Don't miss out : OTKB's (Olive Tree Kitchen and Bar) ANNIVERSARY MENU

In this grand life of ours, most of it is nothing but temporary. I think that it is sad that my generation celebrate/created monthsaries all because we rarely get to celebrate anniversaries. Sad really. It applies to so many things like relationships, restaurants, friendships, fad, hobby, work, etc..

But let us put the side things aside and talk about the good stuff!

When one gets to celebrate an "anniversary", it is really something, a milestone perhaps. It takes guts and a strong sense of will to do something this long. Although not all would agree that a year is LONG, but trust me. In the 21st century, IT IS.

And I am nothing but proud of OLIVE TREE KITCHEN AND BAR!

Why??!!

Coz!

In a few days, OTKB will be turning 1!

Congratulations and Happy Anniversary!

Let us count why I love thee :

• They are the very first even I have ever EVER attended. Very grateful to everyone who made that possible. Especially to MY MASTER!
• They have the best salmon I've ever tasted. 
• They have hot and hunky chefs!!
• They are perfect for whatever occasion. Dinner date, Family date, Girl's night out, Boy's night out, Birth-dates (is that a thing? I'll make it a thing), Birthdays, or for just because's.
• They have killer desserts! Very hard to resist.
• Friendly and attentive staffs!
• & each time I go, I discover something new about them to LOVE!

So here's a preview :

Let us start of with the appetizers : I don't think this is part of the anniversary menu but I had to include it, I am like so in love with Shine's umami fries, that this fries did actually remind me of that but it was a little different. It had almost the similar dip but no nori, there was a side of fresh roasted garlic and it was a bomb! It was crazy good even after it had gone cold.

Just sharing :) But feel free to add this when you get there..

So the first thing we got to try out was their wait for it!!

These tine tiny things, never under estimate the size. It was a totally packed with crab cake. It was dressed with bufala mozzarella panna (and it was good, I have no idea why I only like mozzarella cheeses) with tomato carpaccio, purple basil flowers (totally edible btw) and calabrese hash and oil. It was sweet and very delightful to the palette.

Oh these little blobs are called PANNA COTTA.

PANNA COTTA

As some would know, I really can't drink. Not that I am not allowed to or anything. I just don't like the taste. I am more of a hot choco, cranberry juice or coke kind of girl. But I gave the fella a chance, but too strong for my liking.

It is made of house made limoncello liquer (which sounds very Italian for me! Which was its inspiration), pink peppercorn berries and pecorino romano shavings! And if you love to add a little twist to this very strong ladies drink, you can squeeze the lemon and eat the CHEESE!

CACIO E PEPE

 Next dish is the UOVO which means egg in Italian. Hey I have loved eating half cooked eggs all my life and I never knew that there is a "sossy" side to the egg. I am excited and scared, all at the same time.

It was a dish inspired from The Goose Station, which is also one of their's.

REALLY NOW!! Only OTKB can turn such an everyday ordinary thing into one hell of a big deal!

I kind of struggled to break this UOVO. It was too pretty for me. With all the colors and the things on the plate like the parmesan polenta, morel spuma (which is the foam on top), pan roasted wild mushrooms and pistachio citrus around it. It was a master piece!

I had to take a glorious photo of it. Had to spin it around a couple of times and little did I know! There was a heart hiding behind it. I wonder who placed that there! But seriously, it was a sweet surprise.

FOOD ART!

I do not know if it is just me or what, but when something is too pretty, it gives me a vibe that "it might not be that good". But what scares me even more is when my vibes are right.

So I looked left and right, everybody liked it!! and they all finished it, but how come I didn't?! Is there something wrong with me? No. I love a runny egg. I don't eat eggs that are fully cooked. So I must love this egg. But I think there was a little too much going on.

But 9 out of 10 liked it, so who am I to say what is what.

UOVO

This next dish scared me. OCTOPUS tentacles. I like it's relative Mr. Squid, but when the thing is too big (I mean both squid and octopus) it scares me (a lot!).

I think it is because of the ton of clips I saw on youtube where people eat this sort of dead/alive octopus on a stick, SCARED THE HELL OUT OF ME. I mean I am still confused if I am an adventurous food lover, but when something is moving all I can say is : 

"don't freaking eat it!!!"

