Category Archives: Travel

Dinner by the Joseph Family in Massachusetts

By | Travel | One Comment

A lovely dinner in a beautiful home. Looks like a photo from a magazine!!!  Thank you Tito Ralph and Tita Babot for hosting us
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Everything is just so beautiful.  I love the vibe in the house when everything is so colourful, bright and happy.  That is Tita Babot for you 🙂  She brings sunshine into everythingDinner by the Joseph Family in Massachussets (3)

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Fresh Pink peonies! Love this appetiser tableDinner by the Joseph Family in Massachussets (5)

Spotted!  Cabaña Workshop personalized linens all over the house! Dinner by the Joseph Family in Massachussets (1)

Love their kitchen!!!Dinner by the Joseph Family in Massachussets (6)

Tita Babot says this is her bonding time with her kids 🙂  LOVE!!  Cooking with the boys Romano, Rafa and Ramoncito.  Tita Babot is the one behind the beautiful details in the house.  And she is a super duper cook!  She prepared dinner. Dinner by the Joseph Family in Massachussets (15)

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The Chef Rafa preparing steak!Dinner by the Joseph Family in Massachussets (7)

Even the sink is so pretty!!!Dinner by the Joseph Family in Massachussets (16)

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Everything was so good!!! Love homemade food.

Green Peppers with Mushrooms
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Love the corn soup!!! I will share with you the recipes from Tita Babot!! 🙂Dinner by the Joseph Family in Massachussets (24)

Mushroom soup – YUMMY!Dinner by the Joseph Family in Massachussets (25)

Rafa cooking the steakDinner by the Joseph Family in Massachussets (18)

YUM!!
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Everything was good but my favorite was her chicken which is like an Iberian chicken but less complicated.  It’s a Garlic and lemon chicken.

Marinate for a few hours with garlic, lemon,  olive oil, salt and pepper and leave it in the refrigerator. Then bake in the oven for 45 minutes then leave in oven for around 30 minutes Yum!!!!
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 For dessert!!!! All yummy!! From Russo’s market (Watertown, Massachusetts ) – Strawberry shortcake  Cheesecake, Berry cake ( not sure of the name ) and Carrot cake! All yum!!Dinner by the Joseph Family in Massachussets (27)

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 Our hosts for dinner.   We super love this family – Tito Ralph and Tito Babot Joseph and their kids Rafa, Ramoncito, Rocio and Romano. Tita Babot is the sweetest and most amazing mom, wife and homemaker and her kids are all so good and brought up so well. Tito Ralph we love ever since forever because he loves us (haha) and is such a great friend!! Always enjoy being with them!!
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Visiting the Josephs in Massachusetts

By | Homes and Interiors, Travel | One Comment

Visiting our very good family friends in Massachusetts – The Ralph Josephs 🙂Visiting the Josephs in Massachusetts  (2)

 The one and only daughter of Tito Ralph, Rocio.  The super pretty and sweet Princess of the family. She is the reason the whole family is in Boston 🙂   She’s already in college studying in Bentley. I saw her grow up as she is the same age as my eldest son. She loves it in MassachusettsVisiting the Josephs in Massachusetts  (1)

Love their beautiful home which is all a reflection of all the love Tita Babot puts into everythingVisiting the Josephs in Massachusetts  (4)

A beautiful Country home 🙂  Master BedroomVisiting the Josephs in Massachusetts  (5)

with fresh flowers!Visiting the Josephs in Massachusetts  (6)

BedroomVisiting the Josephs in Massachusetts  (17)

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Another bedroomVisiting the Josephs in Massachusetts  (20)

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with a shared bathroom for the two roomsVisiting the Josephs in Massachusetts  (16)

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Guest BathroomVisiting the Josephs in Massachusetts  (7)

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GardenVisiting the Josephs in Massachusetts  (21)

PatioVisiting the Josephs in Massachusetts  (13)

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Super neat garageVisiting the Josephs in Massachusetts  (8)

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Legal Seafoods Garden State Mall New Jersey

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Our whole family loves Legal Seafoods from Lolo down to the 4th generation

Lolo benny legal seafoods Crispy Montauk Calamari – WE LOVE THIS!! We have this in all kinds

 REGULARLegal Seafoods Garden State Mall New Jersey (2)

Rhode Island
Crispy Montauk Calamari Thai style

Thai Style

Calamari Montauk legal seafoods

Buffalo Popcorn ShrimpLegal Seafoods Garden State Mall New Jersey (3)

