Sweet Find: Larcy’s Cupcakery Café

 I am used to having complete meals every time I eat out. Even when I’m alone, I make sure that I order an appetizer, main course and dessert. I love it when I hang out with people who feel the same way and this is probably why I adore my college friends.

After a happy lunch at Burgers & Brewskies, my friends and I decided to “hunt” for dessert. We were craving for something new or cold; and at first, I was sold with the idea of having dessert at Caramia.

But since funds were running low, I had to look for an ATM and that’s when I saw… Larcy’s.

Hello, Larcy’s Cupcakery Café!

The cute and very pink cupcake place is located at the lower ground of Capitol Common’s new mall, Estancia. Since it falls under “new”, my friends and I decided to settle here.

They have several cupcakes and drinks to choose from. But we went with just cupcakes such as Quezo de Bola (PHP90), Bananutella (PHP75), Chocolate Salted Caramel (PHP85), and Old Fashioned (PHP70). I also ordered a mug of Frozen Hot Choco Velvet (PHP185).

Love at First Bite: Burgers & Brewskies

Burgers are love. I still do not get it why restaurants force us to eat burgers with forks and knives but since I do not want to look like a cavewoman amongst my friends, I comply with the social norms (?). Last Saturday, my college friends and I decided to meet up to celebrate the February celebrants’ birthdays. I love it that F and I share the same birth month. I get to share the bill with someone. *Weee!* Anyway, since we were having a hard time deciding where to eat, we opted to visit the new mall at Capitol Commons instead and try Burgers & Brewskies.

Hello, Burgers & Brewskies!

The place was pretty much empty during lunch. Since it was already past 12 when I got there, M, K, L and F already placed their orders. They got the following: Buffalo Wings (PHP220), Call the Nurse (PHP280), Philly (PHP250), Winner Winner Chicken Dinner (PHP230), and Walk of Shame (PHP340). I ordered Kandi (PHP265) and Bacon Chicharon (PHP210). I also got a glass of Cucumber Lemonade and Sweet Potato Fries when I upgraded my burger to a combo (just add PHP80).

The group saved me a wing to try and it had a slightly peppery taste. It was pretty good and flavorful. I totally forgot to try the bleu cheese dip though.

M’s Walk of Shame burger, which comes with spiced mustard aioli, egg-in-a-whole wheat bun, crispy bacon, crisp potato hay (which is very much like PicNic) and B&B Lemonnaise (mayo with lemon?), was a delicious sight! It was like a breakfast burger as it comes with bacon and sunny side up egg!

F’s Philly was the healthiest burger on our table. Beef patty stuffed with sautéed thinly sliced steak and topped with onions and pepper, it was the perfect dish for F. (Not for me though as it doesn’t have bacon.)

Love at First Bite: Scout’s Honor

I love anything personalized or customized. It shows that effort and thought were put into it and it makes whatever was made more special. Well, I always feel special when I receive one. I also find it fun to make one so it was such a thrill to make my own cookie! Curious where I crafted my own cookie? Scout’s Honor at Hole in the Wall.

Hello, Scout’s Honor!

This cute cookie and milk place is the first thing you’ll see once you enter Hole in the Wall. Scout’s Honor’s display of milk bottles and cookies will instantly make you salivate (if you love milk and cookies).

I was all oohs and aahs while checking the different ready-to-eat cookies, cookie dough, toppings and milk flavors. After much thought, I decided to get Cookie Inception (PHP95), Rocky Road, Peanut Butter and Nutty (PHP180 for 3 pieces—and yes, it has to be three pieces). I also crafted my own cookie (PHP120) and got Bamboo Charcoal Milk (PHP110).

For my very own Gluttonshopper cookie, I opted to go with the chewy chocolate chip cookie dough with almonds and marshmallow. The cookie master told me that the chewy chocolate chip cookie dough is one of their bestsellers and bestseller is a magic word with me. (UPDATE: They now have red velvet cookie dough! Get yours now as it’s a limited offering.)