I was actually expecting that I would not like this dish at all! Although the ravioli did intrigue me. I was scared that the chorizo and potato mousseline, with whipped butter and red cabbage broth! Well the broth really was too good!

I do know know how these hunk of a chef's comes up with these things but all together they are great! If you do go to their Anniversary date/s. You should not eat the ravioli alone. Portion it and with each part put in a part of that octopus! OMGE, it was totally heaven and the sauce was the icing on top! Real good stuff.

AGNOLOTTI

Now let us proceed to the main course! 

Now I would like you to think of the best PIG you've had and remember it dearly and now.. Put it aside!!

I am not easily swayed. Seriously, there are a lot of good food for me. I might say that this and that is good. But this MAIALINO ALLO SPIEDO was the GOD of all pigs. I mean these are the things you don't recreate yourself. This pig was so lucky to fall into the dazzling hands of OTKB's chef. There are things that are left to the professionals and this is one of them.

I would like to say that pig's should bathe in milk more!! I know this sounds very cruel to vegetarians and vegans, but you are so missing out! Omg. I can't imagine me being a full on vegetarian. I mean it was just heaven, these things you never forget.

But the portion was so "damot", I wish I had more, like ye' big as the plate more.

THIS IS THE PLATE YOU WOULD NOT WANNA MISS OUT ON

The sucking pig alone was heaven. But if you like to add a little something more to it, the spiced baby carrots, bitter greens gnudi, raspberry vinaigrette and the very succulent pig's head au jus helps. The pig's head au jus was a little sweet which I loved, the raspberry vinaigrette was a little sour kind of yogurt-y good.

The preparation alone was a loud bang. Even before the event, I saw a photo of it in their facebook page. It got me totally hyped up. I was thinking of it the whole trip to the Fort.

The highlight of the night I'ld say.

MAIALINO ALLO SPIEDO

The last main course before dessert was the BISTECCA. 

It is made of Mulwarra tenderloin with Foie Gras shavings, sweet bread caponata, mosto cotto and some zucchini frites. 

It always have my tenderloins medium rare, but even if it was just rare, I loved it! It was really amazing. Man, I mean steak's don't always steal my fancy but OTKB is my weakness. It will always be.

BISTECCA

And for once I am totes happy that I get to stay for dessert. I have a sweet tooth. I crave for it like an addict craved for it's junk. Wish the slab it came with was white or any color but black for you to like drool over it, but it really doesn't matter. Because once you have your fork in. You'll wish you had a bigger portion and forget that the slab was black.

For all cake loves, sweet tooth, or dessert junkies. I do not know if you have tried a cake that is made with OLIVE OIL SPONGE, but it was so good. I mean if it was just me, I would never order such a thing, but I am glad that I was invited and it really widens my food preference. Thank you very much and I have never been happier. It also contains lemon liqueur ganache (which I love to say), pineapple mousse, compressed orange and fennel.

Dude for food and I had a little more than what we were served. It was THAT good folks!

OLIO D' OLIVA

So this ANNIVERSARY MENU is only good for 

SEPTEMBER 26, 27 and 28, 2014

which is P1,499/ person

It is seriously not that pricey for all for these.

Think of it this way : quality over quantity at any time of the day. 

Each dish is really prepared especially for you.

Coz' you need to call at least a day in advance.

Perfection is not made in a blink of an eye. We all know that!

Give them a holler at :

• Facebook : OTKB.bhs
• Telephone number : (02) 823 03 66
• G/F B3, 9th Ave. Bonifacio High Street, Fort Bonifacio

JIPANGYI : soft served ice cream in....... CORN!

By all means, when I get asked where I wanna go, still one of the last places I would choose to go to is SM SAN LAZARO. But I was there last night and it was crazy, I think I am starting to love the place. OMG, the transformation is really something. First Terranova, Red Table, now they are about to have UNIQLO, SCARSDALE and then this!!

Now what is Jipangyi? 

Okay, so they weren't facing the right way for them to be a "?". FAIL!

