Hana

March 28th, while my sister Charmaine and our son, Jason, were at a baseball game at Camden Yards, Jay took this opportunity to visit a record store called Celebrated Summer Records in Baltimore. It wasn't very far from the stadium. 

I tried checking their international pile just in case I'd find any old Apo Hiking Society, VST and Co., Hotdogs, Rey Valera, or really any old Filipino vinyl records. But, nah! There were none from that part of Asia.

My daughter, Yna, and her husband, Larry, called me via Facebook Messenger to greet Jay and me for our wedding anniversary and to chat. They'd be leaving in a few days for a two-week vacation with a few of their close friends to Japan.

She asked me what I want from Japan but I always tell her to just surprise me. Yna said maybe she'd find me fabrics. Before we hung up, I reminded Larry to send me a postcard, although he always does, even without me reminding him.

After the record store, we stopped by a vintage shop. We looked around but didn't really find anything that interested us. I wanted to drink something hot after that, and it so happened that we passed by Hana, a modern Japanese restaurant in that part of town. For sure, they serve Genmaicha or just plain green tea. 

 

To start, I had hot green tea, and Jay had Japanese beer. 

We also ordered their pork belly yakitori ($8 for a stick, grilled and crispy pork belly topped with yuzu kosho sauce). It was pricey for me, but it was so good.

Jay suggested ordering their miso soup, but I declined. I can have it in the many Asian restaurants in downtown Frederick and opted to get something that is not served near us. By the way, this restaurant is a little over an hour drive from our home.

We also had their Baltimore Roll ($19, shrimp tempura, asparagus roll topped with seared salmon belly, and Hana's secret sauce). This was to die for. I would really like to have this over again. *Chef's kiss.

We also tried their Hamachi Tacos ($15, yellowtail ceviche, calamansi, ponzu, and cilantro on crispy tacos). The dish was so good that I want to try making this at home, but using the Filipino ceviche recipe. Good idea?

I wouldn't mind driving an hour to dine here again. 

Hana 

1103 W 36th St 

Baltimore, MD 21211 

Hours: 11 AM - 10PM Monday - Sunday 

(443) 869-2503

4/13/2026 at 11:45 p.m.

It's quarter to midnight, and I want to eat bread. 

I baked ube ensaymada last night. There are 10 left. 

I am not hungry, by the way. Just craving, maybe.

Triple X+1

The mister and I celebrated our 31st wedding anniversary last Saturday.

Reaching this milestone, I am very sure that my father would be really proud of me and Jay. Like I wrote in some of my previous posts, my Papang was worried about Jay as my boyfriend when we were 18 years old. My family, relatives, some friends, and most neighbors knew that I had an attitude and temper. I admit that I was difficult to deal with. I didn't communicate my thoughts and feelings gently but expressed them in anger. I had childhood trauma that I had to manage with, unload, and heal. No one knew about it but Jay.

But here we are! We're on our 36th year of friendship and 31st year of tried-and-tested marriage.

We didn't really have plans of going out of town until my little sister decided to take her favorite nephew (our son) to a baseball game in Baltimore.

We left earlier than agreed because of the NO KING protest in the city.

Traffic wasn't really that bad, but finding a spot to drop them off near the stadium wasn't easy. 

Eventually we succeeded and dropped them at the nearest gate we passed by.

They got in the stadium with enough time for them to get settled, buy souvenirs, and get their food before the game started. The Baltimore Orioles were playing against the Minnesota Twins.

We headed to Artifact Coffee after. We are frequenters of this coffee shop when we're in the city. 

We were very lucky to find a table for two the moment we entered the shop. The place was packed, and the people arriving after us took so much time to find a vacant table. 

I had a cappuccino, and Jay had their cortado.

We also shared a serving of their crustless squash quiche. 

The quiche was to die for. It was so much better than the spinach quiche I've tried.

While still dining, I was already on the internet looking for a recipe. I really want to try making this at home.

It'll be very soon!

No Need To Cook

"Let's go!" 

He blurted that out when he got home after work today. 

"To where?"

"To happy hour at, maybe, Thai Meric Eatery and Bar."

No way! That's a restaurant and not a beer house.

It's the eve of our wedding day anniversary, so I am off of my kitchen duties today. 

Before happy hour was over at 6:30 p.m., we ordered a Moscow Mule and a hot sake.

We were too excited for their goat Massaman. We had this last December with my little sister, Charmaine. This is, by far, one of the best goat dishes in town. 

We also had their beef hot pot. 

For our dessert, I wanted to get their Mango Sticky Rice, but I told the mister that it would be a rain check for our next happy hour at this restaurant. Instead, we had their crispy fried banana with their jackfruit coconut ice cream. 

By they way, we finished everything just in time for Jay to go back to work at 7 p.m.

I can't wait for the next happy hour.