Al Bacio Ristorante Italiano: A short escape from reality

If you want to escape the noisy streets in Pampanga and just savor your dinner with your partner or family, then this is the place for you!

Al Bacio Ristorante Italiano is owned by two people. One's Italian and the other one's a Filipino. The restaurant has been in this city for more than a decade now.

Imagine this: It is quiet, italian songs are playing in the background, you can see old school type of table settings and chairs, there are huge wine cellars, beautiful paintings on the wall, be greeted by very nice and friendly waiters. It feels like you were time warped in a restaurant in Italy.

Aside from its serene environment and the warm welcome of their waiters, you will enjoy the authenticity of their food. So far, all of the food that we have ordered were as if cooked from Italy.

Their menu might be a little bit pricey for some but the serving and taste will definitely make up for it.

While we were waiting for our orders, they served us this oven bricked baked breads for appetizer. And I kid you not when I say it is hella yummy! It was fresh and cooked just right.

We ordered the mozzarella balls and we didn't expect how huge it were. We were served with this. And I tell you, the taste is as good as it looks.

The pizza we ordered was like the best pizza we ever had. Not that we're exaggerating but it was cooked so perfectly. Let me just put it this way, first bite was heaven. What more for the second?

We also had their delectable pasta. It was also good though we didn't get to finish everything because the serving was not as what we expected. We were planning on getting dessert later on but after everything, we just skipped.

This restaurant is definitely a must-try if you are in Pampanga. Well, you don't have to be in Pampanga, as far as we know, they also have a branch in Tagaytay and Boracay.


THE VERDICT: Aside from the good food, you will enjoy your stay too, thanks to their oh-so friendly servers and its very warm and welcoming environment. We will absolutely go back here!

HOTEL REVIEW: America Hotel in Pampanga

A rainbow colored hotel can be found along Don Juico Avenue, Clarkview in Angeles, Pampanga. This hotel is called the America Hotel.

from http://media.philippines-addicts.com

It is just a few blocks away from the mall, SM Angeles and to local bars and restaurants.

America Hotel has a huge lobby for incoming guests and for their stay - in guests. It also has a huge pool beside the lobby which we found very awkward. You don't want to be welcomed with half naked people when you come in right?

from http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com

The hotel has free wifi and a computer area in the lobby wherein guests can use but there's a charge for that.
The wifi though is only available or rather reachable at the ground floor, sometimes it reaches to your specific floor but we kind of had a struggle with it since we stayed on the 4th floor. We had to go outside of our room just to access the net.

This hotel also has a 24 - hour restaurant where you can eat, well almost anything from their menu. The food is okay, if you were to ask.

The receptionists in this hotel were not as professional as they should be. Some were texting while some, we got a feeling that they were not interested or too lazy to work. We asked them certain questions about the room, and they gave us a one word answer. We asked, what are the inclusions in the room and so on but it ended with a yes or no kind of conversation, you get what I mean? They were not accommodating and were a bit rude, I have to say.

Their standard room rate is around Php 1,000-Php 2,000 a night. We got to book their family room which is around Php 5,000 (not so pricey for a family room) which is in the 4th floor.

Another downside of this hotel is that they don't have any elevators. Well, that time it was still under construction. So if you are booked in their highest floor, better prepare carrying your luggage to your room.

The room was quite huge and spacey. The room has a more of a homey type of feel rather than a hotel feel. Fully carpeted floors. Their family room has 2 rooms which includes the following for each room: Queen-sized bed, Bathroom (Shower) room, Refrigerator, TV, Dresser, Tables, Set of chairs, and so on.

When you go to a hotel, especially when you get the high quality rooms, you will expect that everything will be taken care off already, especially the amenities. Sad part about this hotel is that they only provided us with 1 soap and 2 rolls of tissue for each bathroom. No shampoo, toothbrush and toothpaste included. You have to pay for those too.

the light was dim. what you see in the picture is the actual look and feel of the restroom

There were also no coffee available for you in the room and when you ask for a hot water, they will charge you Php 20.00. Also, one of the fridges in the room were quite old, as in quite broken.

The restroom is big enough but not that clean. It is okay, if you wouldn't mind some old looking tub and faucet. Also there was a bit of problem with the flow of water, there are times that the shower is weak.

THE VERDICT: This hotel is definitely considered as a budget hotel. It is not pricey but is a bit run down. Well I guess they were right when they said: "You get what you pay for."

I give this hotel a 2 out of a 5 stars.

IAN RONDILLA LATEST SINGLE RELEASE

MARCH 16, 2013

IAN RONDILLA  LATEST SINGLE RELEASE

Ian Rondilla, an up and coming solo artist, is releasing his latest single called MISSED. This is a Karl Roy Tribute Song featuring Steve Badiola from Typecast, Noodle Perez from Nyctinasty and Avie Maria from Bad Hair Day.

ONLINE PREMIERE on March 16, 2013, 6:00 PM via Facebook and Youtube.

Here is the teaser for the song: 

Don't miss it! Follow Ian Rondilla on

Twitter: http://twitter.com/IanRondilla
Facebook: http://facebook.com/IanRondilla
Youtube: http://youtube.com/IanRondillaChannel


If you have any music event, album launching, or the likes and want it to be posted in this blog, please email your event to: justarrivedat@gmail.com

The Kitchen Store

If you want to be warmly welcomed by very nice Pampangeños & Pampangeñas, be served with free food, and get to see live cooking, you might want to visit The Kitchen Store/ The Creperie in Pampanga.

Hidden along Don Juico Ave. is a cute little food store that sells almost anything you need for baking. The Kitchen Store, also known as The Creperie is owned by a young man who was born with a family of chefs and who also teaches cooking in Philippine Women's University in Pampanga.

If the staff notices that it is your first time to visit their shop, they will let you taste their delightful treats for FREE. We were just looking around and asking what type of food they were selling, then a man suddenly went to us with this mouth-watering banoffee cake.

And I tell you, it is delicious! Aside from this cake, they will also let you try more of their creations. And this is what they gave us:

If you will order one of their specialty, which is the crepe, (the reason why the store is also named as The Creperie) you can actually watch in their kitchen, see how their crepes are done, and even let them explain what they are doing.

Very nice and accommodating people plus yummy food for dessert or for snack! This store is a MUST visit, especially if you are a big fan of baking.

They are open Tuesdays - Sundays, 10am - 12mn but The Creperie or their Crepes are only available between 5pm - 12mn.

You can visit and like their Facebook page: https://m.facebook.com/pages/The-Kitchen-Store/168593546490409?id=168593546490409&_rdr