But according to their website it is :

The only soft serve ice cream store offering freshly made cones out of corn, which are a healthy alternative against sugar-loaded cones. With the various cone shapes of Jipangyi, ice cream can be enjoyed without any spills and mess. Jipangyi Seoul Ice Cream comes in various flavors and can also be eaten with different toppings.

I have tried the thing and I am actually quite confused if I like it or not. I think the corn was a little too thick and too little ice cream inside. Not that there is something wrong with it, IT IS ME. I love to have more ice cream and less corn please. Haha 

Btw, you gotta love how "LINES" attract people. That was what made me notice it really. I was like what the heck is that because they had this CANE like thingies hanging on the side and people are touching it and playing with it.

So we/I must obey the bandwagon and FOLLOW THAT LINE! So I did. OMGE, I just followed a line (not normal Kat, not normal).

It really wasn't a new concept to me because we already have the ice cream inside the barquillos, Which I was a fan of in UST, so everytime I pass by I made sure to grab one since it was I think P15 or P10. Super affordable. And this is also similar to that. Although the barquillos does go floppy after a few minutes.

And here comes Jipangyi offering something similar yet not so. They don't use the sugar encrusted cones that are available commercially, instead they use CORN. Corn is definitely an alternative to people who "like their cake and eat it too". I think my mom would dislike the idea of "NO CONES".

You can enjoy it with less (take note : LESS) guilt. It is still ice cream, that you have no escape. 

Call me maybe? NAHH!!

It is cool really. Loads of people walking around with J's on their hand. And trust me, the J was hard to melt. It wasn't like barquillos. It's just like sugar cones, very sturdy. Although I think I wouldn't recommend it to people with full on false teeth, haha I think it would be hard to eat it. Literally. And for people with braces. Coz I remember when I had mine, it keeps snapping off because of all the junkie food I eat. Hehe (sorry doc for giving you a hard time). But feel free still to give it a try.

I actually joked around with my best friend saying that the thing lacked just one more thing : CHEESE. It does remind me of cheetos and cheezy. My favorite corn snacks!

They have been open less than a week and the line is still there. They offer dessert for just P35.00 which is relatively cheap and affordable for all.

For an additional P5.00 you can also add toppings like M&M's, Almond coated with chocolate, Hershey's Kisses or gummy bears.

Which was fun! But word of advise. EAT THOSE TOPPINGS FIRST. Lol.

Why?!! Coz I was crazy excited and baffled as to how I was suppose to eat the thing. I ate from the bottom thinking that this was where the liquids would go to and forgot that I had my kisses on top. That thing fell down like it was on fire. Jeeesh. The 5 peso coin I will never get back. Story of my life. Haha but it was fun and it is something new to the Philippines.

Try it before all the J's run out. I wonder if they will have a K next time. Haha

Jipangyi is from HAPPY RECIPE FOOD ENTERPRISE and Co. who also owns buko maxx, waffle and co., flayvers. They take simple food to a whole new level. Awesome aren't they?

I saw in their facebook page that :

Jipangyi is actually what Koreans call a “walking stick” and how apt a name too for the corn stick snack many have traditionally enjoyed. 

Do you mean like this???

Ok so here is me goofing around like it is a "walking stick". I swear I didn't know until now that I am writing this post while doing some research. #LunaticOnTheLoose is the perfect hashtag for this. But hey! It is a different walking stick, walking ice cream stick. Oh please let it have its own legs!

It is perfect for kiddie parties! Imagine the clean up crews happiness to hear that there's no ice cream spills and mess to clean up! I think it would be cool for them to do children parties right?! Do I get an amen to the Mommies?! :)

Sorry for the redundant face. I just had so much fun with it! You should too! :)

Visit them in the ff branches : 

• SM SAN LAZARO, ground floor, near the supermarket
• Mall of Asia
• Alabang Town Center
• SM Manila
• SM Bicutan
• SM Davao
• SM Clark
• SM Pamapnga
• ......................expanding still!

WEBSITE : JIPANGYI

FACEBOOK : Jipanyi Seoul Cane Ice Cream Manila

SHINE Bakery and Cafe's savory buffet, dessert buffet and party trays is everything you need and more!

I'm sure that will be one hell of a party! :)

was the last thing I said about SHINE in my last post about them, but now let me tell you more!

