Jellybeans in the City

Fab foodie possibilities at Timberland Highland Resort’s Ridge Cafe

Whether you’re a guest at Timberland Highlands Resort, or you’re simply in the area (being so near great bike and nature trails which work up quite an appetite), you won’t have to stress yourself over where to eat.

At the Ridge Cafe, you can dine in comfort and style inside the restaurant, or take a spot in its al fresco dining area to take in the view as you eat.

Ridge Cafe - Timberland Highlands Resort — Ridge Cafe at Daytime

Timberland Highlands Resort — Elegant and comfy interiors

I’ve shared in my previous blog posts about its buffet offers here and here, but a new question arises: what to eat when you’re not keen on an all-you-can-eat setup?

Don’t worry: Ridge Cafe’s got you well-covered with its ala carte offerings, such as:

Sandwiches and Burgers

Snack on these sammies, all served with your choice between homemade potato fries or mixed greens.

Pasta, Noodles and Salads

Sate your hunger with filling noodle dishes, from pastas served with garlic bread to Pinoy merienda classics, or go for a helping of healthy greens.

Sushi

Don’t miss the chance to munch on some freshly made sushi rolls.

Mains

Choose from a wide variety of viands – which include Pinoy ulams and international dishes – for your lunch or dinner.

Desserts

Cap your meal with these sweet delights!

As you can see, there’s no need to worry about how to soothe your hunger pangs as you embark on your mountain adventure in San Mateo, Rizal. Simply hie yourself off to Ridge Cafe!

Ridge Cafe also offers buffet meals including:

Top of the Morning Buffet: intercontinental breakfast menu and classic Pinoy almusal at Php650 net per person (weekends from 7am to 10am)
Arabic Dinner Buffet: an exciting curation of Arabic, Mediterranean and South Asian cuisines with free-flowing iced tea at Php980+ per person (Saturdays, from 6pm to 9pm)
Filipino Buffet: favorite Filipino dishes with free-flowing iced tea at Php980+ per person (Sundays, lunch from 11.30am to .30pm | dinner from 6pm to 9pm)

To reserve a table, email timberlandfbm@timberlandresort.com or message 0999-889-2659 | 0995-840-3206 | 8891-8288 local 1030 and 1032.

Ridge Cafe is located at Timberland Highlands Resort, inside Timberland Heights, Barangay Guitnang Bayan II, San Mateo, Rizal 1850 Philippines.

Book your room via Klook today to enjoy great savings!

To know more about Timberland Highlands Resorts latest updates and offers, follow it on Facebook and Instagram.

Check out my previous posts about Timberland Highlands Resort:

Delish family dine-in with Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken’s Hearty Flavor Feast

Ah, it’s so nice being able to go out and wander around, right?

After two years of mostly existing within the confines of our home, being able to dine out is a delight.

Aside from the change in scenery, being served your food and not having to worry about cleanup and dishwashing is quite a luxury.

That’s what my fam and I experienced when we went on a at Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken at Capitol Commons.

Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken is a fast-casual full-service restaurant known for its signature dish: the Peri-Peri Chicken.

Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken brings about this famous dish by marinating a whole chicken overnight in a special mixture of peri-peri (bird’s eye) chili, herbs and spices, then charcoal-grilling it to a gloriously golden hue.

This flavorful and juicy grilled chicken dish is best enjoyed with one or a combination of the restaurant’s eight signature sauces representing various gastronomic destinations, ranging from mildly sweet (Cajun Remoulade, Hoisin Sesame and Sweet Soy), medium spiciness (Garlic Brew, Spiced Vinegar and Mesquite BBQ) and hot (Chili Peppa and Harissa Exotica).

With the restaurant’s Hearty Flavor Feast group meal, we were able to enjoy its signature peri-peri chicken and more! This heartily delicious group meal that’s perfect for our fam includes:

1 whole Peri-Peri Chicken. There’s enough of that flavorful peri-peri chicken for the entire brood!

1 Signature Salad. Made with lettuce greens, crisp tortilla strips, pickled cucumber slices and cherry tomatoes and served with Caesar salad dressing.

4 hearty soups. Four servings of hearty and creamy chicken and corn soup to whet everyone’s appetites.

4 regular sides. The kids prefer mac ‘n cheese – their guilty pleasure – while Hubby and I prefer to pair our Peri Peri Chicken with some tangy coleslaw.

