mango – Jellybeans in the City

Red Ribbon’s New Mango-Choco Marjolaine Cake: A unique and delectable twist on a classic French dessert

Cakes have been a timeless dessert, serving as a sweet and indulgent treat to celebrate life’s special moments. From birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, to any other milestone, cakes symbolize happiness, love, and joy, adding an extra layer of excitement to any occasion. The most popular reason why cakes are always welcome is that they can be customized to suit any taste or preference, making them a unique and special addition to any celebration. They also serve as a centerpiece that sparks joy and excitement among guests, especially children, who eagerly wait for the moment they get to take a slice.

Every Occasion Calls for Cake

Cakes are not only delicious but also an essential element that creates memorable moments. They serve as a perfect focal point for photo opportunities, capturing those special memories that last a lifetime. With a range of flavors to choose from, ranging from the classic chocolate to fruity flavors like strawberry and mango, there is a cake for everyone. Cakes can also be decorated with personalized messages or intricate designs, making them unique and special to the occasion.

And some cakes can be adapted with a twist on ingredients or presentation, making them a totally new and exciting experience altogether. Such is the case for Red Ribbon’s New Choco-Mango Marjolaine Cake.

The Marjolaine, a Classic French Dessert

The Marjolaine is a classic French dessert made up of layers of nutty meringue and buttercream. The dessert is named after Marie-Josephine, daughter of French diplomat Pauline Borghese, a prominent figure in the French court during the 19th century. The dessert is said to have been created in her honor by the famous French chef, Fernand Point.

Traditionally, the Marjolaine is made by layering sheets of meringue with a filling made of buttercream flavored with ground nuts, such as almonds, hazelnuts, or pistachios. Over time, the Marjolaine has evolved to include variations such as chocolate or fruit-flavored fillings.

Red Ribbon’s New Mango-Choco Marjolaine Cake

Red Ribbon recently launched its New Mango-Choco Marjolaine Cake, a modern twist on the classic French dessert. It combines the richness of chocolate with the tropical sweetness of mango, providing a unique and delectable experience. The cake is made up of layers of crunchy-chewy wafer layers, refreshingly sweet mangoes, and rich chocolate filling, together with praline cream, which adds a nutty and creamy element to the dessert. The roasted cashew nuts provide the perfect finish to the cake, bringing a satisfying crunch and nuttiness to the sweetness. Really, Red Ribbon’s New Mango-Choco Marjolaine Cake is a heavenly delight that is perfect for any occasion and a must-try for all cake lovers!

Make it a part of your special occasions

So go ahead and bring it to your celebrations – whether as your contribution to the office potluck, a birthday cake for someone’s special day, or to mark special milestones such as anniversaries, graduations or promotions.

Every occasion becomes extra special with this new sweet creation from Red Ribbon.

The New Mango-Choco Marjolaine Cake is now available in participating stores for Php899 (Junior Size) and Php1,299 (Regular Size). 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.

Disclosure: Product sample was provided to facilitate this feature.

Check out my previous posts about Red Ribbon Bakeshop:

Sweet Christmas celebrations with Red Ribbon’s Holiday Cakes

Red Ribbon cakes for your everyday cravings

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

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

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

Sweet snacktimes with Red Ribbon Bakeshop

Celebrating different kinds of love with Red Ribbon’s limited-edition Valentine Black Forest Cake

Koomi’s #GuiltlessGoodness now in Ayala Malls Feliz!

Why do we love Koomi’s yogurt drinks so much?

Is it because these refreshing drinks are a perfect foil to our hot and sweltering climate?

Is it the fact that their base ingredient – natural probiotic yogurt – is so good for us as it aids in digestion and is rich in calcium?

Or is it the sheer variety in options for flavors and add-ons that allow us to enjoy these drink in a myriad of ways?

Whatever the reason, we thankfully have a new outlet where we can get our yogurt drink fix: Koomi’s newly opened store in Ayala Malls Feliz!

Here, I was able to check out new and classic Koomi flavors to enjoy, such as:

KitKat You Outta My Head (Php175). Natural drinking yogurt made with bits of KitKat chocolate.

