Lazada Philippines
March 2009

Pastries Galore

Friday, March 27, 2009

Strolling through the Power Plant's ground floor, flanked by streams of restaurants, I chance upon several booths being set up. People were putting some pastry goodies on the cloth-covered tables, arranging delicacies from breads to cupcakes and cookies, each mouth watering and very tempting. Naturally, I stop and begin to flutter from table to table, scrutinizing the goodies laid out in front of me.

Russian Cookie House
Among them is The Russian Cookie House, offering homemade Russian and Pistachio cookies, Jan Hagel and biscotti.
Russian Cookie House gift boxes
Russian Cookie House long gift boxes
Russian Cookie House biscotti
The Russian Cookie House
Spot: Cucina Victoria Concourse Level, Power Plant Mall, Makati
Telephone: +632 896.5707 / +632 897.1115 / +63917 895.2863
Website: www.russiancookiehouse.multiply.com


Empire
Another is the Empire which sells macarons of different flavors at P30 per piece / P350 a dozen. They have white chocolate, mocha, chocolate, cookies and cream, lemon, pistachio, blueberry, strawberry, triple chocolate, hazelnut ganache, chocolate-strawberry, caramel-pecan and mango chocolate rum. They also sell cheesecake balls which go for P30 per piece / P270 a box of 9 pcs. in the original flavors of chocolate, black and white, strawberry white chocolate, sprinkles and walnut chunk. The premium flavors consisting of almond chunk, cookies and cream, chocolate chip, coffee bean and caramel go for P35 per piece / P315 a box of 9 pcs. The cheesecake bites, on the other hand, are available in all premium and original flavors at P240 per box of 15 pcs.
Empire macarons
Empire cheesecake balls
The Empire also makes wedding, party and corporate giveaways. They have macarons in a classic box tied with a ribbon in the color of your choice. They offer free delivery within Metro Manila for a minimum of 15 boxes, or P150 delivery fee for Quezon City, Mandaluyong, San Juan, Makati, Taguig and Pasay areas.

Empire
Telephone: +632 467.1995 / +63917 886.1190
Contact person: Georgia


Sweet Life signage
The Sweet Life by Ange offers couture cupcakes (P660 a dozen), cakes and cookies:

Marie Antoinette - vanilla cupcakes with Tequila Rose Buttercream (available in virgin as well)
Chanel - moist chocolate cupcakes with Valrhona Buttercream
Satine - red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting
Sugar Daddy - moist chocolate cupcakes with Bailey's Buttercream
Tres' Chic - vanilla cupcakes with Valrhona Buttercream
Moulin Rouge heart (P725) - Moist Red Velvet Cake layered with a delectable Cream Cheese Frosting and finished off with chocolate hearts
Chocolate Lust 9" round (P850) heart (P650) - a divine Bailey's-infused Dark Chocolate Mousse that rests on a flourless chocolate base, cloaked in a rich chocolate ganache
Brazo de Mercedes 7"x11" (P575) 4"x8" (P325) - a melange of soft meringue, custard and French Vanilla ice cream on a graham cracker crust
Cheesecake Fantasy Cookies (P160) - chewy, melt-in-your-mouth Cheesecake-flavored cookies
Sweet Life cookies
Sweet Life cupcakes
In line with the upcoming Easter Sunday, they're also selling candy cookies shaped in Easter eggs and bunnies. Great treats for kids young and old, yummy too, at least according to my daughter.
Sweet Life easter cookies
The Sweet Life by Ange
Cellphone: +63917 823.8198
Telephone: +632 815.0188 / +632 401.2609 / +632 752.8692
Website: thesweetlife.multiply.com
E-mail: [email protected]