True enough, I did love my cookie. It’s not that photogenic but the chewy dough and mallows with a slight bite from the almonds was divine! I love munching it warm with my cold milk.

First Bite: Wild Ginger

I feel terrible when I pay for a dish I find “meh” or worse… “blargh”. I had that sentiment last Friday when I had lunch at a ramen place in Rockwell. The broth had a very odd taste and the appetizer we ordered was too salty. It’ll take me a long while before I decide to visit that place again. The only perk I got from the lunch was when my colleague mentioned a list of restaurants I have to try. One of the restaurants she mentioned was Wild Ginger.

Hello, Wild Ginger!

I always pass by this restaurant and it never really made me curious as I only see a few people eat here. But since my colleague mentioned that this quaint restaurant serves good food, I had to give it a try.

R was indecisive that night so I ordered for the both of us: Pad Thai (PHP245), Thai Green Chicken Curry (PHP285), and Asian Tomato Soup (PHP135). I also got a glass of cold Calamansi juice (PHP75).

I was a bit iffy to order the tomato soup as it mentioned “spices from the East Indies” but I assumed that it wouldn’t be spicy. WRONG. It was so spicy that it made me cough and tear up. People who love spicy dishes would like this though.

Restaurant Love: Wooden Spoon

As much as I love visiting new restaurants, I also have some favorites that I do not mind visiting again and again (and again). One of my loves is Wooden Spoon by Sandy Daza. This well-loved restaurant in Katipunan has expanded and is now also in Rockwell and Kapitolyo, two places I frequent! This must be fate.

Hello again, Wooden Spoon!

This time around, we ordered the following: Dinuguan na Bagnet (PHP232), Sitaw sa Gata (PHP142), Wansoy Shrimp Nuggets (PHP175) and Fiesta Rice (PHP172). I also got Cucumber Shake (PHP95).

The cucumber shake was refreshing and it sure quenched my thirst (after attending two classes of yoga and walking around Rockwell just to find Angel’s Kitchen).

The Sitaw sa Gata was your usual veggies in coconut milk. But I liked that there were crispy young anchovies on top.

Love at First Bite: ArroZeria Manila

I absolutely love that I’m surrounded by people who love to eat. My Instagram feed never fails to make me hungry. It also gives me ideas on where to eat next. And a few weeks back, someone posted a photo of paella. Soon, I found myself researching about the restaurant that serves that paella and after a few minutes, I listed it down on my “must visit” list. And since it’s my birthday next week, I figured that this is the place to go to treat some of my favorite people.

Hello, ArroZeria Manila!

This new Spanish restaurant has been gaining followers since it opened. Located at Century City Mall’s 4^th floor, this place has a homey vibe. 

And ArroZeria is quite artsy too with the ladders on the ceiling and adorable door handle!

We decided to go for the following dishes: Tatin De Tomate (PHP395), Jargo Asado (PHP495), Panceta Y Trigueros Risotto (PHP450) and the Paella of the Day, Del Señorito (PHP275). [One thing you have to be mindful of when ordering Paella, Caldoso, Meloso and Fideua is that there’s a minimum order of two. The prices in the menu are on a per person basis, which we find quite odd.]

Complimentary appetizer!

The first dish to arrive was our salad.

I must say, the presentation was quite different. The lettuce was on top of the baked parmesan and the mozzarella balls and cherry tomatoes on spinach pesto were at the bottom. However, the taste wasn’t as impressive. It was too bland for me and for the price of almost PHP400, it was a bit expensive given its serving size.

Restaurant Discovery: Feta Mediterranean

Whenever I see new restaurants, I salivate. Okay, that didn’t sound so girly or proper but sadly, it’s true. I tend to be less picky when I’m hungry. Anywhere will do (as long as it’s a place I’ve never been to). And on our way back to the parking, we spotted Feta Mediterranean.

Hello, Feta Mediterranean!

