Caffe’ Ti Amo is a gelateria cafe’ that offers Italian gelato and coffee in a fast casual dinig format. It was established in 2006 in Korea, where it has become quite succesful with stores numbering close to 270. Their first branch here in the Philippines is located at The Annex, SM City North Edsa, and they have since opened another one in Greenbelt.

Affogato and Gelato; Gelato Small Php 55.00; Regular Php95.00

I’ve tried out a lot of the flavors of their gelatos from chocolate to green tea. But out of everything I’ve tried, the dark chocolate, coffee, mocha, strawberry and yogurt are my top faves.

Honey Bread  Php 120.00

But aside from the gelato, Caffe Ti Amo also has Gelato Creations like the Honey Bread, which is a big chunk of loaf bread drenched in honey and served with scoops of gelato. They also have different flavored waffles which are topped with gelato and slices of fruit.

Gelato Waffle Small Php 95.00; Regular Php 189.00

They also have Banana Split, Affogato, and 3 flavors of Mischiato: Yogurt, Green Tea, and Chocolate. Affogato is a combination of hot coffee and gelato.

Chocolate Mischiato

And what cafe wouldn’t be without coffee? Caffe Ti Amo  not only serves gelato, but offers coffee and tea selections  as well.

Caffe Ti Amo is definitely one of my favorite cafes to hang out in. The place is cozy and inviting, the gelato and food are delicious and truly mouth-watering.

I spent one evening in the company of fellow bloggers where we dined on Sakae Sushi’s offerings. I came in late so they’ve already started eating by the time I got there.

The first things I got to try were sushi off the kaiten- a conveyor belt that goes around the restaurant where diners can just pick up what ever they fancy.Used to seeing it only in pictures and on tv, I finally got try it myself. It was a lot of fun! I was like a kid playing with a train set.

Each serving came in two or threes. I also got to try some new maki creations like the Superior Rolls. There are 2 options for the Superior Roll: the Ebi Salad Roll which is a combination of asparagus, ebi salad, spring onion and lolorosa, and salad on a roll; while sweet-tangy-savory Tropical Roll is a mixture of ham, mango, spring onion, red bell pepper and kani salad.

Aside from sushi rolls, Sakae Sushi also serves fresh sashimi. Some tried the Salmon Sashimi, Maguro Sahimi, and Kajiki Sashimi. I had some of the salmon and the maguro.

We also tried Ebi Tempura, Samurai Steak and Gindara Teriyaki. These you have to order off the menu because they are not available off the kaiten. I’ve loved gindara teriyaki ever since I was a kid, so it’s no surprise that I would love Sakae Sushi’s version.

The Samurai Steak is also really good. Cubes of beef sizzling and served on a hot plate that is so soft it melts in your mouth. The meat is juicy and very tender. I didn’t really get to eat much of the Ebi Tempura because my attention ( more like my mouth) was focused on the Gindara and Samura Steak.

After gorging on gindara and steak, next was the deep fried chicken skin in an asian vinaigrette that everyone said I should try. Crispy strips of golden brown chicken skin served in a sweet and tangy sauce. Man that was delicious!

And to end the meal we had Sakae Sushi’s version of fried ice cream, the Tempura Ice Cream served with a dollop of strawberry jam on top.

I enjoyed dining at Sakae Sushi, regardless of what I’ve read or heard. While I initially wanted to try it because of the kaiten, eating there sure proved to be a pleasant experience. I’m definitely going back for more of that Gindara Teriyaki, Samurai Steak and most definitely, the Crispy Chicken Skin.

Sakae Sushi was brought to the Philippines by Hubert Young, and is a sister company of UCC Concept Stores, Cafe City 1888 and Crepes & Creams. Aside from the Mall of Asia branch, there’s also a Sakae Sushi restaurant on the UG of the Annex, SM City North Edsa.

Sakae Sushi
Unit 2145-2146 2nd Floor
Main Mall, SM Mall of Asia
Pasay City
Tel. 556-0150

Steak ala Dad

It’s been an old-age saying that the way to any man’s heart is through his stomach.

Being the number one man in our lives, our dads are about to celebrate their special day come June 20. And what better way to melt our dad’s hearts than to give him a gastronomical experience he will never forget.