Tropic Like It’s Hot (Php160). Natural drinking yogurt blended with dragonfruit, apple and orange.

It Takes Passion to Mango (Php150). Natural drinking yogurt blended with mango and passionfruit.

Mango Cracker Rocker (Php160). Natural drinking yogurt blended with mango and graham cracker crumbs.

These drinks were all made with Koomi’s were made fresh using natural probiotic drinking yogurt and sweetened with fruit honey as well as fresh fruits and other add-ons.

The drinks I got for my daughter, my husband and myself were all made using Koomi’s Aussie yogurt blend which has a more pronounced tanginess that complemented the fruity add-ons’ natural sweetness. My son’s drink however, was made with a Filipino yogurt blend which has cream added to the mixture, making it a great complement to candy add-ons.

This Koomi branch is located at Ground Floor, Ayala Malls Feliz, Amang Rodriguez corner JP Rizal Street, Pasig City.

You may also drop by any of these Koomi outlets:

Pasig: The Podium, Unimart Capitol Commons
Mandaluyong: SM Megamall
Quezon City: Robinsons Magnolia, SM North EDSA, Robinsons Galleria, Z Square Mall, Ali Mall, Ayala Malls Vertis North, SM Fairview, Timog Avenue, Mezza Residences, Fisher Mall, Hemady Square, White Plains, UP Town Center, Maginhawa
Pasay: SM Mall of Asia, Double Dragon
Taguig: SM Aura, Uptown Mall
Manila: SM San Lazaro, SM Manila, Lucky Chinatown
San Juan: VMall Greenhills
Alabang: Festival Mall
Makati: SM Jazz, Glorietta 4, Salcedo Village
Malabon: Fisher Mall
Las Pinas: SM Southmall
Paranaque: SM Bicutan, BF Homes
Rizal: SM Taytay, Robinsons Place Antipolo

Koomi also delivers via GrabFood and FoodPanda.

Stay updated on Koomi’s offers and promos, follow it on Facebook and Instagram.

Check out my previous posts about Koomi:

Koomi Tagaytay — Guiltless goodness in Tagaytay: Koomi

Koomi New Branch — Koomi’s #GuiltlessGoodness now in my neighborhood!

#GuiltlessGoodness with Koomi Yogurt Cakes, now in cups!

Nothing tastes more like summer than biting into fresh and luscious fruits. We never fail to look forward to their fruity sweetness bursting over our tastebuds and the feel of their succulent textures inside our mouths.

Well, what if those fruits were crafted into very Instagrammable cakes? They would be a feast for our eyes, as well as the tastebuds, right?

That’s what Koomi did when it released its picture-worthy yogurt cakes.

Koomi is an Australia-based chain which specializes in combinations of natural probiotic drinking yogurt with various fresh and wholesome ingredients to produce yummy and icy drinks. It opened its first shops in the Philippines in 2019, bringing its signature #GuiltlessGoodness to yogurt drink lovers in the metro.

It introduced its yogurt cakes in 2020, which now come in several flavors which incorporate our favorite fruits, and, of course, Koomi’s signature probiotic yogurt. And now, they come in solo-sized cups, perfect for a quick dessert anytime!

Waterberry Wonder Yogurt Cake.

Layers of moist, gluten-free almond cake, juicy watermelon, yogurt cream and topped with fresh strawberries and chopped pistachios.

Choco Moo Yogurt Cake.

Layers of dacquoise, chocolate yogurt, yogurt cream and mango slices drizzled with chocolate syrup.

Avo Nice Day Cake

Layers of dacquoise, avocado yogurt and yogurt cream topped with chopped pistachios.

So if you’ve got a hankering for that sweet and inimitable taste of summer, get some #GuiltFreeGoodness and cake out with a Koomi Yogurt Cake in a cup!

