The Exchange Regency

The day after Berry's party, we spent our Sunday at The Exchange Regency in Ortigas, which is just across Benpres building. Benpres is right beside Tektite. Our friend Kat, whose family owns the hotel, asked us to try it out while it was still on dry run. Of course, we happily packed for an overnight stay and with eagle eyes, scrutinized everything, as she specifically asked, hehehe. 

So fun pala to have a job trying out and reviewing hotels no? Kat asked us to try out all the facilities, quiz the staff, and basically give them a hard time. Just kidding! We were nice no, and besides the staff at the hotel are all courteous and polite, so no complaints there. 

Plus, the lobby is so pretty:

Once we were led up to our two bedroom suite, Berry dived into the bed and scribbled on the notepad on the side table:

While I documented everything. This is the toilet - tiny, but clean and stocked with toiletries.

Here's the kitchenette and dining area. I think a suite like this would be perfect for staycations, or transiting balikbayan families or a group of friends from abroad who want to stay in Ortigas before heading out of town.

This is the living room, see the Benpres building behind the window?

This is at the 3rd floor, where the pool, jacuzzi, function room, gym, putting green and kids' play area are all located:

Of course, Berry had a grand time just going up and down and around the slides. That evening, Dada took her swimming and she had a blast!

The following morning, complimentary breakfast was served at Benassi. The cafe at the ground floor of  The Exchange Regency, right beside the soon to open Tully's. It's equally pretty and it has become a favorite breakfast destination. 

They serve Illy coffee as well as Saint Cinnamon buns...

And breakfast comfort food like pancakes (these were yum! A bit crunchy outside and fluffy inside. Especially yummy when paired with sausages)...

And beef tapa...

The last time we were there, at 8 am, the cafe was abuzz with the comings and goings of hotel residents as well as people from nearby offices having meetings over breakfast. Great atmosphere and energy, plus hearty breakfast dishes. A great way to spend a morning. And I am not even a morning person, haha!

My friend Pam also wrote about their stay at The Exchange Regency, HERE! And as part of her 1st year blog anniversary, one of her raffle prizes is a stay at The Exchange Regency! Bongga diba? Check out her blog, Run Around Girl!

Thanks for inviting us Kat! We enjoyed our stay! =)

For reservations and inquiries please call:

THE EXCHANGE REGENCY RESIDENCE HOTEL
Exchange Road corner Meralco Avenue
Ortigas Center, Pasig
Tel: (632) 998 0022
www.theexchangeregency.com

Singapore Eats: Jones the Grocer

Susan, a reader, asked me about good places to eat in Singapore. I've told y'all about Artichoke, for this week, let's go to Jones the Grocer:

My friend Naomi brought Berry & I to Dempsey Hill sometime back, so we could eat at Jones the Grocer - an Australian food emporium that has a presence here in Singapore as well as in the United Arab Emirates. They are known as a market leader in gourmet foods, and is sort of like Santi's in the Philippines, just a lot bigger.

She had good things to say about the place, and being a serial bruncher, I trusted her taste. Upon steppping in, I immediately liked the bright, open feel of the cafe/grocery. Seating is communal as most tables can fit up to ten people. But that should be a plus for big groups. The ambiance is casual. Overall, it's a nice place to take a leisurely meal with friends. The expat community seems to like this place.

The food is tasty and fresh, now if only I can remember what we ordered, heehee:

The brownie we shared was delightfully moist and tempting! Naomi and I both dug in before I could remember to take a photo, hahaha:

Being a grocer after all, an upscale grocer at that, Jones also sells wines and flat breads:

A wide selection of olives:

Freshly baked bread:

Smoked and cured meat:

Plus a variety of gourmet delicacies - from sauces, olive oils, truffle salts, coffee beans, tea blends to handmade pasta, snacks and dips:

There is also a walk-in cheese room, basically a temperature controlled room dedicated solely to stocking cheese:

Plus a selection of cookbooks, which are ideal gifts to pack with the gourmet treats, for the consummate foodie:

Across the parking lot, I saw this wall that had portions covered up with planks from old wine crates. It actually doesn't look bad no? Imagine if wine importers in the Philippines can just donate the wood from old wine carts to shanty owners? That wouldn't look too shabby.

Jones the Grocer
Dempsey Hill
Block 9 #01-12 Dempsey Road
Singapore, 247697
Tel: +65 6476 1512
Fax: +65 6476 1518
e-mail: dempseyhill@jonesthegrocer.com
Monday - Sunday 9:00am – 11:00pm

Mandarin Gallery
333a Orchard Road
Level 4 #21-23 Mandarin Gallery
Singapore, 238897
Tel: +65 6836 6372
e-mail: mandaringallery@jonesthegrocer.com
Monday - Sunday 9:00am – 11:00pm