Darigold Chocolate Milk - best chocolate milk ever!

I was never a fan of drinking white milk since I was a little girl, I think I stopped drinking and asking for milk when I was 3? (now you know why I'm just 5 foot tall. LOLS, I could have been so much taller!! Gaaah). I've always felt like it tasted weird, super stomach hurling especially when I drink it early in the morning, but most of all when it's hot! Funny thing though, add chocolate in the mix and it is now a different ball game.

Do you guys know of Nestle's premium dairy milk?

This is the shiz, but in chocolate. I like can't live without it before. I wasn't sure when was the first time I've tried it or who make me try it or how I got hooked. I've always found the locally made Magnolia's fresh chocolate milk to be the best, but somehow they are now nowhere to find. My mom was sad too since it was her favorite chocolate milk drink too. She was luckier because when she was a little girl, they had their fieldtrip inside Nestle's factory in now what's Robinson's Magnolia.

Last time I got a hold of  a 1 liter bottle, it was around 140 php and the small one was around 40 php. Expensive compared to other chocolate drinks. But it was so WORTH IT! It's shelf life was relatively short too, since it was a "fresh milk drink". Maybe it was why they took it out?

I was so desperate for that taste again that I just bought every chocolate milk I saw inside my usual supermarket. Taste test done, appetite lost but one did come out on top!

Although it is a low fat milk, which I never liked, I found it rather pleasing. It had the same thicker milky consistency like Magnolia's and the taste was SPOT ON!! A 237 mL bottle is 49.25 php in Unimart and I think Landers have them not sure about the price though. I'll update soon. This milk is not locally produced though, it is imported from Seattle, WA.

If you have nostalgia.. 90's kids. 80's kids. It is the drink that will truly satisfy your craving! If your kid hates white milk like I do. It might do the trick just for the sake that they drink "milk".

Boqeuria Restaurante + Chocolateria : My Spanish Delight

SM Megamall's Mega Fashion Hall is slowly but surely opening up closed doors. And as a person who loves to explore anything new, I am totally psyched that there are tons of new stores and restaurants to look forward to and one of them is BOQUERIA.

Boqueria is another Agustin baby, Marvin Agustin to be exact. The famous actor turned businessman is surely paving a very good road for himself. He owns the famous Sumo Sam which serves great Japanese food. We would use to go to Shangri-la just to eat there. Talk about going the mile.

As much as I love Japanese food, I am totally happy that he is exploring other cuisines too.

There's already a lot of great Chinese, Japanese and Korean restaurants, but there sure aren't a lot of great Spanish restaurants. Spanish restaurants are famous for their churros, lengua, paella, chorizo, etc.. and Boqueria has it all.

Ethically if you ask me (back then) if I would eat tongue, my answer would be "WHAT KIND OF PERSON EATS TONGUE?! That is just wrong".

I would have never thought that "I" would be the answer.

I was actually tricked into thinking that it was just ordinary meat, I blame the low lights (and my mom). And I totally blame the almost invisible name card!

But looking back, I was glad that I did get to try Lengua, but too bad that I can only stand to eat lengua if it is cooked in gravy or mushroom sauce. I dare not try lengua's cooked in white sauce which is how Boqueria does. So, there..

As you walk into the restaurant, I love that you can see the ingredients that they use in their dishes because it is displayed on open shelves for the world to see. Which is great! Fresh picks to give you the best experience.

Whenever eating at restaurants, I would always ponder upon how they prepare their dishes and how clean they keep their kitchen, don't you? But here, you never have to worry about your food's quality because they have it for the world to see because they have an open kitchen (way cool)! I think I stood a couple of good minutes just staring at the chef's doing their thing.

And they were pretty friendly too!

The staffs prepared my scrumptious meal with all smiles and enthusiasm and it was surely infectious because I left the place with a big grin on my face!

As of now they are only at their SOFT OPENING, but they are totally doing a good job. Excellent service, great food and lovely ambiance, best of all friendly people.

