Mid-Week at La Famiglia Basilea

Both on a work at home set-up last October, we found out this another newly opened nearby resto. We went in the afternoon, right after our stressful shift, a quick planned snack turned into a dinner. Since kids are “somewhat allowed” to go out, we seized another chance for our new normal dine in / toddler stroll. And so before visiting, we asked if kids are allowed, just to be sure.

La Famiglia Basilea is a family-owned, family-friendly, al fresco restaurant that serves affordable Italian food. You can pin their location on navigational apps, though their place is hidden from the main road, just trust the apps 🙂 It’s located within the residential area, alongside the narrow road, fronting the stretch of vacant lots, you can easily spot their big signage so don’t worry. And for sure you’ll know that you arrived on their place, since the resto stands out, given their unique style inside and outside.

The price range on their menu is somewhat in the mid-range, for 3 adults we shelled out Php 900.00-1,000.00. Consisted of 1 appetizer, 1 pasta, 1 pizza, 1 main course, 1 juice drink. Also uploaded the photo of their menu, for your easy copy. Visiting there gives you an exclusivity, since you get a chance to eat at the place by yourselves, make sure to visit them off-peak days and hours. I think they tend to get crowded during late afternoon onwards and on weekends. It felt as if you went somewhere far for an al fresco trip, but you’re just in Bacoor area.

Meanwhile, their serving portions for each order were good for at least 2 to 3 persons, enough for just when you like to have a quick snack. But for bigger families, you’d have to order more portions to feed enough. On our opinion, the presentation and taste were on an average. Both pasta and pizza were good, but the herbed chicken tastes bland. A complimentary dessert was given when we’re about to leave the resto.

Our toddler was busy roaming around the resto, she felt free after a months again of staying at home. The ambiance is pretty much laid back and quiet, which we also like, and I think it’s one of the factors that you’re paying for when dining here. Overall, La Famiglia Basilea does not disappoint, though there are still some points they can improve on. The owners were families and they are accommodating, plus very responsive to inquiries even just on Messenger. We think this is much appealing to couples, friends, looking for a chill and unique place to hang-out and dine without driving too far. This is also fit for exclusive events, that’s why they are now offering venue rental and catering. To know more about them, you may visit their Facebook page.

Note that we are not affiliated with them, we just made our blog post to share our own dining experience, as a tradition here in Kaja Let’s Go page. 🙂 Please rate our post and leave comments if you happen to visit this resto as well.

Kids are back at KinderCity NoMo

A late blog post dump for November 2021. Flashback to the months when kids of all ages were free to go outside, but with caution and following safety protocols. We did not missed our chance to experience KinderCity, the ultimate indoor playground! Who wouldn’t want to go, be it kids or adults, for sure we’ll all enjoy playing here.

We booked and paid online on their website, hours prior our visit. Since it’s their first day to operate after more than a year, we reserved the opening slots 10:30am. Upon arrival, they just double checked our reservations, and there we played for almost 2 hours. There are other guests inside, but they don’t crowd the place. As required, you’ll have to pre-schedule your visit and walk-ins are discouraged. Face masks must be worn at all times. Staffs roamed around to ensure that physical distancing was observed and they sanitize the whole place after each schedule.

KinderCity has many branches in the south, we chose to North Molino or much known as NoMo since it’s near to our place, and it’s not crowded compared to other branches. We’ve been eyeing to get inside this place ever since we had our bundle of joy, then the pandemic came and delayed this kind of places for families to enjoy. But now, we got to try it ourselves with our cutie pie who really enjoyed her time and doesn’t want to come out haha.

It’s spacious, plenty of play areas and variety of sections to choose from. The almost 2 hours schedule for adults is fair enough, we’re tired and sweaty though it’s airconditioned. We love the trampoline area, and the big slides.. if we visit again, I’d like to try the tallest blue side in the middle haha. Our toddler loves the ball pit and pretend play areas, if we don’t accompany her.. maybe she’ll just spend most of her time swimming in the ball pits 🙂 Though we adults struggled on the ball pits, it’s the tiring area for us.

We noticed they have private room functions on the side, pretty nice for a kiddie birthday party and other special occasions. There’s a restroom and another room for nursing, diaper change, good that they assumed mother’s needs and privacy. Rates as of November 2021 were: Php 500.00 per kid, Php 150.00 for adult. They only allow 2 adults to accompany a kid, as part of health protocols nowadays and to limit the number of guests inside. Make sure to bring socks, wear comfortable clothes for you and your kids. There’s also a waiting area near the reception so you can still get to see your family while playing inside.

Hoping soon that kids can be allowed to go outside and play to their delight. We’re looking forward to visit and play at KinderCity again!

Tuesday Holiday: Awesome TwoSome Kitchenette

Visited this nearby al fresco kitchenette, just a barangay away from us but it took weeks to go there. Been raining frequently and our schedule visit gets cancelled since it’s an open area with no roofing.

