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Serendipitous Serendra
Serendra, which is situated at the heart of Bonifacio Global City, is indeed a place where one would choose to live. Who wouldn't want to come down to a multitude of restaurants, coffee shops, art galleries, personal services, and home and fashion accessories? Everything you need is set at a two-level indoor-out-door environment around a landscaped plaza. I wanted to start my day at the second level, which houses unique and exciting fi nds. I thought that I could walk through it in about 20 minutes or so. What was supposed to be a quick look-see became a whole day affair. I discovered treasures I never knew existed, even if Serendra is practically on the other side of my backyard. I suggest you do your window-shopping as soon as the stores open. For some reason, I enjoy looking at kitchen appliances in the morning. It's less busy and quieter before the lunch crowd arrives, and the sales staff will give me the proper attention so that I can ask them all the questions without feeling rushed. SMEG has been around since the 1940s. Walking around the store, I felt as though I was transported to Pleasantville – in full color of course. They offer the cutest refrigerators and kitchen appliances with that retro-vintage feel. If you're bored with your kitchen and you're looking for a statement piece, then this is where you'll fi nd it. A fi re engine red refrigerator perhaps? If you're not that into color, they also offer linear and classic design ovens with built-in pizza stones. Being a frustrated chef, I couldn't resist the gas-powered heavy-duty grill, which has a compartment where you could stuff lemons and other herbs to infuse smell and taste to the food. Mental note to self: Must get one before I hit 40. GE Monogram also has a wide range of kitchen toys fi t for a chef. Induction cook tops, wall ovens, refrigeration systems and even my favorite Ariston ovens are available in a wide variety of designs to fi t your lifestyle. I chanced upon Show and Tell, which is one of the few shops that personalize giveaways such as USB Drivers, laser pointers, card readers, watches, computer accessories, mobile phone accessories, and photo frames. These are perfect for corporate giveaways; their merchandise is of top quality. I happen to love modern furniture mixed with local materials. Padua's selection, from hard wood to woven pieces to leather items in bold colors, perfectly marries the concept of the old and the new. The wood finish gives their furniture that added rustic element without sacrificing clean lines. Nothing complicated yet simply elegant. For more home and antique options, Serendra is also home to Pondok Ondah and Abbey Road. Hanging the right paintings on the walls makes a home or office look cozier, more inviting, and put-together. Serendra houses art galleries such as 1/Of Gallery, E-Gallery, Verite, Artes Orientes, and Gallerie Raphael. Art is a very personal choice and in one of these galleries, there will always be something to suit every person's taste. Especially during the holidays I find that men are the hardest to find gifts for. After giving the usual t-shirt, board shorts, necktie, belt and wallet, it would be a welcome change to gift something from Carnevale. Here you will find everything from German and Italian shot, beer and schnapps glasses to lamps in a colorful array of designs. The lady of the house would be happy to come across animal print flute and wine glasses, quirky teapots, cups and saucers, fun salt and pepper shakers and candy colored dishware. Specialty stores like Hermle Clock Store and Pharaoh are also good places to do your Christmas shopping. Shopping for one-of-a-kind clothing and eyewear at the second level of Serendra is enjoyable mainly because you know that once you wear your purchase, there will be a slim chance that you will ever bump into someone wearing the same thing. Fashion and accessories stores like Souk, Miabella, Backstage, Luna, Mantra, O! By Anna Pashmina and Peppered Cherry have unique finds from all over the world. I particularly love Souk as the owner really handpicks all her items from her travels abroad. Of course I could be bias since she made my wedding gown, but that's a whole other story. Style Optix carries the best brands in eyewear from Lindberg to Cartier and Roberto Cavalli to Gucci. It is a huge shop so you are bound to find something suited for your face shape and style as well. Those of us who treat our pets like our own children will go crazy at Bark and Wag. They have the most adorable outfits I have ever seen. While we dress our pets in the fanciest garb, let's not forget to give them treats fit for canine royalty. Our furry friends will surely wag their tails at the wide array of cookies in all shapes, colors and flavors. I was happy to find that they offered organic treats and chew toys too! It's fitting that this establishment is found in Serendra, which is one of the few dog-friendly malls in town. Fix Lab by Bench is one of those straightforward, no fuss salons. Here, getting a good haircut need not be overpriced. I am usually very picky when choosing my stylist, so for the last 10 years, I haven't had my hair styled by anyone else. That day, I was feeling adventurous so I was willing to bite the bullet. I was pleasantly surprised! I really loved the way the salon's stylist layered my hair. I also had my long hair colored. I would have wanted a lighter shade, but I was still very happy about the turnout. Fix Salon also sells its own brand of shampoos and hair products. I've been using their hair products for a week now and I'm very satisfied. People