Known to be the first restaurant to serve certified Angus Beef in the Philippines, Melo’s Steakhouse never fails to satisfy their guests with their mouth-melting, succulent and tastiest steaks. Now also known to serve authentic Wagyu steaks, it’s no wonder more and more steak enthusiasts come to Melo’s.

With Fathers’ Day coming up, families are sure to dine out and Melo’s is more than prepared for this once-a-year celebration. Melo’s came up with their own Fathers’ Day Special which is certified to make the man of the house melt. Steak ala Dad is the latest creation Melo’s cooked up to commemorate all the dads for their hard work, dedication and love for their families.

Featuring Melo’s signature Wagyu Tenderloin seasoned with Al Funghi Porcini Sauce, Steak Ala Dad may just be the best Fathers’ Day meal dad will ever have. They’re in for the real treat once dads find out that they can personalize their own steaks.

Dining at Melo’s this Fathers’ Day is sure to be a rewarding experience for any dads out there. Always aiming for personalized service and impeccable food, Melo’s guarantees an unforgettable dining.

Going out for a family lunch or dinner is a good way to celebrate Fathers’ Day. Making it extra special is even better. So if you want to express just how grateful you are to your dad without speaking, show it through a hearty, meaty meal. Make your way to Melo’s and let Steak Ala Dad be the best Father’s Day gift he could ever receive.

(Steak ala Dad photo provided by Melo’s. Watch this space to read about my Melo’s gastronomic experience.)

A new fast food joint called Singapore Chicken Rice recently opened it’s first branch in the Araneta Center that serves affordable Singaporean cuisine. Here, one can enjoy his favourite Singaporean dishes at a lower price than what you would normally pay for in other restaurants.

Singapore Chicken Rice’s Chicken Rice is a rice dish that is probably known to many as Hainanese Chicken Rice. It comes served with rice, poached chicken, pickled vegetables, soup and dips. The rice is flavorful and the chicken is very tender.

Also on the menu is another well known favorite– Nasi Lemak. Nasi Lemak, I’ve been told by owner Xian Lim, is typically served in the morning, pretty much the same I guess as sinangag ang tuyo is to us Filipinos. The dish is composed of rice, fried egg, fried dilis, peanuts and sambal that you mix together before eating.

I tried the chow mein called Pancit Chino and to be honest, I don’t think I’ve smelled pancit that smelled like it. It is so aromatic! And it tastes just as good as it smells. The noodles are firm and it is seasoned just right.

Of course we can’t talk Singaporean food without mentioning Laksa. Singapore Chicken rice’s Laksa is a mildly spicy noodle dish in rich curry soup that is made from leaves instead of the usual curry powder.

So just how affordable is affordable? The Chicken Rice is only Php 95.00 and a bowl of laksa is Php75.00. The Pancit Chino is Php 55.00 and the the Nasi Lemak is only Php 35.00! Add in an extra Php 15.00 and you get a tall refreshing glass of cold calamansi juice. Food is cooked by a Singaporean cook as ordered and servings are good for one person.

Singapore Chicken rice also delivers. Delivery is free in selected areas for a minimum order of Php 300.00. The restaurant is open from 7 AM to 10 PM daily.

Singapore Chicken Rice
Unit 00051 Shopwise Arcade,
General Rosas Avenue, Brgy. Soccorro,
Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City
Tel. No.#440-3888

Tita Lynn’s Flavored Suman sells and serve suman in different flavors-14 to be exact- all developed from a recipe that has been handed down from generations. Flavors include: Original, Cocomas, Tsoko Twirl, Champorado, Choco, Cassava, Yema, Macapuno, Mango, Sweet potato, Mais Macapuno, Langka, Ube. And for those who are on diets or diabetics, there’s also one made with Splenda, the Red Benguet.

It comes with a tsokolate dipping sauce, which really tastes great with the sticky suman. You can dine in, or order to go. There’s also a suman fondue–the sumandue– suman cut into bite sized pieces served with fruit aand a tsokolate dipping sauce. it’s perfect for sharing! The take out suman can also be served in a box and conveniently cut into bite sized pieces.

And the perfect accompaniment to suman? A hot cup of Tsokolate! Ofcourse they do have a selection of hot beverages aside from tsokolate, like coffee, organic teas as well as cool drinks like frappuccinos.

Tita Lynn’s branches are mostly kiosks, but they do have a little cafe at the SM Sky Garden. You can sit and enjoy your sumandue and hot tsokolate in the confines of a cozy and airconditioned nook whatever time of day.

