It was a working weekend for me after the long Christmas break, the support team particularly, and the venue was the nearby Ace Hotel & Suites. That day, I arrived at the hotel a little past of 9am, an hour late from the 8am call time; some colleagues were already at the Lobby Lounge waiting for breakfast. I took a seat with the bigger group because I didn’t notice right away that my team was just behind. Anyway, because I’m not really a very sociable person I just remained silent and make nods when needed, breakfast took so long to be served, so, imagine me staring in blank between times peeping on my phone and wishing someone would messaged me to keep myself busy. 😦
When breakfast was served I wasted no time, I ate with gusto especially that the breakfast plate was my favorite –generous serving of Tocino, 2 eggs, fried rice and black coffee. I was wowed at home big the breakfast was at a very affordable price, it was less than P200. I stopped myself from snapping a photo and later regret it. Right after breakfast we held an activity to test how we are as a team; it’s a test of collaboration and management, my guess. We didn’t win on the activity because we didn’t get to finish the game first; I think we’re the third group to complete the task. After the first activity we continued the second part at the hotel room where colleagues from Cebu were checked-in, there was no winner here because it’s a test that highlight more of communication. I cannot agree more.
Later on, there were discussions on learning, etc. which I find relevant only if the same will be practiced and applied. Actually, I’ve been to a numerous of team buildings and group discussion, there were action plans made each time but to date nothing good had happen out of those sessions, that each time will go back to work it’s like none had been discussed, none had been planned, so for me it’s just a waste of money for the company and everyone’s time to run things like this unless of course everything will be put into practice. I’m just saying.
*not my photo, borrowed from a colleague
Anyhow, the good part of that working weekend was the treat that awaits us after. Each was treated at the soothing water spa which was too timely for me, just what I exactly need for my legs and feet, except for that minor accident <insert clumsiness> I think the water treatment was too perfect for my aging joints –tendons and ligaments! Hahaha. I only wish photos were allowed at the water spa so you’ll get a picture of the place and its facilities and of what fun we had. The High-Pressure Massage was the best.
dimsum and sushi 🙂
baked fish, mashed potato and greens
And the treat continued to a late lunch buffet soon after, the spread wasn’t too big, just enough to fill your hungry pangs after the spa. They had Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Italian and Grilled Station to choose from, guess what I enjoyed most?
Japanese-Sukiyaki Beef which I asked the staffs to grill instead of mixing it on my shabu-shabu bowl. This is love, with all that fat dripping!
The buffet was filling yet easy on the budget, and wait, if you get the water spa and the late lunch buffet package you’ll pay a little over than P1000 only. A good deal indeed! 🙂
Now, if you don’t want to avail of the hotel buffet there’s plethora of restaurants nearby. The drive to Kapitolyo’s foodie destination was the perfect retreat to treat your bellies. Since the husband picked me that afternoon we had our time to drive off, we stopped first at Estancia in Capitol Commons to check the newly-opened Debenhams Store and Old Navy as well. Because the shopping district was very new then, there were few people checking out and most of them were probably lounging for the strong wifi connection and mall’s classy ambiance. Hehehe. Kiddin’ aside, there’s not much to see yet that even cafés were numbered. After a few rounds, we left and drove to nearby Kapitolyo because we’re eyeing Poco Deli but because I was still very full from our late lunch, I couldn’t decide plus parking during dinner time was a big headache. So come there early if you really want to pig-out!
Guess where we settled? At Mad Mark’s because the latter was neighboring to Lia’s, where we spent the rest of the night. Like many eateries at Kapitolyo, Mad Mark’s is another of that hole-in-the-wall resto that offers good eats – steaks, sandwiches and ice creams.
This was the husband’s Mad Mark’s Healthy Signature Steak with two sides –mashed potato and bacon potato salad. I would have gotten the house salad as the other side if I was ordering a plate. But, I was still stuffed from lunch that’s why I missed this fall-of-the-bone goodness in every bite. We’ve also skipped the ice cream because I want coffee and cake at store next door. We’ll definitely consider going back at Mad Mark’s because price is reasonable in the first place.
Next is Lia’s Cake in Season. I heard so much of their famed avocado cake thus my wanting to give it a try for once. Foremost, Lia’s is a good place to hang out after a hefty dinner at Kapitolyo, the place is warm and bright in purple and green, tho a bit small like most restos in that area, Lia’s was not crowded that night with only a few diners while most customers dropped by for take outs.
We had each a mug of coffee, I only wish it was piping hot, and we got each a slice of cake. I had the Avocado Sansrival instead of the regular Avocado Cake, I love sansrival period. ♥
The husband got the Red Velvet slice, well, another of my favorite. Hehehe. Both cakes were filling but there’s this something lacking, taste-wise it was sweet but not overly sweet, it was in between so-so and a-ok, price-wise almost the same with my favorite bakeshops so I guess Lia’s Cakes didn’t left me that lasting impression and I can get better tasting sansrival and red velvet of the same price. Other than for those who really have a thing for avocado you have to try Lia’s. For cake price list, click here.
The first week of January was eventful as I expected it to be, it was my month remember, our birth month actually. And I was in bliss…
january 