The place is located a bit away from the strip of other restaurants so you could easily miss this one. But since we were walking, we spotted it.

There were only a few tables occupied when we arrived. We managed to get some couch seats and ordered Tomato Soup (PHP140), Grilled Salmon with Lime Butter Sauce (PHP490), a beef wrap I totally forgot its name and price, and a glass of their House Blend Iced Tea (PHP90).

First served was the tomato soup and it had bits of mozzarella to make it thicker. Somehow though, the mozzarella all clumped together making it seem like soggy and chewy bits of bread. It was served warm though and was quite okay as an appetizer.

[Activity Alert] The Zombie Room: Breakout @ Trinoma

I get super excited when I get to do or see something different. This is the reason why I was so hyper when I discovered Mystery Manila. I got so hooked after trying (to solve) Justice for Jamilla. I wanted more. I felt like I was possessed by Detective Conan. I just want to keep on solving mysteries! But it was hard to pull people to join me with my “quest” for justice and answers. (Okay, I have to calm down now.) It has been four months since my last staged adventure. I am not sure if it was fate or what but I saw something that made me so excited again.

Breakout Manila @ Trinoma!!!

I’m a big fan of the series, The Walking Dead and I sometimes imagine what I’ll do when a zombie apocalypse happens. Yes, you read my mind… I will get all the food I could get. Hunger scares me more than zombies. Okay, going back to the activity…

Breakout Manila, the other Saw-like company that made people so frustrated to escape the rooms they designed, is determined to make hearts go wild again this February 20 to March 22, 2015.

If you happen to hang out a lot in Trinoma, you might want to keep the blood pumping by being Rick, Daryl, Glenn, Maggie, Michonne, or Carol for 30 minutes.

The story is as follows:

It’s dark. You’ve been popping in and out of consciousness not knowing where you are… Then you discovered you are in a cage.

At least you’re alive… for now. [Then] You hear a growl. A sound you only hear in nightmares. You discover a zombie across the room.

You and your friends have 30 minutes to escape from not only the room but the flesh eating zombies as well. Can you breakout or will you become zombie bait?

Exciting right? This is one interesting activity to do with family, friends or your special someone!

Check www.breakout.com.ph for details on how to secure slots. [Note, there’s an extra PHP50 for online transactions.]

See you there!

-Gluttonshopper

All images are from Breakout Manila’s website and Facebook page.

Restaurant Discovery: Buffalo Wild Wings

Capitol Commons is starting to become a foodie destination. At first, I was lazy to visit the place as I have already visited Tipsy Pig, Black Olive, Sentro1771 and Nomama. But my Instagram feed went crazy one time with so many posts about this new wings place in Estancia Mall. And it sure made me curious. So…

Hello, Buffalo Wild Wings!

The place was quite packed with yuppies on a weeknight. (I can’t imagine how packed it will be when the big games are on!)

Since we were quite hungry, we didn’t mind being at the bar. After browsing the menu, R and I decided to go for the following: Pepper Jack Steak Wrap (PHP495), Naked Tenders (PHP395) and Traditional wings with Honey BBQ sauce (PHP295, snack | PHP495, small | PHP695, medium | PHP895, large). We also got unlimited iced tea and lemonade.

First served were our drinks.

The lemonade was super sweet! I had a hard time finishing my first glass and I even had to ask the server to mix the second one with water to dilute it.

 

Restaurant Discovery: O’Rice

Table for one, please.

For some reason, I still feel awkward saying that. But it makes me giddy at the same time. Eating alone doesn’t make me one lonely individual. In fact, there are times that I truly enjoy it. Plus, there’s the perk of ordering whatever I want.

I was planning to have a quick lunch at McDonald’s but it was packed. Since I had to go back to the site (yes, I was in my construction worker mode that time) ASAP, I decided to look for another place to have lunch. And that’s when I spotted O’Rice.

Hello, O’Rice!