PAELLA VALENCIANA
P378

Now that I am at a fine Spanish restaurant, I think that it is just polite that I order a paella. You know what kind of Spanish restaurant they are with paella alone.

They have 6 paella's to choose from :

• Paella Queso Manchego (P398) - Spanish Chorizo and Manchego Cheese
• Paella del Carne (P368) - All Meat Paella
• Paella Negra (P388) - Squid and Squid Ink Paella
• Paella Bogavante (P898) - Lobster Paella
• Paella Marinera (P368) - Seafood Paella
• Paella Valenciana (P378) - Mixed Seafood and Chicken Paella

We had their PAELLA VALENCIANA (P378). And each paella serving is actually good for just 1 to 2 persons and it takes them about 20-25 minutes of cooking time. But don't fret! They have tons of appetizer for you to choose from while waiting.

I am totally hoping that would make a bigger paella plate where a group can share like a 4-5 person maybe?

And I am totally excited to go back to Boqueria because I want to try their Paella Bogavante. I never knew that lobster could be incorporated into a paella dish. Sounds mouth watering! When will be that day, I wonder..

SALPICAO
P328

Another thing we had was the SALPICAO (P328) and it was very delightful. I loved how strong the garlic tasted without feeling like it was meant to kill a Vampire. The beef was also very tender and the smell was intoxicatingly good!

CHICHARRONES
P198

Their CHICHARRONES (P198) is crispy pork belly with red wine reduction was heart stopping (the good kind) comes with a white wine vinaigrette dip but it is totally optional as the meat itself is already good.

HOT CHOCOLATE
P98

But I can't let this moment pass by. I had to have it.

Chocolate fuels me, but great chocolate captivates me. So it was either churros with chocolate or hot chocolate.

But since I wasn't in the mood for churros, I went ahead with a cup of HOT CHOCOLATE (P98). I think it is a total steal that it's only for P98 since it is made with VALOR chocolates that is fresh from Madrid, Spain! 

But hind sight, the experience could have been better with churros..

• Churros : (3 pcs - P160 ; 5 pcs - P248)
• Chocolate Churros : (3 pcs - P190 ; 5 pcs - P308)

I totally love their ambiance. Feels so cozy but sophisticated.

But lunch or dinner will never be complete without dessert. They have 2 things you can choose from :

TOCINIDO DE CIELO

Tocinido de Cielo is Boqueria's Spanish version of the traditional leche flan.

NATALLIAS DE QUESO MANCHEGO

Natallias de Queso Manchego is their version of a cheesecake. So take your pick and enjoy!

• Facebook page :Boqueria PH
• Instagram : @boqueriaph
• Twitter : @boqueriaph

Branches : 

• SM Megamall, 3rd floor, Mega Fashion Hall

KAGI-gil Chocolate Wafer

I think that the Philippines has more Starbucks than hospitals. I have been visiting Starbucks ever since it came here in the Philippines but I was never much of a coffee person. So I have been indulging myself with their snacks and treats mostly.

Have you noticed that they always have these lolli's for P25.00 on their counters? Back then Kagi has always been on the cashier's counter for P5.00 or P10.00 I think, but they disappeared all of a sudden. I wonder why.. Would it be possible that it didn't sell? I doubt it. Kinda felt sad at first when it was pulled out but eventually forgot about it.

Until I one glorious day that I found it again in Duty Free. I love Duty Free. They have all the good stuff! I missed it a lot that I just snagged one off the shelf. It has been a blur since it was way back when but I know this was what I was eating at Starbucks.

Kagi Mini
$3.35 or P143.00 per pack

Have you heard about HANUTA? Read about it here!