For starters, I almost never win anything in my life that it is nothing new for me to lose. Not the luckiest person in the world either, I can't even win a single dime when gambling (by none, I mean no beginner's luck too!). Good thing though! But seriously, 1st, 2nd, 3rd price or place has left my brain since- forever.

They say that people have their moments and I had "that" moment when I least expected it.

What a fat grin I have! Hohoho

But before I proceed with this entry. Proud to show my photo op. with the ever so beautiful Chef Sunshine Pengson! Her baked goods are as sweet as her smile! But I'll tell you more about the sweets a little later. Thanks for the goodies btw!

As I stepped inside SHINE, I felt like the world was smiling despite the bad weather outside. It has been raining crazy these past few days, but not raining hard to be exact. So I am really puzzled as to why the whole metro is flooded. Even our house which is Ondoy and Yolanda proof had water rushing in from everywhere. Imagine everybody's surprise and panic!

But back to SHINE. I was really excited to go back there. My first time with big brother a.k.a. THE PICKIEST EATER, it was really good that it felt normal for me to be this excited on my way up.

Their UMAMI FRIES BTW still haunts me in my sleep. Anyone who dislike fries because of their bad rep. Forget about it! Let go of fear and let the pure love in! It might be a little costly for some thinking that "eeeh it's just potato". JUST ORDER IT and reevaluate!

THE UMAMI FRIESSSSSSSSS!

Find happiness inside HANAMARUKEN - Trinoma

If I could ask for another brother. I don't just want another one. I want a specific one. I want the PICKIEST EATER. Why?! For all the right reasons. He is the brother I never had, but now have.

People would always say that a family that prays together, stays together. Yeaaah, but for me it is more of a family that eats together, stays together. (Hungry hippo much?)

I think it was not fate, but it was by chance that I got to meet him and his loving family Rina and Rain a few Christmas ago and all I can say is that things has never been the same.

I have heard about this place from him and I have been dying to try this place out. But with the constant long line, I have been putting it off. 

No matter how much I want to try a place out, if there is a line. I cannot wait. I would rather go to another place. Yes?

But thank goodness that I happen to be in the mall earlier than usual that I finally have the chance to have this place all by myself! Well not all by myself, but you know what I mean..

And a bowl of hot ramen is the perfect accessory to this rainy weather. I promise you that it will keep you warm, fuzzy, and HAPPY!

My first impression was.. WOAH! Groovy chairs and decor! They didn't have the usual boring plain set up. It was just beautiful for me, from the outside to the inside. And did I mention the food!?

Red Bus for the Birthday Girl!

I must admit that I like.. (No! Love) to splurge myself when it's my special day. And for this very day, I chose to splurge in a different way.

Ideally, I would love to eat lunch in a fine restaurant or have a buffet dinner with friends and family.

But yesterday.. was a different day.

I think at this point in time, I've deduced that food should not be about quantity, but QUALITY.

But where to find quality food for such an amount?

Normally, I would be thinking 5 star hotel restaurants, well renowned joints, etc..

But really, anybody and everybody feels like they are a cook now a these days that all you need to do is open your eyes, be brave and pick a random place!

And with my happy-go attitude!

I'm glad to report that : I found the place!

RED BUS

I thought that this showcase piece must probably not be running anymore, that was why it was used as a food truck, but I was so wrong.

It was far from broken but definitely not in it's best years, although it can still run decently, it needs a "special permit" and a "special driver" to do that. Special means, not just any driver! He/She needs to be a Volkswagen mechanic/expert!

This iffy place used to be someplace else, but has found a more permanent home near Sinangag Express and Shell Aguinaldo Highway of Tagaytay City.

If you are totally particular with where you eat for fear of the unknown, leave that bag because the bus needs to go!

All these cute little trinkets and it's over all design is what made me notice it in the first place.

Seriously, how could you not notice a RED Volkswagen bus!? 

That is impossible not unless you are colorblind!

I think I love places like this, more than the dressed up ones. Why?! Coz' I can totally be me, lay back and enjoy the sun. I am right now totally wishing that there was a beach somewhere within arm reach. Like 2 tumbling's away!! That would totally blow my mind!

