Money Tree in the Metro

Have you ever seen a tree that literally have money hanging on it?  How we have wish one way or the other that we could have this kind of tree growing in our backyard and all of our financial problems would just vanish into thin air?

Well, I saw this one-of-a-kind money tree.  You judge for yourself... =)

International Money Tree?

Where else do you think I saw this money tree, as I call it?  In the most unexpected place of all.  On one of the desktop of Mercury Drug Store at Glorietta 4 Mall in Makati.  

Below is the exact address:

Mercury Drug
Makati Ayala Center Glorietta 4
G/F Glorietta 4
Ayala Center
Makati City

Mercury Drug Store at Glorietta 4

As a previous collector of foreign currencies and I still have my collection with me;  I got excited when I see this.  I said it's worth featuring this in my blog.  I'm not ashamed to say that I got tempted in asking for the whole tree for myself. ;)  Then luckily, I got to my senses and ask the lady in the counter why they have that on their desktop instead.  Guess what's the answer?  For "luck" of course.

Maybe we can make our own money, but there's only one problem.  I think it will not last a day without somebody plucking whatever currency they can hold on to.

Astoria Plaza's Cafe Astoria

One of the main dining restaurant in Astoria Plaza is the Cafe Astoria.  Located just at the lobby, it is readily accessible to diners willing to try their food spread.

Cafe Astoria

CAFE ASTORIA'S DRESS CODE

BUSINESS ATTIRE & SMART CASUAL

CLOTHES ARE APPROPRIATE

OUTFITS WHEN DINING AT

CAFE ASTORIA

SHORTS UNDERSHIRTS

TANK TOPS (SANDOS)

PAJAMAS & BEDROOM SLIPPERS

ARE NOT ALLOWED

INSIDE THE CAFE

MANAGEMENT RESERVE THE

RIGHT TO REFUSE ENTRY TO THOSE

WHO ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR

COOPERATION

Cafe Astoria a cozy nook of a restaurant and bar.  With an intimate space for intimate people.  The food it serves, in my view, leans more on the Filipino cuisine buffet. 

Cafe Astoria Buffet

As a diner, if you compare Cafe Astoria's buffet to other five (5) star hotel's buffet; I would describe it as a mini buffet.  It serves six to seven (6 - 7) main dishes at the most aside from their soup, salads and desserts.  Though I do like Filipino cuisine on occasions but my palate leans more on a different angle, maybe that's why I didn't enjoy the food so much.

Cafe Astoria buffet's array of food

Below are the dishes offered on the buffet during our stay.  Food varies every time so it might not be the same if ever some of you might plan to dine here.

Yang Chow Fried Rice

Chami Lomi

Ginataang Langka (Braised Jackfruit in Coconut Milk)

Sinugbang Tiyan ng Tuna (Grilled Tuna Belly)

Deep Fried Shandong Chicken

Stir-fried Beef Short Plate with Broccoli

Left: Seaweed salad ; Right: Young Corn and Shrimp Salad

Wasn't really able to take photos of the dessert section.  But I did took some photos of what we ate.

Made my own salad from the variety of vegetables

If I remembered it correctly,  I drizzle my collection of vegetables with vinaigrette dressing and spread it with parmesan cheese.  Usually I'm really not a very picky eater and I always, always see the best in every food.  Thus, I'm having a hard time giving my opinion about this since I had a fun stay at this hotel.  But nevertheless I need to be truthful, the vinaigrette doesn't really taste the usual vinaigrette I had.  It lacks the mild acidity I usually look for in a vinaigrette, I had much better.

Hot and sour soup, and ice tea

The hot and sour soup lack flavor and taste, and the soup itself was too thick for me to enjoy.  Ice tea is not included in the buffet, you have to pay for the drink of your choice.

Counter clockwise from top: Lechon (Roast Pork), Seaweed Salad, Chami Lomi and Atchara (pickled salad)

I think the lechon was alright, nothing really special that made me remember it with a "wow".  If you might wonder, I wasn't able to take a photo of the "lechon" section.  The seaweed salad, usually this is my favorite when I was young, I love the popping feeling and taste of this seaweed even with just a dash of vinegar.  This one,  I'm not up to it.  The Chami Lomi, was so so and the atchara was ok.


I guess I wasn't really able to enjoy the food as much as I should.  Maybe my taste is a bit off, I really don't know.  But if it might not be at par with my palate, it might be with yours.  Maybe some of you might tell me otherwise so I might not feel so awful.


I hope if any of you decide to stay and dine here, I do hope you have a much fruitful and yummy experience with the food as compared to me.

Astoria Plaza:

Address:  15 J. Escriva Drive, Ortigas Business District Pasig City, Philippines
Tel:  +63 (2) 687-1111
Fax:  +63 (2) 910-0370
Email:  sales@astoriaplaza.com
Website:  www.astoriaplaza.com





Check out my other posts:

• Astoria Plaza - Room Accommodation 
• Astoria Plaza - Outdoor Swimming Pool and Basement Parking

Astoria Plaza - Outdoor Swimming Pool and Basement Parking

Every time we have this special stay at a hotel, my child would always get ready for that awaited dip at the pool.  So of course we tried the swimming pool at Astoria Plaza.


Outdoor Swimming Pool and Children's Pool

Adult Pool

Slightly visible farther down is the children's pool

chairs for that lazy lounging under the sun

And you know what guys?  Another facility that I love is their six (6) levels of basement parking.

Basement Parking

Although I'm a fairly good driver (this is in my opinion only) for a lady, I always have this skepticism every time I'm going to enter a parking area. Parking areas are like extraordinary driveways for cars.  Why? sometimes they surprise you with steep inclines going up or going down.  If not that, they make you work your talent in maneuvering a narrow turn.  Not to mention a narrow parking space when you reach the parking level.  But if your lucky enough, all goes smoothly with that spacious way for your car and that perfect turn where you don't need to think anymore. 

What can I say? It's like that "box of chocolate" in that "Forrest Gump" movie.  Parking areas are like a box of chocolate, you'll never know what you're gonna get!


Amazingly, Astoria Plaza's parking is one of those parking that won't let you think how to smoothly glide your car without a hitch.  They provide you with wide two-way space for cars coming in and going out.  And what I love most is the very slight elevation of pathways on every level.  No need to bring your car to a hard push for that steep incline but just glide smoothly along each levels.  Just fell in love with it!  Even if the parking spaces were uneven, some spacious some a bit narrow that didn't deter me from liking their parking.  If all parking areas were like this! =)

Parking area

Can't hardly notice the slight elevation on the driveway.

Parking level's elevators

This part of my experience was well worth it.  My kid loved the pool and I loved the parking area.  Quite a nice exchange don't you think? =)

Astoria Plaza:

Address:  15 J. Escriva Drive, Ortigas Business District Pasig City, Philippines
Tel:  +63 (2) 687-1111
Fax:  +63 (2) 910-0370
Email:  sales@astoriaplaza.com
Website:  www.astoriaplaza.com





Check out my other posts:

• Astoria Plaza - Room Accommodation
• Astoria Plaza's Cafe Astoria