4 java rice. A perfect complement to any grilled dish, but especially for Peri-Peri Chicken!

The fam was able to take a much-anticipated and well-deserved change of scenery dining at this Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken branch, as well as enjoy this fun and filling family meal for just Php1,099, thanks to the Supercard!

With the Supercard, you can also enjoy the Hearty Flavor Feast to-go or delivered wherever you are in the metro for just Php1,154.

The SuperCard is the loyalty program that combines dine-in and delivery benefits from Shakey’s and Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken and Sauce Bar, and R&B Milk Tea Philippines.

With a Supercard on-hand, you can expect these perks from Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken:

Super Card Classic

Welcome Treat: half Classic Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken plus one time 15% discount for dine-in and carry out.
10% discount for dine-in and carry out.
Delivery Exclusive: Free Half Chicken for a minimum purchase of P1,000.
FREE Quarter Classic Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken plate with one side on your birth month.
One time 15% discount for dine-in on your birth month.
FREE Coffee for dine-in with a minimum purchase of P200.
Earn Points: Every P100 for dine-in and carry out earns 1 point.
Access to Supercard exclusive promos.

Super Card Gold

Welcome Treat: whole Classic Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken plus one time 20% discount for dine-in and carry out.
15% discount for dine-in and carry out.
Delivery Exclusive: Free Half Chicken for a minimum purchase of P1,000.
FREE Quarter Classic Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken plate with one side on your birth month.
One time 20% discount for dine-in on your birth month.
FREE Coffee for dine-in with a minimum purchase of P200.
Earn Points: Every P100 for dine-in and carry out earns 1 point.
Access to Supercard exclusive promos.

Don’t miss out on these great deals and more; ya’ll better grab your Supercard stat!

Dine-in at these Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken outlets:

Las Pinas: Evia Lifestyle Center
Makati: Ayala North Exchange, Greenbelt 3
Mandaluyong: SM Megamall
Manila: Robinsons Place Manila
Marikina: SM City Marikina
Muntinlupa: Alabang Town Center
Paranaque: Ayala Malls Manila Bay
Pasay: Resorts World Manila
Pasig: SM City East Ortigas, Ayala Malls Feliz, Capitol Commons, Robinsons Galleria
Quezon City: Eastwood Mall, Gateway Mall, Robinsons Magnolia, UP Town Center, Trinoma Mall, Banawe, Brittany Square
San Juan: Promenade Greenhills
Taguig: Uptown Parade BGC, Market! Market BGC, Venice Grand Mall

To enjoy this feast at home, order from Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken’s delivery website or call +63 2 73747374 for Metro Manila orders and +63 917 7747374 for provincial orders.

To know more about Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, browse through its website , or follow it on Facebook and Instagram.

Check out my previous posts on Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken:

Peri Peri Chicken, SM East — Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, SM City East Ortigas

Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Tomas Morato

Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Capitol Commons

Red Ribbon cakes for your everyday cravings

Sometimes, you just want to have some cake!

Whether you’ve got a big celebration to punctuate with a shows-stopping cake, or you’ve just got a hankering for some sugar rush, Red Ribbon’s got the perfect confection for you!

From its hobby-induced startup origins in 1979, Red Ribbon has expanded to become one of the biggest and fasted-growing bakeshops in the country, with over 450 stores nationwide.

While it has become part of many a Pinoy family’s celebration, it offers scrumptious cake creations that you enjoy, simply because you want to.

Treat yourself to these for special occasions:

Caramel Cake (Php633 square | Php874 rectangle). Dedication cake made with layers of light vanilla chiffon cake covered with delectable caramel cream.

Chocolate Indulgence (Php598 junior size | Php828 regular size). Round cake made with moist chocolate pound cake layered with chocolate-infused mousse filling.

Tiramisu Meltdown (Php574 junior size | Php804 regular size). Round cake made with layers of soft chocolate chiffon and cream cheese with a hint of coffee liquor.

Enjoy these just because:

Mango Roll (Php330 full | Php214.50 half). Chiffon cake topped with mango icing and mango bits.

Mocha Roll (Php308 full | Php203.5 half). Mocha-filled chiffon roll with mocha jelly and grated chocolate.

Really, you don’t need an excuse to indulge your sweet cravings with Red Ribbon’s cake creations.

