Queen Margarette Hotel in Lucena City

Our family stayed for a night in Lucena City last summer to rest from the trip coming from Manila to Taytay, Rizal to attend an aunt's wake, and before proceeding to San Francisco, Quezon. We checked into Queen Margarette, as recommended by a friend based in Lucena. There are two branches of this hotel in the city: one along Diversion Road in Barangay Domoit, and the other in downtown Lucena. We went to the one in Domoit, which, we learned, is the original, and bigger one.

Though I'm a native of the province, it was my first time at Queen Margarette and i had a good impression of it when we checked in.

The lobby

True enough, we had a splendid stay. The hotel, even if it's just 3-star, got all our needs covered, from food, to massage, to comfortable sleep and even for a wheelchair for our mom who was then about to turn 90 in a few days. The staff were just wonderful. They were all friendly, courteous and helpful. I guess those are inherent qualities among us Quezonians. Ehem! Haha!

Anyway, i didn't have high expectation for the rooms because as i mentioned, we were in a 3-star hotel but I was floored by the beauty and modest elegance by the two rooms that we had for the night. They were even lovelier than the room that we once checked into in a 5-star hotel in the heart of Manila. The toilet and bath had all that we needed from the toiletries to towels to hair dryer and most 

importantly for me, hot and cold shower. 

Take a peek into our rooms:

But before we had to take rest, we had to have dinner. Good thing, we didn't have 

to go out as Queen Margarette has its own very spacious restaurant called Emerald Green's Cafe that serves surprisingly good food at reasonable prices. The ambiance is, shall I say, business-like, with almost a 5-star hotel feel except that the restaurant is not air-conditioned, sadly. Good thing there's good ventilation because 
of the vast space and open walls.

Our orders:

Bistek Tagalog

Sinigang na bangus

 Bihon Guisado

Clubhouse sandwich

Menu

We really enjoyed our dinner as everything was yummy. We were full to the brim! Well, we really had to fill up because we weren't ready to retire for the night just yet. My two kids took the opportunity to swim at the hotel's pool, which wasn't so big but nice, nevertheless. There's a kiddie pool aside from the one for adults.

Meanwhile, my sister and I opted to relax at the jacuzzi, then have a steam bath and full-body massage. The experience was so wonderful for me. It was a fantastic first time for me to have all three services on one occasion and for only P600+ per person! I slept like a baby the whole night, very relaxed and rejuvinated. There was, in fact, a glow on my face when I got up in the morning. Well, at least that's how I felt. Haha!

 My sister checking into the spa

And then, it was time for breakfast! Queen Margarette offers breakfast buffet to its guests. Though there isn't really a lot of dishes in the spread, 

breakfast was nevertheless filling and enjoyable.

My breakfast: fried rice, scrambled egg, danggit, chami, a piece of pandesal and butter, and
longganisang Lucban (I didn't get everything from the buffet. There was also arroz caldo which one of my  my sisters relished). All washed down with 
a cup of freshly brewed coffee.

After breakfast, the kids and one of my sisters had some time at the pool while the rest of us sisters had a lovely chat at the restaurant. And then my sissies had ice cream and bought pasalubong at the store there. Before noontime, we returned to our room to pack our things and get ready to leave. But before we checked out, I took some more pictures around the hotel. The cleaning staff let me into a suite, 
which was huge and beautiful.

I took this picture after we had breakfast. I found the glass parts of the walkway interesting because there's water underneath. 

It was a lovely, memorable stay that we had at Queen Margarette Hotel in Lucena City. The place is well-appointed, the staff are all nice and helpful (they won't even let us push mom's wheelchair 'coz they did it all the time) and the prices of everything from the rooms to the food to massage won't break the bank. I guarantee you'd still have some moolah left for a few dozens of Lucban longganisa to bring home. 
I would love to be back someday soon when we're in Lucena.

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What's your rainy day comfort food?

It's been raining incessantly for over a week now and Metro Manila has turned into a virtual water world! Water is just about everywhere, causing 
inconvenience and moreso, laziness! Haha! 
Going out is far from my mind when I'm off from work and it's raining cats and dogs. I'm happy just staying in bed for most of the day, and go out of the room only when my tummy growls. And when hunger strikes amid cold 
weather, I crave for some rainy day comfort food. 

These are my typhoon season favorites:

Mami
Whether chicken or beef, this Pinoy noodle soup dish is a winner on any rainy day. The broth is just perfect for warming the tummy. I add some chili ro amp up the heat! With all those noodles, this dish is no doubt filling while some veggies (cabbage and spring onion) 
and toasted garlic bring in additional flavors. 

Chicken sopas

This is a favorite in our home and my kids always request for it. With shredded chicken and lots of carrots and cabbage plus a can of evaporated milk added to the pot, this soup is both yummy and healthy. My youngest child even puts some parmesan cheese on top of his helping for extra goodness.

