We found this pretty well-stocked little delicatessen along Fields Avenue some weeks back. There’s also a restaurant on the premises that serves Italian, Australian and some Filipino dishes. That Beef and Mushroom Pie pictured here is one of their specialties – absolutely delicious.They also have sangas – an Australian sub sandwich which we still have to try. The place is called Bretto’s and is located right on Fields Avenue, outside Clark. You can’t miss it, it’s sitting right next to a huge water tank with the inscription “Agua Tiempo” written on it.

Spouse and I have taken regular trips to Angeles City, Pampanga since our move. The drive is a breeze with the upgraded North Luzon Expressway…pretty much like driving on a US interstate….a far cry from what it was just a few years ago. It only takes about an hour from Meycauayan to the Dau exit – with one rest stop to spare.

We’ve taken drives, just the two of us and tried out the Veteran’s of Foreign Wars-run VFW Restaurant where Spouse has gotten his fill of American food. We’ve also taken my parents, Youngest Sister and her 2 toddlers.

It’s such a delight to travel with my nephews (aged 1 and 2.5 years), they’re never cranky even when we made the 3-hour trek to Zambales to visit my mom’s brother now retired there. And they absolutely love road trips with vehicles zipping past us, the scenery and skies. One time, we even spied a huge and stately-looking dark brown horse on an open trailer. We got stuck in traffic at the Candaba viaduct which is undergoing repairs. But even that did not get the boys down. They just had more time to inspect the big busses and trucks that were stuck with us…funny how kids are fascinated by things we normally take for granted….like a truck’s under chassis for instance….
On this trip, we first went to a playground within the Clark compound where they had an old helicopter and a few planes on display. Of course the kids went gaga over that…not the playground – the planes! The adults enjoyed the clear blue skies, the cooler than normal weather and clean, clean air. I have to admit, I’ve only been to Metro Manila a couple of times since we arrived. I just can’t stand the pollution anymore. It’s gotten so much dirtier since I once went on my daily commute to the city over 6 years ago.

But back to the deli, it was a wonderful find that Spouse and I made a few weeks back. The food is delicious, the place is clean and well-lit – I always appreciate that. The deli well-stocked with steaks and fresh meat, cured meats and sausages, cheeses (wish they had more though – I’m missing provolone!), turkey, a goose even, some imported foodstuffs, vegetables, wines and freshly baked breads. The restaurant staff is very friendly, we have a regular waitress who recognizes us on just our second visit. The deli girls could smile more though….just for the heck of it?