Quarantine Favorite: Butter and Cheese Creations' Red Velvet Cheesecake

Being pregnant made me crave sweet food all the time. I developed an insatiable appetite for anything chocolate as soon as I hit the second trimester. And my OB-GYNE is not happy about it. I try my best to curb my desire for this sweet treat to no avail. Thankfully, some shops offer cakes and other desserts with less guilt. And one of my current obsessions now is Butter and Cheese Creations' Red Velvet Cheesecake. 

Hello, Butter and Cheese Creations.

Butter and Cheese Creations is an online cake shop owned by Christine Tan, a pilot mommy who has a knack at baking delectable cakes. She decided to pursue her passion for baking during the pandemic. Her current menu of cakes includes red velvet cheesecake, carrot cake, caramel custard cake, super fudge chocolate, mud cake, and ube cake.

Overdoughs Now Offers Cookie Cakes

February is my favorite month! I love seeing everything turn into hearts. From traffic lights to burgers and pancakes, things get extra romantic every February. And it got even sweeter when I received a huge heart-shaped cookie cake. 

Hello, Overdoughs Cookie Cake!

Overdoughs is one of my favorite dessert brands in town. My love for Overdoughs started with its delectable beignets and dips. And it became stronger when it launched its rich and flavorful cookies. Its commendable support for the deaf and mute community makes it an even tougher brand to beat. 

Bake My Day: Coffee Project's Little Sister

People close to me know how much I love bread. I always find myself inside a bakeshop, checking every display and savoring the fragrant aroma of freshly baked bread. Lately, I am addicted to coffee bun and I accidentally discovered a new favorite. 

Hello, Bake My Day.

Bake My Day is All Home's in-house bakeshop. It would be hard to miss this shop with the mouthwatering smell of baked goodies.

Its shop is not as dainty or picturesque as its sister brand Coffee Project; but it has the same warm ambiance to it.

Have You Tried Cara Mia's Gelato Sandwiches?

Cara Mia has been one of my go to brands for desserts. Its superb Mango Cream Pie, Ube Cake and Strawberry Shortcake are just a few of the desserts I'm in love with. And last October, Cara Mia launched a new treat that would make everyone hooked for more. Anyone up for Gelato Sandwiches?

Hello, Cara Mia's Gelato Sandwiches.

Cara Mia is like a dessert fairy godmother with all the wonderful sweets it made for us to indulge in. And when this sweet tooth haven released its gelato sandwiches, I was beyond thrilled. 

Nono's Launches New Favorites

July was a stressful month for me. I had to learn new things for work and keep up with having new content for my blog. I'd often find myself sleeping so late just so I could have everything done. Now that I'm starting to get the hang of it, there's no better way to reward myself than with good food at Nono's. 

Hello, Nono's.

I used to think that Nono's is just a place for desserts knowing that the person behind this dainty shop is the wonderful Baba Ibazeta-Benedicto of Classic Confections. But I was totally wrong when I got a bite of Nono's Fried Truffle Cheese Wontons. Crunchy and packed with umami, this amazing starter made me smile from ear to ear! And I couldn't help myself from wanting more. My sister also had a Cooking Master Boy moment with Nono's when she had its cheesy Mac N Cheese.

Home Sweet Home: Cara Mia opens in BGC

From that dreamboat Ube Cake down to the trip back to memory lane Mango Cream Pie, Cara Mia made the past years extra yummy for me. And it's bound to make me fatter as it opened a branch closer to home. 

Hello, Cara Mia!

Cara Mia is now open in One Bonifacio High Street Mall! Be prepared to get your taste buds tickled in all colors with Cara Mia's amazing cakes and delectable gelato!

Amici Opens in BGC

It is so tempting to just stay in on rainy weekends and turn one's self into a human buritto. But an invite to lunch which involves pizza and pasta is too hard to decline. And it gets even more difficult when truffle is part of the spread. 

Hello, Amici. 

From a humble canteen selling Italian coffee and gelato at Don Bosco Makati, Amici has grown into a strong brand known for wood-fire oven baked pizzas and scrumptious homemade pasta dishes. And this 2019, it found a home at the heart of Bonifacio Global City.

Summer Must Have: Cara Mia's Mango Cream Pie

I'm not a big fan of summer. With the sun at its meanest, just thinking about being sweaty and sticky as soon as I leave an air conditioned space makes me want to book the next flight to wherever cold. But if there's one thing that consoles me is the fact that this is the season when mangoes are at its best. And nostalgia hit me big time when Cara Mia launches its Mango Cream Pie. 

Hello, Cara Mia. 

If you are a big fan of Red Ribbon's Mango Cream Pie and got your heart shattered to pieces when they removed it from the shelves, then your summer is just about to be happier! Cara Mia is bringing sunshine back to our lives with its Mango Cream Pie (PHP985, whole | PHP150, slice). And yes, this is the original creamy goodness we all love.

Love at First Bite: Sugarbee

"If you're sosyal, you'd know Sugarbee." It was a brief introduction given to us by S when we stepped inside Sugarbee's SM Megamall store. True enough, if you frequent Manila Polo Club, you'd be familiar with this cake haven. 

Hello, Sugarbee. 

Hailed by Spot.ph as one of the best cake brands in the city, Sugarbee has a strong fan base even before its first store opened. Born from Ms. Jenny Silayan's passion for baking, Sugarbee is now available in BGC, Makati and now, Ortigas. 

