dessert – Page 13 – Jellybeans in the City

What to expect at BLK 513, SM North EDSA

What can you expect when you find yourself at BLK 513? Coming from a recent visit with a friend at BLK 513’s SM North EDSA outlet, let me break it down for y’all!

One: Its unique dark colored frozen dark skim yogurt.

Made of Greek yogurt which is denser and creamier than regular yogurt, it is further enhanced by the inclusion of activated charcoal, one of the world’s oldest and most trusted detoxifying agent that promotes healthy digestion and anti-aging among others.

Two: The wide variety of crunchy ingredients that you can add to your froyo for added texture.

These include a gamut of cereals. cookie crumbs and cake bits so, wherever your taste lies in the crunch spectrum, there’s something that matches your preference. My favorite among these is the butter bars that serve as a wholesome yet decadent addition to my dessert.

Three: Fresh fruit bits that add more natural sweetness to your frozen treat.

Take your pick from chopped strawberries, cubed mangoes and peaches, sliced kiwi fruits and more. My favorites among these are peaches and mangoes which I think go really well with frozen yogurt.

Four: The array of premium dessert sauces that you can have drizzled into and on top of your froyo treat.

I still dream of the Valrhona Gold Milk that’s sadly still only available in BLK 513’s Glorietta branch. Choices available in this store include the herby Chocolate Chai Tea, the cookie butter goodness of Spice Cookie Caramel, Strawberry Cheesecake and the decadent Dark Valrhona Fudge. In this instance, I opted for the Faux Ferrero sauce; made with milk chocolate, hazelnut bits and cereal, it added even more interesting texture to my dessert.

Five: Instagrammable surrounding that serve as pretty backdrops for your froyo shots.

Despite occupying a small space in the mall, BLK 513 affords you many background or flatlay options for your foodie shots. Position your dessert against the faux green vines or the walls artfully decorated with sayings.

I love the feel of the froyo in my mouth as well as its not being overly sweet. With the crunchies, fruits and sauce added into the cup or cone, there is an interesting interplay of sweetness and tanginess as well as a mix of various textures.

BLK 513’s frozen Greek yogurt enhanced with activated charcoal offerings are available in two options:

Dark Skim Cup (Php189): froyo with your choice of one crunch, two fruits and one sauce.

Dark Skim Cone (Php150): froyo with your choice of one crunch and one sauce.

This BLK 513 branch is located at the Second Floor, Main Building, SM City North EDSA, Bago Bantay, Quezon City (open daily from 10am to 10pm)

Other branches are found at:

Second Floor, Glorietta 1, Ayala Center, Glorietta Complex, Makati City (open daily from 9am to 10pm)
Second Floor, Building A, SM Megamall, Ortigas, Mandaluyong City (open daily from 10am to 10pm)
Level 2, S Maison, Conrad Manila, Seaside Boulevard Corner Coral Way, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City (open daily from 10am to 10pm)
Second Floor, Building A, SM Megamall, Ortigas, Mandaluyong City (open daily from 10am to 10pm).
Bonifacio High Street, 7th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City (open daily from 10.30am to 10.30pm)
Second Floor, Eastwood Mall, Libis, Quezon City (open daily from 11am to 10pm)
Food Street, Upper Ground Floor, SM Southmall, Almanza, Las Piñas City (open daily from 10am to 9pm)
Ground Floor, UP Town Center, Katipunan Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City (open Mondays to Thursdays from 11am to 9pm and Fridays to Sundays from 10am to 10pm)
Ground Level, Ayala Malls Cloverleaf, A. Bonifacio Avenue, Balintawak, Quezon City (open daily 10am to 10pm)

Gelato Treat at Morelli’s, Powerplant Mall

We Pinoys love sweets, and with a tropical climate such as ours, we won’t say no to frozen treats even in December.

While ice cream is more prevalent, gelato desserts are also growing in popularity in the country.

Gelato is a frozen dessert which originated in Italy. It has a much creamier and silkier texture than ice cream, given its increased use of milk rather than cream compared to ice cream. Gelato also does not make use of eggs, unlike ice cream, and is usually served using a small spade instead of a scoop.

That’s what I treated my family to over the holidays. After Christmas lunch at nearby Fireside by Kettle in Rockwell, we headed straight to Morelli’s Gelato for dessert. (Thanks to Jen of SandUnderMyFeet.com for sharing her GCs!)