like me who think that exercise coupled with a little artificial help from machines is the perfect combination must visit Renergy Dermspa. Over the years I have tried a lot of different treatments to help tone my body. When you hit 30, everything just seems to go downhill, literally; and I completely blame gravity and not old age. That day, I started with the Computerized Aided Cosmetology Instrument (CACI) machine for my face which utilizes microcurrents together with vitamins and nutrients that lift and tone muscles by stimulating the blood circulation. Just think of it as a cross between a facial and instant Botox. A single treatment on the face and neck makes you glow and actually lifts your facial muscles. This is great to have the morning of an important event. The best thing about it is it does not hurt at all. In fact, I fell asleep during the 50-minute procedure. Now that I was done with my face, it was time to go lower to the dreaded tummy. Instead of Mesotherapy, I wanted to try Carboxytherapy, which is a proven technique that infuses carbon dioxide into the subcutaneous part of the skin resulting in fat cells being eliminated - or more aptly described, killed. Personally I don't think too much fat needs to exist in this world so I decided that eradicating some of it wouldn't hurt anyone. I won't lie and say it didn't hurt, but the pain was tolerable. It's amazing how far some people would go in the name of vanity. Carboxytherapy works better coupled with Accent. This machine delivers radio frequency energy resulting in the release of fatty acids. It promotes skin tightening, body shaping, cellulite reduction and collagen reformation. As the heat began to escalate from the hand piece that looked like a clothes iron, a thermometer "gun" was periodically pointed at the targeted area to determine if the desired temperature level has been reached. My "love handles" were, thankfully, already soft and loose to begin with so they told me to expect immediate results. In the heat of the moment (no pun intended), I decided to have my arms "ironed" out as well. I could definitely do without my "bat wings". They finished off the session with a brisk lymphatic drainage massage, and voila! Putting my jeans back on seemed somehow easier. Although my arms could definitely benefit from another round, I was happily adjusting and pulling up my pants as I walked out. Renergy Dermspa also offers other treatments like Laser Naturalase for removing unwanted pigments like freckles and birthmarks; the Aesthera Photopneumatic Therapy System for skin rejuvenation and hair removal; Polaris WR-DS to reduce wrinklesand tighten skin; Vela Smooth Shaper System, which uses radio frequency, infrared light energy and skin curving to increase the metabolism rate of the fat; Skinmaster to reduce stretch marks; Botox, Glycolic and TCA peels; and other regular dermatological services. They also offer Swedish and Shiatsu massages. At the end of the day, Nail Tropics will de-stress the mind and awaken the spirit, essential to good health and beauty. I found myself in the store and opted to try the Organic Floral Pedicure Spa. After all that walking around, I really needed it. Most of their products are organic and made from fresh fruits, vegetables and oils. They have a variety of scents and products you can choose from. Their Organic Oats and Tomato Hand Spa really made my hands soft and smooth. Although they have the regular spa services like paraffin treatments, waxing, mani-peds, and head, scalp and back massages, they also have services for men. Their Asian-inspired shop allows men to feel comfortable and not feel like they are in a woman's salon. Strictly for men, the Energy Boom is a 90-minute antiseptic paraffin foot dip followed by a foot rub and capped with a head and scalp massage and sport manicure that will make any man feel like a king. Little girls will feel right at home here as Nail Tropics offers nail art for kids. I was told that they also cater to children's parties, offering their services as an alternative to the usual face-painting activities. I also highly recommend their acrylic and gel sculptured nails. Gone are the days when artificial nails looked like fake claws. Every time I'd go for my annual US trip, I would run to the nearest Vietnamese (they are the best) salon to have my gel nails put on, the minute I step off the plane. It's basically a gel or powder type product placed on top of the nail bed and cured under UV lights. Though it is pricier than regular manicures, I like that they last at least a month and they never chip (I've actually tried to scratch a table with my nail bed just to prove a point) and they stay shiny and clean for at least 3 weeks. I'd endorse this to everyone, even if they don't have a problem with growing their nails. Serendra is known as one of the metro's more popular dining destinations. Its festive ambiance and fun atmosphere makes it the best place to wind down after a hard day's work or spend a Sunday with the family. From coffee shops to wine bars and a smorgasbord of cuisines to choose from, it would be difficult to run out of choices here. Duo Steakhouse and Wine Bar has a very interesting concept. True to their name, they try to provide a combination of two meals in one, perfect for carnivores and for seafood lovers. They have an updated menu which includes steak, lamb, fresh seafood, chicken and one of the best salads I have ever tasted. Although they are mainly known for their steaks, vegetarians will not feel robbed as they have an extensive menu fit for vegans. Now my kind of special would be their Happy Hour between 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, where