I don’t have much to say about this without getting too cheesy, but last week, my childhood dream came true.
It’s never too late. ❤
#BackstreetsBackAlright
Category Archives: Europe
Wien Weekend tip!
If you’re in Vienna this weekend, go to Rathausplatz if you like food, music, and films.
I went last week with my friend Dani. It was really hot, so I ordered maki called “Marilyn Monroll” from a sushi place. We scarfed down our food (Dani got vegetarian Gyoza) and caught up. The opera shown in front of City Hall was great, but we spent more time chatting than listening.
If you like free entertainment, good food and open air events, the Rathausplatz Film Festival is for you (and me – you’ll probably find me there sipping an ice cold drink). Here’s what they have in store in the next few days:
Saturday, 9:30 PM: Otello Ossia Il Moro Di Venezia
Sunday, 12:00 PM: Aquarius Jazzband
Sunday, 9:30 PM: The New Year’s Concert of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Monday, 9:30 PM: Gala Concert from Saint Petersburg
Tuesday, 9:30 PM: The Magic Flute
Wednesday, 9:30 PM: The Land of Smiles
Thursday, 9:30 PM: In Memoriam Lou Reed – Live at Montreux
Happy weekend!
let them eat cake
…and by them, I really mean us. I know how pretty and portable cupcakes and cake pops are, but to me, it’s warmer in July so I’m not really worried about the Mayweather, you know* it’s real cake slices that take the cake. There’s nothing like that perfect triangle and working your way through with the fork, piece by piece. Cake slices are also great for sharing. Just put the plate in the middle of table, get a few forks, and share the goodness and split the calories. It’s what my friends and I do when we pretend to diet but want to treat ourselves to something sinfully good.
After my pre-birthday brunch at Motto am Fluss, my friends and I went to Café Landtmann for dessert. Strawberry season just started, so some of us ordered strawberry-based cakes.
My strawberry pistachio cake.
Gift-opening time!
Rox’s strawberry shortcake
So pretty and so delicious, those cakes. It’s Friday, look away from the screen now and get some cake! TGIF!
* quoted from Drake as Manny Pacquiao
Thursday inspiration
Oh, Thursday. Thursday always seemed to be a drag for me. In school, it was always the longest school day (or so it seemed). In college we didn’t have cable TV, and Thursday night was when Maalaala Mo Kaya, the Philippine’s longest-running drama series was on. We weren’t into it, so the TV was always off on those nights, and we found other, more creative ways of entertaining ourselves. Now I wish I had kept a more detailed (aside from the boy drama that makes me cringe now) diary at the time, because those nights were pretty fun. I would have liked to remember every little thing we did and talked about – ironic because Maalaala Mo Kaya means ‘would you remember’. Sometimes we played cards, exchanged scary stories, put on silly hats and took pictures, played with Fluffy the dog. Thanks to a drama series that we didn’t enjoy watching, we actually spent so many hours bonding. So Thursdays didn’t end up so dragging at all. Now that I’ve been living alone for many years, I do miss those moments sometimes.
With the week almost over, but not quite yet, we’ve got to hang on for a little while longer. We’ll get through this! Here’s a little inspiration taken from the streets of Corfu. Daydreaming is encouraged…
Mochi
It’s my dad’s birthday, and a major one at that, he’s 60 today! He was named after Apolinario Mabini, a Philippine hero and fellow Batangenyo who was born on the 23rd of July. His/their birthday is always special because it’s an official holiday in Batangas. I badly wish I could celebrate with him, but I’m so far away. 😦 It’s not very festive right now in Batangas though, as the province was hit by Typhoon Glenda.
While we may not be celebrating with a party, special occasions such as these deserve a nice meal. Or a little foodporn. A few weeks ago, I went to Mochi in Vienna’s second district. I sometimes walk past it because I love the neighborhood, and I had a quick snack there once, but I wanted a proper sit-down meal. Since it’s always packed and you have to reserve weeks in advance, it must be good.
I ordered the Mochi Delight plate.
Sake Teriyaki for my friend Apa
For dessert, the namesake treat: Mochi
Corfu food tips!
Gather ’round because I’ve got a few Corfu food tips for ya. Ready?
