Birthday Surprise at Icho Japanese Restaurant, Greenhills San Juan, Philippines

This is a throwback post (pre-pandemic days) wherein Hubby surprised me with a birthday lunch at Icho Japanese Restaurant.

Back then, eating out was fairly easy; all we had to take note of was whether the restaurant had available high chairs and if there was space for our stroller. Al fresco dining was way low on our list of seating preferences and “the more people in the restaurant the better” mentality was still very much alive.

Hubby was in charge of the ordering that day.

To start off my birthday feast, he got 3 kinds of sushi (makis & aburi ones);

Hotpot Session at Gloria Maris Shark’s Fin Restaurant, San Juan, Metro Manila, Philippines

    For our family, hot pot is always a good idea; bring us good broth with tons of balls and we’re good to go. Another thing that excites us would be the quality of their dipping sauces; peanut sauce for the kids (who are real sticklers on the taste) & sate sauce for the husband. Anyone would agree that these are the trifecta of any good hotpot experience.

Gloria Maris Hotpot has been in our to-go list ever since, even before the pandemic. Experiencing the traffic along EDSA made us all famished by the time we arrived. Hubby was all business and without any qualms, ordered one of the pre-sorted sets for 4 people (Php 2,800). 

Yes, you read it right. We got a set for 4 and all of the servers were going, 

“Sir, madami yan. Kaya for kahit 6 people. Baka hindi ninyo maubos kasi 2 bata po kasama ninyo, technically 2 lang po kaya in Ma’am”. 

Pork bone on the left; Sate on the right

Veggies, tofu, corn, Gabri, noodles

Shrimps, balls, meat, kani, and maybe a few of Ariel’s friends

And they were right!! Hahaha