Drop by any of these Koomi outlets:

Pasig: The Podium, Unimart Capitol Commons
Mandaluyong: SM Megamall
Quezon City: Robinsons Magnolia, SM North EDSA, Robinsons Galleria, Z Square Mall, Ali Mall, Ayala Malls Vertis North, SM Fairview, Timog Avenue, Mezza Residences, Fisher Mall, Hemady Square, White Plains, UP Town Center, Maginhawa
Pasay: SM Mall of Asia, Double Dragon
Taguig: SM Aura, Uptown Mall
Manila: SM San Lazaro, SM Manila, Lucky Chinatown
San Juan: VMall Greenhills
Alabang: Festival Mall
Makati: SM Jazz, Glorietta 4, Salcedo Village
Malabon: Fisher Mall
Las Pinas: SM Southmall
Paranaque: SM Bicutan, BF Homes
Rizal: SM Taytay, Robinsons Place Antipolo

Koomi also delivers via GrabFood and FoodPanda.

Stay updated on Koomi’s offers and promos, follow it on Facebook and Instagram.

Check out my previous posts about Koomi:

Get “Cool for the Summer” at Moonleaf, Novaliches

Ooh, summer!

There was a time when it was the most awaited season among the metro’s denizens. It used to signal a time to take a break from the daily grind of school and work.

Now, though, with the country still in quarantine and restrictions on travel and mobility still in effect, you might think that the pervasive heat will be the only thing noteworthy about this season.

Well, the Moonleaf Tea Shop in Novaliches is all set to bring new reasons to enjoy the summer with its new line of drinks, aptly named “Cool for the Summer.” With these drinks, harried city dwellers can enjoy refreshing beverages that bring a moment of Zen while tickling their tastebuds. Plus, accompanied by chewy add-ons and topped with a dollop of thick and foamy wintercream, this drinks also provide opportunities for sheer indulgence.

Wintermelon Milk Tea with Pearls and Wintercream

Lychee Strawberry Tea with Rainwbow Jelly and Wintercream

Mango Black Tea with Nata and Wintercream

Watch out for these refreshing drinks this April!

Want something to nibble on as you enjoy your drinks? Why don’t you indulge your sweet tooth with some pastries?

Fudgy Dark Brownie (Php49)

Blueberry Cheesecake (Php110)

As the summer season rolls by, don’t sweat the small stuff. Starting this April, you can get cool for the summer at Moonleaf Tea Shop!

This Moonleaf Tea Shop is located along General Luis Street, Novaliches Bayan, Quezon City, open daily from 10am to 8pm. For inquiries, call +63 926 7007720. It delivers via GrabFood and soon, via FoodPanda, too so you can enjoy your drinks and nibbles without having to leave home!

To know about its latest offers and promos, follow Moonleaf Tea Shop Novaliches on Facebook and Instagram.

Guiltless goodness for the fam from Koomi

If you want a break from your usual milk teas and coffee frappes, then you might want to consider yogurt drinks from Koomi.

This chain got its start in Australia, showcasing natural probiotic drinking yogurt combined with fresh ingredients in healthy and tasty icy drinks.

Yogurt is definitely good for you: it aids digestion and is high in calcium so it’s good for your bones.

Add in healthy natural sweeteners like fruit honey and you’ve got a wholesome drink to cool you down and nourish you. The drinks have winsome names, too, which will bring a smile to your face as you enjoy them.

In one of the last sweltering Sunday afternoons of November, I decided to treat the fam to Koomi drinks which, thankfully, just became available in our area through GrabFood’s long-distance delivery.

These included:

Avo Nice Day (Php187). Natural drinking yogurt blended with fresh avocado and fruit honey. My perennial order because I love avocado-based drinks so much!

You’re the Berry Best (Php154). For the Hubby who takes over cooking chores for me and always factors my snacks into his food delivery orders, I got this blend of natural drinking yogurt, strawberry and fruit honey.

Mango Moo (Php143). My daughter #ExhibitA is nuts about mango so she requested for this blend of natural drinking yogurt, fresh mangoes and fruit honey. Here’s a hack: she mixed some crushed grahams from my baking supplies into the drink and made herself a yogurt-y mango float.

Chewy Chewy Oats (Php143). For my little boy #ExhibitB who missed his breakfast cereal, I got this blend of natural drinking yogurt, chewy oats and fruit honey.

Stick-on-Me Purple Rice (Php138). I introduced my yaya to the wonders of Koomi with this signature concoction of natural drinking yogurt, purple sticky rice and fruit honey.

