Taking a Trip to Candyland at Fairmont Makati's Spectrum Restaurant

Hello, dear readers! Sorry for the unannounced hiatus. I was buried in books since I graduated last March to study for my board exam. To cut to the chase, the exam was on August 20 & 21 in Manila and by God's grace and mercy, I passed!!! 

           Within the time I was away from the blog, I stayed in Manila for a month to review for the board exam. This was my first time to live independently and it was a great experience. Though I was supposedly there for serious matters (yes, some serious shopping here and there), I was blessed to have friends and relatives who made sure to make my stay enjoyable, too. I met up with the KTG, the best group of food and lifestyle bloggers in the country - my new foodie family. Thanks to Richie the Pickiest Eater, I left Manila dreaming of Candy Land from the sweetest buffet I ever had – the Sweet Sunday Brunch at Fairmont Makati’s Spectrum Restaurant.

Part of my independent life in Manila involved commuting all alone. I actually enjoyed this because it gave me a better experience and view of the city and the truest sense of independence. So, my memorable Spectrum experience actually began with my journey to get to Fairmont Makati. I was staying in Quezon City and had to commute all the way to Makati. It was my first time to travel that far by public transport. 

To my relief, I somehow found myself in Makati safe and sound. Arriving at the grandiose buffet was definitely a more than welcome reward for my determination to commute and having had to ask several security guards for directions. :))

As I stepped into Spectrum, I couldn’t stop gushing over the luxurious spread of overflowing fresh seafood, salad greens, LECHON, rib eye steak at the carving station and of course, the most outrageous dessert buffet I’ve ever seen. It was such a privilege to be invited to share this special lunch with the KTG and the Fairmont marketing team! Meals are always made happier when shared with people who thrive on the same passion – good food.

So, here it is, feast your eyes and appetites on the Sweet Sunday Brunch of Spectrum at Fairmont Makati…

Valentines Resto Destinations 2014

It’s love month once again and I’ve already had several people ask me for Valentine’s resto recommendations as early as mid-January. Of course, I love helping you out with your foodie dilemmas so I’m making this one of my yearly routine posts now.

      Unfortunately, this post came out too late because of unending schoolwork and business matters that constantly interrupted my schedule for this post. I am terribly sorry for the delay, dear readers. Believe me, this was set to be published by the first day of the month. Anyway, in this case, let's just bring to mind that Valentine's should not merely be a one-day celebration but instead, one that is year-round with the likes of Christmas. :) 

I know celebrating an occasion on the actual day is one of the ways to make it special as it is. But honestly, I don’t get why almost everyone would want to go out all at once on the same day just to have a “romantic” date. I mean, why go through all the trouble of getting stuck in traffic and spending on ridiculously expensive bouquets of flowers, chocolates or whatnots just to end up eating in a resto packed with other couples? I personally wouldn’t mind having that romantic date on another day when it’s calmer, way less crowded, and you can truly enjoy the ambiance and each other’s company. But yeah, I guess most girls would go on b*tch fits for not getting to go out on Valentine’s day itself. Haha. Condolence to you and your wallets, gentlemen. :))

I broke down the list into 4 categories hoping it’s more helpful this way:

Love on Top

        If you can’t buy her diamonds, you can buy her a great view of the city lights that sparkle in the romantic twilight instead. Whether you’re that guy proposing to his girl who is afraid of heights to compel her to say yes (or vice versa), or you both just wanna feel like Aladdin and Jasmin on a static magic carpet ride, these spots are perfect for those who want to take their relationship to the next level. ;)

Anzani & Bellini

Panorama Heights, Nivel Hills, Lahug, Cebu City

      

Tel: (032) 2327375    

          

            You can either have a full course menu in this Mediterranean restaurant or enjoy the view at Bellini with champagne or some wine and tasty antipasti.

