Uncle Cheffy's

Even with the bad weather, this didn't stop us to meet up and have a good dinner. This time we tried Uncle Cheffy's brick oven panizza and global cuisine.

Of course we have to order the panizza!  I first encountered the rolling of pizza from Yellow Cab's Dear Darla. Wherein you enjoy vertical strips of thin crust pizza, putting in arugula, alfafa then roll it like a burrito or lumpia.  

The difference between Yellow Cab’s and Uncle Cheffy is the bread crust of Uncle Cheffy’s is thinner, less oily and you can taste that it was baked from a brick-oven.  The arugula leaves, alfafa sprouts and chopped tomatoes are refillable. What I did was, I put in just 1 arugula leaf and a pinch of alfafa sprouts. I think if I put too much arugula leaves, this will result to a bitter taste.

Among all the food we ordered, I like their panizza. I would have survived if this is just we ordered the entire night, just trying all their flavors in the menu.  

We actually didn't like our fish order. We all have our comments. To me, I find it too oily considering its supposed to be grilled. One of my friend said it might not be really grilled straight from coals. We also think its overcooked or maybe its the style of the person cooking. 

Since it was raining, we decided to have our coffee and dessert at the same vanue. We ordered 4 kinds of dessert. They were all  good. What I like best is their panacotta - which is very lemony in taste and chocolate roulade. The chocalate roulade tastes better than it looks like.


Uncle Cheffy is a place where you can celebrate, hold reunions, or get2gethers, as their menu have group orders.   

Uncle Cheffy's is owned by Chef Mau and Larry Cortez who also owns Chef's Quarter, Kuse and Old Vine.  They are open for franchising, call 0920-9243044 (Mr. Larry Cortez).  They have branches in Eastwood Mall, Burgos Circle - Bonifacio Global City, Nuvali - Sta. Rosa. You can also follow them in facebook Uncle Cheffy FB page

Caffe Ti-amo (Italian gelato and coffee)

Waffle Gelato

It was Caffe Ti-amo - Italian Gelato and Coffee, Greenbelt Branch that I visited this week.  I usually pass by this coffee shop on my way home never did I encounter it with "zero" customer.

Caffe Ti-amo serves Italian ice cream with 90% less fat.  The ones I have tried are: Vanilla almond gelato which tastes and milky and sweet. The Ube tastes really ube! Actually I co-related it with the taste of Ube dirty ice cream. I recommend this for Ube lovers. Then for the Dark chocolate, its really what it says it is. I find their gelato good since its rich in flavor.

I noticed that there are yogurt flavored gelatos. Now, I am confused what is the difference between yogurt gelato and 90% less fat gelato.  Next time, I will try a yogurt-flavored gelato and see if there is a difference in taste and texture.

I wasn't able to try their coffee since I ordered the gelato. I am the person who can't drink hot coffee with ice cream. I just find it an extreme combination. While drinking iced coffee and eating ice cream will give me the chills. Brrrrr. Too cold especially their air-conditioning was already cold enough for me.  Hopefully they will also serve cakes soon since I am a cake and hot coffee dessert person.

Vanilla Almond - Ube 

I also like their ambiance. It gives an "outdoor-look set-up", with the red brick walls and a potted trees yet you are actually confined in an air-conditioned area.  I find the place very inviting to laze around and hang out. Plus they have free wifi access and electrical outlets. This will definitely attract customers. 

When I surfed about Caffe Ti-amo, I learned its originally from Korea franchised by Jollibee Foods Corp here in the Philippines.

Another interesting in their menu at which I haven't tried are their Gelato Specials. They mix and match gelato with waffle or bread, fruits, different coffee flavors and even cereals. This is the answer for weight watchers who are ice cream lovers!

wide section of gelato flavors

Branches: (1) G/F SM City Annex, North EDSA, Quezon City, (2) Emerald Street, Ortigas Center and G/F Greenbelt 5, Makati City.  Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/CaffeTiAmoPH

BO's Coffee

BOs Coffee originated in Cebu, Philippines. I like hanging around their shops since its usually not crowded. I also find their coffee good and knowing that they source their beans locally, I would like to support it.   