Crab Quesadilla

crab Quesadillas Legal Seafoods

Romano Encrusted Soft Shell Crab

Romano encrusted soft shell crab legal seafoods

Fried OystersLegal Seafoods Garden State Mall New Jersey (4)

Fresh Oysters

fresh oysters legal seafood

Sauteed MusselsLegal Seafoods Garden State Mall New Jersey (5)

 Warm Spinach and Feta Dip – LOVE THIS TOO IN BOTH KINDS

with Whole Wheat Pita chipsLegal Seafoods Garden State Mall New Jersey (6)

With Crabmeat and Crab ChipsWarm spinach feta dip with crabmeat and crab chips legal seafoodsLegal Lobster – SteamedLegal Seafoods Garden State Mall New Jersey (7)

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Ceasar SaladLegal Seafoods Garden State Mall New Jersey (9)

Fish and Chips! YUMMY!!!!Legal Seafoods Garden State Mall New Jersey (1)Fish and chipsCrispy Fish Tacos

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Haddock

Haddock legal seafoods

Click below to go to their website

Legal Sea Foods sets the standard for seafood restaurants, offering the freshest and highest quality seafood, an extensive wine list and superior service.

Legal Sea Foods sets the standard for seafood restaurants, offering the freshest and highest quality seafood, an extensive wine list and superior service.

Dino Brooklyn

By | Travel | One Comment

Brooklyn is the “in” place now for dining and we were happy to try Dino
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 So happy to see the hubby’s cousins who I love –  Raul and Jenny with their daughter Mia. Thank you for a wonderful dinner at Dino Celebrating Mia’s graduation from Pratt Institute with a BS Fine Arts Major in Communication Design. Congratulations Mia!!! Dino Brooklyn (7)

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CalamariDino Brooklyn (8)

BurrataDino Brooklyn (9)

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CrostiniDino Brooklyn (10)

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 I chose a unique dish again that I LOVED! Spaghetti limone

 Simple yet so delicious!!! Fresh lemon with Parmegiano ReggianoDino Brooklyn (15)

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AC Batch ’87 East Coast Chapter at Serafina

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AC Batch ’87 East Coast reunion ( naks 🙂  ) with 3 out of the 7 batch mates at Serafina AlwaysAC Batch '87 East Coast Chapter  (2)

Models as their receptionists – we should do this here too 🙂  AC Batch '87 East Coast Chapter  (25)

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Margie and I are in town and happy to see Rose, Farah and Tine Tine AC Batch '87 East Coast Chapter _(28)

Rose has been living here for 24 years and works at the UN as Budget and Finance AssistantAC Batch '87 East Coast Chapter  (30)

  Farah has been here for 22 years and works as a Nurse Case Manager in New Jersey AC Batch '87 East Coast Chapter  (31)

 and Tine Tine has been here for 20 years and is an IT manager for a mutual fund company. AC Batch '87 East Coast Chapter  (1)

Going up to the second floorAC Batch '87 East Coast Chapter  (4)

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Our pretty Italian serverAC Batch '87 East Coast Chapter  (20)

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Goat Cheese and Spinach SaladAC Batch '87 East Coast Chapter  (14)

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Ravioli Al PorciniAC Batch '87 East Coast Chapter  (19)

 One of the best risottos I have ever tasted in my entire life!  Risotto Veuve Clicquot – with Champagne and Black Truffles.  I am so glad I ordered thisAC Batch '87 East Coast Chapter  (17)

I asked for more Parmesan cheese of course 🙂 AC Batch '87 East Coast Chapter  (18)

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 I always try to look for unique and unusual dishes on the menu. Found two today at Serafina Always

La Foccacia Di Sofia – One of their best sellers!  A specialty and secret at Serafina. Double crusted pizza with Robiola and drizzled with truffle oil AC Batch '87 East Coast Chapter  (15)

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Tiramisu for dessertAC Batch '87 East Coast Chapter  (24)

So happy to see Arnold Vegafria, Ben Chan and Miguel Pastor also dining there AC Batch '87 East Coast Chapter  (27)

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 LOVE  batch mates from all over the worldAC Batch '87 East Coast Chapter  (29)Serafina | Welcome Home! (20150715)

Le District

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Another tip from Caloy!  Le District which is in Battery Park.  It’s the french version of EATalyLe District (1)

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 Le District just opened three months ago.   “Our mission is to deliver delicious French-inspired fare in an environment where service and quality are paramount. Our market of bustling districts is comprised of culinary-specific stations, highly-anticipated restaurants, and a fresh grocery curated by our talented chefs and taste-makers. Eat, shop, and play with us.”

