Dinner at Amici

My first entry for the year!

My co-employees and former co-employees agreed to have dinner at Amici since it's the best option for our group and it's close to the Ayala-Triangle Christmas lights.

I like Amici. Beside it's yummy food it's budget friendly also.

Spaghetti Al Pomodoro Pasta (P198) The pasta texture is just right, soft and yet firm. The pomodoro flavor is a classic pasta that you can't get sour on. Nice pasta.

Tutta Carne (P364) This pizza compromises of Italian sausage, ham, and pepperoni. Meaty and cheesy. The pizza dough is quite thin and crispy but not totally so that you can taste the full flavors of the ingredients of the pizza. Yummy!

Frutti di Mare (P378) Ingredients are: squid, shrimp, mussels, and clams. If you love seafood and pizza then you should try this. The seafood ingredients complements each other and the cheese wraps up the flavor and nice texture of the pizza. It was overwhelmingly delicious.

Yamato Bakery's Cronuts + PNoy + NAIA T3

All Saints day and All Souls day (Nov. 1 and Nov. 2 respectively) are days that  people fluctuate to different terminals to go back to their respective province and greatly commemorate the dead relatives.

Greatly commemorate. It's because here in PH where relatives sleep overnight at the cemetery, you can hardly cross the other side of the cemetery due to volume of people. It is also the time where relatives have their family reunion and of course prepare food.

My Dad and I agreed to meet at my office around 1:00 pm to go to NAIA T3 to catch a 5pm flight. Traffic in Manila is the worst! We left Makati at around 1:30 and drive along EDSA where we find ourselves stuck in traffic. I was calm at that time because we had a lot of time to spare, I slept at the car all the way trough the traffic. I woke up 3:30pm only to find out that our car is not allowed to enter since parking is full and my dad (diabetic, impatient , and maliglaig) is going hyper, I told him that I'll walk and proceed to check-in our bags and he just wait for a few minutes so he can enter the parking lot.

Thank God he was able to get a parking slot (park n fly). Luckily, increase in parking fee is not yet in effect at that time (Read this: Worlds worst airport strikes again one thousand peso parking tickets at NAIA)

I told  my dad the new rate scheme and both of us agreed to just take the cab going to NAIA on feb 2014 going to Hong Kong. I don't mind since our house is a 20 min. ride going to the airport via C5 and our departure time is at 5am, so no worries.

Amazingly, there's no queue of line (Dec. 31  is our departure date. We didn't want to travel on Nov 1 with the exodus of people) at the check-in counters and check-in of bags is done within 10 min. Thank you web-check in. 

As I passed trough the final security, I realized that it only took me 15 min from baggage check-in to final security. No more manual check-in and terminal fee payment. Check in time is cut by half, saved some time for coffee and plane spotting. 

I was ecstatic to have rows of chair for myself.

Then I saw a commotion. I hurriedly went to Cafe France and left my bag to my dad.

Dept. of Transportation and Communication Sec. Jun Abaya ( I'm not thrilled to see him because I find him too inefficient to become a transportation secretary. A transportation secretary should be firm and work fast, transportation is a big contributor to the economy, and the DOTC took a lot of months just to bid out the renovation of Mactan-Cebu International airport) 

President Noynoy Aquino.

Wide! 50% of the travelling people I saw was foreigners.

Pastries at Wildflour Cafe + Bakery

It's love at first bite.

My heartbeat is in a roller coaster ride when i came to wildflour. It was 8am and my purpose is to buy the very famous cronuts which people are going nuts about. Unfortunately cronuts are only available starting 11am and so I just bought some pastries and ordered a salad.

I could not believe all the yummy pastries and bread inside the resto It's like narnia. I wish I could live here.

There's chocolate, peanut butter, marshmallows,cookies, bread, etc! 

Everything looks good, just like the witch's house from Hansel & Gretel.

Dinner at TWG

Last 2011 when I went to singapore for a vacation, I notice that this restaurant is everywhere like starbucks. I came to know TWG when I happen to eat at La Creperie and ordered the Caramel Tea.

TWG offers luxury tea and very yummy pastries that make your heart melt. 

Me and my friend agreed to meat around 6:30pm to chat and cope up with everything. Me and my friend is amazed how they are able to present the food so nice and appetizing. 