     I am the crazy chocolate lady. I even have my own little fridge in my room to keep my stash away from prying eyes and unwanted strangers. I practically save or spend half of my money for food alone. I was taught not to be stingy when it comes to food, good food to be exact. You can live without so many material things, but you cannot live without food. So to every waking day, most of my problem is "what am I gonna eat!". Even on my sad days where I have no appetite to eat, I would turn to chocolates for comfort. No chocolate is too expensive for me. Chocolates are said to have a special effect on people and they really do. Think about flowers on Valentines day, they have always gone hand in hand with chocolates. 

     Can you imagine your life without chocolates!? I can't!! That would be my world gone mad! I love sweets so much that I just felt like I am close to diabetes. Had to go to the doctor to get my blood fasting glucose checked! We can never be too careful especially when it comes to our health. My dad says that everything should be in moderation. But I just can't stay away from my little joys. How about you guys? When have you had your last check up? With all of us foodie people out there eating their hearts away. We mostly have no idea how much junk we eat. How much calories we ingest, how much sugar we gulp. I suggest that if you had not visited the doc for a while now. You please must go visit him right away just before it's too late, visit him now, now that you have the time to because it's the holidays! and people are on vacation, I hope some doctors are not. :) I heard they are workaholics! haha Imagine the hardship they go through med school. If they aren't workaholics, I don't know what they are. I wouldn't even last a minute inside. Good thing I never dreamt of being a doctor.

     Back to our sugar-y business.

     So hanuta is one of Ferrero's babies. But let us save that for a little later. Let us talk about how Ferrero practically changed most of the ladies life today. Every Valentines day girls would receive bouquets of flowers with a pack of 3 pieces or more if the guy really really likes you. It has been like that ever since I can remember it or a heart cake from the canteen of our school. I don't think anybody has really eaten that cake to be honest. I never did. It looked nice as a gift but not to eat. SORRY!

     So, who doesn't love Ferrero products? To be exact Ferrero Rocher. I have no idea what kind of person would not love it. Not unless you have allergies or what not. It has been used time in memorial for special occasions like Valentine's day, Birthdays, Christmas, etc. It is just so "gas-gas" but still very yummy! It hasn't lost its touch and I doubt it will any time soon. It has been such a big deal that it has been made into bouquets substituting the flowers that will wilt and die with in a week vs. yummy edible chocolate balls you can keep to yourself or share. I go for the latter without a blink but only to keep it for myself!

     Ferrero has a variety of chocolates to choose from and I hope the collections grows bigger. The famous Nutella is also made by Ferrero and it is all the rage now too. From tiny, small, medium, large, LARGE containers. I even saw a pack of 7 mini nutella container that is designated for each of the 7 days a week! There is this new contraption called nutella-go. Basically like our famous "school snack" Yan-Yan. Chocolate dip and stick biscuits. Some people just eat nutella straight from the jar and lick it off the spoon like it's a lollipop. Crazy but I've seen people do it. But Nutella-go is not worth the money for me. It is better to buy a nutella jar, and go buy bread or biscuit sticks separately because paying P100.00 or $2.00 is a bit too much for such a tiny tiny, did i say TINY THING?!?! I was so disappointed with nutella-go :( For the others out there who has tried it, did you feel the same as I did? or not?

     Ferrero also debuted their coconut flavor "RAFFAELLO". Great for people who like coconut, but definitely something not for me. I hate coconut for some reason. The smell makes we wanna vomit. I can smell it from miles away. Anything that has coconut. I will pass. Even if it is coated in chocolate-y goodness. It can't mask the taste of the evil coconut!

     But my ultimate favorite is Kinder Bueno, Kinder Surprise, Kinder Chocolate they are also made by Ferrero. Pricey but I love Kinder products. They are just so creamy and yummy! Top to bottom. Inside and out! and to be honest it is not crazy sweet but just right for the taking! I love putting it in the freezer before eating them because I don't like it melting inside the plastic when I am eating it (savor every last bit) and the coldness adds this crazy icy sensation that is delectable.

     Last but not least. HANUTA! HANUTA! HANUTA! But what is Hanuta?

THIS IS HANUTA