I like the idea that if you dine in, they serve your coffee in mugs. Less trash.  They also serve breakfast-all-day meals and I find the price reasonable.  Plus, the shop  provides free wifi access and free use of their electrical outlet without electrical charge. 


I usually go to their Newport City branch. They even have a meeting room that you can rent with 10 to 20 pax sitting capacity. If I am not mistaken, Newport City branch is open 24-hours or closes early AM.   

Oh they have the best mango cake! Its light, not too sweet and can taste the mango.  I can eat 2 slices in 1-sitting. Though this is not available all-year-round. One thing I noticed about BOs coffee, their desserts changes. I assume its because of the season.

This year, they are turning 15 years with 50 stores located nationwide. They also launched Bo's Coffee 15 and 50 promo. The promo runs every Tuesday and Thursday until July 21, 2011.  From 10:00 am to 3:00 pm (Php15.00 for brewed coffee);  From 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm and 12 mn to 4 am (Php50.00 for all Froccino flavors). 

Love your country, support Philippine business!

You can follow them in facebook http://www.facebook.com/boscoffeeclub and subscribe in their blogs http://blog.boscoffee.com. To check their official website, visit  http://www.boscoffee.com. For inquiries, you can email them inquiries@boscoffee.com

The Cake Planet and Cafe

The Cake Planet and Cafe is a small establishment located inside our subdivision - Better Living.  Looking at it from the outside, its just another coffee shop.  There are a lot of coffee shops inside our village,  I have tried dining to at least 5 coffee shops inside Better Living, I can personally say this is the BEST so far.  The BEST in terms of dessert and coffee.  

What made me try this Cafe is because of their sign "SERVING LAVAZZA COFFEE".  I just love Lavazza Italian coffee. We got to chat with the owner when we were there. He said their coffee maker is one-of-the-few who uses that type of coffee machine. I just love their Frappes. So far I have tried 3: The one with Java chips, white chocolate and mocha. All I highly recommend! :-)

From the love of drinking Lavazza coffee to trying their desserts, this totally changed the "just another coffee shop - mentality" to being a regular customer and even to the point, craving for their cakes.  yum! yum!

The photo shown above is a must-try. They call it Mango Empress (Php140/slice). You won't find this at their dessert window display, since it has to be kept in a freezer.  This is a thicker type of mango torte.  With nuts, chewy meringue crust, and cream. 

For those who wants to indulge in desserts, must-try are: Turtle Pie (Php100/slice), Banoffee Pie, and Macademia Sansrival (Php150/slice).  I am not a chocolate lover, but I enjoyed the taste of the Turtle Pie and to me, its not too sweet. On cheesecake, I have tried the blueberry and white chocolate cheesecake, I think this isn't their specialty.

We learned that they create and make their own cakes, they even supply for other coffee shops and restaurants.  That's why you can order whole cakes by dropping by their store or order in advance to make sure, they have it ready.

They also serve pasta, cookies and sandwiches.  Pasta prices ranges from Php180 to Php250. Cake slices ranges from Php90 to Php150.00. Free WIFI access. Plugging on their electrical outlet has a fee of Php30/hour.

Absolutely a place for sweet lovers who wants to indulge on desserts and coffee!

The Cake Planet and Cafe is located at #91 Dona Soledad Avenue, Better Living Subdivision, Paranaque. Opens daily. Mon to Sat: 1:00 pm to 1:00 am. Sun: 4:00 pm to 11 pm. (In front of Sinangag Express / Boheur / Sieg Restaurant.  There is a PNB-Bicutan branch beside their cafe.). For orders: (632) 621.28.57 or (63915) 449.31.19

Follow them in Facebook The Cake Planet and Cafe

Banoffi Pie

Mango Empress

Marcia Adams' Restaurant, Tagaytay

What makes Marcia Adams' restaurant different is its Tuscany-inspired theme. I have never been to Italy but the bright yellow-orange cement walls, old stones on cement walls, antique cement floor tiles, old-wooden furniture, stained glass windows, wooden door arches and surrounding wild garden made the place picturesque. As I verbally shared to the couple, in every corner of your restaurant, there is an artistic touch. 