Chocolate Tea (P195) I didn't notice the chocolate taste of the tea but  it's good. 1 tea cup is good for 2 but sharing is quite not ideally because it's bitin. 

The tea cup is thin so you can really taste the tea.

Saddle of lamb seasoned with cumin, oregano and rosemary accompanied by a ratatouille drizzled with a rich brown sauce infused with Silver Moon Tea (P750) Since Foie Gras is not available, I ordered the lamb instead. I asked the waiter for a medium-done lamb 

Lunch at Cafe France

Finally!! I  bought myself a rubber fold able keyboard that cost only $4 / P300. 

Anyways, my entry starts again with lunch at cafe france which my parents love. It's a restaurant and a cafe at the same time. All pastries looks and tastes insanely delicious with very affordable price. It's still the same delifrance as before.

I was ecstatic to see all the pastries! It's love at first sight.

Home-Made Gourmet Pancakes

I loooove pancakes!! 

I remember when I was younger, I had the best Mango Pancakes ever!! (English Bakery, Boracay) and at that moment I start to explore to try every pancakes in every restaurants out there.

Saturday: Rest day and bored. I have a knack for cooking experiment. 

Budget: P30 / $.60

Today I made 2 pancakes

You could just raid your pantry and make pancakes out of what you have.

In my pantry I have

1 egg

1 bottle of strawberry jam

1 Organic chocolate tablets

1 Marshmallow creme

1 cup of milk

Banana

Butter

1 Small Pancake mix (Only thing I bought, everything is in my pantry)

1) Mix the egg w/ the pancake mix and milk.

Lunch at Dulcinea

I didn't go to work since I could not get up out the bed this morning. I was so exhausted and tired yesterday from work and I didn't have the energy to wake up early. I was feeling under the weather but I'm feeling better now since I was able to eat Dulcinea's delicious Paella Valenciana and their very awesome unforgettable Fruit Shake.

I woke up around 11 am hungry since I didn't able to have dinner last night, I was standing in line to order Jollibee's Amazing Aloha burger (2 burger pattie w/ pineapple and bacon) but my good friend text me to have lunch at 12 pm. 

Anyways, plan was to eat at Wham! burgers but I asked kit if he have eaten spanish paella before or at least tried eating at dulcinea before which to my surprise, he wasn't able to eat at dulcinea before. 

All photos are taken by good friend Mr. Kit Stephen Agad. 

Paella Valenciana (P495) Rice dish that is good for 2 persons. You have to wait fir 30 minutes for this amazing mouth watering dish before you could actually eat it. The clams are fresh, the shrimps are fresh, the eggs are nice, the flavor is soo good! I know it's not authentic like they have at Alba's but it's close. Their Paella is a must try. 

Dessert Sampler (P99) I didn't like the leche flan but the chocolate brownie is good, but the most delicious is the sansrival! it was sweet and crunchy.

Tropical Fruit Shake (P175) The best fruit shake I tasted since that Mango Smoothie from Manila Peninsula Hotel. It was soooo amazingly good and sweet (sweet because of the ripe fruits) Kit and I thinking to match this shake with Siao Long Pao and Asado Siopao of H.K. Choi.

Dulcinea have branches in Morato, QC / Greenbelt 1 Makati and somewhere else.

Dulcinea SM Megamall

4th F, SM Megamall

Wack Wack, Mandaluyong

634-0612

Dessert at Icebergs

Beat the heat with Ice Cream!!

Icebergs is known for it's premium Ice Cream especially their Supreme Halo-Halo

Strawberry Sundae. Creamy strawberry ice cream topped with whipped cream, strawberry, underneath are strawberries and banana with nuts. I love how the whipped cream balances the sweetness of the strawberry syrup, banana and ice cream. (P178)

Strawberry Tower (P220) Banana slices at the bottom followed by Strawberry syrup, thick whipped cream, chocolate ice cream, strawberry syrup, strawberry ice cream, strawberries, whipped cream, and strawberries at the top. It was sinfully blissful! It was sooooo good! I didn't finish the syrup at the bottom since it's too sweet and I might end up having diabetes.

