What a Week! Well-deserved Desserts.

On stress-filled days, a yummy mango crepe is a sure pick-me-up. In Makati, two places I go to relax over dessert are Cafe Breton in Greenbelt, and Teazann on Valero street. Cafe Breton's La Pinay is served with ice cream. Teazann's crepe is stuffed with whipped cream. Both are delicious.

The lime iced green tea at Teazann is also good, but avoid the strawberry iced tea. It tastes like cough syrup, phew.

Another favorite dessert destination is Max Brenner's Chocolate Bar, also in Greenbelt. Strawberries are coming back in season, and Max Brenner's now serves a bright red pile of them with their chocolate fondue. Here's a tip: when ordering the fondue, ask them to skip the melted white chocolate and give you two pots of the dark chocolate instead. Mmm...

Directions

Teazann is in Salcedo Village, Makati. It's beside Pancake House, near the corner of Valero and Sedeño streets.

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Motorcycles and Massages

Last weekend I took the basic Motorcycle Riders Course at the Fort. That's a story for another time; suffice it to say I learned a lot - including what not to do!

The class consists of 4 hours' lecture, and 2 half-days of riding practice. Although bike riding wasn't physically demanding, by the end of the first practice day I was sore all over from all the exercise! Probably because I didn't stretch before the class started. Who knew?

As soon as class let out, John and I escaped to our favorite pampering place, The Spa. The Jupiter street branch is convenient for Ayala office workers and Makati residents, and avoids the need to brave stress-inducing traffic on your way to your relaxation zone.

Like its larger cousin in Acropolis, The Spa in Bel-Air has a steam room, hot and cold pools, and a spacious lounge. Our Swedish massages left us both feeling as good as new.

While sipping ginger tea in the lounge, I leafed through a lifestyle magazine and spotted a handful of intriguing places to try out:

The Filipino-themed Mabuhay Spa at the Makati Golf Club on Malugay street.

Luxurious-looking Antulang resort in Negros.

Callospa in Antipolo (once I figure out where it is).

I've added all three to my to-do list of places to go someday.

I also read that The Spa in Acropolis now has a couples' massage room - time for us to check it out!

Reservations

For the Motorcycle Riders Course, call 550-1453 or 0917-460-2429, or visit their web site.

For The Spa, call 895-5858 or 895-6868.

Directions

The Spa is located at 50 Jupiter street, Bel-Air, Makati. If you're on Makati Avenue coming from Ayala, turn right on Jupiter (in the direction of Gerry's and Krokodile Grill). The Spa is just past Kaya.

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Intimate Dinners for Fourteen

We often have high-ranking management visitors from all over, and our local leadership team is rapidly running out of good food places within walking distance from Ayala Avenue. Besides, I figured, our guests should see more than their hotels and the office.

So last night I broke from the hotel-restaurant mold and trooped everyone over to Gaudi at Greenbelt 3, where we had a fabulous steak dinner. Gaudi's speciality is chuletón, slices of extremely tender beef which you can grill on a terra-cotta hot plate sprinkled with rock salt. The unusual serving method is a lifesaver for groups, since you can choose your own portion size and everyone can do their steak exactly the way they like it.

Don't get too carried away talking, though, or you'll wind up with a charred lump... which nobody will admit they own.

Gaudi has plush chairs and rich, warm decor. It's perched on the fourth floor of Greenbelt 3, overlooking the park. Most people don't even know it's there. No crowds. A handful of tables. It's easy to forget you're in a huge mall in a busy city.

The result? Instead of a stuffy business dinner we had laughter, lively conversation, and a leisurely meal.

Recommendations

The chuletón ranges from 800 to 1000 grams and usually serves four. You should also try the langostinos, the spanish cold cuts and cheese platter, and the bread pudding.

Reservations

Call 752-2710. You can also contact Gaudi at gaudi@skyinet.net

Prices

The chuletón is priced at P2,200 per 1000 grams. For appetizers, a steak and seafood dinner, dessert, and drinks (no wine), we spent roughly P800 per person.

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