❤ Try Pastitsada, a Corfiot specialty made of slow-cooked, really tender beef, tomato sauce, and pasta. Did I mention the beef was really tender? Because it was; it was really tender. This is the ultimate comfort food. Perfect with wine.
❤ Order a Meze, or appetizer plate. There is usually a choice of cold and warm plates, but a combination of both is the best. If it’s not on the menu, ask the waiter if you can get a mixed cold and warm plate – they’re usually happy to mix it up. A mix of meats, cheeses, vegetables, breads, and dips, an order is enough to be a meal for two.
❤ Get a baklava, but ask how big the serving will be. I was shocked to see the pizza slice-sized baklava on my table. Because it is very sweet, it is perfect with Greek coffee. Caution: Greek coffee is rather on the bitter side, so order it to be sweetened – you’ll be asked if you want it regularly sweet or super sweet (okay not in those words).
❤ Oh, and most importantly, enjoy the view while eating. It’s okay if you can’t decide what to focus on, the taste or the view. I know you’re on vacation, but this is a moment to multi-task.
This was my view while I ate the Meze platter.
And this was my view while enjoying the Baklava.
Ahhhh-mazing.
Happy eating!
Ask not what you can do for your country. Ask what’s for lunch.
– Orson Welles
McDonald’s in Corfu
Ah, McDonald’s. It’s so familiar, it’s almost like home. When traveling, I try to eat the local delicacies, but there are a few situations when I give in and eat at McDonald’s, like when I’m really hungry and it’s the closest thing, when traveling with kids who insist on eating there, and when I just miss eating something familiar. After all, whether you call it a Quarter Pounder with Cheese or Royale with Cheese, it’s all good. Some travelers, like author Jessica Zafra who chronicled her trips in Twisted Travels, likes to try the Big Mac in all countries she visits. {I haven’t tried that many countries’ Big Macs, but I noticed that the Philippines’ Big Mac sauce is sweeter than Austria’s. The Big Mac in Austria has a rather tangy sauce – I love both}. Others, like Travelling McDonald’s, eats McDonald’s around the world.
In Corfu, I really enjoyed all the Greek food, I never even had a chance to miss McDo. I did love seeing this branch at the Spianada, though. The Corfu branch is located at the ground floor of a hotel building. Low-key without the golden arches and red background, it blended in quite nicely with the pastel hues of the other buildings along the street.
Postcard-pretty Kanoni
After seeing a lot of postcards with Kanoni, I wanted to see it for myself. This part of Corfu is named after the canons that used to protect the city. From Corfu town, I took the 2a bus and missed my stop.
I should have gotten off the bus when I saw this cannon.
Walking past the cannon, through a café and down the stairs, this view greeted me: tiny Pontikonisi or Mouse Island, and the Vlacherna Monastery.
I quickly went down the steps so I could get closer to the magnificent view.
Soon, I found out that the better way to see it is from an airplane, as Kanoni is really close to the Corfu’s runway at the airport.
{I didn’t notice it on the flight to Corfu because before we landed, there was really bad turbulence. I’ve never been more scared in my life. I needed the whole afternoon to recover.}
The Vlacherna Monastery of Panayia looks so serene against the background of the bright blue sky.
Like a gate to paradise.
The obligatory selfie.
Mouse Island! You can rent a boat to take you there.
After feasting my eyes on such beautiful sights, I had to feast on great food as well.
Trying the local beer – ice cold on hot days – is a must for me.
I highly recommend going to Kanoni in Corfu – it is a picturesque place that is simple and serene. Truly a postcard-worthy view that you have to see for yourself.
Corfu: white and blue
Summer is in high gear here in Vienna right now, so it’s fun to spend time outside. Today, I’m visiting a Filipino food festival in the morning (it’s an all-day fiesta, but I like going in the morning to avoid midday heat and the crowd), and watching Shakespeare in the Park: Romeo and Juliet. I’ll be arming myself with a fan and sunglasses.
What are you up to this weekend? Hope you have exciting plans (although two days of doing nothing sounds good, too). I’ll leave you with these photos of white and blue Corfu. Happy weekend!
Thursday inspiration
My view for a week in Corfu. Back in May. Sigh.
No Stopovers 