Quarantine Favorite: Motorino

I have a great fondness for Italian cuisine. Its practice of using the freshest ingredients never fails to give the most memorable dining experiences. And the best thing is that you don't even have to spend thousands to get it. Traveling to Italy made me realize that whether it's a Michelin-starred restaurant or a ready-made dish at the supermarket, everything was downright superb! I'm so glad that such quality is brought to Manila by Motorino.

Hello, Motorino.

Motorino has been around for years. It was one of the restaurants R and I had our early dates. I recall loving its gelato! This time around, I enjoyed a delicious feast composed of pizza, pasta, salad, and dessert. 

Food Delivery Favorite: Gab's Just Desserts

My trip to Italy was one of the most memorable adventures I've had to date. From getting lost in Siena to walking on the cobblestones of Rome and feasting on Naples's iconic Neopolitan pizza, I have wonderful experiences at each stop. One of the highlights of our Italy trip was indulging in Italy's amazing desserts. We went crazy with panna cotta and gelato. But one thing we missed was cannoli. Thankfully, there's Gab's Just Desserts.

Hello, Gab's Just Desserts.

Gab's Just Desserts is one of the few online shops that specialize in Italian desserts. The owners, having been based in Italy for three years, are very familiar with its sweet treats. And they figured that the boom of e-commerce is the perfect time to launch their dessert concept.

First Bite: La Vita Ristorante Italiano

Ever since it reopened, Podium has been busy upping its dining options. With some of my favorites in place, this mall brought in a few more international brands as well as new names. One of which is La Vita, an Italian restaurant headed by Chef Maurizio Gabillini. It may be new in the neighborhood but word that it offers authentic Italian fare spread out fast making this new spot very busy during lunch and dinner.

Hello, La Vita Ristorante Italiano. 

Visiting Italy last year made me realize why Italians are very particular with the food they eat. Most, if not all, restaurants take pride in using only the freshest and finest ingredients in the market. Hence, it wasn't that hard to come across good tasting food. In fact, we didn't even have to go to fancy places to indulge. However, pizza and pasta in Manila are too influenced by other cuisines. You'd encounter several fusions here and there with many not working at all; it just happen to be pretty and Instagram-worthy. La Vita, on the other hand, aims to be different and promises to deliver authentic Italian cuisine. 

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!

Toni & Sergio is now in Eastwood

Italian cuisine is not that popular here in Manila except for the Americanized pizza parlors. But there are a handful of pretty good Italian restaurants in town; one of which is Toni & Sergio which first opened in Venice Grand Canal. It recently opened a branch in Eastwood and I took the opportunity to have lunch there with friends when we were around the area. 

Hello, Toni & Sergio. 

Now in BGC: Soru Izakaya

Known for its arty plating of maki rolls, Soru Izakaya has been flocked by millennials who want content for their social media pages. But unlike restaurants and concepts that focused on just aesthetics, Soru Izakaya was able to balance both by offering eye pleasing dishes that also satisfy the taste buds. 

Hello, Soru Izakaya.

I have to admit, I was a bit pessimistic with this concept surviving the ever so competitive Manila food scene. As one of the few restaurants that offer relatively expensive dishes in Maginhawa, a neighborhood known for affordable grub, Soru Izakaya has a lot on its plate. But fast forward to 2018, it now has two branches with its newest one in Burgos Circle, Fort Bonifacio. 

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. 

Revisited: Paper Moon Cake Boutique and Café

It's not every day that you get to a chance to meet a cake artisan who is known and respected in the culinary industry worldwide. And so, when I got an offer to get acquainted with one, I quickly said yes. Needless to say, it was one memorable afternoon.

Hello, Paper Moon Cake Boutique and Café. 

Paper Moon has been in Manila for quite some time now. It has been raved by many and became a staple treat to tea parties and all sorts of gatherings. Despite its steep price compared to other cake shops, people with discerning taste didn't mind as they know that they are paying for quality. 

