorante

2^nd Floor, The Commerce Center

Filinvest, Alabang

556.0708

Bawal (talaga) Ang Plastik!

Remember the post about Alabang saying no to Plastic Bags?

Alabang (or is it the whole Muntinlupa?) is serious about it.

Case in point:

This is our beloved Breadtalk.



Breadtalk "overwraps" their goodies in plastic bags.

Photo from http://www.flickr.com/photos/yummyinthetummyblog/

Goojab Alabang!

Now, can we move on to implementing our traffic rules?

P.S. I still love and want my Floss, though. I hope Breadtalk and Alabang settle on middle ground.

Why I Love Alabang

It's not because Ayala Alabang Village requires a doctor's prescription to buy condoms and contraceptives.

Click here for link.

It's because Alabang is saying "NO TO PLASTIC".

Not this plastic.

But plastic bags that take eons to degrade.

If you purchase items in Alabang, it will be contained in paper bags.



Much like in the 50s.

One round of applause for Alabang!