The Korean restaurant was pretty busy too though there were still a few tables available. I got a table near the counter and ordered right away. I went with Beef Bulgogi Fried Rice (PHP248), Black Bean Noodles (PHP198) and a glass of Brewed Iced Tea (PHP95).

First served was the iced tea and it sure was sweeeet. Too sweet. I had to wait for the ice to melt for it to be more thirst quenching.

Love at First Bite: La Lola Churreria

A few weeks ago, I saw a Nokia Snake Level 10 line while buying taho at Powerplant Mall. Apparently, there’s a new craze in town and it’s the churros of La Lola Churreria. New? Yes. Yummy? I heard. Game? Definitely!!! Long queues never fail to make me curious.

Hello, La Lola Churreria!

We got to the place around 1 PM and the line was more manageable that time so we decided to join the craze.

I wanted to try all but K and E were hesitant with the idea as we were still going to visit Salt for lunch and it could kill our appetite. (And I was thinking… right! As if that could kill my appetite! I even had sorbetes before heading to the churros place.)

Anyway, we all compromised and just ordered Classic Churros (PHP110, medium 6 pcs | PHP195, large 12 pcs | PHP275 Xlarge 18 pcs) and Xuxos or stuffed churros—Nutella, Strawberry and Peanut Butter (PHP120 each). We also got a large Hot Chocolate Dip (PHP100).

 

The Classic Churros with Hot Chocolate Dip were served on a paper cone and you may eat it while walking or stick the cone on the table (the tables have holes for the pointy part of the cone) and eat it while people watching.

First Bite: 100 Revolving Restaurant

I’ve always wanted to visit MDC 100 Revolving Restaurant. I can’t believe it that I have never heard of the place till I met Chef Jessie, the head chef of the establishment. A carousel ride while having dinner? Why not?! However, my plan to visit gets pushed back all the time to the point that I got tired of planning to visit. One night though, it finally happened!

Hello, 100 Revolving Restaurant!

I could have been giddier to finally be at the restaurant I’ve been eying for months if only I wasn’t too hungry. There were only a few diners when we arrived but service was slightly slow.

R went with the Dragon Maki (PHP500) and Angus Rib Eye Steak (PHP1,350). I went with the Balut Surprise by Chef Jessie (PHP300), Cheese-Spinach-Mushroom Soufflé (PHP360, regular | PHP500, large), and Duck Adobo “A la Pael Romualdez” (PHP850).

The wait basket was a long wait! I could sense R becoming grumpier and grumpier every time the restaurant moves an inch. Well, the servers said that they were still baking a fresh batch when we arrived.

After a while, the Dragon Maki, shrimp tempura with cucumber and kampyō (dried shavings of calabash) wrapped together and topped with sesame seeds, arrived. It would have been a great dish if only it was not wrapped loosely. It was falling apart.

The Balut Surprise arrived next. I find this one interesting as they placed a whole balut inside. The clear soup represented the soup that comes with balut and to add a bit of flavor, a few strips of vegetables were added. 

Restaurant Discovery: Salt

I’m going crazy here. There are just too many new and hidden restaurants to visit. Every time I check my Facebook or Instagram, I see articles, food shots, and whatnot that make me drool. And I mean droooool. I’m very happy and “hashtag blessed” (ewww) though that I have a handful of close foodie friends to bug when I feel like eating or exploring. For instance, E told me a few weeks ago that he’ll try SALT, a pretty hidden restaurant near the yoga studio I frequent. Since it serves salmon, I got curious. And E was to eat there again and K was game too. Soooo…

Hello, Salt!

The place has very few parking slots so it might be a good choice to just park at Powerplant Mall and walk to the place. It’s parallel Kalayaan so it’s pretty near.

When we arrived, only two other tables were occupied. (I guess there are more people during dinner.) We decided to go for: T-Bone Steak (PHP190), Grilled Tuna (PHP220) and Baked Salmon (PHP320).

Service was pretty quick as I was still digesting the churros I ate from La Lola when the food arrived.