           

photo from: joansfoodwanderings.blogspot.com

photo by: thestylecebu.com

Blue Elephant Sky Lounge

19/F Apple One Tower, Biliran Road, Cebu Business Park, Cebu City   

   

Tel. no: (032) 511 7600     

            If you’ve seen photos of a great view of the Ayala Terraces and its new expansion, then you know what I mean. This new resto that just opened late last year sparked an intriguing trend in Facebook and Instagram from photos of its amazing view.

Savor Asian fusion cuisine with a bottle of red wine and marvel at the beautiful landscaping of The Terraces or just enjoy the cool night breeze.  

photos from: http://www.eazytraveler.com

Cebu Secret Chows Update: Macaron Tango

It's been a year since I last visited this much talked-about authentic French bistro and the last time, I only got to taste their macarons. I wanted to return to try their savory dishes but it was just out of way for me every time.

I recently received an invitation from the owners to try some of their new pastries. And of course, I couldn't turn this offer down. 

The small but spacious bistro looked the same since I last visited. I met with Mr. Remy, the French owner. He pointed to the new desserts in the chiller and asked me which ones I wanted to try. I chose the Banana Caramel Cheesecake, Dark Chocolate Cheesecake and Canelle de Bordeaux. The Canelle has been a regular item but I was intrigued by it because Mr. Remy is from Bordeaux so it must be good. ;)

The very accommodating Mr. Remy didn't just give me what I asked for of course. He seemed to really want me to try their cupcake so he added that, their Dark Chocolate Tart and Black Forest Cake. I asked him to just give me really thin slices of the cakes because I knew I couldn't finish them all. So, in reality, the cake slices are much more generous than the ones you see in my photos. ;)

First, the Canelle. Mr. Remy explained that Bordeaux, a southwestern city in France, is famous for their canelles. And he further explained that it is basically like a creme brûlée, only baked in a different way. It leans more on the bread side than the cake side.

Unless you already know what a canelle is like, at first glance, you'd probably think this is a poor little burnt pastry. But like me, you'd be surprised that it doesn't taste burnt at all. The science behind that outer appearance is from caramelization. And yet, this pastry is not too sweet. It somehow has a similar mouthfeel of an egg tart in the middle but only firmer. It may look pretty small but it's actually quite filling. I'd say it's perfect with a cup of coffee. 

Next, the cupcake. This stumped me. I really didn't expect it to be anything special from the way it looked (sorry for judging by the 'cover') but no wonder Mr. Remy wanted me to try it so badly. This humble little cupcake is infused with violet flower and had a pleasantly delicate flavor that bloomed gracefully in the mouth. It truly was something unique. The frosting wasn't too sweet as well, which is rare with most cupcakes.

And oh, the Dark Chocolate Tart! My oh my, did I fall in love with this. The rich dark chocolate filling was cradled by a crisp, almost paper thin shell. I was amazed how the tart shell was able to carry the filling gracefully without getting soft or soggy. It was so lush I couldn't get enough of it. And I also loved the 'doneness' (as if this was steak) of the tart shell (I like my cookies just a second away from being burnt).

       We're only getting to the best part - the cakes! Let's start with the Dark Chocolate Cheesecake. I don't know about you, but I think chocolate cheesecakes are pretty rare. This one was decadent and gave me the impression that all their cheesecakes must be really good. Here, they used premium quality dark chocolate and the richness was balanced by the cheesecake component.

Dark Chocolate Cheesecake

           The Banana Caramel Cheesecake affirmed my assumption that they're cheesecakes are exquisite. I don't usually like banana-flavored desserts but this was a tease! It's definitely something that would keep you coming back. The caramel's consistency and balance of sweetness was the crowning glory of this cheesecake.

               And finally, their latest addition to the menu - Black Forest Cake. This is no ordinary black forest cake because it has three different layers that compliment each other. This cake is spiked with an amusing blend of brandy, walsh and rum and has a smooth chocolate chantilly creme layer right smack in the middle. It's a light cake, perfect for those sweet cravings when you just don't want any of those rich cakes that you can only have so much of.

