Cupcakes by Sonja now open at Glorietta 2!

May 12, 2013 by 2 Comments

Yehey!  Cupcakes by Sonja finally branched out of the Serendra Piazza in Bonifacio Global City!  It now has a branch at the newly renovated Glorietta 2 and I couldn’t be more glad because it’s now nearer our place!

But I will definitely miss the smell of freshly-baked cupcakes and the  Cath Kidston prints from their Serendra store because the one at Glorietta 2 is more of a kiosk-type with a smaller cafe area.

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I didn’t know they have changed the colors of their logo from pink/brown to red/tiffany blue. What’s your thought on this?

Nonetheless, it was great to be reunited with my favorite cupcakes again!

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Sonja’s cupcakes may be the most expensive cupcakes in the market today, but I don’t mind paying such a  premium for quality cupcakes.  Hers are the only cupcakes I’ve tried which has retained the same consistency, freshness and taste over the years.  And to think that I am only able to try her cupcakes whenever we find ourselves at Serendra.

There are countless others who have since followed Sonja’s footsteps (I really think she started this cupcakes craze!) but sadly, they were only good at the beginning and the premium taste of their cupcakes is already lost after a few months.

So, I am really happy to finally find them here at Glorietta 2.  Here’s what AJ and I had when we belatedly discovered it yesterday: Creme Brulee Cupcake Tart for me and Chocolate Cheesecake Twirl for him.  We shared a cup of freshly brewed Cafe Americano.

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Again, Sonja did not disappoint.  The Chocolate Cheesecake Twirl was decadent and moist inside (unlike other so-called premium cupcakes which are dry as a paper), while the Creme Brulee Cupcake Tart was nothing short of perfect.  The vanilla custard filling reminds me so much of AJ’s classic custard  I feel that I’m eating it right at the comfort of our home.

I hope you get to visit the new store soon.  Cupcakes by Sonja at Glorietta 2 isn’t so hard to miss – it’s just right above the activity area (2nd level), beside McDonald’s.

Or better yet, look for this steel whisks-turned-lampshade at the 2nd floor of Glorietta 2.  I couldn’t resist taking picture of this one as well – it’s so whimsical!

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Enjoy your cupcakes by Sonja!

 

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Food Post: Watami Japanese Casual Restaurant at the New Glorietta

March 4, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Have you been to the new Glorietta Mall? It’s so nice to see it open again!  It’s more spacious now and looks like a big hotel.

We were exploring this new mall last January when we came across Watami,  a casual Japanese restaurant located just outside the mall,  beside Holiday Inn & Suites.   I’ve heard a lot about this Japanese restaurant which is said to be the town’s newest favorite.

The ambiance of Watami was very modern and yet cozy, just like Ramen Bar.   It has bright orange walls, too.

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Since it was just AJ and me, we ordered rice meals for each of us.   My Beef Rice Bowl with Hot Spring Egg in Tokyo Style (P195.00) has a honey sweet taste that reminds me of our very own tocino.   The egg yolk is not cooked by the way (just the way I like it!), so when I mixed everything in my bowl I got this sticky version of a beef rice which I loved to bits!  I think even kids will like this because it’s sweet and the texture’s not dry.

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AJ ordered Pork Rice with Egg Yolk in Stone Pot (P225.00) which, as its name suggested, was served in a clay pot.   The heat of the clay pot cooked both the rice and egg until well-done so be careful with this one and transfer to another plate once cooked to avoid the tutong or rice crust at the bottom of the pot.

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This one has a garlic-soy sauce taste and is equally good (and plenty) as my rice bowl.   Those who have a strong salty/savory palate will love this.

We also tried their Deep Fried Tofu with Tempura Sauce in Stone Pot (P175.00) which is their version of agedashi tofu.  The tofu cubes were fresh and fried to perfection – crunchy on the outside and soft, not crumbly, inside.   The tempura sauce that came with it was flavorful and was plenty enough to coat the breaded tofus with its flavor.    A total winner and value for money!