Order now via the Red Ribbon app, the Red Ribbon delivery website, Red Ribbon on Facebook Messenger, or by calling the #87777 hotline. You may also place your order via GrabFood or FoodPanda.

Check out my previous posts about Red Ribbon:

Red Ribbon, Lucky Gold Plaza — Sweet snacktimes with Red Ribbon Bakeshop

Red Ribbon Coffee Caramel Crunch — #SweetDelight: Red Ribbon’s Caramel Crunch Cake is back!

Sweet dads deserve sweet chocolatey treats from Red Ribbon this Father’s Day

Red Ribbon Chocolate Heaven — Red Ribbon brings a taste of the divine with its new Chocolate Heaven Cake

Know how intentional cable-cutting disrupts your life

Intentional cable cutting and theft have been a rampant issue nationwide affecting thousands of Filipino households, depriving them of internet service, cable TV connection, , and at times, power supply.

With households affected from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, this malicious crime has been a major concern of telco and power utilities providers and the LGUs, that jeopardize customers’ access to news, information and entertainment crucial for their day-to-day activities.

Among its effects is how it disrupts the steady and seamless internet connection very much needed by professionals with remote set-up or online business owners. With disruptions affecting their connection, productivity halts, and attending to urgent tasks and clientele are disturbed.

Apart from the adverse impact to work, disruptions caused by illegal cable cutting can take a toll on the academic performance of students in hybrid learning set-up as they rely heavily on stable and reliable internet connectivity for timely submission of school work, taking online quizzes and examinations, and attending day-to-day classes. When the disruptions continue due to these illegal acts, this may lead to students having poor performance in school.

Intentional cable cuts also disrupt TV reception, which is still vital in getting the latest news and information, and providing quality bonding moments for the whole family in watching entertaining shows and movies in the comfort of their homes.

Aside from TV and internet disruption, illegal cable cutting puts the safety of individuals and the environment at risk. There have been reports that perpetrators have been electrocuted trying to cut live wirings that also resulted in fire in the neighborhood. Sometimes perpetrators also burn the non-profitable stolen wires producing harmful gas that pollute the environment and affects the health of individuals when inhaled.

In an effort to address these malicious acts and hold violators accountable by legal action, SKY partnered with other telcos and cable operators, power utilities providers, and more local government units in the country to strengthen its Oplan Kontra Putol initiative.

Oplan Kontra Putol takes prompt action to restore affected lines, to continuously monitor the situation by working closely with local authorities, and to observe the strict implementation of RA 10515, also known as the Cable Theft Law.

Those found guilty of violating the Cable Theft Law may face imprisonment from two to five years or pay hefty fines imposed by the court.

With the help of corresponding telco partners, barangay units, and local officials, SKY has filed legal charges against various perpetrators involved.

Through Oplan Kontra Putol, SKY continues to heed the call for immediate action and urges the public to join the nationwide initiative by being more alert as well as reporting related incidents to SKY’s official hotlines and their respective local authorities.

Concerned citizens can report suspected illegal cable cutting activities through http://www.mysky.com.ph/kontraputol, via Security Hotline number 34499111 (for Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna and Bulacan only), or by messaging SKY’s 24/7 messaging platform KYLA on Viber, Facebook Messenger, and SKY’s official website.

For updates regarding SKY’s efforts to restore services in areas affected by cable cutting, subscribers can check mysky.com.ph/help-service-advisories. They may also follow SKY’s social media accounts on Facebook or Twitter.

Disclosure: I work for SKY and part of my job is promoting its initiatives to improve services to its subscribers.

Power Mac Center’s ‘Portraits’ fete eco-conservation, Filipino drag culture

Apple Premium Reseller Power Mac Center (PMC) is no stranger to celebrating communities with unique stories waiting to be shared. This was the inspiration for “Portraits,” a special visual storytelling series created in collaboration with Filipino photographers showcasing the camera prowess of the iPhone.

“Power Mac Center recognizes the power of the platform we are given, using the technology that we have, to put the spotlight on communities with important advocacies. We put this series together not only to lend a face and voice to our subjects, but to inspire our audience to use their talents, pursue their passions, and make their mark, with the help of their favorite Apple devices,” said Joey Alvarez, PMC Director of Product Management and Marketing.