The Morelli’s gelato brand started in Scotland in 1907 when father-and-son Giuseppe and Mario started selling the ice cream prevalent in their native Italy. The brand expanded to UK in 1932, and then went on to establish its presence in other countries, where its gelato offerings are made fresh everyday using natural ingredients.

My kids, mother-in-law and I enjoyed our scoops of truffle, chocolate, pistachio and vanilla gelato which served as a great cap to our Christmas lunch.

This Morelli’s Gelato branch is located at Second Floor, Power Plant Mall, Rockwell, Makati City. Another branch is located at Level 3, East Wing, Shangri-La Plaza, Ortigas, Mandaluyong City.

Ice cream indulgence at Indulge, Novotel Manila Araneta

Novotel Manila Araneta is located in the middle of the hustle and bustle of Cubao.

Despite this busy location, it offers its guests and visitors a welcoming haven to relax and rest for a bit.

Take for example its dessert bar Indulge.

Situated at the hotel’s lobby, Indulge can be a dessert stopover on the way to one’s hotel room, or before going out of the hotel.

It offers a variety of sweets – from premium ice cream and gelatos, shakes and floats to bread and cookies – that can serve as a yummy cap to a meal or as a snack treat to sate one’s sweet cravings in between meals.

Take for example the avocado ice cream I recently treated myself to. Imaginatively named Green with Envy, it is rich, creamy and not too sweet, with some crunch to it thanks to sprinklings of chocolate chips.

View this post on Instagram

It’s time to INDULGE in some luscious ice cream, yes? This cup of #avocadoicecream has some added texture thanks to the yummy dark chocolate chips mixed in. This is just one of the luscious artisanal ice cream flavors available at @novotelmanilaaranetacenter’s pastry shop, Indulge. . . . . . . #sweetdreamsaremadeofthis #alwaysroomfordessert #sweetstothesweet #justdesserts #sweetsph #dessertph #dessertsofinstagram #sugarcoma #sugaraddict #sweetcraving #sugarrush #sweetfix

A post shared by Jellybeans in the City (@beingjellybeans) on Dec 6, 2018 at 12:00am PST

I would definitely welcome another opportunity to try its other offerings, particularly its spiked ice creams.

Indulge is located at the lobby of Novotel Manila Araneta Center, General Aguinaldo Avenue, Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City.

Spiked milkshakes at The Lost Bread, SM East Ortigas

The thing with having a nearly grown-up daughter is that sometimes you want to enjoy kid stuff with her (like ice cream and milkshakes) while her tastes are evolving towards more grown-up stuff (like cocktails and nights out).

Fortunately, we found the perfect combination at the recently opened kiosk of The Lost Bread in SM East Ortigas which we chanced upon while running some errands.

The Lost Bread has its roots in Maginhawa Street in Quezon City where it found fame as a the go-to place for French toasts and milkshakes.

This branch in SM East Ortigas is basically a dessert bar where you can order masterfully prepared milkshakes, milk teas, French toast cubes and soft-serve ice cream. You can order your concoction or confection of choice at the counter and enjoy your dessert or drink in the seating area at the back, which, by the way, gets props for the wise, unusual and Instagrammable use of available space.

Now, the wonderful combination I mentioned earlier refers to the Spiked Milkshakes available at The Lost Bread (and only to those at age 18 and above). These are dessert-based milkshakes accompanied by a small syringe of liqueur that you can elect to add to your drink or not (and why would you not? Hehehe!)

My daughter #ExhibitA ordered a Swiss Missed Milkshake (Php145) which features mini marshmallows, chocolate wafers, cocoa and a bit of Kahlua.

I, on the other hand, got for myself a Spiked Cookie Milkshake (Php145), which is flavored by coffee and chocolate chip cookies plus a bit of Baileys (which just happen to be my favorite drink!)

Such a happy time spent with my daughter, indulging ourselves in our favorite sweets and a harmless but enjoyable bit of buzz from the accompanying liqueur.

I’m looking forward to coming back and trying out the store’s other dessert and drink offerings.

This branch of The Lost Bread is located at Ground Floor, SM City East Ortigas, Ortigas Avenue Extension, Santa Lucia, Pasig City. Other branches may be found at:

Streat: Maginhawa Food Park, Teachers Village, Quezon City
Fourth Floor, Mega Fashion Hall, SM Megamall, Ortigas, Mandaluyong City
Third Floor, Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Glorietta Complex, Makati City

Check out my reviews of other dessert restaurants:

Theo & Philo brings new flavors to local chocolates

Filipinos have long had a love affair with chocolates. Those richly dark treats were first brought to this country over four centuries ago by Spanish colonizers who introduced the growing of cacao to the locals. Today, the Philippine cocoa industry has grown to become the primary producer of cocoa beans in Southeast Asia and has brought about innovative local chocolate brands.