Since I opted for the Aussie blend for these drinks, they all feature a more pronounced tanginess of the yogurt. If you’re not into that, you can always opt for the Filipino blend which has cream added to the mixture to align the drink to Pinoy tastebuds.

So if you’re in the mood for a different kind of drink that will give you guiltless goodness, do give Koomi a try. It has stores in The Podium, Robinsons Magnolia, Eastwood City Mall, SM Mall of Asia, Power Plant Mall, SM Aura, Double Dragon Pasay, SM San Lazaro and VMall Greenhills.

You may also course your order through GrabFood like I did.

#QuarantineCookbook: Homemade Avocado Ice Cream Cake

Relief from this summer’s oppressive heat and humidity is few and far between.

It makes me want to cool down with some frozen treat. How about you?

Well, since I recently learned how to make homemade ice cream, I set about learning how to add a twist to it: make it into a cake!

And of course, I just had to try it with my favorite fruit: the avocado!

This fruit has been having quite a resurgence lately, appearing in a variety of trendy and previously unheard-of dishes from toasts to pastas. However, the avocado’s real siren call to me is as a dessert. Its rich and creamy texture, as well as its earthy flavor make the avocado absolutely sensational when sweetened, making it a great showcase ingredients for desserts such as this homemade avocado ice cream cake.

It turned out to be so easy!

Ingredients:

For the crust:

2 cups crushed Christia toasted bread (can be replaced by an equal amount of crushed Graham crackers)
1 stick of softened butter
3 tbsp white sugar

For the ice cream:

1 cup avocado puree (made by pureeing the flesh of two ripe avocados in a blender)
1 300ml can of condensed milk
2 cups heavy whipping cream

Procedure:

In a bowl, combine the crushed Christia toasted bread, butter and sugar. Press the crumb mixture onto the bottom of two 6″ x 2″ cake tins then set aside.

In another bowl, mix together the avocado puree, the condensed milk and heavy cream at low speed until the ingredients are well-combined and the mixture begins to thicken.

Increase the mixer speed to medium and continue mixing until the mixture forms stiff peaks.

Transfer the mixture into the prepared cake tins, gently pressing the mixture into the containers and smoothing out the top using a spatula.

Freeze for at least six hours or overnight.

What you get is a wonderful creamy blend of avocado sweetness and crumbly buttery crust with each spoonful. My kids (and I!) absolutely love it!

Well, it sure looks like I’ve got new favorite dessert!

Plus, wouldn’t you know it! You can use this recipe to make other fruit-based ice cream cakes! You might need to adjust the amount of condensed milk you use depending on the native sweetness of the fruit you’re using. Check them out:

Mango!

Banana!

Strawberry!

If ever you need to bring dessert to a potluck party or want to give out ice cream cakes as gifts, you know you can always whip ’em up in a jiffy.

Which fruits would you like to make into homemade ice cream cakes? Try this recipe with your favorite fruit and let me know how it turns out.

PS: Truth be told, the recipe originally called for Graham crackers but after scouring through three supermarkets looking for this out-of-stock item, I decided to use Christia toasted bread as a substitute. It had a buttery flavor and a more crumbly texture that went well with the ice cream. Still, if you want a more conventional crust for your ice cream cake, you may opt to stick to the crushed Graham crackers.

Looking for other easy-to-cook dishes to try out while in quarantine? Check out my other recipes:

#QuarantineCookbook: Homemade Mango Ice Cream

How’s your summer going, foodies?

If you’re feeling the summer heat like I am, you might be craving for some lusciously decadent ice cream packed with the flavors of summer.

And what can be more summer-y than mango? Ooh, just imagine the sweetness of ripe mango bursting in your mouth from the cold, soothing silkiness of ice cream.

If only it was more readily available, right?

I usually had to go to large supermarkets or specialty stores to get a tub of mango ice cream. However, with the enhanced community quarantine, stores would have a lot more difficulty keeping it in stock.

Well, thanks to my mommy, I found out how to keep my own stock of yummy mango ice cream: I just have to make it myself!

Mommy made me a batch of homemade mango ice cream for my birthday. What’s even better is that she gave me the recipe!

It’s actually quite simple. Check it out!