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Le District (44) On top is Hudson Eats which is a food court with several food stallsLe District (30)

Le District (7)Outside Brookfield Place is this! Beautiful!!
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Brookfield PlaceLe District (32)

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Click below to go to their website

Le District NYC website

HOURS & LOCATION
Market District:
Monday-Friday: 10am-10pm
Saturday and Sunday: 8am-10pm
Garden District:
Monday-Friday: 10am-11pm
Saturday & Sunday: 8am-11pm
Café District:
Monday-Friday: 6:30am-11pm
Saturday: 8am-11pm
Sunday: 8am-10pm

Beaubourg:
Monday-Saturday: 11am-11pm
Sunday: 11am-10pm
Le Bar:
Sunday-Wednesday: 11am-1am
Thursday-Saturday: 11am-2am
L’Appart:
Open June 2015
Brookfield Place
225 Liberty Street, New York City

Russ and Daughters

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 One of my favorite discoveries this trip!!!! Ty Caloy for telling me about this!!!! And to think it’s been here for 101 years!! It’s only a few steps ( one street) away from Katz’s deli! Russ and Daughters (2)

Of course it’s only been here for 101 years and only now I find out about it! Where have I been? hahaRuss and Daughters (3)

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 The place was jampacked!!! I had to squeeze in between people to take photos!!! A must in NYC!! Someone should open this kind of shop in Manila!!! Russ and Daughters (9)

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 Appetizing at Russ and Daughters

WHAT IS APPETIZING? “Appetizing,” as a noun, is a Jewish food tradition that is most typical among American Jews, and it is particularly local to New York and New Yorkers. The word “appetizer” is derived from the Latin “appete,” meaning “to desire, covet, or long for.” Used as a noun, “appetizing” is most easily understood as “the foods one eats with bagels.” Its primary components are a variety of smoked and cured salmon, homemade salads, and cream cheeses.

Eastern European Jews started meals with cold appetizers, known in Yiddish as the “forshpayz.” In New York, the popularity of forshpayzn among Eastern European Jewish immigrants led to the creation of the institution known as the appetizing store.

Appetizing also originated from Jewish dietary laws, which dictate that meat and dairy products cannot be eaten or sold together. As a result, two different types of stores sprang up in order to cater to the Jewish population. Stores selling cured and pickled meats became known as delicatessens, while shops that sold fish and dairy products became appetizing stores.

In New York City, until the 1960’s, there were appetizing stores in every borough and in almost every neighborhood. On the Lower East Side alone there were, at one point, thirty appetizing shops. Though one of the last of its kind, Russ & Daughters is committed to preserving and promoting this important food culture. So, now that you know, please don’t call us a deli!

The dictionary definition of “appetizing” as an adjective is: “appealing to the appetite especially in appearance or aroma; also, appealing to one’s taste.” And that applies to Russ & Daughters as well. Russ and Daughters (7)

I love appetisers 🙂  I can eat appetisers as a meal and just pick on many different kinds of appetisers 🙂Russ and Daughters (8)

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Cheese cheese and roe and caviar-  all kindsRuss and Daughters (11)

Salmon salmon salmonRuss and Daughters (12)

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Everything is ready 🙂Russ and Daughters (14)

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 They opened a restaurant around the corner and it’s so so full as well!!Russ and Daughters (27)

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Russ and Daughters (1)Click below to go to their website

Russ & Daughters

Le Pain Du Quotidien

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Love this place!  Make sure you pronounce it this way 🙂 Le Pain Du Quotiden (1)

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 In the States you can talk to anyone and apparently this guy had a Filipina staff for 35 years, he has an export business of baskets in the Philippines selling to stores in the USA and his son went to the same school where our son is going!  How amazing is that?Le Pain Du Quotiden (9)

Tasting tray which they put right on our table haha!!Le Pain Du Quotiden (8)

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Water with lemon and cucumber! LOVE! 🙂Le Pain Du Quotiden (6)

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Morgenstern’s

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Another recommendation of Raffy 🙂  in the VillageMorgensterns (2)

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Unique flavors!  I came for the RAW MILK as recommended by Raffy and it was so so good!!Morgensterns (4)

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It’s more economical to get more dips/scoops 🙂 Problem is I can only eat one scoop hahaMorgensterns (10)

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There is only one lady behind the counter and she takes her time haha!! but she’s sweet 🙂 That is someone else’s 3 dips 🙂Morgensterns (7)

Ramon the student 🙂 I remember those chairs in school 🙂
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Morgensterns (5)Click below to go to their website

Morgenstern's (20150715)

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