mango shake – Jellybeans in the City

Mango mania at Hui Lau Shan, SM Megamall

It took me a while to bring myself to the sole outlet of Hong Kong’s go-to mango dessert place since it opened a month ago.

Having a sweet tooth (and a strong preference for the sweet and succulent mango that Hui Lau Shan is known to feature in its sweet creations, I knew it was only a matter of time.

After attending Fire or Ice: A GOT-inspired musical spectacle at the SM Skating Rink, my friends from #WeLoveToEatPH and I decided to satisfy our cravings for sweetness at Hui Lau Shan at the SM Atrium. Jen of SandUnderMyFeet.com generously shared her GCs with us so we can all sample the shop’s delectable desserts which make use of our homegrown carabao mangoes from Guimaras.

Did you know that our mangoes helped catapult Hui Lau Shan to fame in the 90s? These produce became the key ingredient of Hui Lau Shan’s breakthrough product Mango Sago which became a hit in Hong Kong. By the 2000s, Hui Lao Shan has established 280 stores globally which have become hot spots for dessert aficionados alike seeking to experience the stores’ sweet offerings.

And now, with the opening of this branch managed by the Josiah Catering group, the famed mango desserts have come home to the Philippines to delight us Pinoys.

This being my first visit, I decided to go for the basics for my drink: the Mango & Mango Jelly in Mango Juice (Php95 for 18oz | Php110 for 22oz). The drink was anything but basic, however; it fruity, succulent and sweet mango was there for me to sip on and enjoy.

I also opted to get myself some dessert. This time, since I couldn’t decide which particular mango-based dessert to try, I went for the option that gave me several treats to taste: the Mango Romance (Php170). It consisted of Mango Mochi, Mango Chewy Ball and Mango Crystal Jelly.

I indulged myself in my mango dessert and drink inside Hui Lau Shan’s small but comfy store, which, with its bright decor from the wallpapers to the wait staff uniforms, is designed with fun and happiness in mind.

I’m looking forward to tasting more of Hui Lau Shan’s desserts and drinks to satisfy my cravings for sweets and to bask in the store’s happy vibes.

Hui Lau Shan is located at Level 4, SM Megamall Atrium, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City, open from 10am to 10pm.

A new branch is a set to open soon at the Second Floor, Eastwood Mall, Libis, Quezon City.

Check out my reviews of other dessert places in the metro:

Christmas Lunch with the Family at Fireside by Kettle, Rockwell

As the fam was spending Christmas Day with the in-laws, we decided to hie ourselves off to the Rockwell Powerplant Mall for lunch and a bit of holiday window-shopping.

Most of us are confirmed carnivores so it’s not really surprising that we gravitated towards the hearty grilled meats and All-American dishes offered by the Fireside by Kettle branch located at the outer premises of the mall.

The restaurant has a warm and casual vibe with smartly dressed wait staff and modern/industrial-style interiors accented by holiday decor. Floor-to-ceiling windows let in a lot of natural light, giving the space a bright and airy feel. There was also ample space for our group of six, as well as the other diners.

For our Christmas Day Lunch, we ordered:

Buttermilk Fried Chicken Fingers (Php549). Slivers of chicken breasts brined for 24 hours, covered with Cajun Ritz cracker breading then deep-fried, then served together with Cajun honey and cornbread doughnuts. The chicken pieces were crispy to the bite but with tender and juicy meat, well complemented by the gravy provided. The cornbread doughnuts doused with honey provided a sweet break from the chicken’s savory flavor.

50/50 Meatloaf (Php409). Half of this is made of ground bacon while the other half is made of ground Angus beef and served with a spicy-sweet barbecue sauce and garlic mashed potatoes. I’m not a big fan of meat loaf per se but I found this iteration more flavorful and juicier than most versions I have tasted.

Double-cut Pork Chop (Php539). Two thick slices of tender pork chops brined in honey cider and served with peppercorn-mustard cream sauce with grilled apples and grilled vegetables. We availed of two orders of this dish, given the number of carnivores in our group.

We ordered Garlic Rice (Php79), Steamed Rice (Php59) and Garlic Mashed Potatoes (Php119) to accompany our hearty main dishes.

The dishes were promptly served by the wait staff and with their large servings, our group was well satisfied.

This Fireside by Kettle branch is located at Ground Floor, Power Plant Mall, Rockwell, Makati City, open Sundays to Thursdays from 11am to 10pm and Fridays to Saturdays from 10am to 12midnight. For reservations and inquiries, call +63 2 8018457.

Another branch can be found at Ground Floor, Central Square, Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, open Sundays to Thursdays from 11am to 10pm and Fridays to Saturdays from 10am to 12midnight. For reservations and inquiries, call +63 2 8243043.

A get-together that’s delightfully ours at Conti’s, Greenbelt

Since Conti’s opened its doors in 1997, it has grown into one of the most established names in the Filipino food scene with multiple branches all over Metro Manila. Its claims to fame include its Baked Salmon dish and its Mango Bravo cake, and it continues to evolve in terms of product offerings and service innovations (which now include baked goods and reheatable take-outs).

Together with a good friend of mine, I have made Conti’s Greenbelt our go-to meetup place whenever she comes home to the Philippines on vacation from Singapore. It seems that the restaurant’s homey yet flavorful fare and bright airy interiors provide both of us a comforting feeling of home as we share the happenings in our lives during the few months we were in different countries.

Recently, we worked a minor miracle by shiffling our schedules around so we can meet up again in our favorite place to catch up and chat.

As always, I ordered my favorite dish, Conti’s Baked Salmon (Php425), a slab of Norwegian pink salmon, baked with Conti’s special topping and served with a salad of seasonal greens and a tomato-ey paella rice. I also got a Mango Banana Yoghurt Shake (Php145) as a fresh and fruity refreshment.

My friend, on the other hand, ordered a Homemade Beef Tapa (Php240) and a Yellow Mango Shake (Php135), to get a flavorful taste of home.

Since Conti’s tagline is “delightfully yours,” my friend and I have, in effect, made this resto delightfully ours. It is our place to meet and come back to our favorite flavors.

This Conti’s branch is located at Ground Floor, Greenbelt 2, Ayala Center, Makati. For queries and reservations, call +63 2 7560327.

Other branches are located at:

Alabang: Westgate Center, Alabang Town Center
Las Pinas: SM Southmall
Paranaque: BF Homes
Pasay: South Wing of SM Mall of Asia, Blue Bay Walk
Manila: Robinsons Place Ermita
Taguig: Serendra BGC
Pasig: Ayala Malls the 30th
Mandaluyong: Shaw Boulevard cor Laurel Street
San Juan: Northeast Square Greenhills
Quezon City: Robinsons Magnolia, Katipunan Avenue in Blue Ridge, Trinoma Mall, SM North EDSA The Block, Ayala Fairview Terraces

You can also have your Conti’s favorites delivered where you are by calling +63 2 5808888 or ordering through the Conti’s online store.

Check out my reviews of other Filipino restaurants:

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