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| The Bayleaf Hotel Intramuros (photo courtesy of thebayleaf.com.ph) |
Thursday morning. Accompanied my sister Jessilynn to school for enrollment which happened to also be the school where I graduated from college. It was in June that I last visited my alma mater, and on that day, I applied for my Alumni Identification Card. I was eager to do the accompanying coz aside from helping my sister enroll for the coming semester, I was also interested to visit the newly opened Bayleaf Hotel -- a botique hotel owned by the Laurels. It was to function as a fully operational hotel and at the same time, a training ground for the students of the Lyceum of the Philippines University under the College of International Tourism and Hospitality Management.
While waiting for my sister who was then queuing in a very long line of enrolling students, I managed to reacquaint with my college professors and visit The Bayleaf Hotel. I was with my aunt Flordeliza when we entered the lobby. We were just going to ask about the room rates. But after a short conversation, the front desk clerk offered us to visit and see the rooms and the restaurants. Josh, who is part of the concierge team led us. The rooms are neat, modern and very clean. Then we were escorted to the ninth floor where the main restaurant 9 Spoon is located. It has a refreshing ambiance with very wide windows, tastefully appointed dining tables and comfortable chairs. I immediately told myself that I wanted to dine here at the soonest time possible.
After a short tour of the hotel, we headed next to the LPU-CI (Lyceum of the Philippines Culinary Institute). We sought information regarding their culinary courses and again as a bonus, Chef Vince offered us to check out its facilities. The course fees are astronomical especially the Diploma courses fetching up to 200 grand. But with the facilities that it has, it's worth every peso.
Our last stop was at the Cioccolate Churros Cafe -- a small but chic churros and coffee house located at the ground floor of The Bayleaf Hotel. I ordered for the 5 pieces churros and an iced cafe mocha. The churros are crisp but it lacks the density that the churros from Dulcinea has. But I liked the Spanish chocolate dip which was for me, underportioned (coz I'm a chocoholic).
It was definitely a day to remember and to be proud of. Though I cannot get to use the new facilities of my alma mater, I'm still happy that it has grown and developed a lot since I graduated in 2006.
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| Churros con Chocolate and Iced Cafe Mocha for Mr. Jace |
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| The Lesser Known enjoying his very much anticipated break @ Cioccolata Churros Cafe, The Bayleaf Hotel Intramuros |