Their awesome BLUE OCEAN LEMONADE for just P35 was the perfect refreshment! Yesterday wasn't the coldest day to be in Tagaytay, nonetheless it was just right.. But they also have a RASPBERRY ICED TEA if you want something less acidic.

MEJICOMBO
P 165

They had 4 burgers to choose from.

They have their best seller but somehow the MEJICOMBI was calling out to me. I think it was the TexSalsa that caught me, be but seriously! IT WAS THE BEST ONE FOR ME!

It's one of the best burgers out there PROMISE!! A P165 is still not an expensive burger if you ask me. Very affordable especially after "THAT ONE BITE".

And to think that ingredients are all imported except for the buns, which are locally sourced. But honestly, who needs imported bread when this one is all you need! The sesame's on the soft fluffy buns was like biting down on clouds. Seriously, clouds?! Feels like they just disintegrate by themselves, but you'll be happy!

I was like TAKE MY MONEY and give me another one!.. please? :)

It is places like these that make me love what I do. I love exploring and I love a good adventure.

The wait for the burger totally tortured me. The crazy good burger smell was OOOOZING from the bus and it was hard to wait for my food!

Don't fret about which burger you should choose because all their burger patties are made from ANGUS beef which is btw, pure heaven.

I can still totally feel what I was feeling when I was eating the burger. I was totally dreaming of that burger the whole day yesterday!

For someone who has just started this December 2013, they have surely made their mark on the people who were lucky enough to come across them. Like me!

I will definitely be driving down just to grab me a burger!

LOCATION : Somewhere along Aguinaldo Highway of Tagaytay City, near Sinangag Express and Shell Gas Station.

ROAD TRIP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nanbantei of Tokyo : Grilled to perfection!

Taguig is such a beautiful place to be. It has all the glits and glamour one can ever ask for. 

• Luxurious malls and boutiques
• Hot and gorgeous people walking around
• Cute pets in their tiny little outfits
• Heart pumping sports cars 
• and most of all they have the most mouth watering and wallet emptying restaurants in the metro!

That is why in the heart of this little place, lives NANBANTEI OF TOKYO, where they specialize in something oh so familiar to us Filipino's : IHAW

Such a good word "ihaw" is. I am all about a good bbq on a stick. Especially one with a ton of fat on the end! I could gobble it up like a hound dog unfed for a month! (Yes, I eat like a mad man.)

So back to the grilling and less with the gory details..

Speaking of bbq.. Let us start off with my favorite. 

Good old Mr. Pork Bbq! Such a fine gentleman, he has the perfect qualities every lady would want! Very tender and juicy! Grilled to perfection! Too bad servings here come in 3's or 2's. And what about piggy people like me? Don't fret my fellow meat lovers! You can always order more! 

PORK GARLIC YAKI
(only 2 sticks per order-ala carte)
P130

And I love it as much as I love bbq's on the streets, but of course this is better because it is for sure.. CLEAN!!

Nanbantei of Tokyo Set Meals and Platters

I always love eating with my family and friends and when the going (by that I mean ordering) gets tough. Set meals and platters do really make things it easier!

Don't you think so???

With prices ranging from P850-P1,500 it is truly a win-win situation for everyone!

So let us begin..

PLATTERS

BESTSELLER (P975); (21 sticks): 

• Aspara Maki (asparagus wrapped with pork)
• Tebasaki (chicken wings)
• Pork Garlic Yaki (pork with garlic flavor)
• Shiso Maki (pork with shiso leaf)
• Negima (combination of chicken and leeks)
• Corn
• Poteto Maki (potato wraped with bacon)

YAKITORI SPECIALS (P850); (21 sticks) : 

• Tebasaki (chicken wings)
• Negima (combination of chicken meat and leeks)
• Tsukune (chicken meat balls)
• Kawa (chicken skin)
• Bonjiri (chicken tail)
• Hatsu (chicken heart)
• Leba  (chicken liver)

For short, whole chicken. NO PARTS WILL BE SPARED!