The communities

The episodes of Portraits juxtapose two extremes — the quiet calm of Masungi Georeserve’s eco-conservationists against the unapologetically flamboyant drag queens of Butterboy Bakehouse. The contrast deliberately showcases the lengths to which iPhone photography stretches, effectively catering to every subject in between.

Featuring the fabulous drag queens Naia, Drag Race Philippines contestant Precious Paula Nicole, and Pura Luka Vega, the latest episode was shot on iPhone by photographer Cru Camara who has worked with international publications and global brands. It was set against the backdrop of Butterboy Bakehouse, which offers both delectable homemade croissants and entertaining performances during daylight drag or what they call as “drag brunch” and “meriendrag.”

IFA-Portraits-Drag-PRPhotos2 — ***CELEBRATING IDENTITY, INDIVIDUALITY, AND CREATIVITY.*** Naia, Precious, and Pura Luka Vega use drag as an avenue to tell their stories and an artistic expression of their statements on issues that matter, especially to the LGBTQIA+ community. Shot on iPhone by Cru Camara.

Earlier, PMC tapped conservation photographer and filmmaker Noel Guevara to take the iPhone on a hike, along with the rangers of Masungi Georeserve and three city-based hikers who find sanctuary in nature. Scaling the verdant trails of the protected forest, they shared stories of their memorable climbs, confessed to what (or who) inspired their first hike, and reflected on the fulfillment they find in hiking.

IFA-Portraits-Hikers-PRPhotos2 — ***GETTING IN TUNE WITH THE SELF.*** *Hiking helps Sarah, Felicia, and John rediscover themselves and reach their goals. Shot on iPhone by Noel Guevara.*

Shot on iPhone

Conservation photographer Guevara made sure to capture every significant moment of the climb. Through stunning photos and videos shot on iPhone, he gave justice to the Masungi staff’s decades-long conservation efforts and hard work to achieve a balanced coexistence of man and nature in this little piece of paradise.

In this project, Cru—who is known for their photographs that express creative play of colors, contrast, and shadow—examines identity and the way femininity and masculinity co-exist.Armed with their iPhone, they were able to capture the vibrant drag scene as the queens transformed into larger-than-life characters, aimed at making drag mainstream in Philippine culture.

Both photographers’ expert grasp of the environment and the lenses’ inner workings exuded their visual storytelling talents, highlighting key iPhone camera features. To see the photos and watch the full stories of Portraits unfold, visit https://bit.ly/3S53a3M and subscribe to PMC on YouTube.

iPhone 14 Philippine launch

Portraits is part of Power Mac Center’s iPhone for All campaign, which aims to bring the iPhone closer to more Filipinos. By extending exciting offers, and creating great shopping experiences, PMC makes it easier for all to finally upgrade to an iPhone.

Customers looking to get the much-anticipated iPhone 14 series are encouraged to fill out the survey form at https://bit.ly/3S17ocN to be notified when the devices hit local shores. Meanwhile, other iPhone series are available for purchase at all Power Mac Center or The Loop branches, Viber Store, Lazada, and Shopee.

To be updated on news and promotions, follow Power Mac Center’s official Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok accounts.

Details provided in a recent press release.

S&R kicks off PISO SALE from Sep 16 – 19, exclusively on MetroMart

You heard that right! You can get awesome discounts with S&R’s PISO SALE, exclusively available via MetroMart App and website. From September 16-19, 2022, select items can be purchased for only ₱1.00 when you order and get it delivered via MetroMart across select branches of S&R.

The S&R PISO SALE promo will have various items available for a limited time per day, so stay tuned and make sure to add to cart right away. These items include Spam and Prem luncheon meats, Yakult, bottled drinks, milk, potato chips, and more.

Date and Time	Products Available
Sep 16, 9am-2pm	Spam Luncheon Meat Less Sodium
Sep 16, 3pm-8pm	Prem Luncheon Meat Lite
Sep 17, 9am-2pm	Starbucks Mocha Frappuccino Coffee Drink Bottle Cowhead Regular
Sep 17, 3pm-8pm	Lotte Jeju Mandarin Orange 1.5L Yakult Probiotic Drink *not available in select S&R branches
Sep 18, 9am-2pm	Coca-Cola Coke No Sugar Great Taste Zero Calories Cheetos Cheddar & Jalapeno *not available in CDO and Iloilo
Sep 18, 3pm-8pm	Lay’s Sour Cream & Onion not available in CDO and Iloilo Yakult Probiotic Drink not available in select S&R branches
Sep 19, 9am-2pm	Oreo Snack Pack Vanilla
Sep 19, 3pm-8pm	Arla Organic Low Fat 1L

All MetroMart customers can avail this promo, with or without an S&R membership card.

