Joyfully Yours

The team of Ang Larawan. First row (seated), L-R: cast members Aicelle Santos, Rachel Alejandro, Paulo Avelino and Cris Villonco. Second row (seated), L-R: executive producer Girlie Rodis, executive producer Celeste Legaspi, and cast members Nanette Inventor, Dulce, Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, Cara Manglapus. Third row (standing): producer Alemberg Ang, composer Ryan Cayabyab, actor Bernardo Bernardo, director Loy Arcenas and actor Rayver Cruz.

Ready to slow down for the weekend! :D

The view from our floor (daytime)

The view from our floor (night time) - Photo by The Hubby

The Exchange Regency Residence Hotel houses different types of accommodation that suits your needs. There’s Deluxe Classic (25-27sqm), Deluxe Premium (25-27sqm), Premier Room (29-35sqm) where there’s a choice of 1 queen-sized bed or 2 twin beds and the Suite (64.5-68.5sqm) with a Master’s Bedroom (1 queen-sized bed) and Guest Room (1 double bed).

Deluxe Classic Room

I love this bookshelf! - Photo by The Hubby

Upon entering our room for the weekend, The Little Dumpling (TLD) got a little too excited and quickly laid down on the bed. Since the sheets smell so good like therapeutic in a way and the beddings are soft, it's time to relax! The pillows were plump enough to hold our heads up and seduce us to sleep.  Even if it was lunchtime and TLD was definitely hungry, she said that she wanted to stay and sleep.

Muffins from The Exchange Regency Residences Hotel. Thank you for the warm welcome!

The yummy muffins!

TLD enjoying her muffin.

The jacuzzi

By the pool side relaxing

Doesn't this look relaxing?

Won't you like to take a dip too?

The view when you're relaxing by the pool and looking up. Love the shapes and patterns.

Children's Play Area

Game Room

Gym

With more than 2,000 locations in 49 states, Guam, Puerto Rico and 15 countries all over the world, Applebee's is one of the world's largest casual dining restaurant. In the Philippines, Applebee's can be found in Bonifacio Global City and Eastwood City.

According to Chef Aldrin Ortile, the new dishes for Applebee's Philippines are a combination of Applebee's USA recipes and original creations which they have developed locally.

The new appetizers are good with Engkanto Beer which is a new partner of Applebee's Philippines. Delight in pairing the beer with Fried Sweet and Spicy Pickles, Bacon Jalapeño Potato Croquettes and Calamari.

Fried Sweet and Spicy Pickles

Bacon Jalapeño Croquettes It's crispy outside but soft warm and juicy inside. The taste of bacon is absorbed by the potato which makes it very aromatic. There's a hint of jalapeño sourness but doesn't give much heat.

Calamari These yummy rings are placed on a bed of crispy fried shredded wanton wrappers. The breading of the calamari is very tasty as the breading is equally divided on all sides. The wanton wrappers gives an extra crispness to the dish when you eat them together. My 2-year-old daughter loves this dish and kept eating it without the dip because it's that flavorful!

The Grilled Watermelon and Spicy Shrimp Salad with fresh greens, cucumbers, feta cheese, toasted almonds, spicy grilled shrimp and grilled watermelon cubes in a creamy mint yoghurt dressing is not only a colorful and unique concept but reminds one of the upcoming holidays with green and red as its primary color palette. Somehow, it tells me to remember to eat healthy (the greens) before I gain any holiday weight soon. ;P

Grilled Watermelon and Spicy Shrimp Salad

For those who have been reading my posts would know that salmon is my favorite fish. Not only because of its uniquely pink color but its naturally sweet flavor is enough to get me hooked. Thus, the new Teriyaki Balsamic Glazed Salmon was an exciting entree to try.

Teriyaki Balsamic Glazed Salmon The salmon is just seasoned right, soft and flaky. The green beans despite being fried are moist and retains their original texture. The rice that comes together with it is a bit on the sweeter side with notes of tomatoes and there's also bits of corn in it.

The beautiful Triple Meat All-in Burger which has USDA beef burger patty, double smoked bacon, shredded beef brisket, cheddar cheese and honey BBQ sauce in a brioche bun seems to be a crowd favorite during the launch. The rich flavor of all the meat put together will magnetize you to bite into it more and more until you finish the burger and feel that you'd like more.

Triple Meat All-in Burger

For the original Philippine creations, I absolutely love the Pork Liempo Adobo which has soft melt in your mouth sweet, salty and tangy pork belly grilled to perfection topped with crispy fried onions and with a side of warm rice. The wonderful, wonderful piece of meat works so well with the onions and rice that a whole plate is never enough.

Pork Liempo Adobo

The Fiesta BBQ Pork Liempo is on the sweeter side with its marinade of Asian BBQ sauce. The tortilla strips underneath makes the plate looks festive as Applebee's recommends its guests to #celebrateeverything because milestones are really meant to be celebrated and shared with loved ones.

Fiesta BBQ Pork Liempo

Finding that perfect blend of sweet and spicy, this dish is for you! The Firecracker Shrimp which is Cavatappi pasta covered with a rich Sriracha Parmesan Cream Sauce with breaded shrimp and vegetable relish. This is my favorite from all the newly launched dishes which I've tried so try this too, ok? :D

Firecracker Shrimp

Banoffee lovers unite! Applebee's now offers Banoffee Cheesecake which is composed of toffee cheesecake on a coffee graham cracker crust drizzles with dulce de leche, hot fudge sauces and topped with banana chips.

Banoffee Cheesecake

Another dessert to look forward to is their Smores Creme Brulee with is so heavenly! Imagine the sugar glazed chocolate flan (creme brulee) topped with banoffee crumble and toasted marshmallows that complements each other in every scoop. It's so good that I wanted to lick my bowl after eating it but was too shy to do it. :D

Smores Creme Brulee

Happiness is being able to eat good food, agree? If you do, go ahead and enjoy the new offerings of Applebee's! Below are other dishes which I wasn't able to try because I was too full but looks so good to eat. ;)

BBQ Beef Brisket Tacos

Spinach Artichoke and Grill Chicken Cavatappi

For updates on Applebee's Grill and Bar Philippines, you may go to their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ApplebeesPH/ or follow them on Instagram @applebeesph.

Grilling Pork Belly

All photos of this blog were taken by Johan Sy of Studiyo.💛