One such brand is Theo & Philo. Curious about the name? “Theo” is short for “theobroma cacao,” the scientific name for chocolate, while “Philo” comes from the Greek word for “love.” Theo & Philo therefore means “chocolate and love.”

With products made from natural ingredients sourced from around the Philippines, Theo & Philo built its advocacy for organic and fair trade practices that support scholarships and farming communities. It has also pioneered in the production of new chocolate flavors that feature tastes that are embedded in Filipino culinary traditions and pop culture.

Its bold-flavored chocolates have garnered international awards and recognition, most recently at the International Chocolate Awards – 2018 Asia Pacific Competition.

During the recent Crafts for a Cause exhibit at SM Mega Fashion Hall, I was able to buy some bars which include:

70% Dark Chocolate (Php119.75). With its use of high quality cacao for rich depth with notes of earthiness and cherries. Its great for a no-nonsense chocolate experience.

Net Weight: 45 grams

Ingredients: Cacao Beans, Sugar, Cocoa Butter

60% Dark Chocolate with Ginger and Mint (Php119.75). With this combination of rich dark chocolate, warm ginger and refreshing mint, you can enjoy a sweet treat with a bit of a surprising feel in your mouth.

Net Weight: 45 grams

Ingredients: Cacao Beans, Sugar, Ginger, Cocoa Butter, Peppermint Oil

Milk Chocolate Adobo (Php119.75). This novelty bar is among the three flavors that won Theo & Philo the Bronze award in the International Chocolate Awards – 2018 Asia Pacific Competition. With a unique flavor from the soy sauce toffee and black pepper adobo infusion, this milk chocolate will let you see two Filipino favorites – adobo and chocolates – in a whole new light.

Net Weight: 45 grams

Ingredients: Sugar, Cacao Beans, Cocoa Butter, Milk Powder, Butter, Soy Sauce, Black Pepper

Theo & Philo and its penchant for fearless chocolate flavors will make for great post-meal indulgences, dessert adventures or memorable novelty gifts.

Theo & Philo chocolates are available in the following retailers:

Human Nature: Alabang, Makati, Manila, Marikina, Pasig and its flagship store in Quezon City
Gourdo’s: Alabang, SM Megamall, Trinoma Mall and Greenhills
Echo Store: Makati, The Podium, Eton Centris
SM Kultura: SM Makati, SM Megamall, Mall of Asia, SM Aura

and more. For more details, visit the Theo & Philo website.

Modern Filipino Cuisine at Ombu Kusina, Tomas Morato

Lately, restaurants touting “modern Filipino cuisine” have sprouted up all over the metro.

But what is modern Filipino cuisine?

Simply put: it is the flavors you grew up with but broken free of traditions surrounding them, even incorporating foreign influences. It is composed of tastes and textures familiar to you but applied and presented in exciting and novel ways. In short, this is not your grandma’s cooking.

Unless your dear Lola is part of the visionary team behind Ombu Kusina, of course.

Ombu is a modern Filipino restaurant located along Mother Ignacia Street in Quezon City. Having recently revamped its interiors, it also recently launched its special holiday dishes. And your friendly neighborhood Jellybeans is among the lucky foodies who were able to attend its exclusive food tasting event.

Ombu’s newly renovated premises are simply impressive. White subway tiles serve as an elegant backdrop for light-colored plush seats, darkwood tables and the feast laid out for us.

And said feast consisted of Ombu’s signature dishes such as:

Dilis Rice (Php80 per cup: Php170 for sharing). Your favorite sinangag (garlic fried rice), lightly flavored and topped with salty crispy fried dilis (anchovies).

Salted Egg Spaghettini (Php260). Al dente spaghettini noodles tossed in a sauce of salted egg yolks, sprinkled with tomatoes, diced cucumber and salted egg whites. The salted egg sauce was evenly spread throughout the noodles and the cucumber provided a fresh contrast to the sauce with every bite.

Sisig Pizza (Php520). The classic pork sisig and egg tops a thin-crust pizza drizzled with garlic sauce.