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We enjoyed our meal at Watami so much that we returned there a few weeks after to celebrate my birthday with my family.   We ordered again for all of the above and they all liked it!    No left overs!

The best thing about Watami is that you get these really good and authentic Japanese food at unbelievably reasonable prices!

So don’t be intimidated by this fancy-looking Japanese restaurant when you see it at the new Glorietta Mall or at SM Mall of Asia.    Check it out and see for yourself why it’s everyone’s newest favorite!

Watami Philippines’ Official Facebook Page

 

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A Sumptuous Birthday!

February 11, 2013 by 6 Comments

I celebrated my _ _th birthday last week in a very quiet but food-filled way.    It fell on a weekday and I took the day off from work so I can relax, hear mass and spend a quiet dinner with my family (which turned out to be not-so-quiet!).    I chose the newly-opened Watami at Glorietta 5 for my birthday dinner because it’s new and  for a fully serviced Japanese restaurant, it’s not expensive.

That’s my parents at my right and AJ at my left.  Across us are my cousin Mae Anne (in red Japanese kimono blouse) and Ate Rowena (who’s not looking properly at the camera hehe):

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Me and AJ playing with the chopsticks:

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Wacky shot with my parents (my mom rocks!).

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We capped my birthday at home with a nice apple pie from Purple Oven (sorry, I forgot to take pictures!) and freshly brewed Batangas coffee.

Then last Saturday AJ and I met with Pia, my super-friend from college who’s here from Vietnam, at no less than the TWG Tea Salon and Boutique at Greenbelt 5.    The three of us sampled 5 different types of teas (that’s 5 pots!) and all flavors of their French Macarons!

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I had a grand time with the 2 wittiest persons I know (next to my mom!)

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Then Sunday (which marks the first day of the Chinese New Year), we were at Robinsons Magnolia for lunch at Ramen Bar with my another super-close  friend from college, Denise, and her family. You may remember Denise from our DIY tea party last year.

But this time, she was able to bring her youngest daughter, Raine, much to my delight.   Raine is such a doll and now that she’s a toddler, playing with her is such a delight.

Opps, the baby is practising to be a lady…

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While Raine is touching up on her lip balm, Maxine and I were busy poring over the science almanac books that I gave her as Christmas presents:

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My photo-op with Maxine and Raine:

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I love this shot of them (taken by AJ):

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Group picture at Delicakes by Joly, Robinson’s Magnolia where we had our after-lunch coffee and dessert :

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We all passed by National Bookstore after and look what I found on sale at 50% off!

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It was a fun-filled week with friends and my family over sumptuous food, lots of laugh and a  surprise bargain find!

Exactly the kind of birthday celebration that I want!

(Watch out for my food posts on TWG Tea Salon and Boutique, Watami and Delicakes by Joly.  I’m finding it difficult to choose the pictures to publish because they’re all making me hungry!  In the meantime, you may view some of the food pictures I took at my Instagram account @dbrightspot)

 

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Vanilla Cupcake Bakery

February 8, 2013 by Leave a Comment

If you love cupcakes then you must check out this new place at Glorietta 4 called Vanilla Cupcake Bakery.  But I warn you,  it’s not exactly a place where your boyfriend or husband will feel comfortable staying in for long.   The place is too pretty and dainty and very feminine – the kind of place I’ll want to hang out with my girlfriends.

Let’s check out the interiors!

Pretty tea party set-up in a gorgeous Heima desk:

Lovely teapot and coffee mugs.  Where to find them?

A Daphne chair in yellow! My ultimate dream chair!

The details of the intricate carving, up close:

Lovely chandelier lamp. The mini-lampshades added a shabby chic vibe to this crystal-filled lamp.

Another Daphne chair!  Geez, if this is a house, I surely wanna live in here.

Another envious piece from Heima! Did I happen to walk inside a Heima Store? =)

…and  another!

I forgot to ask if these were for sale hehe!

I want! I want! I want!

Awright, before we confuse our cupcake bakery into a Heima Store or Dimensione, let us check out the cupcakes!  Too bad I could not get a closer look at them because of the many people in line.

