Don't miscontrue the signage of Aresi Restaurant & Bar to be some ordinary restaurant and bar like me as it is actually an Italian restaurant.

Upon stepping in, you'll find that it has a nice cozy and classy but not too upscale feel.

Food

♥ Aresi Special (385 php)

Seeing the brick oven outside hinted to us that they offered brick-oven pizzas so we ordered two pizza variants.  The first one is the Aresi Special.  Since it carries their name and has the word special on it, we were enticed to try it.  A bite of this sent me to heaven!  I was literally send floating in the air with its savor pepperoni, sweet and crunchy bell peppers and onions, fragrant olives, soft mushroom and delicately crisp and chewy dough consistency.  

♥ Five Cheese (335 php)

As far as cheese pizzas go, Aresi's Five Cheese has successfully left a great impression upon me all because the bleu cheese perfectly blended with the other four cheese.


Pizza Making Process
I specially appreciated their pizza making procedure.  They only cook one pizza at a time so the chef can deliver it's superb quality with precision.
 

Desserts

Vanilla Panna Cotta (135 php)

The texture of the Vanilla Panna Cotta is smooth like a soy bean pudding which I liked.  However, I found it too sweet for my preference. 

Crepe Samurai (155 php)

The Crepe Samurai has perfectly fluffy and smooth crepes with orange caramel glaze and vanilla ice cream.  This is a good version. 

Fruit Platter (295 php)

The Fruit Platter is a large plateful of ripe mangoes, banana (underneath the mangoes), oranges, pineapple and watermelon.

Apple Crumble (185 php)

I found the crumbs of he Apple Crumble to be quite addictive!  The consistency reminds me of Rowena's which I love.  The stewed apple is a bit too sweet for me but it's okay since I tamed it down with the vanilla ice cream.

♥ Chocolate Lava Cake (285 php)

Everyone was going loco over the rich, moist gooey goodness of the Chocolate Lava Cake.  My companions didn't even want to share.
 
Drinks

Shakes

Strawberry Shake (65 php)

Since all our other shake orders were fresh, I thought the Strawberry Shake would be fresh too but it wasn't.  It tasted like super sweet cough syrup which didn't appeal to me.

Frozen Cocktails

Strawberry Margarita Virgin (No alcohol) (115 php)

The Strawberry Margarita is similar to the shake but with a more shaved ice consistency.


Coffee Coolers

♥ Frozen Java-Java (105 php)

The Frozen Java-Java is so delicious!  I loved that it has a strong coffee flavor and very fine crushed ice blend.  The vanilla ice cream adds to the guilt and comfort which I don't mind having. =)



Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
I'd gladly visit Aresi Restaurant & Bar for it's brick oven pizza anytime!  I'm really impressed with their quality as such a bargain price too.

I've heard a lot of raves about California Pizza Kitchen as a legendary pizza brand that originated in Beverly Hills in 1985.  Its success paved way to its expansion to more than 250 locations in more than 30 states and 11 counties.  So I've finally tried it out and here's my pizza story! 

It was just an ordinary school day when I was invited by some friends to dine at California Pizza Kitchen at Greenbelt 5. 

As it was my first time, I was amazed that it had a nice bar...

and cozy and chiq ambiance...  It's the kind of venue where you can celebrate occasions, have date or business meetings. 

Food

Appetizers

♥ Spinach Artichoke Dip (425 php)

For starters, we had the Spinach Artichoke Dip which was served with purple and yellow corn tortilla chips.  As this was my favorite dip variant and they made it especially good, I allowed myself to indulge! 


Salad

Thai Crunch (575 php/Full)

I consider the Thai Crunch as a not-your-ordinary type of salad.  They've not much greens on it and it's a nice medley of citrusy and nutty flavors.  It's also delivers a wild and crunchy toothsome experience.

Original Hand-Tossed Pizzas

♥ The Original BBQ Chicken (375 php/Regular)

They say a visit at California Pizza Kitchen is never complete without The Original BBQ Chicken.  The rich legendary barbecue chicken cubes are really something that makes this dish a must-try.  The pizza dough is also soft, warm and chewy!

♥ Five Cheese + Fresh Tomato (395 php/Regular)

Cheese lovers would definitely love the Five Cheese + Fresh Tomato.  This is one gooey treat with a zesty tone to boot.

Crispy Thin Crust Pizzas

♥ Sicilian (695 php)

The Sicilian is an overload of meaty flavors that will drive meat-lovers crazy!  It has a superb thin crisp too.


Desserts

S'mores Pizza (170 php)

My girl friends went gaga over the S'mores Pizza!  Who wouldn't right?  It was buttered thin crust pizza topped with crushed graham cracker, melted dark Belgian chocolate, marshmallows and vanilla ice cream.

Drinks

Flavored Lemonades

Raspberry (165 php) and Peach (165 php)

For refreshments I had the Raspberry.  The raspberry syrup was very dominant so I didn't taste like lemonade at all. 


Specialty Coffee

Brewed Coffee (95 php)

While I listened as my fellow ladies shared their heart concerns, I enjoyed this Brewed Coffee.  They also urged me to watch "Starting Over Again: which I have them to thank for because I was able to write my first ever viral post: 12 Life Lessons from Starting Over Again.

To conclude #mypizzastory here's an uploaded photo of me with Achie Joan of Food Alphabet on Facebook.
Starting February 24 to April 14, 2014 share you pizza stories with California Pizza Kitchen too and receive a FREE treat from them!  Simply upload your pizza story snapshot or short video to Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or YouTube.  Don't forget to add hashtags:

• #mypizzastory
• #Everypizzatellsastory
• #CPKPhilippines

Then, like CPKphilippines on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and share your pizza story link to mypizzastory@cpk.com.ph with your:

• name
• mobile number
• birthday
• favorite CPK location

Update (April 14, 2014):
This is the voucher you will receive to claim your personal size pizza (worth 250 php).  To claim it you have to print this and present together with your valid ID. 

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
California Pizza Kitchen offers a wide variety of pizza and more!  The price is very reasonable for the quality they offer.  This is a great place to consider for every gathering. 

Way before the highly marketed pizza chains came to the Philippines, my mom has always been a fan of Di' Mark's Pizza.  Di' Mark's Pizza is the pizza pioneer in the Philippines which has been serving quality pizza since 1957. 


Although there are other Di' Mark's Branches, we always dine at their Taft branch because its the nearest to our home.  



The place is a bit inconspicuous.  Upon entering the big gate with their sign you have to walk towards the bush where you could see their delivery bikes parked. 


Behind that plants is the outdoor area and the entrance to the indoor part.


The place could cater only around 10 people but its simple interiors is cozy enough to enjoy a meal. During our visits, we have never found the place fully occupied so I'm assuming that they focus more on their deliveries rather than dine-ins.

Food

Appetizers

♥ Chicken Croquetas (200 php)

Caesar Salad (180 php)

Cheesy Onion Soup (130 php)

♥ Menlo Special Pizza Large (695 php)

Mushrooms in Tomato Sauce (190 php)

♥ Chocolate Ice Fudge (150 php)

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Di' Mark's is one of the best places to enjoy pizza and pasta.  They serve quality food for a reasonable price.  Di' Mark's is a restaurant that markets itself through its food quality.  My mom says that this pizza pioneer has never failed her for decades.  In case you don't have the time to drop by their branches, they also deliver for FREE.