Binagoongang Talong (Php300). Fresh eggplant and lechon kawali served with a thick bagoong (shrimp paste) sauce. While I found the sauce a little too thick for my taste but the crispy fried pork belly is just yummy and went well with the Dilis Rice.

Seafood Mix Laing (Php290). Taro leaves wrapped around a mix of shrimp, crab meat, onion and lemon grass, slowly cooked in light coconut milk.

Also part of the feast are Ombu’s seasonal dishes such as:

Adobochon (Php440). Flavorful roasted pig with tender meat and crispy skin served with adobo sauce on the side.

Flaming Chicken (Php340). Tender and juicy chicken flambed right before our eyes.

For dessert, we had Frozen Brazo de Mercedes (Php180). Delightful layers of frozen soft meringue alternating custard filling, ice cream and graham cracker crust.

The dishes were expertly prepared and given a fresh twist by Ombu Kusina’s chefs.

So for a great taste of modern Filipino cuisine, check out Ombu Kusina.

Disclosure: Together with other food bloggers, I was invited to attend a foodie meetup held at this restaurant. All the food items mentioned here were served to allow us to sample the fare and were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.

Ombu Kusina is located at Ground Floor, Sequioa Hotel, Mother Ignacia Street, Brgy. South Triangle, Quezon City, open daily from 6.30am to 10pm. For reservations and inquiries, call +63 2 4411789 or +63 922 8149086, or email omburestaurant@yahoo.com.

Thanks to SandUnderMyFeet.com for extending the invite

Lunchtime Sojourn at Lazat Fil-Asian Resto-Bar, Tomas Morato

As I’ve said, time and again, taking a lunch break is crucial for my continued sanity. 🙂

Every once in a while, when our schedules permit it, my coworkers and I come together on culinary adventure to explore the gastronomic possibilities offered by the foodie-friendly Tomas Morato area.

One such place is Lazat Fil-Asian Resto-Bar. Recently rebranded from its former name Cerchio, the restaurant offers a fusion of Filipino and Asian flavors to be enjoyed in a modern, well-appointed and relaxing place. “Lazat” means “delicious” in Malay, which, I think, sums up the synergy of all these elements.

Some in our group have dined here before and were raving about the Crispy Tadyang (beef ribs), so, of course, the rest just have to all go there to taste it for ourselves.

Even before tasting its food, I was impressed with Lazat’s interiors. A spacious floor space, high ceilings and large windows that let in lots of natural light make the space seem expansive and airy. The combination of sleek, black-and-white furniture with green elements such as large potted plants and hanging greens added a feeling of freshness to the place.

Upstairs are function rooms that can serve as venues for private parties, corporate events or grand family reunions.

Given the size of our group, we ordered a feast from among Lazat’s offerings:

Pakbet (Php265)

Chunks of grilled bangus (milkfish) belly are added to this classic Ilocano vegetable stew.

Spicy Kangkong (Php185)

Water spinach is sauteed in garlic and chilis.

Thai Spring Rolls (Php165)

These Thai vegetable rolls are served with sweet chili and Thai fish sauces.

Crispy Tadyang (Php495)

Crispy on the outside, fork tender on the inside, this beef rib dish is served with Pinakurat (spiced coconut vinegar).

Beef Kare-Kare (Php525)

This signature Filipino dish made of oxtripe and tail stewed in rich peanut sauce and served with Lazat’s house-made bagoong (shrimp paste).

To cap off our meal, we had a cup of Coffee Jelly (Php165), a Chocolate Dome Cake (Pho280) and a Mini Sans Rival (Php200), along with Cafe Americano (Php90) and Cafe Latte (Php100).

Lazat’s food and decor make it a great place for a relaxing, re-energizing weekday lunch or a festive Sunday family brunch.

Lazat Fil-Asian Resto-Bar is located at 76 Scout Limbaga Street, Laging Handa, Quezon City, open daily from 11am to 3pm and 6pm to 11pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 3515279 or email lazatqc@gmail.com.

Did you know that Lazat provides free valet parking? No need to stress yourself trying to find parking space just to enjoy great food.

A bounty of sweetness: Sugarhouse’ 2018 Christmas Catalogue

With the holidays almost upon us, it is definitely the time for sharing the gifts of the season to our loved ones: good cheer, warm wishes and, of course, sweetness.

And since we’re talking about sweetness, if you find yourself at a Sugarhouse store, you’re at the right place.

