...and Many More to Come!

I can't believe two years has passed since my sister Martha and I started writing or should I say, blogging. We have covered quite a lot of topics ranging from books, movies, sisterly bonding, to food. Most definitely, food. :P

I can't say that it was always easy coming up with an entry. I've had my bouts of tamad-itis (I've insisted it's writer's block). Besides, I work better under pressure (cramming maybe the more accurate term) writing two to three blogs in one sitting.

But it is always the same feeling after publishing a post. I'd feel elated, liberated, and proud that I was able to finish an 'article' (this is what Martha and I really call our blogs).

I would like to think (wish) that I'm getting better at this (because Martha is already great, I'm miles behind her). I also wish that we don't get tired of writing more blogs in the future. Happy Anniversary! :)


-Faye

Good News

Today, fayeandmartha reached a milestone by reaching a hundred blogs! :)

We've been putting thoughts to webpage (I would've said 'pen to paper') for two years now and although we're not widely viewed, I am very thankful. I feel a surge of special pride and joy for this but I feel more so for my beloved sister. 

Ate Faye often say that I'm a better writer than her but I beg to differ. I admire her courage to express her opinions, even if not everyone will agree. She doesn't just do reviews, she creates originals. She likes sharing her own ideas and adventures. Her entries give our site a more personal touch. I vow to follow her example more.

Writing keeps our minds healthy, I think, and we've grown since from our first ever blogs. Most of all, if I am to give our blog credit for anything, it brought the two of us closer. It gives me extreme comfort knowing we'll always have each other. Sharing this blog is one of the best decisions we've made. I hope our passion will last as long as our sisterhood. 

Raise your glass! :)

-Martha

Going Bananas @ Banapple

I've always wanted to eat at Banapple ever since I drooled over pictures of their decadent pies on the net. It took years to finally realize that dream (I dunno why). And when I did just a week ago, it was everything I expected.

The ambience is very inviting. It is quaint and cozy with mosaic tables and a heavenly cakes display. It set the mood for a perfect dinner with my friends and Ate as we shared childhood memories and laughters.

The food is great from Jen's Bacon Fried Chicken Steaks with Milk'shroom Gravy (₱190) to Erika's Terrific Tuna Sandwich (₱140) which they kindly let me taste. ;) Ate Faye's Hickory Smoked Country Barbecued Ribs (₱200) is tender and moist. Its sweet, smoky bbq sauce marries well with the meat.

Lasagna Roll-ups ♥♥♥

I had the Lasagna Roll-ups (₱195) which, frankly, is good enough for two (which goes for all their entrees, really) but I happen to finish it anyway since it's so darn delicious. The tang of its cream cheese filling fights with the meaty (I suspect a hint of anchovies) tomato sauce and subdued by the delicate pasta wrapping. A mouthful of this is like a happy explosion of flavors. This made my favorite list, a worthy contender to Tender Bob's Baked Ziti.

Team Bacon

For dessert, Erika and I had a slice each of the famous Banoffee Pie (₱105). The layers of cream, toffee-drizzled banana slices, and crust are perfect. I like that it is sweet but not overly. Jen had something quite similar, the Praline Banana Cream Pie (₱110) but the bananas on hers are sweeter ergo the praline. Ate Faye was enticed by the Maple Pecan and Candied Bacon Holiday Cheesecake (₱130). It's both festive to the eyes and the stomach. I was skeptical with the 'bacon' bit but it turns out to be yummy! The nuts and sugared bacon adds crunch to the smooth and yummy cheesecake. A must-try.

We stayed there for hours, savoring our meals and chatting happily. You could say we went bananas. But hey, who could blame us?

Rating: 4.25/5

-Martha

Location:
Banapple - 2F Il Terrazzo Mall, Tomas Morato, South Triangle, Quezon City

The Book Thief

TWO IMPORTANT FACTS:                                                                                               

1. This is a story narrated by Death.

2. It is set during World War 2.

By this, you can guess the intensity and impending tragedy of such plot. But it's not only that.

Although doing his best not to, Death gets distracted at times. One of such comes during his busiest, in the form of a German girl named Liesel Meminger aka The Book Thief. The two cross paths only three times but by saving a black book, Death is able to piece together the moments in between. The byproduct of which is this disturbing yet beautiful story. 

 "I'm always finding humans at their best and worst. I see their ugly and their beauty and I wonder how the same thing can be both..."

Markus Zusak spun a contemporary classic novel, worthy of all the awards it was bestowed. Its literary prowess is able to touch many human souls - The biggest award, I imagine, a writer can get in his lifetime. I can sense that Zusak wrote it in a way that he tried to balance the light and the dark, the sweet and the bitterness, the Himmel (Translation: Heaven) and hell.

KEYWORD: TRIED.

Of course, he was just being realistic. Living in those days with Hitler could not be anything but difficult. The innocence of childhood play aside bombings in the streets, an instinct of altruism and promise-keeping versus punishment and danger.

Once again, I fell in love with the characters. Liesel, Papa, Mama, The Jewish fist fighter, and The boy with the lemon-colored hair. Even Death I couldn't resist being fond of. I get a rare glimpse of his surprisingly almost humane persona as he struggles with the demands of his duty.

ANOTHER FACT:

The book thief has left a permanent imprint on my soul.

-Martha

Brunch at Fleur de Lys

T-B: Sweet Chorizo Hamonado, Garlic Tapa, Crispy Bacon

Strictly speaking, Fleur de Lys is a patiserrie and we (Erika, Lei, & I) came here to sample their cakes and pastries. But since we haven't had breakfast or lunch yet, we opted to have their 'Rise & Shine' menu first. A choice of breakfast-styled meat served with egg, garlic rice, and tomatoes. I tried the Sweet Chorizo Hamonado (₱178), Erika and Lei, the Crispy Bacon (₱163) and Garlic Tapa (₱168), respectively. All of us agreed that the meals were deliciously prepared but the serving was small and not one would call extraordinary. We shared a bowl of their Clam and Potato Chowder (₱135) as we are trying to make room for dessert.

Frankly, I'm not sure how we end up choosing our sweets because all of them looked mouth-watering. I'll try to do this justice:


Dulce and Gabanana (₱130mini)
Fresh banana tart with chocolate dulce de leche filling on gingersnap crust topped with whipped cream, caramel, and chocolate. Now, that is a mouthful. We all liked this but Erika (this was hers) concluded that the filling was good but Banapple's Banoffee Pie has a better crust. 

The Next Best Thing (₱135)
Warm chocolate cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Lei finally settled for this one. I don't know what it's supposed to be next best to because it's a star on its own. The chocolate cake is this warm, melt in your mouth thing accentuated (if that's even possible) by a creamy French vanilla ice cream. 

Nuts About You (₱125/slice)
Macadamia nut tart topped with pistachio ice cream. I had an easier time deciding than my two companions. I just went with the dessert with the most nuts. Nut lover that I am. One word to describe this: YUMMY! or maybe NUTTY! For me, this dessert alone is worth the trip. Definitely, a must try.

So, if you find yourself on a lazy Saturday with nothing to do, why not drop by at Fleur de Lys and have your taste buds awakened by these heavenly desserts? Happy Eating! :P

Over-all rating: 3.75/5

-Faye

Location:
Fleur de Lys - FLP Bldg., 305 Tomas Morato, South Triangle, Quezon City