Check them out at Rustan’s Supermarket at rockwell, Shopwise in Sucat, Rustan’s Supermarket at Ayala Avenue, SM Mall of Asia, Tiendesitas, and at Market Market in Taguig.

Tita Lynn’s Flavored Suman
Sky Garden, SM City North Edsa
North Avenue cor. Edsa
Quezon City

Making fresh ravioli

Ravioli serves nothing but pasta — fresh pasta at that! All the noodles and ravioli are made on site, and in view of Ravioli’s customers. There are four different kinds of sauces for spaghetti and fettuccine, and four different kinds of ravioli. Each ravioli dish has different fillings and savory sauces.

Ham and Garlic Ravioli

The store’s best seller is the Chorizo & Tomato ravioli, but it was the Ham and Garlic ravioli that really caught my fancy. It’s a fresh new flavor for pasta lovers, with a taste that leaves you wanting for more. Ravioli prides itself for using the freshest ingredients for their dishes. Noodles and ravioli is made right there at the store, and is cooked immediately after. Each dish is freshly made — the beauty of using fresh pasta means that cooking time is reduced to just 2 minutes.

Meatball Spaghetti

Another thing to like about Ravioli is that the serving size is decent. I’ve had ravioli in other restaurants and it would either be too hard (not cooked properly) or the serving is too small. Best of all, the prices of their pasta are budget friendly: a regular serving range from Php 78 to Php 130. They even have a merienda size portion for Spaghetti Bolognese and Bacon Carbonara, available between 3pm – 5pm for only Php 45.

Making fresh spaghetti

Thank you so much for introducing me to Ravioli and the wonders of fresh pasta, Princess and Abbey!

Ravioli
Food court, Level 1 Main Mall
Robinson’s Galleria
EDSA corner Ortigas Avenue
Quezon City

The savory crepe menu includes the Pork floss Chessy Omellette, Smoked Salmon, the classic Mushroom ham with Mozarella, and the Japanese cuisine inspired Kani Mango. There’s also a BLT– bacon, lettuce and tomato- crepe, which is what I ordered since I’m a BLT sandwhich lover. This take on the classic sandwich is a rerfreshing and novel approach which I liked so much.

Kani Mango

Vegetarians and weight-watchers need not fret: there’s also something in the menu for you. Like the Veggie Crepe which is made up of sauteed mushroom, fresh lettuce and juicy tomatoes.

Crepes are widely known as desserts, and Crepes & Cream does not disappoint! Their selection of flavors is sure to sate your sweet tooth. Chocolate, fresh fruits and creamy ice cream are wrapped in crepe fro yummy delights like Carribean Cruise, Capuchocco, and Hazelnut Banana Chocolate.

If you are a cheesecake lover, then you’d be happy to know that there are cheesecake flavors on the menu. They have Strawberry, Mango, Blueberry and Oreo Cheesecake crepes. Real cake cubes are folded in with vanilla ice cream and topped with almond flakes.

Crazy For Strawberry

I love the Crazy for Strawberries crepe. Well, I love anything strawberry so I’m a little biased! This combination of fresh strawberry cubes, strawberry chocolate chips, almond flakes, whipped cream and strawberry sauce really made my sweet tooth happy.

One of the best things they have on offer, I think, is the Create-Your-Own-Crepe option on their menu. It’s perfect if you are undecided on which flavor to have, or would like to make your own creation. You can choose from any of the filling and topping ingredients they have.

So if you are hankering for a crepe fix, be it savory or sweet, give Crepes & Cream a try.

Crepes & Cream
4th Floor Bridgeway
SM Megamall
Ortigas

Crepes & Cream also have branches at the Podium; Ortigas Center; Crescent West Park; Fort Bonifacio; SM Mall of Asia; Power Plant Mall at Rockwell; SM Pampanga; and Robinson’s Place Ermita.

For Php 60, I get 2 pieces of Roti prata, a flaky pancake-like bread that you dip in curry sauce. The order comes with a sunny side up, and some cucumber and tomato. The roti prata was pretty good, and it was great dipped in the perfectly seasoned vegetarian curry sauce. The egg and the veggies on the otherhand, works well in cleansing the palate.

After this initial visit, I’m looking forward to going back to Cubao to try Juz Suri’s other dishes.