Supreme Halo-Halo. Filipino's pride and all time favorite local dessert which bursts with flavors and sweetness. It contains shaved ice, ube and strawberry ice cream (best combination), corn flakes, corn, jelly, sweet beans, milk, nata de coco, ube halaya, and flan. You have to mixed them all together (Halo-Halo is the tagalog term for mix) so that you can taste all the flavors of the different ingerdients. 

Anthony Bourdain trying the halo-halo

Sarah Jessica Parker trying the Halo-Halo

Mister Donut

Donuts are enemy of a person who's on a diet. Donuts are sweet and fattening but they are sooooo yummy and so good with Coffee or Tea. Donuts are also good to eat during afternoon or High Tea time. I've posted before that I don't like international donut companies such as J.Co Donuts or Krispy Kreme since they taste too sweet that my teeth and gums could handle. 

Mister Donut and Dunkin Donuts are two nice donut companies that are so classic and not too sweet.

Selection

Selection

Selection

Fruits in Ice Cream

Who Doesn't like eating Ice Cream on a hot sunny day? of course none! It's so refreshing and so sweet to eat Ice Cream especially when your walking on a powdery white sand beach shore of boracay. 

Anyways, Fruits in Ice Cream is a known brand in the Philippines it has many stalls in various malls especially sophisticated ones. FIC for short sells premium creamy and flavorful Ice Creams and they also offer Yogurt based Ice Creams. So yummy!

I see mochi!!! =)

Chocolate. So chocolatey, If it weren't for my diet and my throat, I'll go for another round of this.

Desserts by Center Table Catering Inc.

My Cousin who resides in Canada went back here in the Philippines last Dec. 30, 2012 to have her wedding. By the way, this wedding was planned a year ahead of time. But what I'm excited about is the cater food!! I normally first check the desserts, and then the entrees, then lastly the salads. 

Mu cousin chose Center Table Catering Inc. which i find okay not that bad it's above average. 

Creme Brulee. It's nice the top most part (brown part) is quite crunchy and a little bit nice. The custard is quite bland and a little sweet.

Chocolate Mousse. A typical chocolate mousse, but not that good like the chocolate mousses you find around dessert bars.

Mango cream. The mango below was nice, it was sweet and the cream complements the mango. This ws the highlight of the desserts.

Lifestyle list of Best Desserts 2012

By: Vangie Baga-Reyes

Philippine Daily Inquirer

Link: Lifestyle list of Best Desserts 2012

'Tis the season to be jolly and extra sweet! So, make your holidays doubly sweet with our 2012 list of Best Desserts. From refreshing gelato treats and homemade ganache chocolate cakes to brandy-infused prune cakes and super suman with a twist—all these are guaranteed to whet your sweet appetite. Enjoy!

Rouge

Come-on: An impressive dessert both to the eyes and palate, bursting with the fruity flavors of blueberry, strawberry and vanilla gelato on a crust of crushed graham. The beautifully crafted artisan gelato cake makes for great gifts, or simply for indulging yourself.

Cara Mia has a wide range of tempting gelato cakes, but if you must settle for two more sinful sweets, go for Di Lusso, a neat combo of pistachio, chocolate and strawberry gelato covered in a layer of rich chocolate ganache; and Mango Passion, mango chunks blended in gelato arranged in layers of rich shortbread pie crust and topped with strips of mango slices.

Cost: P134/slice; P1,280/whole

Creator: Cara Mia of Amici (Tessie Moran and Philip Moran)

Call: Don Bosco, Makati, tel. 8184444; Greenhills, San Juan, 7244804; Ayala Triangle Gardens, Makati, 6216111; Tomas Morato, QC, 3766458; SM Megamall Atrium, Mandaluyong, 6361340; Alabang Town Center, Muntinlupa City, 4039373; Venice Piazza, Taguig City, 5551000; Robinsons Galleria, Ortigas Center, Pasig; Robinsons Place, Manila; and UP Ayala Technohub

Peach Walnut Torte

Come-on: Two layers of fluffy meringue embellished with walnuts and whipped cream. The sweetness comes from the peaches, which also add a comforting flavor base for the entire slab. It has creamy flavor you don’t want to miss.

Cost: P160/slice; P1,400/whole. Available daily. For bulk orders, call two days in advance. For pick up and delivery for a minimum fee.