The place is run by Neil and Marcia Adams.  Who were both very hospitable and chatty.  I came to know that Marcia is the one cooking and the one who made the flower arrangements. While Neil is the one who is well-versed with the plants & flowers in their garden. The furnitures they are using were also made from within. There is a carpentry shop in the garden. They use old furniture and create a new furniture. They produce on a by order basis.

I am impressed that from the gate entrance we were welcomed by one of their attendants and upon leaving we were accompanied to the gate by the couple themselves.  It gave me the warm-feeling that is like I visited a friend's house.

Even though, personally I think the food is just ok, its the relaxing ambiance especially the warm service by the couple made my dining experience delightful and unforgettable.  Its definitely a place to unwind, relax and bond with your loved ones.  Looking forward to their future expansion and making the restaurant a Bed and Breakfast venue.

Their menu prices ranges from Php700.00 to Php900.00. It includes appetizer, dessert and non-alcoholic drink.  Plus the 10% service charge.  Cash payment only.  Reservations is a must. Contact (63-917) 801.1456

How to get there:  Drive all the way to Tagaytay. Turn right at the Tagaytay Rotonda. Go all the way to Alfonso, Cavite. You will pass Petron, Mushroom Burger, Shell gas station, Total gas station. As you see Residence Inn on your left and the Tagaytay arch with Pineapples with the "Thank You Come Again” (turn right). 

You should see a sign leading to Ville Sommet and other signage there. On that street, look for stone wall with wooden gate (its on the left side of the road)  

Follow them in Facebook  Marcia Adams' Restaurant

Chewy Junior Cream Puff

CHEWY JUNIOR is now in Greenbelt 3, Makati!! :-)

For those who are not familiar with Chewy Junior, it originated in Singapore (That's what I know).  I fell in love with this cream puff snack when I visited my sister in Singapore in 2009. There is a stall at the MRT near her place. You can smell the aroma of their baking and I always see people buying considering its S$1.00 per piece.  I initially tried 1 piece but I have to come back and buy more.  I would buy them in 3s, bring it home and eat 1 piece everyday. 

What makes this cream puff unique  among other cream puff I tried in my life is its crunchy on the outside and creamy on the inside.  Then the bread is chewy inside and for me the cream filling is not that sweet compared to how it looks like.  I usually eat 2 pieces in one-sitting but worried of the calories it will give me if I eat more than 2  :-)  Yummy!

Prices: Php45.00 each. You can also buy in boxes. Box of 3s - Php119,00, Box of 6s - Php226, and 12s - Php439.

Aside from their branch in Greenbelt 3, Makati. They have branches in Trinoma, SM Mall of Asia and SM Megamall and SM Cebu. Follow them in facebook. http://www.facebook.com/ChewyJrPhilippines

Lace Cookies

I discovered about Les Chocolateries lace cookies when I was house-sitting at my Aunt's house. The thinness and crispiness of the cookie makes you want to eat more and more.  When you bite it, there is something in the cookie, I couldn't tell if its oatmeal or coconut + the thin spread of chocolate, it just tastes sooo good.  I think I can eat half of the 300g in one-sitting. What more for chocolate lovers?

The Lace Cookies have 3 flavors: white, semi-sweet and dark.  There is a package that you can order all 3 flavors in 1 container. But the DARK is my favorite.  It comes in 2 types of containers: 300g  which costs around Php400+ and 600g at Php600+

If you haven't tried this, its highly recommendable!  Eat them cold. 

Les Chocolateries Lace Cookies is being sold at DON MERTO'S Deli Restaurant. Located at 118A, Upper Ground Floor, The North Wing, SM City, Cebu City.  Tel Nos. +63.32.236.29.34

Felix

I enjoyed my dining experience at Felix. Felix is another restaurant by Chef Florabel.  Its a restaurant I am willing to go back.  Though between Salmon and St Pierre, the St Pierre is a better choice.

As for the dessert, it looks very appealing, though the sweets are "too sweet" for my palette. We had an experience wherein my friends' juice drink tasted bland. We called their attention, and they automatically changed it. Then the server went back to ask if we find it ok already. For me, that is good service.

The photos shown are: St Pierre (Dory) PHp425, Samurai -Kabutoni Style (Salmon) Php499, Marion Php195, Isamu (Crepe Samurai) Php160. 

 

Felix is located at Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center, Makati. Tel Nos. +632.729.90.62