Though I enjoyed its Mango Crepe Cake, I was quite unaware of the history of this brand and the wonderful person behind it till last Tuesday when I was fortunate to be a part of the intimate group to meet Madam Kazuko Emy Wada. 

First Bite: Va Bene's Business Lunch Menu

We all have love-hate relationship with lunch break. We look forward to that one hour where we could get our fill and be energized to last us the day but at the same time, we never feel that an hour is enough for us to enjoy our meal. Thankfully, several restaurants saw it as a challenge and opportunity to develop menus that are filling, quick and more importantly, delicious, to help us get the most of our limited lunch hour. And a few Saturdays ago, I got to try out some of Va Bene's Business Lunch Menu dishes.

Hello, Va Bene Pasta Deli. 

Va Bene is consistently named as one of the best Italian restaurants in town. Known for its delectable pastas, it has been patronized by foodies all over.

First Bite: Buca di Beppo

Manila food scene has been getting busier and busier each day. With more restaurants opening here and there, locals now have more options on where to dine. One of the cuisines that continues to remain strong is Italian. After all, who could resist a tempting slice of pizza or a fragrant plate of pasta? (I can't.) And last November, a new Italian restaurant found home in Manila. 

Hello, Buca di Beppo. 

This famous Italian restaurant chain is no stranger to well-travelled foodies. Starting out as a hole in the wall restaurant in Minneapolis, USA, it became a household name for those who love Italian cuisine. Known for its family-style feast, Buca di Beppo offers a dining experience that would make you feel right at home. 

First Bite: Cake Shots

The holiday's festive vibe has been trying to bring out the party animal in me. However, every time I see the horrific Manila traffic, I stay put at home and avoid going crazy or go on a (passenger) road rage. Thankfully, I discovered a new treat that would redefine and spice things up with how I do my afternoon tea sessions at home.  

Hello, Cake Shots!

Just like how its name suggests, Cake Shots offer baked goods infused with liquor.

Hunt for Tiramisu: UCC Café Terrace

It all started with a few reviews raving about this tiramisu from a  classy pizza restaurant. It sure made the rest of us curious and went to the said restaurant a few days after. And sadly, some of us went home disappointed as the tiramisu didn’t have the flavor or texture they were looking for. So what makes a tiramisu spectacular? Well, for one, it has to be chilled, soft and moist. The espresso and liquor should also not overpower the chocolate taste of the dessert. With these in mind, the looloo gang started a hunt for the best tiramisu. Our first stop: UCC.

Hello, UCC Café Terrace!

UCC was deemed as one of the top places to buy tiramisu. Our expectations were high as UCC in general is a good restaurant and serves delectable dishes. 

We ordered two orders of Tiramisu (PHP220 each) for sharing. J and R also ordered coffee to kickstart the day. 

While waiting for our desserts, R’s Kori Kohi was served first and it looked interesting. The coffee was frozen and turned into iced coffee cubes. In order to enjoy the drink, you have to pour some warm milk. And R loved the drink! I will definitely try to make some at home. 

Second Bite: Peperoni Pizzeria

An email from P marks the start of (crash) diet. With all the scheduled eat ups, I had to make more tummy space for… more food. I tried my best to have smaller meals but realized after a spoonful or two that such is an impossible task. And no shortcut could prepare me for last night’s rendezvoos. (Yes, looloo uses double o’s because 1) looloo has two double o’s and 2) why not?!) 

Hello again, Peperoni Pizzeria!

Firs off, thank you so much for waiting for us! I know we were a couple of hours late but we still felt the warm welcome. Thank you too for allowing three superb pizzas sit for 2 hours for us to take photos. I did my best to take nice photos of it. 

Our gracious host, Andrew, asked R and I what we want to try right after our brief greeting. Still awkward from our unacceptable tardiness, we asked for the pizzas to be heated. But Andrew refused and had us order one pasta and he also had a half-half of Prosciutto Crudo di Parma and Bacon Miele (PHP380, 9” | PHP565, 12” | PHP1,250, 21”) and Tortino al Cioccolato (PHP365). For our pasta, we chose Aglio Olio e Peperocino (PHP340). 