Ingredients:

1 cup of mango puree (made by blending the flesh of two ripe mangoes in a blender)
1 300ml can of condensed milk
2 cups of heavy whipping cream
2 drops of yellow food coloring

Procedure:

In a bowl, mix together the mango puree, condensed milk and heavy cream at low speed until the mixture begins to thicken.
Increase the mixer speed to medium and continue mixing until the mixture forms stiff peaks.
While mixing, food coloring.
Transfer the mixture into a small loaf pan or ice cream tub, gently pressing the mixture into the container using a spatula.
Freeze for at least six hours or overnight

This recipe serves four, at approximately 680 calories per serving.

You might be wondering if you can substitute all-purpose cream for the whipping cream. I wouldn’t recommend it because you would be sacrificing the ice cream-like consistency. Whipping cream has a higher fat percentage which makes it suitable for desserts such as this.

Now, I just need to stock up on ingredients and I know I can easily whip this up and have my mango ice cream fix whenever the craving hits!

Check out my other recipes:

Fine dining at Bistro Manuel, Poblacion

I’ve never had the pleasure of dining at Lolo Dad’s Cafe in Malate which closed its doors a few years back.

From what I hear from veteran (ehrrm!) foodies and what I’ve gathered online, Lolo Dad’s is known for its fine dining, culinary masterpieces and the awards they merited.

Too bad I didn’t get to experience Lolo Dad’s but there is a silver lining to this predicament: in 2016, Chefs Ariel and Mia Manuel of Lolo Dad’s opened a new restaurant in Poblacion called Bistro Manuel.

It is a quiet establishment, almost hidden being situated away from Poblacion’s more casual (and noisier) bars and restaurants. The place is well-suited for workday lunchouts, intimate dinners for two or elegant family celebrations.

Diners are even given a sneak peek into the kitchen to see Chef Ariel Manuel and his team in action.

Together with my fellow foodies, I recently visited Bistro Manuel where we were welcomed by Chef Ariel himself. We also sampled the resto’s signature dishes which feature many of the old favorites from Lolo Dad’s as well as new creations that showcase the chefs’ mastery of their craft.

Starters. Tasty dishes to kickstart the meal.

Amuse bouche and freshly baked bread and butter (compliments of the chef).

Double Espresso Soup (Php295). Tomato and mushroom cream-based soups served in separate espresso shot glasses. Definitely a new way to enjoy soup!

Romaine Ceasar Salad (Php380). Crispy pancetta and six-minute boiled egg tossed in romaine lettuce with anchovies, lemon and parmesan cheese dressing.

Spinach and Warm Mushroom Salad (Php380). Mushrooms sauteed in smoked bacon on top of spinach leaves and doused with roasted garlic vinaigrette.

Lolo Dad’s Cafe Baked Oysters (Php230 per piece). A real treat to the taste buds, each oyster is accompanied by angel hair pasta under a layer of melted cheese, and accompanied with a cube of foie gras.

Sorbet (compliments of the chef). A citrus sherbet to cleanse the palate.

Mains. Hearty and flavorful viands showcase Chef Ariel’s mastery of European cooking techniques.

Mild Spice Arabbiata (Php550). Penne tossed in tomato base sauce seasoned with basil, garlic and chili flakes. A light dish that portended of great things to come!

Lamb Shawarma Grilled Pizza (Php700). In this pizza with a Mediterranean feel, lamb belly, tomato and onions are placed on a charcoal-grilled thin crust and served with yoghurt and chili dip.

“Only for the Rich” Pizza (Php1,290). One of the resto’s more playful dishes, this dish features many luxurious ingredients that led to its name. Lobster, duck liver, scallops, prosciutto and smoked salmon with carabao’s milk cheese and truffled tomato sauce on top of charcoal-grilled thin crust garnished with edible flowers.

Pan-fried Fillet of Salmon (Php695). A hefty piece of well-seasoned salmon, seared and served caramelized onion, potatoes and bacon butter sauce.

Roasted Duck Breast (Php860). Breast of moulard duck on compressed potatoes.

Seared Scallops and Scampi (Php990). Bechamel-stuffed rigatoni pasta accompany seared scallops and plump shrimp.