Champorado with tuyo

Everyone seems to crave for this pair when it's rainy and chilly. And that's perfectly understandable! Chocolate porridge with lots of milk is just perfect to go with tuyo. The salty dried fish provides a balance of flavor to the sweetish champorado.

Dinuguan with puto

This is another duo that seems to make a cold, damp day just alright. I could just get lost in the lusciousness of soft puto (rice cake) dipped in the thick soup 
of dinuguan (pork blood stew).

Arroz caldo

Porridge, be it arroz caldo, which has chicken, or goto, which has tripe, is my ultimate rainy day comfort food. Truth to tell, I love it too even when the sun is out! With lots of toasted garlic and chopped spring onion, it's delicious, warm and comforting to the tummy. If there's fried tofu on the side, then there''s nothing more I could ask for!

Tuyosilog

I don't know exactly why tuyo seems to be the perfect thing to eat with sinangag or fried rice when it's raining and the wind is howling outside. Maybe I associate dried fish with typhoon because going to the market to buy fresh fish is a rather difficult task amid bad weather and flood. But whatever the reason is, "tuyo, sinangag at itlog" or "tuyosilog" is the unbeatable rainy day trio and I think 
many Pinoys would agree with me.

What about you? Do you also love to spend rainy days just at home, perhaps reading a book and warming up with a bowl of hot "lugaw" (porridge) or a plate of fried rice and tuyo?  I would love to know what your rainy day comfort food is. Meanwhile, 
bundle up 'coz wet weather is still upon us. 
Happy eating!

Wadough's for unique treats and big breakfasts

When I learned about Wadough's -- a quaint cafe and dessert place along Maginhawa St. in Quezon City, I got so excited, I couldn't wait to go. And it was all because of the Charcoal Latte, me being a huge fan of everything black, especially food. Up until that point last April, black coffee (I mean activated charcoal-infused coffee and not just a cup of joe without cream and sugar) was still rare, if not unheard of in the country, 
so imagine my excitement learning there was now a place where 
I could have it. Best of all, it's very near, just in Maginhawa, 
that "eat street" where I feel I belong. Haha!
 I learned that Wadough's is owned by a multi-awarded baker by the name 
of Wado, hence the business name. You should see his creations 
posted in Wadough's' FB page. They are stunning!

Anyway, my daughter and I were there for late lunch 

one summer afternoon and had:

Not a morning person, P250.

My daughter's choice. She was curious about lechon longanisa. I wondered about the taste, too and had a bite. My taste buds found no distinct lechon taste but nevertheless liked the native sausage as an all-day breakfast treat. The right flavors were there -- porcine and the spices -- and none of too much salt, thankfully.

Breakfast of champions, P250.

My order. Well, I had just read that bacon was health food, afterall. People who are into ketogenic diet make it a part of their meal plan. Now I had an excuse for eating bacon, which I used to shun. Haha! The hefty serving of rice and hashbrown would spell disaster for my diabetic diet, however, so those two I ate sparingly. I loved the beans, though, as well as the perfectly fried eggs.

Black bottoms cupcake, P95.

This elegant piece of cake is what I considered the highlight of our Wadough's experience. Apart from its beauty, it was a delight to eat: moist, with the sapidity of chocolate only Davao tablea ganache possesses but incredibly, just a hint of sweetness! And the salted cheesecake center was a nice, welcome surprise. The server told us proudly and matter-of-factly, that their Black Bottoms was a winner, literally, in a startup business (food edition) tilt sponsored by Globe.  Now if it's Globe the telecom firm, I don't really know. But I would agree to giving the Black Bottoms cupcake a high grade both for its aesthetic and gastronomic qualities. 

There is no contention. It's a winner!

Strawberry shortcake, P130/slice

We loved this one too although not as much as the Black Bottoms. For one thing, we thought the slice was too thin. Still, it was good companion to a cup of coffee.

Charcoal latte, P180.

Whether the activated charcoal that gave this cup of coffee its classy black color gave it a different taste, I didn't even notice. But maybe, it made the drink a little thicker than the usual. But a cup of coffee is a cup of coffee is a cup of coffee and it's still my elixir.

Red velvet latte, P170.

My daughter loved this one. It was sweet! If we hadn't ordered cake, this might as well be dessert. The brilliant red color is captivating!

Menu

Inside Wadough's

             Wadough's at 154 Maginhawa St., Sikatuna Village, Quezon City

Kudos to Chef Wado for offering very unique treats such as the Charcoal and Red Velvet Latte, which, I think, you won't find anywhere else in the metro. And if you love big breakfasts, go nowhere else but to Wadough's 'coz their all-day brekkie plates won't leave you hungry for more. They are humongous! 
Swing by Wadough's, folks, and satisfy not just your hunger but also your 
sweet tooth. Anyone may also order cakes for special occasions.

Happy eating!