Sweet Tooth Cravings: Passion by Gerard Dubois

After mural art hunting in Bonifacio High Street, we headed to a French cafe called Passion by Gerard Dubois located at Shop C2 at the NetPark, 5th Ave., BGC (see their website here) to satisfy our sweet tooth cravings.  Well, they not only offer desserts, they also have pasta, baguette, sandwiches, salads.





Now, let's go to the sweet stuff!

Gelato bar

Macarons

I ordered a Mango Mont Blanc and Chocolate Gelato while my friends got Chocolat aux Noisettes and Marble Cheese Cake.

What I love most about their desserts is that they're not really sweet. I mean it's obvious that they did not pile up on the sugar, which is a good thing. The flavor is definitely there. If you got something that is chocolatey, in my case the gelato, you can really taste the strong chocolate flavor. I'm also a fan of the Chocolat aux Noisettes. Two thumbs up for their desserts!

However, the experience would have been perfect if we had some brewed coffee to go with those sweet stuff. When we got there, unfortunately, they didn't have an available coffee. Thus, I only had water and my friends got some soft drinks, which is a bit off.

And their service is not that efficient. My friends have to wait for quite some time before someone cleared the table. The staff should be more attentive whenever there are customers.

Ultimately, I have to say the food was really great and I'd like to go back to try the other desserts. And I'm hoping for a better customer service.

P.S. When eating in restaurants or coffee shops, I also like to look whether they have good comfort rooms because you'll never know if you're gonna need one. Hehe. And this has a clean CR with hand wash and tissue paper.

*all photos taken by me except for the last one which was by Shayne

3101: A Decade of Friendship

It's hard to find real friends in this world but when you do, the bond that is formed is something that will, definitely, last for years...or even a lifetime. 

And I'm just so thankful I found them! We were roommates in college. We met in 2005 and I'm glad that even though we live in different places now and pursued different career paths, we still make it a point to meet even if it's just once or twice a year.

Last April 18, we had our catching up in Cafe Juanita located in Capitol Drive, Pasig City. I really felt like a grown up because we're not meeting in the mall or in Los Banos anymore, but we're meeting in a famous restaurant in the metro. Cafe Juanita, based on what I've read, has some good reviews going on. So, my curiosity got the best of me and we just have to try it!

It's a restaurant filled with quirky things. When you get inside, there's just so much stuff you felt you're in different era or something.  I've read that those were the things/souvenirs got by the owner from his travels. One reviewer, Christine Aranilla, perfectly describes it this way, "Each and every spot is exploding with something interesting to admire at, eclectic and eccentric; yet, boldly Bohemian, is able to fuse with one another to create a romantic, vibrant ambience! But it's not merely the awesome design and interior! This place serves "ohhh-ssssoooo-delish" food!" via zomato

And the food is definitely so, so good! We ordered Sinigang (Salmon), Bagnet, and Garlic and Pepper Squid. Those three dishes really taste good but my favorite would be the sinigang! I just love the sour taste of the soup and the vegetables (sorry this girl is not a fan of fish though).

(counter clockwise direction: rice, sinigang, bagnet, garlic and pepper squid)

And I have to add that the waiters are so polite. They even volunteered in taking our picture. And being always the last to finish food (yes my friends know that I'm more of a talker and less of an eater), a waiter thought that we're already done, he asked us if he could get the plates, etc. but I told him I'm not done yet, I requested to just let the plates (of my friends) stand there because of a superstitious belief, and I'm glad that he obliged.

So yeah, good place, good food, good friends, what more can you ask for?

To the other roommate, who is currently on the other side of the globe, we miss you!

homemade ice cream at Mad Mark's

We may be all grown ups now but there's still a "kid at heart" in us. We may be eating in a fancy restaurant but at the end of the day, we still want to have an ice cream! Haha! =)

Cheers to a decade of friendship girls!

For our 2014 bonding, see post here.

*all pics are from my cam except for the second to the last image which is from Shayne

P.S. For further information about Cafe Juanita, you can check their Facebook page.

Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated to Cafe Juanita.

Sweet Tooth Cravings: Felicia's

For my second Sweet Tooth Cravings post, I'd like to introduce you to Felicia's. It's another cake and pastry house that I tried while I was in Negros Occidental. After visiting different historical landmarks and having lunch in Manukan (filled my stomach with the tasty Bacolod chicken inasal), we went to Felicia's (Robinson's branch) for a dessert galore moment.

I was again surrounded by cakes, macarons, tarts, pies...you name it! I was like having a feast just by looking at all of them!

Here are some close-ups. (While writing this, I am in the you-wish-they-are-real-you-wanna-taste-them-at-this-very-moment. Haha!)

We ordered some pastries and slices of different cakes just to taste as many as we can. One thing that I love about the cakes and pastries in Bacolod is that they are not too sweet. And Felicia's live up to that. Even the chocolate is not that sweet! I love it!

P.S. This Sans Rival (pictured above) is heaven!

Sweet Tooth Cravings: Calea

My third week of May was spent in the province of Negros Occidental. It is known as the Sugar Capital of the Philippines because it's main industry consists of  the production and refinery of sugar. Of course, when we talk about sugar, cakes and desserts come to mind.

And when it comes to cakes and desserts, one of the best places to visit is Calea, located in Bacolod City. I have to say, I am loving the cozy feel of their shop - white walls, white and yellow lights, floral wallpaper, and hanging lamps.







Now, let's have a look at their specialty! Cakes, cakes, cakes! When we were told to take our pick, I was like, "Can you please give a minute, oh not just one but probably five minutes?" The cakes are a feast to my eyes. And guess what, it even took me more than five minutes to choose my cake. I was checking each one, shelf by shelf, and walking back and forth. It's hard to decide when you have all these in front of you. =)

For a close-up view, here they are! Posting each image makes me want to go back there right now.

 We made sure to order different kinds of cakes so that we'll get to taste several of them.

 Me and Erin satisfying our sweet tooth cravings. Well, what can I say? I freakin' love their cakes! It's creamy and the sweetness is just right. Calea didn't disappoint us!

Two thumbs up for Calea! You made me and my taste buds and stomach happy! Delicious cakes plus a cup of tea is a perfect way to end my fourth night in Negros Occidental.