Creator: Nic’s Gourmet Desserts (Rina Go)

Call: 5711818, 3549081 and 0999-9933231; 172 A. Mabini St. Addition Hills, San Juan City; visit www.facebook/nicsbakeshop

Cassava Cake

Come-on: Plain-sounding, but this Cassava Cake topped with grated cheese and coconut milk is simply divine. Dr. Boy Vazquez takes pride in the old family recipes which he has tweaked and further improved, such as this homey afternoon delight. Unlike the typical cassava that’s thick and too heavy on the tummy, this version is served warm, soft and made creamier with a butterscotch-like sauce.

Cost: P89/serving

Creator: Café Juanita (Dr. Boy Vazquez)

Call: 6320357 and 7101562;  19 West Capitol Drive, Barrio Kapitolyo, Pasig City.

Louie XV

Come-on: Desserts at Restaurant 101 are simple but they hit the sweet spot. Like the Louie XV, dark silky smooth chocolate ganache over crispy luscious praline bar and adorned with edible gold leaves for that royal effect. This dessert can only be savored in two restaurants in the world: Enderun and Alain Ducasse’s three-star Michelin restaurant in Monaco.
Louie XV is made fresh every day, and we just heard that no student can graduate without knowing how to execute this heavenly dessert. It has a nice biscuit-like crunch, and the way the chocolate melts in your mouth is unforgettable.
Cost: P260/order. Dine-in only.
Creator: Restaurant 101, Enderun Colleges
Call: 8565000; 1100 Campus Avenue, McKinley Hill, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig.

Ispahan

Come-on: A treat that pays homage to dessert god Pierre Herme. Ispahan showcases macaron shells crammed with fresh raspberries, lychee (in the middle) and rose essence, and further enhanced with a velvety Chantilly cream. It has just the right amount of fruity flavor. Great when paired with Salted Caramel Ice Cream.

Cost: P280/order. For dine-in and take out.

Creator: The Cake Club by Diamond Hotel Manila.

Call: 6213176; Bonifacio High Street Central, 7th Street, BGC, Taguig; Power Plant Mall, Rockwell, Makati.

Chow Buzz: 5 Must Try Restaurant Desserts in Metro Manila

By Cyrene de la Rosa, InterAksyon.com · Friday, November 23,

Thanks to the booming Philippine restaurant scene and the Filipino’s genuine love for sweets. There are now scores of calorie-worthy dessert contenders in the metropolis. In no particular order, here are my top five favorites.

Chocolate Pots de Creme at Wildflour

G/F, Net Lima Bldg, 4th Ave. corner 26th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City

The Pots de Creme dessert is a simple, rich custard baked in small cups. Wildflour’s  version made with premium Valrhona milk chocolate topped with a layer of sea salt caramel and chopped nuts is a must order for fellow chocolate lovers.

Cannoli at Nolita

Bonifacio High Central, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City

Cannolis are Italian desserts that were said to have been developed by Sicilians. These fried wafer tubes that are usually filled with a mixture of ricotta, candied fruit, and other ingredients is one dessert that is not easy to find. Nolita’s ricotta filled cannoli is topped with candied orange rind and chopped pistachios.

Kouign Amman at Brasserie Cicou

Annapolis St., Greenhills, San Juan

Don’t worry if you can’t pronounce it.  All you have to do is to order a “KA” and the waitstaff would know what you’re talking about. It is after all the restaurant’s best seller. This super rich Breton pastry that is currently making waves Stateside is something like a croissant but with extra layers of salted French butter and sugar baked between the sheets, giving it a crispy ‘otap’- like outer coating of caramelized sugar.

Guinomis at Milky Way

Pasay Road, Makati City

This Filipino dessert alternative to halo-halo (Milky Way’s other perennial best seller), is usually composed of sago tapioca pearls, palm sugar syrup, gulaman agar gelatin, coconut milk, toasted pinipig rice, and lots of shaved ice. Milky Way’s version however is refreshingly topped with homemade panocha ice cream, for an extra yummy ending.

Chestnut Soufflé at Champetre

G/F Net One Center, 26th cor. 3rd Ave., Bonifacio Global City

This airy dessert is best enjoyed during the holiday season. The main reason for this is because it’s the only time this heavenly soufflé made of Chestnuts in Armagnac Syrup, that Champetre’s Chef Marc Aubry makes himself is usually available.