Plates & Suitcases
First-hand restaurant and travel reviews from Marie Mendillo, covering Ottawa, Orlando, the Philippines and destinations around the world.
Explore active locations: Orlando · Ottawa/Kanata · Gatineau · Manila
Latest reviews
Plaza Premium Lounge Toronto Pearson Review: Strong Breakfast, Limited Space
Read review: Plaza Premium Lounge Toronto Pearson Review: Strong Breakfast, Limited SpaceVisited: July 24 At 5:30 in the morning, Plaza Premium Lounge in Toronto Pearson’s Terminal 1 delivered one of the strongest airport-lounge breakfasts I have encountered. The room is relatively small, but…
Turkish Airlines Lounge Narita Review: Come for the Ramen
Read review: Turkish Airlines Lounge Narita Review: Come for the RamenVisited: July 21 The ramen bar is the clear reason to visit the Turkish Airlines Lounge at Narita Airport. It provides the lounge’s most memorable food experience and is strong enough to…
International Buffet – Gatineau
Read review: International Buffet – GatineauA candid lunch review of International Buffet in Gatineau, with the dishes worth choosing, the items to skip, and why it remains a practical family outing.
Location: OrlandoGolden Corral Buffet, International Drive — Orlando review
Read review: Golden Corral Buffet, International Drive — Orlando reviewI visit Golden Corral on International Drive when I want a reliably large, informal American buffet experience. For me it’s as much about the variety and the dessert station as it is…
- Location: Alabang
Miyazaki Japanese Restaurant (Molito, Alabang) — Solid Food, Spotty Service
Read review: Miyazaki Japanese Restaurant (Molito, Alabang) — Solid Food, Spotty ServiceI’ve yet to order a disappointing dish here. I visited Miyazaki Japanese Restaurant at Molito, Alabang on July 19 for lunch and found the food consistently well prepared, though the service can…
- Location: Tagaytay
Antonio’s Tagaytay review — Consistent excellence
Read review: Antonio’s Tagaytay review — Consistent excellenceAfter dining here repeatedly over the years, one thing becomes very clear: Antonio’s doesn’t succeed because of one spectacular dish—it succeeds because everything is consistently excellent. Service and staff Their staff are…
- Location: Orlando
Sodiê Doces: Strawberry Shortcake Review
Read review: Sodiê Doces: Strawberry Shortcake ReviewI tried Sodiê Doces’ bestseller, a strawberry shortcake-style cake sold by the pound, and I completely understand why they’re so popular. The cake Every component works in perfect harmony. The icing is…
- Location: Orlando
Jollibee Orlando review — generous portions, standout pies
Read review: Jollibee Orlando review — generous portions, standout piesJollibee in Orlando lived up to the chain’s North American reputation for its fried chicken and, in my visit, surpassed several of the same-brand outlets I’ve eaten at back in the Philippines.…
- Location: Liliw
Liliw Bake Shop review — roll cakes in Liliw, Laguna
Read review: Liliw Bake Shop review — roll cakes in Liliw, LagunaThanks to TikTok, Liliw Bake Shop has become something of a destination, so our expectations were high when we visited. We went specifically for the roll cakes that have been getting attention…