everything is 20% off including their pica-pica menu, and buy one take one for all local beer. After a hard day of work, this is a definite must do. I am not one who fancies snails in any shape, form or size but I highly recommend the trio salad, which has a mix of iceberg, mesclun and arugula leaves topped with sautéed prawns, shitake mushrooms, grana padano flakes, grilled asparagus and escargot, drizzled with their house dressing. I used to think that generally snails were a bit gummy and not at all pleasant to eat, but I did enjoy this dish very much. In fact it is one of my favorites, apart from the Salad de la Patron with salmon, scallops, prawns, tuna confit and seaweed in soy-wasabi vinaigrette! As for my preferred entrée at Duo, it is a toss-up between the Steak and Sea bass and the Baked Sole Fillet. The Steak and Sea bass has a very clean and simple taste which I really enjoy. The Baked Sole Fillet on the other hand is something I would order if I was really hungry and craving for something rich. It is stuffed with prawns, mushrooms and cheese in red and green capsicum coulis. Decadent is a word I would normally use to describe dessert but I would make an exception with this dish. I have been to Thailand quite a number of times already so I have had my fair share of authentic Thai food, and I can say that Thai at Silk does not disappoint. Most of their ingredients are flown in from Thailand, thus contributing to the authenticity of the taste of their dishes. Whenever I dine here, I always start my meal with the Pomelo Salad, which never fails to tickle my taste buds. It's sweet, salty, sour and spicy all in one! I assure you the last phrase you will utter before you leave would be Khop Khun Mak Ka. Portico of the Chateau 1771 Group is a culinary mixture of east and west, thus the menu ranges from spring rolls to fondue. I highly recommend their Baked Cheese Fondue topped with chorizo bits and bell peppers. One of their specialties would be the Shrimp Cracker Salad. The flavors or the heart of palm, fried shallots, lemongrass and green lemon mayo go very well together. Pizza lovers will enjoy the Salbacho Pizza, a protein-packed entrée with salami, bacon and chorizo. Pair it with the Kuisinero Pasta, an original Chateau 1771 dish that features browned garlic, tuyo fl akes, olive oil, parsley and chili in all its glory. Somewhat like the Filipino version of putanesca minus the tomatoes. Brazil! is one of the few places that serves buffet for both lunch and dinner. Patrons are given a yoyo with a green side and a red side. If they want servers to approach their table to offer them different kinds of barbecued items, which range from beef brisket and pork belly to sausages and pineapples, they put the green side up. This place is barbeque haven. They also have a complete salad bar and dessert station as well. Mary Grace is known for melt-in-your-mouth ensaimadas and cheese rolls as well as desserts like Sans Rival with Almonds, Moist Chocolate Cake with Cream Filling and Tiramisu. However, not everyone knows that Café Mary Grace also offers pastas, salads and sandwiches, rice selections and breakfast offerings. This is the place to go if you are craving for home-cooked meals. The Mary Grace Mushroom Cream Pasta is a house favorite made special with the right amount of truffl e oil. The Spicy Lemon Scampi is another favorite, a simple and refreshing dish of pan seared shrimps with a lemon juice sauce, chili fl akes, minced garlic and extra virgin olive oil. Of course the best way to end a meal at Café Mary Grace would be with a nice warm cup of the traditional Filipino hot chocolate paired with grilled Ensaimada. For those with more exotic palates, visit Hossein or Cuillere if you fancy Persian or French food. Conti's Pastry Shop and Restaurant is proud of their signature Baked Salmon but they have also become known for their scrumptious desserts as well. At their store, they also offer bottled sauces, dips, spreads and dressings. For people on the go, they also sell frozen cooked food like Callos and Roast Beef. I always try to drop by Contis for a slice of the cake they are best known for, the Mango Bravo. Serendra could practically be dessert heaven with its selection of establishments offering every kind of sweet treat imaginable. Xocolat offers everything from the Ultimate Hot Chocolate to Xocolat Spiced Chicken and Frozen Xocolat Sherbet Balls. Visit them from 5:00 - 9:00 p.m. every Friday and indulge in their buy one take one Chocolate Martinis! Miss Desserts has a vast array of regular and sugar-free desserts. My favorite is the Choco Decadent. You will never know that it is sugar-(and guilt-)free! They have a wide range of cheesecakes, biscotti, cookies and cakes. Those who are conscious of their sugar intake should not miss out on their sugar-free carrot cake and mango cheesecake, so rich you can actually share it with a friend! Marta's Cakes is the best place to go for specialty cakes in whatever design imaginable. It's the ideal place for parents with young children to sit down for a cup of coffee while their kids design their own cupcakes. Instead of the usual fruitcake, bring one of their 100% edible gingerbread houses to your next Christmas party. One of the first pastry shops in town that had an entire menu dedicated to cupcakes is Cupcakes by Sonja. No one can deny that she has the best Red Velvet Vixen cupcake! On that sweet note, if you haven't discovered Serendra, take a leisurely walk around and surely you won't go home empty handed – or should I say you won't go home on an empty stomach? |
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