Lamb & Lamb with Lamb (Php860). Three ways to enjoy various parts of lamb: roast lamb rump, stewed lamb breast and fried lamb sweetbread with sieved potatoes.

US Rib-Eye Prime Steak (Php2,200). 300 grams of premium steak grilled to medium doneness and served in rendered fat with truffled mashed potatoes and chilled Hollandaise. A carnivore’s dream come true!

Desserts. A delectable selection of decadent confections whipped up by pastry chef Mia Manuel that capped a wonderful meal:

Freshly Baked Apple Tart with Rock Salt and Olive Oil Ice Cream (Php295)

Lemon Meringue Pie with Chocolate Ice Cream (Php295)

Baked Cheesecake with Orange in Spiced Syrup (Php275)

White Chocolate Creme Brulee with Berry Tartlet (Php240)

Tiramisu Souffle with Vanilla Sauce (Php350)

Declension of Mango and Mascarpone Cheese with Vanilla Frozen Cream and Dulce de Leche Sauce (Php285)

Every dish was exquisitely crafted and a feast for the senses. Bistro Manuel is definitely a welcome addition to my list of favorite restos in Poblacion.

Many thanks to Chef Ariel and the staff of Bistro Manuel for the warm welcome and fabulous food and the Jen of Sand Under My Feet for extending the invitation!

Bistro Manuel is located at Second Floor, Six Axis Center, 4347 B. Valdez Street, Poblacion, Makati City, open daily from 11am to 2pm and from 6pm to 11pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 88718566, +63 926 7341067 or +63 998 3423566.

Disclosure: Together with fellow foodies, I attended a good tasting held in this establishment wherein the items mentioned above were served to enable us to sample the fare to facilitate an honest review and were not paid for by the participants including myself.

Check out my posts on other fine dining establishments:

Comfort food elevated at ALTA by Relik, San Juan

Weekend brunches have grown popular lately, with many establishments offering hearty comfort dishes that can be leisurely enjoyed by diners.

At ALTA by Relik at Santolan Town Plaza, families can enjoy the flavorful comfort food amidst vibrant and colorful surroundings.

The restaurant is an offshoot of the popular BGC restaurant Relik. Restaurant owner Gen Mortel and Chef Jam Laboriente collaborated on a Filipino-Spanish menu to provide an elevated dining experience to San Juan’s foodies.

Last weekend I had brunch together with my fellow foodies from #WeLoveToEatPH and #SaanSaPH at ALTA by Relik where we had a taste of its comfort food elevated with fresh twists such as:

Relik’s Nachos (Php350). Homemade tortilla chips topped with meat sauce, crisp lettuce, tomato and cucumber relish, cheddar cheese and sour cream.

Chilean Mussels Croquettes (Php495). Chilean mussels topped with thick bechamel sauce and bread crumbs and served a with a lemon slice.

Pulled Pork Quesadilla (Php235). Tender pulled pork, cheddar, mozzarella, corn kernels, lettuce and source cream encased in homemade flour tortillas.

Watermelon and Kesong Puti Salad (Php265). Mixed greens, arugula, watermelon cubes, bits of kesong puti and candied walnuts tossed with balsamic reduction.

Longanisa Flatbread with Salted Egg Cream (Php375). Crisp flatbread topped with sweet pork longganisa, tomato salsa and salted egg dressing.

Seafood Chowder (Php295). Shrimp, squid and herbs incorporated in a flavorful cream soup and garnished with croutons and parsley.

Bagnet Sinigang (Php395). The classic sinigang dish deconstructed into pieces of bagnet and vegetables served with a broth made of fresh sampaloc dialed up to its asim-est level.

Lamb Pares (Php355). Slow-cooked shoulders of grass-fed New Zealand lambs in garlic soy sauce served with garlic rice.

Sizzling Bulalo Steak (Php489). Tender beef shank with its decadent bone marrow served sizzling in a garlic bulalo gravy together with fried potatoes, green beans and garlic bits.