SURF AND TURF (P990); (18 sticks): 

• Beef Garlic Yaki (beef with garlic flavor)
• Ebi Kushi Yaki (skewered shrimps)
• Aspara Maki (asparagus wrapped with pork)
• Poteto Maki (potato wrapped with bacon)
• Shake Kushi Yaki (grilled salmon balls with teriyaki sauce)
• Corn

SEAFOOD PLATTER (P1,500); (15 sticks): 

• Shake Kushi Yaki (grilled salmon balls with teriyaki sauce)
• Ika Yaki (squid with yakiniku sauce)
• Shishamo (capelin fish with roe)
• Ebi Kushi Yaki (skewered shrimps)
• Unagi (eel)

Of all the platters, I find this one the most interesting!

Now for the set meals :

SET MEALS for P888

Set A

WHAT?!?! P888 only!?! Yes, that is true.. You read it right. Totally worth your money if you ask me!

Set meal A consists of (*best seller!) : 

• 3 Miso Soup
• 3 Gohan (plain rice)
• 2 Tebasaki (chicken wings)
• 3 Poteto Maki (potato wrapped with bacon)
• 3 Negima (chicken meat with leeks)
• 3 Aspara Maki (asparagus wrapped with pork)
• 3 Pork Yakiniku (pork bbq)
• Ebi Tempura

 

Set B

Set Meal B :

• Leba Maki (chicken liver wrapped in bacon)
• Beef Garlic Yaki (beef with garlic flavor)
• Pork Garlic Yaki (pork with garlic flavor)
• Beef Yakiniku (grilled thin slices of beef)
• Shake Kushi Yaki (grilled salmon balls with teriyaki sauce)
• Kani Salad 

Set C

Set Meal C

• Bonjiri (chicken tail)
• Tebasaki (chicken wings)
• Sakana Maki (dori fish wrapped in thinly slicked pork)
• Tsukune (chicken meat balls)
• Shiso Maki (pork with shiso leaf)
• Tori Karaage

___________________________________________________________________________________

• Visit their website : http://www.nanbanteiphilippines.com

• Don't forget to like their Facebook page : NanbanteiPhilippines

• Follow them at Twitter : Nanbantei_PH

• and of course! Instagram : nanbantei_ph

Branches :

• Greenbelt 3 : 3/F
• Bonifacio High Street : Upper ground floor. Besides Village Tavern and Across Jamba Juice!

Izakaya Den : Japanese food haven in Malate

Nothing complements Japanese food like KIKKOMAN (bow)

And whenever dining at a Japanese restaurant I would always love the sight of this sexy body with the red cap, not that I don't appreciate the beautiful condiment containers of other restaurants, but nothing beats simplicity.

By the looks of IZAKAYA DEN's facade, I was totally excited because I feel like a lot of Japanese people eat here (which would say a lot about it's authenticity) and also because I have seen the place for quite a while now and have been dying to see what the inside looks like. I have passed by this place over and over again, but never had the time to stop and give it a try.

.... Til now! For the longest time, my mind has been constructing the inside of this place! Seemed to me like it is the Japanese "A" place to be and it is! And I would always see a ton of cars parked outside whenever passing by.

Heaven in San Juan : Brasserie Cicou

I have been working for a month now, and I have noticed the biggest change in my life. I sleep early, I eat early and most of all I tire easily. Tire easily was never a word to me before. I have no idea what the word rest mean because I would just go on and on. I would watch movies til wee hours of the day. Sweeping at 3 in the morning because I had nothing better to do.

Even going out on a Sunday, the one rest day I have, seemed like too much work to me now. But my coupon from DEAL GROCER was about to expire, I had to get off my butt and use it.

DEAL GROCER is the "IT" coupon place. They would always have the best deals for the best price. But best of all. IT IS LEGIT. But I'll save it for another post..

Now, my family would frequent Greenhills like clock work and we would always park on the building parking right across the old Gloria Maris. And whenever it is time to go home, I would always love looking out the ledge (not to jump) but to breathe in what's left of the fresh air there, and I would always see this place :

BRASSERIE CICOU

But we never had time nor chance on our side to try this place out. No, that's an excuse. We would never bother to walk out of the perimeters of Greenhills Shopping Center, because it is just way too hot outside and no place is worth the sweat we were gonna produce. (I was so wrong.)

Good thing I bought a coupon from DG. Best purchase ever! Better feeling than buying a bag, getting a massage or even SLEEPING IN.