“Christmas and the holiday season play a very important part in the lives of Filipino families. Our MetroMart family is very excited to help kick off the holiday season at the start of the 100 days countdown to Christmas with the S&R Piso Sale, and other upcoming promos and events.” Stefano Fazzini, CEO and co-founder of MetroMart, said.

The S&R Piso Sale promo is applicable to New and Existing Users of MetroMart. A min. spend of ₱2k is required in order to avail the 1-peso sale items. Only completed checkout of orders within the sale period can avail the discounted items.

New to MetroMart? Get a ₱200 discount for a minimum order of ₱2k. Use the promo code “MMNEW” on the MetroMart app or website upon checkout. This is applicable across all stores and supermarkets for New customers, valid for one-time use until October 16, 2022.

MetroMart is the #1 online grocery delivery service in the Philippines. Our grocery partners include S&R (with or no membership card required), Robinsons Supermarket, Landmark, The Marketplace, Shopwise, All Day Supermarket, Merrymart, Super8 Grocery Warehouse, Ever Supermarket, UltraMega Supermarket, and over 500+ specialty store retailers like Pet Express, Baby Company, Toy Kingdom, Toys”R”Us, National Book Store, Office Warehouse, Southstar Drug and AllDay Rx. Customers can order from their favorite stores on the MetroMart app and have it delivered to their door in 2 hours! For more updates on MetroMart, like and follow us on Facebook and Instagram at @metromartph.

Sign up for a MetroMart account here and enjoy Php200 grocery credit.

MetroMart Philippines is the #1 on-demand online grocery delivery service in the Philippines. Our grocery partners include S&R (no membership required), Robinsons Supermarket, Landmark, The Marketplace, Shopwise, All Day Supermarket, Merrymart, Super8 Grocery Warehouse, Ever Supermarket, UltraMega Supermarket, and over 500+ specialty store retailers like Pet Express, Baby Company, Toy Kingdom, Toys R Us, National Book Store, Office Warehouse, Southstar Drug and AllDay Rx. Customers can order from their favorite stores on the MetroMart app and have it delivered to their door in less than 2 hours! Over 160,000 products are available with our 500+ partner supermarkets and partner specialty stores. Order your groceries through http://www.metromart.com, or download the app on iOS or Android app store.

Details provided in a recent press release.

Delish Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken feast at home

So it’s the weekend but while I was in the mood for something different and tasty for our family lunch, I was not so keen on going through laborious prep and cooking time required to produce a great meal. I was also not in the mood to venture out with the fam in tow to look for great places to eat.

Fortunately, I was able to have a fantastic group meal from Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken delivered right to my doorstep.

Thanks to its Chicken Grupo (Php1,049), the whole family can go on an exciting flavor adventure without having to leave home!

Central to this group meal is, of course, the resto’s signature dish: the Peri-Peri Chicken. Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken brings about this famous dish by marinating a whole chicken overnight in a special mixture of peri-peri (bird’s eye) chili, herbs and spices, then charcoal-grilling it to a gloriously golden hue, resulting in peri-flavorful and juicy chicken goodness with every bite.

Peri-peri Chicken is best enjoyed with one or a combination of the restaurant’s eight signature sauces representing various gastronomic destinations, ranging from mildly sweet (Cajun Remoulade, Hoisin Sesame and Sweet Soy), medium spiciness (Garlic Brew, Spiced Vinegar and Mesquite BBQ) and hot (Chili Peppa and Harissa Exotica).

Serving as great complements to the flavorful grilled chicken dish are four cups of java rice…

…as well as four side dishes (Hubby and I prefer the fresh and tangy coleslaw while the kiddos, as always, went for their favorite bacon mac ‘n cheese).

A liter of refreshing house-blend iced tea completes the meal.

Want to go on a similar flavor adventure at home? Order today from Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken’s delivery website or via GrabFood and FoodPanda.