Juz Suri can be found at the Shopwise Supermarket food court in Cubao and at the Riverbanks Marikina food court.

“The what?” I asked. Did I hear him right? Pizza in a cone?

“I heard there’s this place in New Manila that sells pizza in a cone.”

A quick Google search later, I discover that there is indeed a store that sells pizza in a cone: Amazing Cones. Currently, they only have two branches, one along Doña Hemady in New Manila, and the other at the V-Mall in the Greenhills Shopping Center. With a determination to try something new (and having nothing else better to do), Rey and I headed to Greenhills to find out what the fuss is all about.

My Feisty Fajita and Rey’s Supremo Italiano

 
Basically, Amazing Cones’ specialty are their pizzas, which is served in a pita-esque bread, shaped like a cone. The pizza toppings are put inside the cone and topped with mozzarella cheese. The pizza cones come straight from the oven, served in a cone holder to keep it upright. The cones were hot, and because its shape, the heat is retained longer. You’d have to nibble through the gooey mozzarella to help the pizza toppings cool.

Amazing Ice

 
Amazing Cones offer a variety of pizza flavors ranging from the familiar to combinations you’d only find in specialty pizza places. I had the Feisty Fajita, which was a refreshing change from the traditional pizza topping with its combination of chicken, bell pepper, onions, cilantro, cheese sauce and mozzarella. Priced between Php 70 – 80 for each cone, it’s decently priced. The cones aren’t too big though, equivalent to one slice of pizza.

We each had Black Gulaman Amazing Ice to go with our pizza cones, and an Amazing Swirl Kool Twist & Amazing Swirl Crunchi Creme for dessert. Priced at Php 60, I didn’t find the Amazing Ice a good value, specially since the large cup wasn’t large at all and I didn’t like its taste (and mind you, I LOVE gulaman). My Kool Twist in its regular cone costs Php 65, while Rey’s Crunchi Creme was priced at Php 80 and comes in a Belgian Waffle cone. As you can see in the picture, they were very generous with the ice cream. The ice cream was creamy indeed, and each order can be shared.

Amazing Swirl

 
The concept is cute and intriguing. I loved the Feisty Fajita and the ice cream cone (though I doubt I’d be eating ice cream again anytime soon). I’m definitely going back to try the other flavors.

Amazing Cones
#11 Doña Hemady Street
New Manila, Quezon City
Phone: (632) 4165299 / 7241402
Fax: (632) 7227904
Website: http://www.amazingcones.com

Unit V118 G/F V-Mall Building
Greeenhills Shopping Center, San Juan

The thing about having watching a movie that involves people cooking or baking, you’re often left craving for whatever they’re cooking, baking or eating. I remember watching Chocolat and ended up with a mad craving for chocolates. This time though, it’s cream puffs.

 
The story is about this girl who works as a temp in a company selling desserts. She dreams of becoming a patissier, and she bakes this delicious cream puffs, which her immediate supervisor loves because it reminds him of his Grandfather’s cream puff. There’s also a hunky humanoid robot in the story, but let’s focus on the cream puff.

After stuffing ourselves with sisig the other night, my friends and I wanted something sweet to cleanse the palate. Luckily, there was a Beard Papa at SM North EDSA. Ryan and I had a vanilla cream puff each, while Rey opted for the eclair.

 
Beard Papa’s cream puff has a crispy, crunchy shell, filled with a soft and creamy vanilla infused custard, topped with powdered sugar. We love how the vanilla custard wasn’t overly rich and had the right amount of sweetness. Our only gripe was the overly generous dusting of powdered sugar. It wasn’t that the sugar made the cream puff too sweet. When you bite into the pastry and inhaled through your nose, you might end up snorting the powder up your nose (and might leave you looking as if you just finished a line of coke). On the otherhand, if you exhaled through your nose while biting, the air would make the powder blow off and might make you sneeze. (Wow, this has to be the stupidest food critique ever! I’ll stop now.)

Beard Papa cream puffs cost Php50 each, while eclairs cost Php55.

Beard Papa Branches in Metro Manila:
SM North EDSA (Quezon City)
Phone: 441-5039

Promenade (Greenhills, San Juan)
Phone: 727-4080

Glorietta 4 (Makati)
Phone: 752-7036

Megamall (Pasig)
Mobile: 0922-898-1120

Mall of Asia (Pasay)
556-0227