Lady Bellini, The Cosmopolitan Gypsy

When in England - Do as the Britons Do

2009-08-14T14:35:00.000-07:00

Most of these are stereotypical things most Britons don't actually do. But whatever, they were all for kicks!

1. Wear silly hats
They're actually quite pricey but walking around the streets of Britain with feather cocktail hats is quite amusing.

2. Afternoon tea
You probably won't eat dinner after tea, sandwiches, scones, and cakes. But it's worth it.

3. Go punting
With strawberries, cream, and Moet & Chandon champagne of course - just be sure to pack an extra change of clothes. Things could get wet.

4. Snog (yes, I used the term, snog) in a Phonebooth
Shag if you can

5. Participate in a London Street Party
Apparently bars and clubs close at 3AM. What are drunk teenagers supposed to do after that? Have a London Street Party!

6. Pimms o'clock
Drink pimms in the Summer. Preferably in a pub called the Red Lion or the Royal Oak (there's one in every town)

My Biggest Travel Fantasy

2009-08-13T09:01:00.000-07:00

Duffel bag in hand (small enough for carry-on)
Sunglasses on
Passport? *Check*
Credit card? Money? *Check*
Get into a cab and go to the airport.

Where am I going?
DESTINATION UNKNOWN.

Eeny, meeny, miny, moe.
Buy ticket. I'm off.

Damn, if only I have a passport that allows me to enter most countries in the world, I really would.

The City of Dreaming Spires

2009-08-07T11:18:00.000-07:00

"And that sweet city with her dreaming spires,
She needs not June for beauty's heightening"
- Matthew Arnold, Thyrsis

Greetings from Oxford, home of the greatest university in the world, the most gifted poets, scholars, and intellectuals... And at least for a month, also my home. I'm taking summer tutorial classes wherein I have an hour and a half one-on-one session with my professor each week and present to him an essay I've been working on (somewhat like a dissertation).

Oxford is amazing. I love this city. I live in a huge near the city center, London is an hour and a half away, and I have a few friends who are also here. But living condition and social scene aside... the city is beautiful. My favorite time of day is around dinner time when the sun gives the buildings a gold shine when it hits them:

Thoughts and observations:

I don't like English cuisine (fish 'n chips, bangers 'n mash, pie) - if you can even call it a cuisine
BUT I like their English Breakfast, afternoon tea w/ scones and amazing clotted cream
Kebab vans and stalls are widespread here, and they're seriously not too bad
I thought British guys would be cuter
They take their class systems seriously (i.e. being called a "Chav" is a huge insult because it means you're from the working class who wears sweatpants/hoodies, and live in council housing)
The weather is crazy and summer never comes (it's supposed to be summer now but it rains almost everyday)
English people go to tuck shops, get sandwiches/baguettes to go, and eat while they walk

More pictures:

This is the only aspect I hate, not being able to enjoy the lawn

A typical Ploughman's lunch. yum.

I saw Inspector Lewis! From the detective show, Inspector Morse

Peace, love, and Fish 'n chips,
Lady B
xx

Manila Club Scene: Embassy Superclub

2009-07-20T10:31:00.000-07:00

In Manila, many clubs have come and gone. Absinthe? This, as well as Ice, Temple, Bed Space have all gone out of the window. Alchemy? 3 rooms gone to waste. Warehouse? Heard the crowd isn't that good anymore. Jaipur? Same story. Bottom line, clubs just don't last!

But then again, there's always an exception to the rule: Embassy Superclub.

I've been going to Embassy since high school. I revisit the place every time I go back to Manila. Why? It never disappoints.

Superb Service. The waiter was always on his toes.
Confesion: I love how they're always armed with a lighter :)

Embassy Fly
Great music! Awesome transitions and song choices.

Most importantly, I was with good company

WORK IT!
I don't know how it does it but Embassy makes EVERYONE dance

Good vibes till closing time
(Which reminds me the only thing I hate about it, it abides by Fort's curfew)

A perfect end to Summer in Manila '09

My next destination?
It's a secret I'll never tell (not until my next post anyway)

xx

Cafe Ysabel

2009-07-20T08:54:00.000-07:00

Located a few blocks away from Greenhills is a haven for gastronomists:

Aside from being established in a 1920s ancestral home, the restaurant is famed for being home to the cultinary institute of reknowned chef, Gene Gonzales.

I went to the restaurant last week with my grandmother and this was what we ordered:

• Menu •
Lavash (Iranian) bread
~ • ~
Crisp smoked fish wantons in salsa verde
Pan Fried gooseliver with lightly tossed greens and apple-ginger tatin
~ • ~
Braised lamb shank
~ • ~
White wine
~ • ~
Crème brulee
Tea

Two much for 2 ladies? Guess what? We finished every single one of them. The waiters probably thought we were barbarians. Holy shit, the food was so good. PLUS can you believe the whole meal - including a glass of wine each - only cost us a little over Php 1600 (USD 33)?!

It's now officially my favorite restaurant in Manila. I can't wait to go back!

P.S. I recently discovered that apparently Mr. Anthony Bourdain himself visited the restaurant as well – dammit, the man beat me to it.

Café Ysabel
455 P. Guevarra Street
San Juan, Metro Manila
(632) 726-9326
cy-reservations@cacschef.com
http://www.cafeysabel.com/

Hi, I'm Lady Bellini

2009-07-18T00:06:00.000-07:00

Hey beautiful! Lady B here.

I’m a traveler.
I’m an adventurer.
I’m a dreamer.

In other words, I’m a female Anthony Bourdain wannabe (He always leaves the shopping part out anyway)

Get ready to eat, shop, and live the good life.

Cheers,
Lady B

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