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Still rainy on a Tuesday but the afternoon sun glimpsed for a few hours, so we took our chance to finally visit this lovely place called Awesome TwoSome Kitchenette.

Drizzling when we arrived but the sun started to glimpse.

Searchable via Waze/Google Maps, its located along Camella Street, inside the Vista Verde South Executive Village. The village has two main gates, one along Molino Boulevard and the other is along Mambog 4 Road. Manage your expectations because it’s just a small backyard, few tables and chairs, parking spaces are along a small street only.

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Awesome TwoSome Kitchenette is like the real life version of “Delicious Emily” – one of Gamehouse’s famous time-management games back then, which I also still play to date hehe. It’s like a pop-up café on a backyard with a rustic theme, mismatched furniture and various accents are all so pretty. Plant lovers will also like it there as the mural speaks for it.

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  My fave corner, my toddler likes the swing.

We love the overall vibe and atmosphere, no need for background music, simply sitting and enjoying your food will do. Good spot to chill as well or for those food trip moments. Plenty of food and drinks from their menu, priced affordably. We tried their Aglio Olio, Classic Cheeseburger, Wintermelon Milktea, all were yummy and we enjoyed it as our go to merienda.

Downsides? The place has no roofing at all, there’s a big tree in the yard but not enough to give shade on sudden downpour. Parking space is limited and along the small street only. Best to come there on sunny days and weekdays, to enjoy more the al fresco dining and you can have the whole place to yourselves.

It started to drizzle again when we are about to finish our food. My toddler’s too sweaty from roaming, she enjoyed playing with the sauces and likes the shabby chic bed/couch plus the aesthetic mirror corner 🙂 There are other 3 guests dining in as well during our visit, so we decided to just eat and go.

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  That mask though hehe.

We’d definitely love to visit them again and try other selections. Good thing we’re near so we can drop by anytime we want. Though it’s just a small place, we still like it and best kept hidden to avoid crowds. Their motto is “Delight in every bite.”, well indeed they are right. Actually even if I won’t take a bite, simply chilling in their place is also a delight for me haha. Its such a good find, I really like this place. ❤

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That’s about it, please rate this post. Thanks!

Random Saturday: Brick Wood Fire Bistro Ph

Opted to have a merienda-dinner somewhere near our place, but it rained and the place we’re headed has no roofs. We decided to try this other al fresco place called Brick Wood Fire Bistro Ph. Searchable on Waze / Google Maps, you can easily spot their big signage along Tirona Highway, its located at JS Ville Subdivision, Habay 1, Bacoor, Cavite.. near/behind SM Bacoor.

Corner Lot

The place is easy to locate, few parking spaces available along the street only. Went there on a Saturday around 5:00 pm, was able to park and we’re the only customers. Kids are allowed but they encourage to have a prior reservation. In our case, we just walked-in and they still allowed our toddler but we’re seated on a separate room. We asked if we could be seated outside somewhere far, since it’s hotter inside the room.. but they told us that guests with kids were usually separated for health protocol/safety reasons, we did not insisted anymore. Though on some posts, we saw babies, toddlers, kids seated on the al fresco area. Actually my toddler roamed around their place too while waiting for our food. They also discourage posting of photos online with kids, but we’re the only guests during our visit so I think that’s okay.

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Overall the place and ambiance is above average, prettier in actual than Facebook posts but it’s smaller. We can agree their place looks so nice, it’s like your not in Bacoor area. But in our case, we did not experienced the al fresco dining fully since we’re seated inside the room, one big fan stood beside our table. It got even hotter when the kitchen beside the room prepared our orders. Big flies were flying around our food, so we have to focus shooing them away instead of enjoying our food. Mosquitoes were under the table, we asked to turn on one of their mosquito-insect killer lamp.

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Al fresco dining

“Your al fresco bistro” is the motto below their name, well they can portray it. Their menu features American, Texan, and some Pinoy choices. Since we’re the only customers that time, we did not wait that long for our food, though they advised us that food preparation especially for pizzas (30-45 minutes) takes longer, since it’s made there from scratch.

We ordered their best sellers – Brick Wood Baby Back Ribs, Totopos Tostados Light, Quattro Formaggi, Fried Calamari, and their Angus T-Bone Steak with fries and salad, the waiter showed and asked us to choose from their frozen steaks. As a compliment from their management, they gave us Churros Con Chocolate-eh and Avocado Lime Cheesecake for taste test, they are yet to sell the new cake flavor in the market.

Angus T-Bone Steak 316 grams with salad and fries as sides.

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Our ordered food plus two complimentary desserts from the management. 🙂

Generous portions indeed and can feed 2-3 persons, delicious dishes, cooked well, nice presentation.. we’re fully satisfied. The Brick Wood Baby Back Ribs quickly became our favorite and the Angus T-Bone Steak was really yummy. Note that they sell steaks by the grams, so you won’t get surprised on the billing. 🙂 Their pricing is a bit high compared to other food places in Bacoor. But we can say that it’s priced fair enough, you get what you pay for, food and portions is satisfying.