You may also opt to dine-in at these Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken outlets:

Las Pinas: Evia Lifestyle Center
Makati: Ayala North Exchange, Greenbelt 3
Mandaluyong: SM Megamall
Manila: Robinsons Place Manila
Marikina: SM City Marikina
Muntinlupa: Alabang Town Center
Paranaque: Ayala Malls Manila Bay
Pasay: Resorts World Manila
Pasig: SM City East Ortigas, Ayala Malls Feliz, Capitol Commons, Robinsons Galleria
Quezon City: Eastwood Mall, Gateway Mall, Robinsons Magnolia, UP Town Center, Trinoma Mall, Banawe, Brittany Square
San Juan: Promenade Greenhills
Taguig: Uptown Parade BGC, Market! Market BGC, Venice Grand Mall

To know more about Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, browse through its website , or follow it on Facebook and Instagram.

Check out my previous posts on Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken:

The best gift ideas for heat-addicted chili heads

We all know one person who absolutely adores spicy foods, constantly pushing themselves to see how they can challenge their spice tolerance. For these people, you likely can get them a gift related to food or spiciness and they will be overjoyed. So what can you give a chili-head that is both unique and useful at the same time? Here are some of the best gift ideas for heat-addicted chili-heads.

Hot Sauce

The most obvious gift to give to a chili-head is a bottle of high-quality hot sauce. Hot sauce is a mainstay in the diets of chili-heads, as they use it to add spice to just about every dish. Obviously, since they’re chili-heads they’re going to have a high spice tolerance, so you’ll likely want to get them something extremely spicy. Thankfully, there are plenty of high-quality spicy hot sauces to choose from. Be sure to blow them away with something they’ve never tried before and challenge their spice tolerance. If they like it a lot, they can incorporate your gift into just about any dish.

Pepper Jelly

Another great condiment to get a chili-head is pepper jelly. Pepper jelly is similar to everyday jelly you would use, but it has a little bit of spice to it. With pepper jelly, spice lovers can add some heat to a variety of dishes you usually can’t. For example, pepper jelly gives your morning toast a little bit of a kick as well as spices up the peanut butter and jelly sandwich you have for lunch. If you want a really unique and creative gift to a spice-lover, buy pepper jelly online and gift your friend an amazing gift.

Aerogarden

A very unique gift idea for a chili-head is an aerogarden. An aerogarden is used to grow plants indoors, allowing the recipient to easily grow fruits and vegetables. Additionally, an aerogarden allows for year-round plant growth. With the aerogarden you give them, your favorite chili-head should be able to plant their own peppers, meaning they can use fresh ingredients in their recipes. Fresh ingredients are spicier than the packaged and frozen variety, meaning spice lovers will surely love and appreciate the fresh food.

Cookbook

A cookbook is a perfect gift for a spice-lover. Many cookbooks are themed around spicy food, catering to those that are fond of spicy foods. These cookbooks cover an array of different spicy dishes, allowing your chili-head to expand their horizons and try new spicy foods. Additionally, learning how to cook the dishes and successfully following the recipe is a satisfying experience that only enhances the enjoyment of the amazing cooked food. If you want a safe yet versatile gift option, this is a great choice.

Image Credit: Pixabay

Friendly get-together at Sundays, Marikina

While I’m happy as a clam with my current work-from-home setup, there are days when I do miss my work buddies. These are the peeps that I can relax with, as well as exchange jokes and all the hot gossip with.

During pre-pandemic times, we would venture out of our office during our lunch break to check out the nearby dining spots. Due to the fun we have while checking out new restaurants and amusing ourselves during our breaks from the daily grind, these lunchtime food adventures came to be dubbed as our #HappyLunch times.

Well, COVID-19 came and some of us transitioned to other companies or decided to take a break from the rat race, so some of us were only able to get together at Sundays Cafe & Restaurant in Marikina at the tail-end of last year.

Imagine my delight when I received a message to join another get-together with the gang at the same restaurant, this time on a Monday night!

So off I went to hang out with my pals (a bigger group this time) and return to the cozy neighborhood cafe in Marikina.

There was a marked difference between this outing and my last visit, which took place on a Sunday morning at the time when quarantine restrictions were just beginning to loosen. During my dinner date with my friends, Sundays Marikina was lit with a warm light which also seem to illuminate the surrounding area. Also, it seemed like the restaurant had a sizeable Monday dinner crowd which gave the place a busy and lively feel.