San Lo's Famous
And last, but definitely, definitely not the least, San Lo's Famous Empanadas, box of 6 (P390) box of 12 (P780). They have 5 varieties of it, Pastel de Pollo, Jamon Y Queso, Callos A La Madrilena, Carne Norte and Atun (Tuna). At P65 a piece, I was definitely skeptical about purchasing even one, it was too pricey for a piece of stuffed bread. But my mom was set on buying, and got half a dozen of them. Good thing too, as soon as we got in the car, I handed my mom a piece and took a bite myself. The soft, buttery crust with the overflowing filling suddenly erased all my hesitations in spending more than usual for this. As if the flavorful and generous filling isn't enough, just the crust alone can satiate your hunger. I have not tasted a crust so luscious that I don't mind having to eat it at the end, until now. At P65 a piece, it was worth every peso, even if just for the feeling of contentment each bite imparts. Now this is comfort food.
San Lo's empanadas
Aside from that, they also have tortas in original and queso de bola flavors; cakes such as Mango Famous Cake, Pineapple Upside-down Cake, Sansrival, Fudge Chocolate Cake; and even embutido.
San Lo's original torta
San Lo's queso de bola torta
San Lo's pineapple cake
San Lo's Famous
Spot: Petron Station Dasmarinas Village, Makati
Cellphone: +63915 904.2631
Telephone: +632 844.2853
Contact Person: Ana

Blizzard in the Summer

Monday, March 23, 2009

I was walking as fast as any mother hauling a 5 yr old daughter with one arm and carrying a bag full of groceries in the other, could. I was pressed for time and I wasn't even done with half of my to-do list for the day. Even in the confines of an air conditioned mall, I cannot seem to escape the scorching heat of summer (the fact that I've been dashing around doesn't help either). I thought now's a good time as any to get me a nice and cold Blizzard ice cream.
Blizzard interior
Too lazy to whip up an original creation, I scanned their menu for the regular flavors. Oreo? nope. Banana Split? nope. Strawberry Banana? hmmm, doable. Chocolate chips? too ordinary. Mud Pie? sounds too chocolatey. Brownie Temptation? too brownie-y. Kit kat? nah! M&M's? so-so. Butterfinger? too sweet. Caramel Cashew? sounds yummy. Chocolate Coated Strawberry? perfect! And so I placed my order, gave the man my payment, waited for the lady to grind the chocolate and strawberry, and watched her turn the cup upside down - as was their usual style - to show that the ice cream doesn't melt right away, hence, Blizzard cold.
Blizzard chocolate coated strawberry
The ordinary flavors go for P65 for a 9 oz cup, P75 for a 12 oz cup and P85 for a 16 oz cup. The special flavors go for P79, P99 and P119 for the three different sizes. To beat the heat, they offer two new summer flavors, Mango Pleasure which has mango and toasted coconut, and Almond Pleasure which has almond, chocolate and toasted coconut. Tropical Delights that will make you forget summer for about 8 minutes (the time it takes for you to finish a 16 0z cup).
Blizzard summer flavors
Dairy Queen
Spot: 2nd floor New Wing, Alabang Town Center