        Okay, so, I still didn't get to taste their main course dishes. I couldn't accommodate even just one dish anymore after all those sweet treats. I guess that's another reason for me to go back for the last revenge. :))

        Macaron Tango's humble and simple desserts are nothing short of extraordinary. I get a lot of inquiries on where to have good desserts and I've been missing this out on the list. Hereon, Macaron Tango will be among the top on my list for the best places to have dessert in town. :)



*This is a Cebu Secret Chows segment. Check out the page on my homepage's menu bar for the complete list and more posts like this. :D 



Macaron Tango 
Boulevard Arcade (under Jo's Inato), Osmena Blvd.
Capitol, Cebu City 6000

Banilad Town Center (BTC),
Gov. M. Cuenco St., Cebu City 6000

Contact:  (032) 236 3488

Operating Hours:   Mon - Sat  8:30 AM - 10 PM 

"To know Cebu, eat Cebu! :D"

oink oink,

Babe for Food

- your BFF in Cebu dining! :)

Dossantz: Pastry Mutants

          So what is all this fuss lately about the marriage of Sir Donut and Miss Croissant? These "cronuts", they say? If you ask me, my first immediate impression of it was that it looks like a dolled up croissant, a sassy otap. The Barbie of croissants and the Paris Hilton of donuts or otap, don't you think?

I was so excited to be invited to Waterfront's launching of their Dossantz at Madeleine. I've been so curious how these would taste. These feisty mutants have invaded the world, social media networks and finally, Cebu! 

The launching also introduced the new Executive Pastry Chef of Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino, Chef Schihab Ahmed, all the way from the beautiful Maldives. Fondly known as Chef Adam, this friendly, young and dynamic chef was educated in France and has an extensive experience in several world-class hotels such as Waldorf Astoria Maldives, The Ritz Carlton Doha, the Four Seasons Hotel in Maldives and Dusit Thani in Cairo.

  Chef Simon, the Executive Chef, also let me in on some insider details that the "Cronut" brand is already patented so they opted to create their own name which is Dossantz. 

Chef Adam played with this new trend and created four flavors -- Vanilla, Cinnamon, Mango and Strawberry. He explained that this recipe is complicated. It took him ten tries to perfect the recipe, entailing trial-and-error methods with different kinds of oil and techniques to achieve a dossant that is not greasy and has the perfect texture: crisp, flaky, chewy and moist. Having been educated in France, he would know the right standard for this pastry.

Vanilla w/ cream filling

Strawberry w/ strawberry cream filling

Mango w/ mango creme filling

Cinnamon

Indeed, the dossantz were divine. I especially loved the Vanilla and Mango variants. The cream filling had just the right balance of sweetness and richness to make this a sultry dessert. It definitely had characteristics of both donut -- chewy and moist -- and croissant -- crisp, flaky, and airy.  Since it is fried, it should be consumed fresh and within two hours only. Surprisingly, the ones I took home were still good even in the morning. Mmmm. :)

Grab these in-demand pastries at Madeleine, Waterfront's pastry cafe, Thursdays to Saturdays at 3 pm onwards for only P80 - P90! Or you may pre-order as well. 

Chef Adam's knowledge in French pastry is also depicted by the luscious macarons served at Madeleine, Waterfront's pastry cafe, that's been making quite a buzz since their debut in April 2013. His special cheesecake is one of the best I've ever had as well. It was a light, fluffy, smooth and subtly rich cheesecake!

For more of Chef Adam's saccharine creations, visit Madeleine along the stretch of dining outlets in Waterfront. You can't miss it. They offer affordable high quality pastries and breads at the cafe and also available for meetings and special occasions. 

Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino

Salinas Drive, Lahug, 

Cebu City 6000

Tel: (63-32) 232 6888

Email: wcch@waterfronthotels.net

Website: www.waterfronthotels.com.ph

Facebook: Waterfront Cebu

Twitter: @WaterfrontCebu

Foodspotting: Waffle High with Famous Belgian Waffles

This is the first thing I spotted as I was strolling around SM North Wing:

And then the irresistible aroma engulfed me; and if only there weren't much people around, I'd be tiptoe-ing with my eyes closed towards the busy stall. 

