Carmina is traveling to the United States to spend time with her family. My dad planned a family gathering for Mother's Day at their favorite Pinoy restaurant . Since reservations aren’t possible, we arrived an hour early to ensure we could get a table for twelve before everyone else showed up. As my dad approached Isla Grand , the branch we visited in Pleasant Hills, California , the host at the door said they could prepare a table for twelve at five o'clock. Later, the server called my dad's name and guided us to our table. The place was bustling with people enjoying meals and celebrating Mother's Day. On our first visit to Isla Grand, I was captivated by the décor, noticing many native items that gave the place a fancy yet authentic Filipino feel. They usually have a live band, but unfortunately, there was no entertainment the night we went. My family had spoken highly of Isla Grand and encouraged us to try the Filipino dishes we’ve been missing from back home. Lech...
Carmina had a family member ask what to eat for lunch since the kitchen was being disinfected and we couldn’t cook. The family member had recently started a diet, and Carmina suggested eating something healthier instead of resorting to fast food. When Carmina asked if they wanted sandwiches, I started naming various places, but the person kept saying no. I then suggested the Vietnamese sandwiches we usually enjoy when dining out. The family member agreed, and we decided to revisit a spot we had tried in the past. Since the family member isn’t a fan of vegetables, I always order the veggies and sauce on the side. My friend, who is knowledgeable about exercise and health, recommends incorporating protein into a diet. Following that advice, we chose the Protein Monster, which includes Vietnamese BBQ pork, ham, roasted pork, and omelets, with other ingredients like pâté, cucumber, pickled radish and carrots, mayo, hoisin sauce, and cilantro served on the side. It costs PHP 159.00 for a Jun...