Kenny Roger's Healthy Meals

Friday, March 13, 2009

As with all the health and wellness craze emerging (and not without good reason; it is rather a good thing that Filipinos are now being conscious about their well-being, especially their food intake), different restaurants are now squeezing in healthier food choices in their menu. Not to be outdone, Kenny Rogers now offers healthy alternatives to their usual roasted chicken meals. For a very reasonable price, you get to have a choice from five healthy set meals which already includes Kenny's Lite Iced Tea.
Kenny Rogers healthy meals poster
I ordered the High Protein Meal (P165) which comes with 1/4 roast chicken, tuna vegetable salad, steamed rice and lite iced tea. The side salad was a nice complement to the chicken and proved to be very filling. I almost did not finish the whole meal, I was afraid my tummy would burst. The salad was a mix of lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, corn, olives, tuna, cheese and onions. This was the first time I've tried tuna on a salad, it's usually chicken or ham, and it was good. Perhaps next time, I'd better not finish the rice to leave more room for the greens.
Kenny Rogers high protein
My mom ordered the Classic Healthy Plate (P170) which includes 1/4 roast chicken, vegetable salad, fruit salad, corn muffin and lite iced tea. The salad was basically the same as mine sans the tuna. The fruits, on the other hand, were drenched in sweet syrup, a very delightful way to end a good meal. Since my mom had no room left, my daughter ate the muffin that came with her plate. I also bought her a box of different flavored muffins consisting of cornmeal, strawberry swirl, chocolate, cookies 'n cream, coffee glazed, and there's another one that's kind of sprinkled with tiny pink sugar crystals.
Kenny Rogers classic healthy plate
Kenny Rogers' new take on their restaurant ambiance and design, plus their whole new addition of healthier meal varieties, whether it be rice, sandwiches or drinks, have given people more reason to go for the healthy route. And it doesn't hurt either that these meals come in affordable value-for-money packages.
Kenny Rogers menu board
Kenny Rogers Roasters
Spot: 3rd floor Festival Supermall, Filinvest, Muntinlupa
Telephone: +632 850.3674 / +632 771.0750

Via Mare Additions

Sunday, March 8, 2009

I know, I know, we've just recently eaten at Via Mare and here we are again. This time though, we chose different meal selections. My mom and I decided to share both orders, starting with the Pork Tocino (P250). We specifically asked the waiter to serve us tendon-free pork, and we were pleased to have our request granted. Their omelette with tomatoes provide a very filling companion for the meat.
Via Mare pork tocino
We also ordered the Rellenong Talong (P98) as an accompaniment to the main dish. This is broiled eggplant stuffed with sauteed ground pork and pan-fried with beaten egg. They were generous enough with the ground pork without losing the eggplant's flavor. Personally, I don't put ketchup on my omelette dishes, but the condiment comes with the dish. I'm not sure why they call it relleno though, I thought that means stuffed something. This is more of an omelette or torta if you will.
Via Mare rellenong talong
My mom ordered their Brewed Coffee (P65) provided for by Lavazza, which was blatantly advertized. I didn't get to taste it but she said it was better than the Danesi brand that other restaurants carry.
Via Mare brewed coffee
And what's a good meal without the ever reliable staple beverage, good old Iced Tea (P80). I have to say, this was better than the previous one from the other Via Mare branch. It had a special blend which was a balance of sweet and lemony flavor.
Via Mare iced tea
Via Mare
Spot: Ground floor, Rockwell Center, Makati
Telephone: +632 898.1305


Related Post:

Cafe Via Mare

Cafe Via Mare

Friday, March 6, 2009

The Via Mare restaurant in Greenbelt 3 is a fusion of both the Cafe and the Oyster Bar. For this afternoon, we opted to order from the Cafe's menu only. We had the Ensaladang Bagnet (P160), crispy roasted pork with tomatoes and shallots in calamansi and bagoong dressing. The salad-like presentation is appealing to the eyes. This actually goes quite nicely with rice (better order lots of it because this dish is really appetizing). I love the whole mixture of pork and tomatoes drenched in a sour and salty sauce. It bursts with so much flavor, it makes you crave for more.
Via Mare ensaladang bagnet
For the post-meal fare, we had the Puto Bumbong (P62) with grated Queso De Bola (+P22). You can also opt for the grated cheddar cheese (+P15). This native delicacy really depends on the sidings for flavor and the queso de bola together with the brown sugar and coconut did not disappoint. The consistency of the glutinous rice is just right, not too dense and not too sticky.
Via Mare puto bumbong
Of course, we ended the meal with the usual Iced Tea (P80) beverage, which was a little too lemony and a bit diluted.
Via Mare iced tea
Via Mare
Spot: Shop 138 Greenbelt 3 Ayala Center, Makati
Telephone: +632 757.4020 / +632 757.4023

Related Post:
Via Mare Additions
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