I'm not familiar with this brand or anything much in Manila (forgive me if I'm a poor traveler) but I definitely wanted to see if this was as good as it looked and sounded. FAMOUS. BELGIAN. WAFFLE. I believe it could get any cat curious. That must explain the endless long line causing a mini commotion at the usually quiet area. They have a teeny tiny dine-in area but there's no way you could possible get a seat; it's always full. 

I checked out the menu and seeing that the prices were only P30-55 apiece, it turned me on to "full speed ahead"! I had to grab one. Since I'm the biggest strawberry fan ever, I badly wanted the strawberry cream cheese waffle. Unfortunately, all their berry varieties were sold out! Argh! All hell broke loose! Just kidding. I just threw a tantrum in my head. The next best thing was chocolate, of course. I was torn between Belgian chocolate and hazelnut but classics always win, don't they? That means I got the chocolate to see how "Belgian" it was. 

…And I was a happy kid! I'd say it's more worth it than Krispy Kreme! It's more substantial (meaning, it's more filling and lasts longer), it's not too sweet and it's… awesome! When eaten fresh and hot off the waffle maker with a velvety filling like chocolate or cream cheese, it could be a new addiction. It's MY new addiction. And I have yet to get my revenge on that strawberry cream cheese waffle. 

If this got you to become a curious cat (in my case, a curious piglet), you might just find me nibbling on a waffle sandwich on a stool by the viewing window so I could sniff them all day. I'm waffle high, yeah. See you there! :p

Famous Belgian Waffle

2/F, SM North Wing 

(along Mochiko, going to the old wing)

oink oink,

Babe for Food

- your BFF in Cebu dining! :)

I'M BACK!

Hey, foodies!

      Sorry I've been M.I.A the whole month. I really didn't mean to. But anyways, I wanted you to know that I've been getting my hands full with this:

         I just started this little business around 2 weeks ago with a Facebook page and joined IT Park's Summer Bazaar for a whole week. I baked everything myself and manned the stall alone from 5 - 11 pm.

 



        Since last Friday was my last day at the bazaar, I'm relieved I can finally rest a bit and get back to blogging. I sure have a lot of new things to share with you guys.

       But before that, do check out U.B.E on Facebook and if you may, follow us on Instagram and Twitter, too.

       U.B.E stands for Ultimate Brownie Experience. We specialize in WARM BROWNIE CUPS for take home, parties/special occasions, and pasalubong. Our brownie cups come in 2 flavors -- Dark Fudge and Red Velvet. Dark Fudge is made of dark chocolate and is a rich, classic concoction; while Red Velvet is laced with a cream cheese layer for a unique experience.

Red Velvet w/ cream cheese

 

Dark Fudge

         You may wonder how it works... Simple! Just nuke it in the microwave for 30-40 secs (if you're having the Dark Fudge), or 1 min for Red Velvet. Then, add a scoop of ice cream, preferably vanilla, or whatever flavor you want and some toppings like a drizzle of chocolate syrup, some marshmallows, candy sprinkles, etc. Just go crazy with it!

        It's meant to be a sort of "DIY dessert" for you to add your personal touches to and enjoy it your way. The best part is, it's only for P45! This is perfect for sleepover parties, movie marathons or just a brownie cup party with your friends or family.

         I'm doing this little business since my allowance ended along with my classes. So, I hope you guys would support me on this. It would be a great help to fund my projects and activities for the blog, like my series collab with Issa Perez, which is far from done.

Issa Perez of issaplease.blogspot.com loves U.B.E!

She had the red velvet warm brownie cup and scarlet fudge cupcake.



         For orders (Cebu City residents only), please contact +63 922 8822 655. Meet ups are at Ayala Center Cebu.