First served was the half and half pizza and it sure smelled so good. I got a whiff of the sweet aroma of honey and the sharp smell of cheese as soon as the plate was served. The pasta and dessert were served soon after and we didn’t even notice it as we were busy taking photos of the picturesque half and half pizza. After a few more snapshots, we started to dig in. 

McCafé Macarons

I don’t know why McDonald’s is so irresistible. I always find myself attracted to it whenever I travel or simply cross the street. The bright M makes me forget the horrifying tale of Supersize Me. Anyway, one of the reasons why I visit McDonald’s in other countries is to find out how different these are from the ones in Manila. We all know that there’s the squid ink bun and taro pie. But I never thought that Mcdonald’s could be so fancy.

Hello, McDonald’s Hong Kong!

While looking for a place for lunch (which eventually became Sushi One), we spotted McDonald’s. The signage promoting its Salted Caramel and Tiramisu Latte caught our attention and skipped Sushi One’s tempting chocolate lava cake to try the latte.

 

We decided to stop by the famous clown’s place and ordered Iced Tiramisu Latte (HK$32, Grande) and added HK$10 to avail one Salted Caramel… MACARON.

When in Hong Kong: Charlie Brown Café

I have lived in Seoul, South Korea for a few months and I never had a chance to visit a cute café throughout my whole stay. Vending machine was my friend, companion, and favorite barista. And the 250 Won price tag on coffee was hard to resist. And so when I saw my friends post photos of their visits in Hello Kitty Café or Charlie Brown Café, the foodie in me bawled in the ugliest way possible. I remember that I saw Hello Kitty Café and Charlie Brown Cafe in Incheon Airport on my way to LA. I wanted to take photos with the adorable merchandise. But since I travelled alone, I wasn’t able to take a selfie with the cafés. (I was also too shy to ask since I had no plans of buying.) Then again, during my recent Hong Kong trip, I got to visit one of the cute cafés and this time, I have someone to share the experience with!

Hello, Charlie Brown Café!

I was hesitant at first to try this place since the food’s quite pricey for its serving size. But I guess R sensed that I really want to visit this place so we stopped here before heading to Ocean Terminal for our cruise.

The place is adorable!!!

The stairs alone already made me stop to take quick snapshots of the mini statues of Snoopy and friends.

When we went to the third floor, we were greeted by a mini fountain adorned by Peanuts merchandise.

The ceiling too is worth mentioning as it is beautiful.

We decided to get a glass of Caramel Coffee Frappa (HK$41, grande) and Tiramisu Cup (HK$40).

The Tiramisu was fluffy and light. It goes well with a flavorful drink. But as is, it might be a bit bland for those with sweet tooth. It was hard to eat this though. 

I mean it has Charlie Brown’s face on it. Plus the price kinda hurts (given it’s such a small cake).

I enjoyed the caramel coffee frappa a lot! It was a great drink to cool us down. (It was quite hot in Hong Kong when we visited.) It was sweet yet not too sweet and you could definitely taste the coffee flavor. There were also small bits of ice you get to munch on for texture.

Love At First Bite: J.Co Donuts & Coffee

I just love doughnuts! It is one of my top comfort food choices. I just love the sweet, chewy ones. I still drool whenever I remember the chewy doughnuts of Mister Donut in Seoul. It was love and definitely different from the ones available here (which I love too).

One typical workday turned special when we were surprised by several yellow boxes from J.Co. In short, we had a feast. The Alcapone was L-O-V-E. While munching on the doughnut topped with slices of almonds, I was informed by Frannywanny that J.Co will open their first store in Mega Mall and I was so thrilled as it is so near my "territory".

However, it took me quite a while before I got to pay J.Co a visit. But I just cannot keep on delaying it anymore and decided to visit it a few weeks ago. 

Hi, J.Co! *smile*