Sugarhouse has been around since the 80s, opening a small cake store at Anza Street in Makati. Today, Sugarhouse has four full dine-in outlets serving full meals along with cakes and pastries; two semi-dine-in stores serving selected menu items along with baked goodies, and a kiosk dedicated to cakes and pastries.

Sugarhouse recently launched its 2018 Christmas Catalog, giving us a bounty of options to spread sweetness during the holidays.

During a Blogger Event hosted by Sugarhouse Marketing Consultant Jeffrey De Real Rusios at the Sugarhouse outlet in Glorietta, I checked out the goodies included in the catalog together with fellow bloggers and got some ideas for spreading smiles and satisfied tummies this Christmas:

Bring a light and fluffy Taisan (Php180 whole loaf), a hearty Banana Loaf (Php180/midi loaf; Php400/big loaf), or a zesty Orange Raisin Loaf (Php210/midi loaf; Php500/big loaf) to share during family gatherings and celebrations.

Contribute a box of Food for the Gods (Php240/box of 4 bars; Php480/box of 8 bars) to the office potluck and help chase away the office blues of your workmates.

Chillaxin’ at home over the holiday break? Enjoy a cup of of your favorite espresso brew paired with a sweet-salty Quezo de Bola Ensaimada (Php68/pc) with your special someone.

The Noche Buena feast may be alredy quite filling but there should always be room for dessert! Cap it with a decadently creamy Leche Flan (Php130) or a piece of the perennial Christmas favorite: Fruitcake (Php450/loaf).

And when the kiddies knock on your door on Christmas morning, treat them to some Polvoron (Php180/box of 6; Php350/box of 12) or Salted Caramel Chocolate Popcorn (Php90/pack; Php215/jar).

These sweet treats are sure to be a hit among those who are near-and-dear to you this Christmas. Do check them out at your nearest Sugarhouse outlet!

This Sugarhouse branch is located at 3rd Floor, Glorietta 2, Ayala Center, Makati City. For inquiries, call +63 2 2457180 or +63 923 2717732. In fact, if you want to customize a holiday gift pack, just ask Store Head Liza Oafericua to help you put together a winning combo of goodies.

Other Sugarhouse branches are located at Santolan Town Plaza and at Greenhills Shopping Center in San Juan, at Dela Rosa Carpark 1 and at Powerplant Mall in Makati, at SM San Lazaro in Manila and at SM Megamall in Mandaluyong.

Disclosure: Together with other food bloggers, I was invited to attend a Blogger Event held in this restaurant. Food items mentioned here were served to allow us to sample the fare and were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.

4 Things to Like About The Pallet, Poblacion

The area of Makati called Poblacion, previously known as the city’s red light district, has evolved into a pretty happening place. It has given rise to concept restaurants, quick chows and bars that offer Makati workers and residents alternative choices for dining, hanging out and entertainment away from the usual malls.

One such place is The Pallet.

A food park located at the corner of Dona Carmen and Jacobo Streets in Poblacion, backroads to Kalayaan Avenue, The Pallet is an off-the-beaten track venue.

For my first-ever Looloo Rendezvoos, I was invited to check this place out and experience the various possibilities it affords to its patrons. I found a lot to like about it so I summarized them down to a list which will hopefully help fellow foodies discover a new favorite place to hang out and dine.

No. 1: Ample parking space and helpful security guard.

Having braved the rush hour all the way from QC, I was relieved I didn’t have to worry about where to park my car. Manong guard was quick to assist me in finding a spot and guiding me while I park.

No. 2: Chill surroundings.

Being located in backstreets away from all the hustle and bustle of Makati’s busy streets and surrounded by a residential area, The Pallet has a chill and relaxed atmosphere that distanced me from the usual stresses of work and traffic.

No. 3: Lots of food choices!

Given its relatively small area, I’m surprised at the number and variety of dining choices available. I’ll blog about them in more detail later but suffice to say that the foodie in me got quite excited with The Pallet’s tenants and their offerings. These include:

Mang Jose’s Ihaw Ihaw – for yummy and fuss-free grilled meats and pulutans

Antojitos – for a taste of Mexico from cheese-filled nachos and quesadillas to filling burritos and more

Asian Hawker – for a taste of Singaporean street food from the Char Kwai Teoh rice dish to the creamy Laksa

Uncle Moe’s Shawarma Hub – for a taste of Middle Eastern cuisine from the flavorful kababs to hefty shawarmas

Takohub – it was my first time to see takoyaki balls this huge!

