I finally got to try Handlebar! I’ve been dying to try this place for almost a year now but just didn’t find the time or energy to do so. Since my Special Proceedings class was canceled I decided to drag BF to Handlebar to have a burger and a beer.
Upon entering handlebar first thing you’ll notice are the seats. They’re like small drums with cushions. Flags and T-shirts are hanging all over the place. I told BF that the place reminded me of the movie “Coyote Ugly” and I was just expecting girl-bartenders to dance on top of the tables or something. Nonetheless, this is my kind of place. Full of character. (more…)
I’ve been hearing about Kape Isla in the blogosphere. Ok! So what’s all the fuss about? I’m not so excited about the coffee here. It’s a cool place to study though. Quiet, but that’s about it. The coffee is not exceptional. I do give them props for promoting Philippine coffee but a lot of things could be improved. I truly believe that Philippine grown coffee has a future but perhaps Kape Isla could do something more. I just can’t put my finger on it.
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One of the most beautiful and creative cakes that I’ve seen are these gems from Marta’s Cakes in Serendra. Colorful and unique they simply pop out like little pretty jewels. Sometimes they’re just too cute to eat! These beauties are simply perfect for little theme parties.
The taste of the cupcakes are OK. I personally prefer the taste of Sonja’s cupcakes but these cupcakes are better than most cupcakes sold in the metro plus they’re soooo cute. They’re soft and not to dry, I didn’t feel overwhelmed by the buttercream. I’d compare their taste and consistency to cuptails.
The most cutest cupcake of all! It’s sooo PINK and I love it! (more…)
If you’re craving for one of a kind donuts go and have a treat at Napoleon’s. I first tasted these wonderful donuts during BAROPS (Bar Operations 2007) and I’ve loved them ever since! They’re soft, fluffy, and not too sweet, perfect with a cup of coffee. They have amazing flavors like oreo, cheesecake, chips-a-hoy and many others.
Couple of donuts and some coffee! perfect match!! They serve good coffee, lavazza the same brand as those served in balducci, etc.
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I’m a big tea fan. I drink tea twice a day or sometimes three times I day..YES..I love tea that much. I even have my own tea drawer at home which is why I wanted to share with you one of the neatest tea places in quezon city — KOZUI GREEN TEA CAFE. Kozui serves all kinds of stuff with green tea from drinks, latte’s, desserts. They also (of course) have an extensive tea menu as well as having some traditional japanese dishes.
I love the ambiance of kozui — very clean, minimalist, fresh and bright. I drop by kozui often when I’m studying at coffee bean or if I just want to have a healthier “frap” or just eat some amnitsu which is the japanese version of the halo-halo. Everything is tea-inspired which is very creative. The servers are very nice and the owner is there sometimes and they will be very happy to suggest their specials or help you make your choice. (more…)
I’ve been on the look out for other diners and breakfast places in the metro. Of course there’s the usual Grams diner where I’ve been eating everyday (last sem) for almost a year until finally I had to give it a break ‘coz I’ve been eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner there. I smell like grams too.
I finally tried the Filling Station in Burgos and I’m regretting I didn’t try it out earlier. The place ROCKS! Go and have a retro meal at the FILLING STATION along burgos in Makati!
I was really amazed when I went to this diner. I admit I had a lot of misgivings about trying it out because of the area (right smack in the middle of the red light district) but was pleasantly surprised that the diner itself is very clean and really funky. Let’s just say it has a personality LOTS and LOTS of personality. I love the vintage collections decorating the diner MOST of all I love the music, it really brings you back to the 50’s and 60’s. Don’t be surprised if you see someone breaking into a twist or something. I can truly say that this is an authentic diner! Finally! a new favourite diner. I truly truly LOVED the filling station. (more…)
After gorging ourselves over at one of Chinatown’s finest resto’s El Presidente. We decided to go look for some dessert but since we were quite tired I wanted to go somewhere a bit cozy and relaxing. While going back to our car I noticed this tarp at the place where we parked our car…and it had a picture of a crepe…a pizza crepe at that advertising Crepe de Chine! Finally!!! A decent dessert place in Binondo!
Crepe de Chine is a small restaurant located on the Lower Ground of the World Trade Exchange Building in Binondo that serves wonderful crepes at affordable prices. The first thing that I noticed upon entering the place is how CLEAN it was. It was spanking clean and the servers were very courteous and even gave suggestions on what we should order. The menu is quite extensive: they have savory crepes, pasta, sandwiches and of course the dessert crepes. (more…)
One of the most famous chinese restaurants in Manila is the President’s Restaurant in Ongpin. The much famed President’s restaurant in Ongpin has a somehow cheaper alternative in the form of the President’s Tea House on Salazar St. (which is actually a stone’s throw away from the President Restaurant itself). The tea house is a smaller version and a more affordable version because of the ambiance and the menu that’s being offered. Right beside one of my favourite chinese snack stores (Shin Tai-Shang Store) on Salazar, BF and I decided to have a quick “snack” in the tea house.
For our “snack” we decided to try some of their dimsum and of course some prawns for me. The dimsum offerings in President Tea House is one of the most delicious and affordable dimsum that I’ve had. It really is a sweet deal. i wish they had a branch in powerplant although it wouldn’t be as authentic naman. (more…)
Cafe Juanita has been in operation for almost a decade and has been reviewed by columnists and bloggers I think for the nth time but I haven’t tried it until now. Having studied in college near the area I can’t believe that it is only now that I got to eat in them gem of a restaurant and when I say GEM..I mean it really is a gem of a restaurant. Wow.
I love the whole bohemian, artsy vibe of the place. It is literally full of antiques, art, and other knick-knacks that serve as decorations as well as being sold for sale. Cafe Juanita, I think serves one of the best authentic Filipino food in town and not only that the other items on their menu like the Chinese and Japanese dishes are excellent as well. This restuarant is a must-try. Don’t be deceived by the exterior of the restaurant because the food is great so do try it out! Don’t be hindered by standards, the restaurant is comfort food so expect it to be that way. (more…)
Thoroughly exhausted but culturally enriched by our walk this way tour with Carlos we decided to try out one of the more famous restaurants inside the walled-city — the ILUSTRADO Restaurant. We ate there during lunch time but I suggest that you go there for dinner so you can eat in the main dining room since that has a better ambiance than the little cafe portion of the restaurant where we ate. Though if you’re just eating a light lunch or merienda the cafe portion is ok since it has this bohemian vibe to it.
The food in Ilustrado is composed mainly of traditional Filipino dishes but they do serve other European dishes as well. The food is cooked rather well and they have creative desserts like their homemade ice-cream. Service was a bit slow though but I think it was because it was a Sunday so they were under staffed but they were very courteous so we didn’t really mind waiting. We also loved the dinner rolls that they served since it had some raisins on them and was particularly soft and toasty warm. (more…)