At this point in my life I would trade food for sleep. I never thought it can happen, but it did. You have no idea how much I wanted to sleep in and just forfeit the coupon! But if I did.

Every Girl's Dream : The Tannery Manila (Leather bags and more!)

It is not everyday that I get to meet beautiful ladies like Macy and Mariel.

ME and MACY (the designer)

ME and MARIEL (the chemist)

And you are probably wondering who they are. Well for starters, they are the sisters who are responsible for the great merchandises of THE TANNERY MANILA.

Money well spent at : 8 STREET BITES at SM Manila

Back when I was still in high school, I would always love to go to Sm Manila. I would be there almost 3 times a week, which would be a lot for a high school student right? I don't know why but I just really loved eating out even on a school night!

So even on a school night or on a work day, Sm Manila would always be filled with people from different offices near by like from the City Hall or the schools near by like PUP or Adamson. I was so used to the crowd that it was a shocker to me that on this fateful Saturdate, there were barely any people.

But even if it has really been a long while. The stores were pretty much the same but the restaurants.. It was news to me!

I was  a little melancholy but somewhat happy. I was actually craving for some good BRASO DE MERCEDES from REYES (which is now sadly gone!). But it was truly a blessing in disguise.

I was now on a mission to find a new place to eat at.

Sm Manila is a little place and if I put it to will, I can finish roaming the place in less than an hour.

On the 4th floor, I noticed the biggest change. There were a couple of great places to eat at like RED TABLE, SEAFOOD ISLAND, ARISTOCRAT, KEBABERS, but what caught my attention was :

What is it about the number 8? It seems like the number 8 is making it's mark on the industry. Eight this and 8 that. Did they forget about lucky 9? Lol

Rediscover the Filipino in you at Isla Cafe (Robinsons Ermita) by XO46

I do not know if drinking coke early in the morning wrong or if eating junk food for breakfast is right. But whether it is right or wrong. I LOVE IT. (We all know it is wrong, right? I am just in my life long denial stage)

I have never been in the norm or even close to it. I like doing things my way and getting things done my way. I would not care if it is right or wrong as long as I am not hurting anybody.

With that being said. I think eating breakfast for lunch or eating merienda during night time is my kinda style. I have so gotten used to sleeping late that I just follow what my tummy wants or demands not caring if it is night or day.

So I hate how some places restrict me from eating the things I like. 

Let us just leave it at Mcdonalds. WHY WON'T YOU LET ME ORDER NUGGETS FOR BREAKFAST?! I DON'T LIKE A SAUSAGE MCMUFFIN OR A HASH BROWN! 

I really needed to let that out. Been holding on to it for the longest time.

But now I would just like to say, "thank you ISLA CAFE that you serve me merienda during dinner time! I love you :)"

  

ICE CREAM + MACARON = Chez Karine

If there is one thing I love more than myself in this world (besides family of course!) it would be ice cream. Nothing makes me feel happier and more contented than a good ice cream on my spoon be it Haagen-Dazs or a mamang sorbetero's dirty ice cream.

I feel like I have been eating ice cream all my life, not sure if my mom craved ice cream when I was in her tummy, but this is what we have in common.

We/I find ice creams hard to resist, but I found it harder to resist this.

ICE CREAM + MACARON

SALTED CARAMEL ICE CREAM MACARON
P70

For starters I have never eaten a macaron (macaron macaron not this ice cream macaron) before this, so I had no idea what it tasted like. I've always thought that macaron and macaroons were one and the same (and I thought it both was made with coconut, apparently not!).

After a few articles on the internet, I wished that I knew this way back when. When my little eyes were closed back then and I hear the word macaron a few things go rushing through my head like :

• "Why the h are they so expensive!?"
• "Is it made of gold!?"
• "What's the fuzz all about??"

I cannot see myself paying that much for these little things. (Even if I like to spend my money on the most non sense thing I see)

Hey hey hey!! Look what I've got
If you think this photo looked silly, it was actually sillier in person
Looked and felt like I was high but the not jail-able kind of high.

Apparently, the only thing that would make me jump the barrier was the word ICE CREAM. If this is what they have started with, I would have been into it long before!