Heath Burger – because healthy cam be tasty too, especially those mushrooms masquerading as chicken nuggets

Ramen Attack – that Tantanmen was a revelation! And the Steak & Rice got me craving for more!

Creamco Creamery – rolled ice cream that’s as pretty as it was sweet and yummy

Inum Bar – cocktails for that relaxed after-work buzz

No. 4: Live music!

On Wednesday nights this November, enjoy live music from up-and-coming artists such as DJ Aryan (90’s Night) on November 21 and DJ SP (Hiphop Throwback) on November 29.

These are just some of the reasons why The Pallet appeals to me. Check it out and see if it might grow to be your favorite place too!

The Pallet is located at 5804 Dona Carmen corner Jacobo Streets, Poblacion, Makati City. For inquiries, email thepalletpark@gmail.com.

Disclosure: Together with other Looloo users, I was invited to join a Looloo Rendezvoos held at this venue. All the food items mentioned here were served to allow us to sample the fare and were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.

Fine Filipino Food with a View at Fika, Capitol Hills

A Swedish chef whipping up Filipino delicacies.

That’s the way the cookie crumbles at Fika, the restaurant located in the out-of-the-way Capitol Greenstreet Commercial Center up Capitol Hills in Quezon City.

Head chef and CEO Mats Loo hails from Sweden where the word “fika” means “having coffee and talks with friends.” Having long dreamed of having a restaurant name Fika, he made his dream a reality right up Capitol Hills in Quezon City.

Diners of Fika are treated, not just to fine Filipino food, but also to a stunning view of the city. Being located in the Capitol Greenstreet Commercial Center, near Capitol Hills Golf and Country Club and Celebrity Sports Club, it is surrounded by lush greenery with a view of Quezon City all the way to Antipolo.

Also housed in the same building is the top culinary school First Gourmet Academy. It trains aspiring chefs in various courses that will prepare them for jobs in both local establishments and those abroad. Its working kitchen is also where the fantastic dishes in Fika’s breakfast and all-day menus are prepared and cooked.

I recently joined a foodie meetup held at Fika where, together with fellow foodies, I was able to sample delectable dishes from Fika’s all-day menu. These include:

Chicken Inasal (Php255). A popular Ilonggo dish, it is grilled chicken marinated in a special sauce that gave it its distinct color.

Laing (Php135). Dried taro leaves, coconut milk and chili peppers make this a winner among lovers of spicy food.

Pancit Luglog (Php195). Thick noodles sauteed in a rich savory sauced and topped with hard-boiled eggs and chicharon. A party favorite!

Pinakbet with Bagnet (Php265). A classic Ilocano dish, it’s made of stewed vegetables seasoned with bagoong and topped with crispy bagnet.

Fika Fried Rice (Php135). A recipe that came from Chef Mats’ mom, it’s a great breakfast fried rice made with chopped Chinese sausages, scrambled eggs, pork bits and various chopped veggies.

Binagoongan Rice (Php135). A flavorful dish made of rice, pork bits and kangkong sauteed in bagoong paste then topped with salted egg and ensalada.

Bangus Steak (Php285). The fish version of Bistek Tagalog, it features boneless bangus marinated in soy sauce and calamansi and served with lightly sauteed white onion rings.

Dinakdakan (Php140). An Ilocano dish made of various pork parts such as cheeks, liver, ears and tongue.

Sisig (Php150). Chopped pork parts are deep fried and seasoned with calamansi, mayonnaise, soy sauce and chilis.

We washed down our meal with ice blended drinks such as Choco Frappe (Php165) and Green Tea Frappe (Php175).

And since any meal wouldn’t be complete without dessert, we indulged ourselves in some freshly baked cakes, all at Php110 each:

Tres Leches

Ube Queso

Chocolate Cake

Chocnut Cheesecake

Clear winners for me are the Pinakbet with Bagnet, Fika Rice and – dare I say – all the cakes!

These Fika food sure are Fika good! Do check them out!

Fika is located at the Ground Floor, Capitol Greenstreet Commercial Center, Capitol Hills Drive, Old Balara, Quezon City, open Sundays to Thursdays at 6.45am to 10.30pm and Fridays to Saturdays at 6.45am to 11pm. For inquiries and reservations, call + 63 917 7006588, +63 2 3553132 or +63 2 5142480.

Disclosure: Together with other food bloggers, I was invited to attend a foodie meet-up held in this restaurant. All the food items mentioned here were served to allow us to sample the fare and were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.