I am fascinated by place attachment, a term in environmental psychology that describes a relationship between a person and their place. It is fascinating to me because it can bring happiness to individuals and communities and doesn’t always take a lot of work but really only needs some intentions and mindfulness. Melody Warnick introduced Love Where You Live experiments in her book, This Is Where You Belong and I often call these “experiments” adventures. Whatever you call them, they’re good for the soul and the community and sometimes (often) in Manila they really are adventures!

In today’s Love Where You Live Experiment I decided to seek out the beauty in my dining experiences. I studied Interior Design for 6 months and this trained my brain to find beauty in the details. Manila is full of beautiful spaces and today I will be sharing 3 restaurants that I have visited recently with smashing interiors. Perhaps your “experiment” is finding cafes with the best latte, a restaurant with the best dumplings or whatever else your heart (or stomach) desires!

Blue Ginger|

Blue Ginger located in Muntinlupa is maximalism at it’s finest. You’ll find maximalism meets Asian tropic aesthetic with highlights of Thai and Philippine textiles, ceramics, pops of color, antique wood pieces and over size art pieces. Minimalism, maximalism, I really love it all and Blue Ginger is sure to catch your eye and never let go!

I should probably mention the food, ha. The ribs were very tender and the corn and rice were delicious. The prawns in the Northern noodles were nice and large but it was a bit salty for my taste. I would go back to eat and try other dishes still.

High Tea At The Pen|

Last February I celebrated Galentine’s Day with a friend over afternoon tea in none other than the iconic Manila Peninsula. Honestly, the only way I am allowed in that place is because I don’t have my kids with me and they also aren’t aware of my snort laugh yet - suckers! I digress, high tea at The Pen is swanky but affordable (1,550 for 2 pax). This is actually one of Manila’s best kept secrets: high end afternoon tea for affordable prices. Manila has such nice hotels and many offer incredible high tea services, this could be a series of experiments all in itself (pause- amber is currently putting this on her bucket list).

La Mère Poulard|

As you have gathered from this blog, I am not fancy, like at all, so French food and I don’t have a lot in common. Well, anything French and I don’t have much in common but that changed the day I visited La Mère Poulard in SM Aura BGC. La Mère Poulard is a French dining establishment originally from Mont-Saint-Michel, a small town on an island in Normandy, France. There are only 3 branches in the world and Manila is one of them. Go Manila go! The best thing about La Mère Poulard is that even non-fancy people like me can dine as nothing is more than 840php on the menu. You read that right. The other best thing about La Mère Poulard: fluffy omelet!

Happening this weekend June 6-12 2019: You could have a French themed weekend and participate in the 23rd French Film Festival then cap off the evening with dinner at La Mère.

creamy rice with massive prawns, this is a dish that is so good it feels like you’re breaking up with it if you order something else AKA the old reliable.

you must, MUST, order a signature fluffy omelette. if you’re with kids head to the front of the storefront and listen to the rhythm of the chef whipping the eggs.