Dali Restaurante y Bar de Tapas: A Touch of Spain in Quezon City

When bloggers cover stories, we can feature different sides other than the event itself.  We can blog about the prominent personalities present in the event, the venue, and of course, the food.




During the launch of NOVUHAIR with its new endorser, Fanny Serrano, we were taken to the very romantic, scenic Dali Restaurante y Bar de Tapas.  My first impression upon entering the wooden door and then the glass door (yes, two doors in a row as you enter) is how different it looks from the inside -- it's like you're nowhere near Quezon City.

Photo Credits:  Ning4U.blogspot.com

With its floor-to-ceiling windows, brick walls, wooden furniture, and framed paintings, you'll instantly be reminded of telenovelas from Spain.

Its sumptuous repertoire of Castilian-inspired dishes like paella entice many a palate of working professionals at noon and came nightfall, the restuarant is filled with employees, groups of friends, and residents around Quezon City who drop by for a few glasses of wine as there is a wine lounge where you can enjoy superb selection of cocktails and wine.  And a visit to Dali Restaurante y Bar de Tapas is not complete with the bite-size appetizers or "tapas".


We were served buffet style so I do not have photos of the actual servings.




I sinked my teeth into fresh oversized chicken slices called Pollo con Perijil y Pimientos and the buttered fish fillet that goes well with the green pesto sauce.

I enjoyed the timeless food favorite, Dali's Paella Valenciana.

And one of the tapas I tried was the croquettas that is small but big in flavor.

And to cap it off, freshly-made churros with chocolate dip for a complete Spanish experience.


Its high-end Spanish ambience also makes it the latest place for corporate meetings, launch (just like what NOVUHAIR did), and business or family affairs.

Facebook Page:     Dali Restaurante y Bar de Tapas

Location	40 E. Lopez Drive Corner Sgt. Esguerra, 1103 Quezon City, Philippines

Accepts
Chef	Pia Abadesco
Services	Takes Reservations Walk-Ins Welcome Good For Groups Good For Kids Take Out Catering Waiter Service Outdoor Seating
Specialties	Lunch Dinner Coffee Drinks

Email	dalirestaurant@yahoo.com
Phone	9280971

ABS-CBN AND DEPED: GEARING UP FOR UNIVERSAL KINDERGARTEN AND MASSIVE TOY DRIVE

May 09 2010 - I attended the memorandum of agreement signing of ABS-CBN Integrated Public Service Head Fr. Tito Caluag and DepEd secretary Bro. Armin Luistro at Chef Jessie in Rockwell Center to formalize the partnership for the nationwide toy drive.

The goal is to collect toys for the 1.9 million kindergarten students that are expected to enroll in the 38,000 schools and day care centers nationwide.


Father Caluag and Brother Ermin explain the real essence of this project, which is to to instill the value of generosity, to become advocates of charity and creative learning, and to develop good and responsible citizens.


In my own point of view, this massive toy drive is not just another "pagpapapogi" of either parties. Let's not make bad comments about the project as a lot of kids (students) will benefit from this project.


While listening to the "Father" and "Brother" tandem, I remember donating toys and other educational materials at Mt. Tapusi in Rodriguez, Rizal last year...

We passed by huge lime stones, met caves along the way, passed by a narrow bridge made up of bamboos and metals, and walked on rough roads.

We cannot believe there is a school on top of a mountain and that far. We were surprised because the kids prepared a song and dance number for us in return.

Wow, our charity event is almost the same with DepEd's.  The difference is we have just collected toys and gave it to the school.  DepEd wants us to give our own most cherished toy since we were a kid and give it.  Hmm, I'm feeling a little "separation anxiety" with my toy now.  But this is the spirit!  We have to give something that really comes from our heart.


Also there to show his support for the project is actor Xian Lim, who will play a big role in the campaign as one of its spokespersons.

He was supposed to be joined by the late teen actor AJ Perez, who already committed to the project before his untimely death.




The ABS-CBN Integrated Public Service is also teaming up with the Department of Education (DepEd) for a multimedia awareness campaign on the implementation of Universal Kindergarten in all public schools nationwide starting June 2011.

Universal Kindergarten is the first phase of DepEd’s main reform agenda, “K to 12.” The program requires all public schools to give kindergarten education to five-year old students so that they are prepared to enter Grade One the following year.

Through a series of interviews, featured segments, and public service announcements on TV, radio, and online, ABS-CBN and DepEd hope to inform parents and children on the changes that are about to come in the public school curriculum.

Catch the details on how you can help in this new project by tuning in to ABS-CBN. 


To read more on my post regarding our charity event at Rodriguez, Rizal, click here:
http://chicandcheaps.blogspot.com/2010/04/experience-travel-and-giving-at-same.html

Experience Travel and Giving at the Same Time

The company that I work for aims to start the year 2010 right by giving back. We have done giving donations last year from Ondoy victims, Unang Hakbang Foundation kids, street children in Sampaloc, Manila to the elders of Mary Mother of Mercy. The transcription company is inspired more to do a lot of sorting and packing of goodies and in making others happy this year.

February 26, 2010 -- At first I thought it was going to be an ordinary outreach program day at a school, but it was not! This was really a one-of-a-kind charity work we have ever done at Maharlika Daycare Center in Montalban, Rizal and trekking at Rodriguez, Rizal.

First and foremost, we started unpacking the books, toys, and clothes from the package of Dr. McCormick to our office the day before.



Morning of February 26, we headed to Rodriguez, Rizal. We were wowed by the landscape scenery, saw green-spotted mountains again and white boulder rocks around.



Going up, we were welcomed by Mt. Tapusi which Lukesh, our guide, said that it is the legendary mountain moved by Bernardo Carpio. It is the one that we read on books of "alamat" or legends during childhood days.



We thought the area is near from the "bayan" but before we reached the daycare center, we passed by huge lime stones, met caves along the way, passed by a narrow bridge made up of bamboos and metals, and walked on rough roads.









But along those hardships come more amazing spots...

Wawa Dam

Old infrastructure on top of the dam

Floating Nipa Huts where you can rest and eat

"Malayo Pa Ba?" All of us were hungry and thirsty. Not prepared for this as we thought we would just give joy to kids of the daycare center. We estimated the trek around 5km to 7km. What?! Oh, yes!

And now, at last, we came to the best part, gift giving to the students of Maharlika Daycare Center. We can't believe that there's a school on top of a mountain and that far away. We were surprised because the kids prepared a song and dance number for us. Of course, we also danced with them to the tune of Nobody by Wonder Girls.





Before going back to the office, Lukesh offered us to go to their camp where youth camps were held. It is just a short walk from the school. Lukesh's group is the one maintaining the daycare center and the protected area around the camp.

Now, GOING DOWN is much more fun than GOING UP!!! The route gets narrower and more enjoyable scenes coming right through your eyes.

We also saw the cast and crew of Matanglawin of ABS-CBN having a shoot below Wawa Dam.

WE THANK OUR BOSS AND GOD FOR GIVING US THE OPPORTUNITY TO REACH OUT TO SOME KIDS AND TO SEE WONDERS OF THE PROVINCE OF RIZAL.

Am I right that this is not an ordinary cause? Experience this yourselves and look for Maharlika Daycare Center in Montalban, Rizal and help the children build a better future.