At first bite, I loved it. I wanted to take a lot home and being the "usisyosa" kid that I am, I did ask if I can but sadly there was no way (for now).

(Please let it be temporary!-avftl)

I think it is because the ice cream would met into the softie macaron shell that I cannot take this home and also of course after melting in, the quality won't be the same anymore.

I was curious how long they have been operating and I was told that they have a branch in Serendra long before this one. Since I don't spend much time in Serendra, I didn't know of Chez Karine back then because the only thing in my mind when I go there is to go to Sonja's (when it was not everywhere). Too bad I've never noticed it before and thank God they opened up their 2nd branch in Sm Megamall's Mega Fashion Hall.

See all these pretty little monsters! Who knew they are packed with love and mushiness!

Since I loved their ice cream macaron, I decided to take a leap of faith and buy a box of their most eye catching flavors.

They had a ton of flavor to choose from but my favorite was their

RED VELVET MACARON!!

(Stay tuned for the post about it)

I have no idea when this red velvet madness will stop, but I am still totally into it.

CARAMEL FLEUR DE SEL
P130

I think it was a wrong move that I ordered this drink together with my ice cream macaron. Don't get me wrong it was great! But the flavor was understated because of the sweetness of the ice cream and macaron.
Or I should have drank this first before my ice cream.

Aside from their lovely macarons, they had other little baked goods like

• Strawberry Jammies for P85
• Salted Toffee for P85
• Chocolate Sable P95 or P315
• Blueberry Cream Cheese Pudding P110
• Hokkaido Cupcakes for P70

You might think that the ice cream macaron stops at the SALTED CARAMEL, but no. THERE IS MORE!

STRAWBERRY ICE CREAM MACARON
P70

I seriously wasn't contented with one. It was tiny for my standards.

Chez Karine, please make me a giant ICE CREAM MACARON. I'ld even pay sa much as P300 for just one! Lol (I am serious).

It was awkward- a short and fat moment. The ice cream was fat, but the macaron was short. So when I bit into it, the guts moved to the other end. It was as if it was telling me not to eat it. Too bad brotha!

There were actually 4 flavors. Another one is this STRAWBERRY ICE CREAM MACARON! It was a little sour for my buds, but it was good. How can ice cream ever be bad?!

Goodies on the go, can you guess what's inside?

Newly opened Chez Karine branch in the ground floor of Sm Megamall's Mega Fashion Hall. I totally love their interior design. Macarons with umbrella!? How cute is that!

I love the window seats they had. It's a great place to sit and relax while watching other people stroll by. Kind of therapeutic in a way. You won't even notice how fast the time flies by.

It can end here but NO, there is another flavor you must hear of.

I had 2 flavors (some would be contented with one, but I am not them), I had to have more! I had to try their DARK CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM MACARON. I cannot let the moment pass. I cannot leave the place hungry for more (but I did because I cannot bring them home. aww ). The dark chocolate was the Michael Jordan of macarons! Whoever came up with this. You are brilliant!

DARK CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM MACARON
P70

SAY CHEESE FOR TAKE 3

There would have been a take 4 photo, but I wasn't so sure about the VANILLA BEAN. I love vanilla ice cream, but not so sure about the beans. There is something about beans. That I leave up to bean lovers to try.

I am not so sure if people would be spending P70 for a piece of this in this economy, but still I'ld say it is a must try!! Especially the SALTED CARAMEL.

It is perfect for the summer's hot weather. Just make sure you CONSUME IT IMMEDIATELY, I don't think it can tolerate the deteriorating weather outside or if I happen to see you I just might snag it out of your hands. Haha!

If you get to try any of it, tell me how you feel about it, was it good or not? :)

CHEZ KARINE PASTRIES MENU
*photo taken from their facebook page

CHEZ KARINE - DRINKS MENU
*photo taken from their facebook page

Branches :

• Serendra (near Sonja's)
• Sm Megamall Mega Fashion Hall : Ground floor

Don't forget to check out their :

• Website : www.chezkarine.com/
• Facebook page : Chez Karine Bakery
• Instagram : @chezkarine
• Twitter : @chezkarine

MACARON NG MASAYANG BAKASYON!