Half-slab Brick Wood Baby Back Ribs, our fave real quick.

A closer look on Angus T-Bone Steak (the ketchup was for the fries hehe)

If you’re looking for a nearby place, something special to celebrate an occasion, or if you just feel like dining for some good food, Brick Wood is there to satisfy that. I don’t think it’s recommendable for family with babies/toddlers, they don’t have high-chairs, it’s a bit inconvenient to dine, given the pandemic situation and protocols we have to follow. We’d say visit them on weekdays if you want to avoid crowds or in the early opening hours if you really want to go on a weekend. It’s recommendable to couples, friends, families with older children. I’ve been following their Facebook page for sometime now since I really like their theme and food posts. I was saving our visit for a special day but unexpectedly we got to try their place other than my target al fresco/cafes much nearer to our place, all thanks to that Saturday afternoon rain hehe. Overall, we can give them a thumbs up. 👍

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Hope you find this helpful and please rate our post. Thanks!

Monday Lunch – Grandma’s Cafe, Resto & Events Place

It was the usual hectic Monday, we accompanied Daddy on his errand and had a quick lunch date at Grandma’s Cafe, Resto & Events Place. Conveniently located along Molino Blvd., fronting Wilcon Depot, it’s also searchable on navigational apps. We usually passed by their vicinity and often see this resto, so when I found out that kids are allowed to dine in, we did not missed the chance to visit this nearby cafe.

We are the only customers at that time and just to be sure.. upon entering, I still asked them if my toddler is allowed inside. I thought they only serve drinks & pastries, but the given menu has many selection from Sandwiches, Pasta, Pizza, Filipino Cuisine. The staff suggested we try their best sellers – Kare-Kare, Fried Chicken, Grandma’s Signature Pizza. Yep, yummy food with big servings good enough for at least 3-4 persons. The price range is somewhat fair and affordable, given its taste and serving.

This cafe looks nice outside, you can easily spot it from afar, parking spaces available too. They have lovely interiors more on the shabby chic side and Parisian inspired, I get it why their place is usually booked for events. Ambiance is very cozy, old music being played as background is not overpowered. It’s a family-friendly place, my toddler likes the furniture accent and wallpaper.

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We are really satisfied with our first visit. Overall, their place is recommendable and we’d love to go back soon. I want to try other food and sweets from the menu, it would be also nice to go on the upper floors and see other picture-worthy accents of their interiors. Best to come on weekdays, I think their cafe is packed during weekends. By the way, this post of ours is not sponsored though, I made this short review based from our recent visit. For other info, visit their official Facebook page on this link, they are responsive to online inquiries.

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Please rate this post and hope this helps. 🙂

Weekends at SOMO Market

Recently amidst pandemic, most of us are looking for a quick chill spot that even just dining in a restaurant can be considered a stroll. There’s this one stop shop ala bazaar and mercato with wide open space in the south, “Kaja, let’s go to SOMO Market!”

Yes, we have a mall in Bacoor, Cavite that’s called NOMO, meaning North Molino. I think this is also related to SOMO, since it’s located near Vista Mall Daang Hari and it’s located in South Molino thus explains the name. It’s like a weekend market similar to those at Salcedo and Legaspi, Makati.

Just type SOMO Market on Waze or Google Maps to locate it, you can’t miss this place since it’s almost beside Vista Mall Daang Hari, it’s along the highway too. Plus, the big water tank with it’s name on it is another given. 🙂 It’s like a huge vacant lot that has been transformed into an open market. Plenty of parking space but you’ll have to pay a parking fee of P30.00 before entering.

Community market / bagsakan as what their FB page says, so there are lots of tent stalls to match your shopping mood. They sell lots of varieties from food, clothes, thrift finds, toys, housewares. To me, it’s like those World Bazaars held at World Trade Center in Pasay back when we can still shop without worrying on that virus.

For families and with kids, I think it’s best to visit in the morning. They open at 8:00am, you can catch the morning sun and breeze while playing in the grass or simply sitting beside your parked car. For our own safety, we just went to wide areas with our toddler, we did not visited the food stalls covered with tents. We’re also worried that their management might call our attention hehe. There are some babies and kids at SOMO too, I guess since we went in the morning, they kinda allowed us and we always maintain physical distancing to other visitors.

For couples, friendships, it’s best to visit late afternoon. Food trucks are also stationed, they have live bands at night, so expect food trip with acoustic music.. perfect for upcoming dry season, some even do picnics here. I also noticed that more stalls open late afternoon than in the morning.

Still, always remember to apply physical distancing, wear face masks and face shields. Also, per checking their page earlier, they have an announcement that only 15-65 years old are allowed to enter.

SOMO Market is open every Friday-Sunday only. For other details, visit their official Facebook page here – SOMO Market | Facebook.

We are not related to them nor this post of ours is not sponsored, we just simply want to document our experience.

That’s it, please rate this post and happy shopping! 🙂