A Berry Yummy Cake: Cara Mia's Strawberry Shortcake

Cakes symbolize celebrations and all kinds of occasions. But we don't need to wait for something to celebrate to grab a slice. In fact, I wouldn't mind having it every day especially if it's Cara Mia's latest limited flavor!

Hello, Cara Mia.

If its Ube Cake was not enough to impress us all, Cara Mia launched another easy favorite with its Strawberry Shortcake.

365 Days of Gift Giving: Marks & Spencer

 Christmas may be over but the gift giving spirit is here to stay. And with our culture having an extended holiday celebration, there are still late Christmas parties and gatherings here and there to attend to. For those who had no time to shop for presents, Marks & Spencer got your back. 

Hello, Marks & Spencer. 

Marks & Spencer has always been a reliable brand for those last minute impressive gifts. From its fragrant body care products, comfy garments and mouthwatering snacks, each and every present I've bought here are well appreciated. 

Dairy Queen's Holiday Treats this 2018

As Christmas decor start to fill the city and bring joy to many, Dairy Queen launched a product line that would make the holiday season even more festive. 

Hello, Dairy Queen. 

It has been a tradition of Dairy Queen to come up with Christmas flavors in celebration of the holiday season. For this year, it launches three drool-worthy flavors namely Hershey's Kisses Almonds Double Cocoa, Hershey's Kisses Mango Cookie and Hershey's Kisses Cookie Buttercrisp. 

Northern Chronicles: Kiss the Tiramisu opens its second branch in Trinoma

I always look forward to December as it means cooler breeze and sweater weather. But I don't think it's happening this year as it's still scorching hot despite being only a few weeks away from Christmas. Thankfully, there are cold treats to keep me sane. And I was thrilled to find out that the famous Korean dessert shop Kiss the Tiramisu finally opened its second branch. This time, in Trinoma!

Hello, Kiss the Tiramisu.

Kiss the Tiramisu is a popular Korean dessert shop that was born from a simple idea of combining two sweet favorites-- ice cream and tiramisu. Served a bit more "extra" by having it on a plastic gold-rimmed goblet which you can bring home, it became an instant hit, not just in Korea but in several countries as well, including Canada and the Philippines!

More Than Just Gelato: Morelli's Gelato Caffé,

Summer may be over but the intense Manila heat is here to stay, rain or shine. And with the scorching heat draining my energy and perhaps even my positive outlook in life, I need a cold treat on a daily basis. One of my favorites is gelato as its creamy texture never fail to make me smile from ear to ear. Hence, when I found out that Morelli's Gelato has something new in store for us, I had to know what's up. 

Hello, Morelli's Gelato Caffé.

Morelli's has been in Manila for about five years now with its first store at Shangri-La Plaza Mall's East Wing. A brand known for gelato, it actually has an interesting story behind each scoop sold and it could be traced all the way back to 1907. 

New Treat: Cara Mia's Classic Ube Cake

I love ube even before it became a hype or a millennial thing. I love it as an ice cream flavor that I'd grab a gallon just for myself! I would also scurry around Baguio to get a few big jars of the famous Good Shepherd Ube Jam. On birthdays or special occasions, one of my top picks would be ube cake. And guess who now offers ube cake? The dessert haven Cara Mia!

Hello, Cara Mia Cakes & Gelato.

Now in Manila: New York's Magnolia Bakery (M Bakery)

Magnolia Bakery has been one of the well-loved iconic establishments in New York that stood the test of time. Established in 1996, it has delighted New Yorkers since and it has been one of the hottest must-visit brands when visiting the city. With long queues to greet you, one would wonder what made this bakery great. And to be honest, it was not exactly love at first bite for me. But having it the second time around sure won me over!

Hello, M Bakery. 

The world-famous Magnolia Bakery is finally in Manila as M Bakery. 

First Bite: Cheesecake Stix

A meal is never complete without desserts. I've been used to having something sweet to cap my meal that despite being at the verge of bursting, I still find space for ice cream, cake or what-have-you. And last weekend, I had a mini food crawl with my sister which ended with feasting on cheesecake on a stick. Yes, on a stick!

Hello, Cheesecake Stix!

Cheesecake Stix became the talk of town when it launched its cheese cake on a stick.

Now in Podium: Wolfgang's Steakhouse

Steak has always been part of the menu whenever R and I are celebrating something special. I still remember when he made steak for me on Valentine's Day and when I did the same for our anniversary this year. There are times though when we're not in the mood to create a yummy mess in the kitchen and eat out instead. It's a good thing that there are a lot of options to choose from these days and the good ones are branching out. One steakhouse that made itself closer to home is Wolfgang's Steakhouse. 

Hello, Wolfgang's Steakhouse. 

First Bite: Hops & Brews

Hainanese Fried Chicken? Why, yes it exists. And it could just be a couple of blocks away from you! 

Hello, Hops & Brews. 

Located at the ground floor of the posh I'M Hotel, Hops & Brews has become a favorite hang out place of the hotel's guests and patrons as well as locals who frequent the area. 

First Sip: Olivia & Co.

It is sometimes challenging to find a spot where you could work without any distraction and with reliable internet connection. Most of the coffee shops I've been to were too noisy or have Wi-Fi connection that loves to play hide and seek. Though there are co-working spaces here and there, I still prefer a real coffee shop where I could order a much needed cup of coffee that tastes good. And last week, I tried Olivia & Co. 

Hello, Olivia & Co.