In between back-and-forth banters and gossip exchanges, my friends and I discovered new menu items to enjoy at Sundays:

Pizza Margherita (Php330). Always a safe bet, this hand-tossed pizza made with marinara sauce, mozzarella, parmesan and basil appeals to everyone in the group.

Salted Fish Fried Rice (Php195). A novel take on the sinangag given additional saltiness and umami with the addition of tuyo flakes.

Sundays Crispy Sisig (Php260). A favorite appetizer that also doubles as an entree consisting of crispy pork cheeks sauteed in house-made sisig sauce and topped with crispy onions and chilis.

Crispy Spicy Squid (Php260). Lightly battered pieces of squid served with chili sauce. (TBH, I prefer pairing this with the tangy ranch dressing).

Buffalo Wings (Php285). Crispy fried chicken wings coated in spicy and tangy buffalo sauce.

Salted Egg Wings (Php315). Crispy fried chicken wings coated in a rich salted egg sauce.

Crispy Kare Kare (Php405). An indulgent viand which combines crispy liempo with house-made special kare-kare sauce and veggies.

Sans Rival (Php145). A classic Pinoy dessert made with layers of nutty meringue, French buttercream and chopped cashews.

Mango Creme Brulee (Php145). A fruity take on the creme brulee, thanks to bottom layers of chiffon and mango cream covered by custard and topped with torched sugar.

While regular #HappyLunch adventures with my friends may not be feasible right now, I’m glad we were able to carve out time to do two of the things we enjoy doing together: eating delicious food and spilling the proverbial tea!

Sundays Cafe and Restaurant is located at J.P. Rizal corner V. Gomez Street, Barangay San Roque, Marikina City, open Mondays to Thursdays from 8am to 10pm, Fridays from 8am to 11pm and Saturdays to Sundays from 7am to 11pm. For reservations, call +63 917 1572634.

To know more about its latest updates, follow it on Facebook and Instagram.

Decadent French pastries from PAUL Philippines

France is widely acclaimed for its pastries, their buttery richness, golden brown flakiness and sheer wondrous variety of flavors and textures cementing their place among global favorites.

After many centuries spent crafting these baked creations, the French has elevated baking to an artform, making its patisseries – the stores where such pastries are sold – part of many a tourist’s itinerary.

Fortunately, we won’t have to go all the way to France to feast on its famous pastries, thanks to PAUL Philippines.

Thanks to this chain of French-style bakery-slash-cafes, scrumptious baked treats are quite easily accessible for foodies to enjoy right in the comfort of their homes such as:

Strawberry Tartlet (Php375). Sweet shortcrust pastry filled with vanilla custard cream and topped with luscious fresh strawberries.

Chocolate Eclair (Php220). Light choux pastry filled with chocolate pastry cream and glazed with chocolate fondant.

Pain au Chocolat (Php150). Also known as the chocolatine, this pastry is made with croissant dough wrapped around a heart of dark chocolate.

Croissants. Whether it be the Plain Croissant (Php140) or one of the variations of this classic viennoiserie such as the Almond Croissant (Php170) which is filled with frangipane and topped with flaked almonds, these are buttery pastries perfect when paired with coffee.

Strawberry Cheesecake (Php200/slice). Cream cheese filling with a layer of strawberry jelly on a sugar biscuit base and topped with strawberries.

So if you’re craving for an elevated experience for your post-meal dessert or coffee break, you should definitely say “Bonjour” to PAUL’s French pastries.

To enjoy these tasty French pastries at home, order them for takeout at any of PAUL Philippines’ outlets:

Ground Floor, SM Aura, 26th Street corner McKinley Parkway, Taguig City (Tel: +63 2 88085324 / +63 927 2978893)
G/F, Bench Tower, 30th St. cor. Rizal Drive, Crescent Park West 5, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City (Tel: +63 2 88872057 / +63 915 9712946)
Ground Floor, Al Fresco 1, Mega Fashion Hall, SM Megamall, EDSA, corner Doña Julia Vargas Ave, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong (Tel: +63 995 2525279)
G/F, Unit 164, Powerplant Mall, Rockwell Drive, Makati (Tel: +63 2 77598655 / +63 927 2881646)

You can also course your orders through GrabFood.

Check out my previous posts about PAUL Philippines:

A French cafe experience at PAUL le cafe

PAUL Boulangerie et Pattiserie, SM Mega Fashion Hall