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Aside from cupcakes, Vanilla Cupcake Bakery offers other deliciously sweet products like  Banoffee Pies and Cheesecakes – in bottles!   Yes, they’re packaged in cute clear glass bottles with tied ribbons in front.  Here’s the Banoffee:

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I was enticed by this pretty packaging so I ordered one with English Breakfast Tea:

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The Banoffee’s a definite must-try.   The graham cracker pie crust (which is crumbled in fine perfection here to be able to fit in a bottle) is faultless, and so is the buttery cream that is layered in between fresh bananas and crumbled graham crackers.

The English Tea, on the other hand, stayed pretty much warm until my last cup.

I thought we’ll still have room for cupcakes but we were already full by the time we finished the bottle of banoffee.   Anyway, that’s another good reason to go back to Vanilla Cupcake Bakery – to try the cupcakes!

The place was so nicely lit-up, by the way, it’s perfect for reading!  I wish I’ve brought a book with me when we went there and holed up while AJ went to finish our errands.   But then, with the long line of people coming in by the minute, I think I’ll feel embarrassed to stay long while others are waiting to be seated.

So if you are looking for yummy cupcakes + afternoon tea + shabby chic ambiance + a display store for happy furniture, then this is the perfect place for you.

The Vanilla Cupcake Bakery is located at Glorietta 4, near the annex going to SM Makati.

 

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Liam’s Stressful Haircut

January 13, 2013 by 5 Comments

Who would’ve thought that a toddler’s haircut can be so stressful?

Liam, my adorable 2-year old nephew, was brought to Cuts 4 Tots Hair Salon in Glorietta last December for a much needed haircut.    My brother and sis-in-law tried to get him a haircut in Cebu many times already but all are in vain.  Liam just won’t have it.

AJ and I tagged along with Liam’s lolo and lola (my dad and mom), Ate Donna and Ate Lilia (Liam’s dependable Ates) on the trip to the hair salon.   Liam’s dad and mom (that’s my brother Dino, and sis-in-law Juvvy) stayed hidden the whole time so Liam wouldn’t be distracted with their presence.

Liam didn’t want to sit in the barber’s chair (in shape of a car) so Ate Donna has to hold him (until the hair cutting business was finished).   I actually preferred it that way so Liam will not shift too much, which will make it more difficult for the barber to cut his hair.

The first cut (or rather, the first shave) was smooth and uneventful.  The barber started at the back of his head so Liam didn’t feel irritated at all.     P1060593b

He was even playing with Ate Donna.    P1060598b

Then his face changed.  Like he was trying to understand what Kuya (the barber) is doing with his hair.   P1060596b

“My hair!”   Not only did Liam see the little hairs in his arm (we couldn’t make him wear the tunic), it also started to irritate him.       P1060599b

He then started to call for help.  Liam was able to free himself from Ate Donna and went to his lolo’s arms.  He probably thought they’re on the way out so he was pulling his body towards the door hehe.  P1060609b

All of us in the room were, at this point, trying to comfort him and distract him at the same time by showing videos from his iPad, clapping and blowing big, soapy bubbles (c/o Cuts 4 Tots).   P1060613b

It was successful – for a while.   Liam made his plea again and lola came to his rescue.   But still no escape from Kuya, the barber.    Lola was able to distract him a little with a kiddie movie being shown at the salon.  P1060618b

Liam also thought his Tito AJ can help him escape, but a half-finished haircut is not a haircut!    So poor little boy, he has to finish this ordeal.  P1060622b

Just a little more, Liam!    Liam even agreed to be carried by the lady staff at Cuts 4 Tot after realizing that all of us aren’t being helpful, anyway haha!        P1060607b

Finally, the haircut is done!  Liam was relieved that it was over!  Ate Donna (left) and Ate Lilia (right) helped him change into a new shirt.  P1060627b

Just as we are exiting the salon, his parents are already heading towards us.   The little boy was finally reunited with his parents, and it was only here that I started to breath normally.   P1060633b

Liam must have used up so much of his energy during the haircut, he slept like a log when they got home hehe! 

 

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