Seafood Paella (Php995). Rich saffron-infused medium-grain rice with white shrimp, squid, Chilean mussels and roasted bell peppers served in a special paellera pan that helps it develop a nice toasty crust at the bottom. (Fun fact: that flavorful toasty crust is called socarrat in Catalan. Paella connoisseurs consider this the key to paella’s fabulous flavor).

Mango Tapioca Trifle (Php215). Fresh sliced mangoes, caramel,sauce and tapioca pearls top a layer of lady fingers.

Milo Dinosaur Cheesecake (Php195). A chocolatey frozen cheesecake flavored with Milo and garnished with sprinkled with Milo powder.

So if you feel like enjoying an elevated brunch experience or dine on an excellent selection of Filipino-Spanish fusion dishes, drop by at Santolan Town Plaza to experience ALTA by Relik!

Many thanks to Gen, Jam and the staff of ALTA by Relik for the warm welcome and the fabulous food!

ALTA by Relik is located at Santolan Town Plaza, Col. Bonny Serrano Avenue, Little Baguio, San Juan City, open Sundays to Thursdays from 8am to 12 midnight and Fridays to Saturdays from 8am to 2am. For reservations and inquiries, call +63 917 3172582.

Here are more reasons to head to ALTA by Relik:

DJ Nights every Thursday night at 8pm.
Live music every Friday and Saturday at 8pm.
All-You-Can-Eat buffet breakfast every Sunday from 8am to 11.30am.

Disclosure: Together with my fellow foodies, I attended a foodie meetup held here. Food items mentioned here were served to allow us to sample the fare and were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.

Tsokolate Ah and more at Tsoko.Nut Batirol, Tomas Morato

Dessert cafes abound in the metro, but how many of them do you see touting our very own tsokolate – the Pinoy version of hot chocolate?

Would you believe I first heard of this delicacy back in high school while studying Noli Me Tangere? Jose Rizal’s literary masterpiece features a scene wherein the characters assign social status to the thickness of the hot chocolate served.

During a social gathering, Padre Salvi (one of the more nefarious characters in the novel), serves tsokolate eh (from espresso, meaning thick, due to the richness of the hot chocolate served) for Spanish visitors and dignitaries, while tsokolate ah (from aguado, meaning watered down) was served to the locals, which is probably why this is sometimes referred to as the native hot chocolate.

(Aside: being a racist and a snob are the least of Padre Salvi’s character flaws.)

The latter variant is available at Tsoko.Nut Batirol, a small cafe located in Quezon City’s Tomas Morato Area. The batirol in the cafe’s name refers to the implement used in mixing the hot chocolate to make sure that the tablea (chocolate tablets) are dissolved and well-incorporated into the drink.

The cafe has an Old World feel to it, with furniture and interiors that harken back to ancestral homes in the provinces. It also makes use of its own signature mug for its hot beverages which adds to its quaint appeal.

Together with my office buddies, I went here for some dessert which included:

Tsokolate Ah Batirol (Php88 regular | Php98 large). The aforementioned native hot chocolate is no longer a comment on one’s station. Instead, this is an indulgent treat for any chocolate lover. Made in the traditional way: using chocolate tablea, milk and ground peanuts, this drink will take you back in time.

Mini Chocolate Cake (Php110). A rich and chocolatey confection of moist cake and thick chocolate icing.

Mango Torte (Php99). A frozen cheesecake topped with artfully arranged mango slices on on a crust of graham cracker crumbs. It’s so pretty, we almost didn’t want to eat it. Well, almost. 🤪

I’d love to spend a more leisurely afternoon here, just enjoying my sweets and my cup of native hot choco. I wonder when that would be…

This Tsoko.Nut Batirol branch is located near the corner of Scout Reyes Street and Mother Ignacia Avenue, Bgy. Laging Handa, Quezon City, open daily from 7am to 9pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 3979939.

Other branches are located at:

Food Court, Third Floor, Eastwood Cybermall, Libis, Quezon City
Upper Ground Floor, Worldwide Corporate Center, Shaw Boulevard, Highway Hills, Mandaluyong City
Ground Floor, Telus Building, Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City
Third Floor, RCBC Plaza, Ayala Avenue, Salcedo Village, Makati City
Northgate Cyberzone, Filinvest City, Muntinlupa