Every Filipino millennial probably knows That Thing Called Tadhana. It's an indie-movie gone blockbuster accounting where broken hearts go. The movie was set in Baguio and Sagada. Instantly, Baguio (again) became a hit destination. And when we say Baguio, it includes the activities and restaurants the characters went to.

Cafe by the Ruins is just one of those luckily featured. A trip to the Summer Capital of the Philippines wouldn't be complete without enjoying one of the travails of the characters. 

This is it <3

Their Chuntug branch is like an artist's garden. Al fresco dining, the Filipino-themed and homey ambiance of Cafe by the Ruins is so relaxing. Ruminating all day with a cup of tea could be inviting, too. Except that, it's a waste only to try a portion of their well-loved menu.

Quiet

Local art here and there

Since it was lunch time, ordered their Beef Stroganoff at Php 240. It has beef sirloin strips in cream and mustard sauce over buttered noodles. 

Play of colors and flavor

The presentation is simple but it's nice to look at due to the play of colors. The visual appeal of the pasta carried over to the taste-buds. It's very rich. The garlic chips added a new dimension to the flavor. 

Paired it with a Watermelon Fresh Fruit Shake at Php 120. It was so refreshing! It wasn't hot as it's Baguio but the watermelon shake was just the best. No pesky seeds; just real watermelon goodness. 

I wish I have an unlimited supply of this

Overall, especially for their rice meals, it's a bit pricey but you get what you paid for. 

Must-visit, I daresay. 

Menu of Cafe by the Ruins here:

Cafe by the Ruins has a branch in:

25 Chuntug Rd,

Baguio,

2600 Benguet

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Saturday, January 23, 2016

Bon Appetit! La Boutique ranked first in Trip Advisor's The Best 10 Davao City Restaurant with a Certificate of Excellence to boot. After trying no. 4, Lachi's Sans Rival Atbp on the list and enjoyed, our expectations were soaring for this French-owned restaurant.

Bienvenue!

The small restaurant is emanating with class. Its violet logo exudes regal-pride and its interior dramatically lighted. Bon Appetit's vibe is different from Lachi's.

What's on the menu

While enjoying the ambiance, a complimentary black olives tapenade and caviar were served. The bread itself is already good. Not sweet and starchy. The caviar is divine, literally and figuratively. But it only just begun. 

Oh the olives!

Caviar feat bread

From the menu, picked two kinds of pasta. Penne Roquefort et Noix (Penne with Roquefort Cheese and Walnut Sauce) at Php 375 was divine! It went well with the al dente penne. So cheesey and creamy though I cannot much fathom where the walnut goes. Just the same, it was exploding with flavors. 

Enjoy every bite

We thought that the Linguine Carbonara (Pasta Carbonara) at Php 300 will taste the same since they look alike (only of course the pasta looks different) but Penne Roquefort et Noix was a whole lot better. Not to say that it wasn't good because it was. 

What can go wrong with carbonara?

Also tried blog suggestion of Fricassee de Poulet and Potato Gratin (Sliced Chicken Fillet cooked with Cream, Herbs, and Mushroom) at Php 275 and it was heavenly. The meat was cooked right and the flavors of cream and herbs were complementing each other.  

Rich. Creamy

Last had fish in the form of Filet de Saumon Grillé Sauce Gingembre (Pan-Seared Salmon Fillet with Ginger Sauce) at Php 475. This one is excellent, too! It has a tinge of zest that I love. Compared to potato gratin and marbled potato (because they will ask to choose), I enjoyed the marble more. 

Salmon is Saumon in French

It was a gastronomic (and a bit expensive) treat in Davao.  

Bon Appetit! La Boutique is located at:

Plaza Del Carmen, Loyola St.  

Barrio Obrero,Davao City, 

Mindanao 8000

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Monday, November 30, 2015

An artsy-crafty cafe with an inviting vibe caught our attention in Davao. It's so colorful and full of cute things. First attempt to dine in Keepsakes Cafe was a failure because we were full already. Second chance was critical because we had a few remaining hours in Davao. Forgetting about hotel breakfast, out we went for breakfast in this "can't-get-my-eyes-off-you" cafe.

So many options to choose from

Candy-colored menu

Look at the various decors around:

This garden setting is the best spot for me

A big girl playing real doll-house must-be

Look up! The lights! 

Crafts for sale

Mini love locks--- and oh, they sell locks in case you forgot

You know when all you need is something to write on?

It's a happy distraction while waiting for the food which was kinda slow considering that we ordered only Hungarian Sausage Good Morning Meal at Php 130. It's already served with rice and iced tea. 

Hungry hungarian. It took them a while

For dessert, an Oreo Mud pie was a good dose of happiness. 

Cup of sweets!

Overall, food taste isn't remarkable. BUT the presentation and the perky ambiance of the place make it too hard to resist. 

Keepsakes Cafe is located at:

Beechnut Square 

Sta. Ana Avenue, Davao City, 

8000 Davao del Sur

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Sunday, November 29, 2015

After a hearty dinner in Lachi's, decided to grab coffee at Green Coffee as it's located just across the famous restaurant. All green, thanks to its name, the facade and the interiors could tell that it can give a relaxing coffee experience at the heart of Davao. 

Appealing facade

Inside will give a chill moment. Enjoyed looking around the "green plants" decked along the walls. 

Still full house at late night

Green Counter and Menu

Since cake is not an option, decided to go for a good drink (just had water at Lachi's). Chose among their Fine Salt & Cheese Milk Tea. The fine salt balanced the sweetness which is a good break for me. I love that it came with muscovado sugar, too.  

The sugar! Says it all. 

When I go back to Davao again, I'll make sure that I'll try their cakes and pastries. 

Green Coffee has a branch in:

Ruby cor Turquoise St., 
Marfori Heights, 

Davao City

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Friday, November 27, 2015

Rico's Lechon is claiming to be Cebu's best, directly competing with the famous Zubuchon. Alright then, it's a new kid in the town of Cebu so when we visited there again, second time this 2015, rushed to taste their offering. Glad there's one near Ayala Center Cebu. 

Trying to get a picture but it's too dark outside.

It's us, don't be afraid. Haha

Lechon is an order for sure but choosing between regular and spicy was a debate. They said spicy lechon is so good but not wanting that, ended up for the regular. One half (1/2) kilo Regular lechon is at Php 310. Their lechon was good, not so salty alright but I somehow missed the aroma and flavor of Zubuchon's, making the latter still better for me. Although admittedly, the result could be otherwise if we chose the spicy. Anyhow, Cebu is just a few hours plane ride from Manila, hahaha. :p

Regular lechon

Aside from lechon (though I don't have photos already), ordered also:

• Monggo (good for 3-4 persons) at Php 180. Now this one's a good deal. Nothing so special but good enough for a chilly night.
• Chicken Skin at Php 135. Wow, chicken skin is almost as expensive as monggo but then again, that's chicken skiiiiiin and you can never go wrong with that (assuming we don't count the bad cholesterol, of course)

It was a challenge well fought, Rico's. That's evident with the many people lining up for dinner in their full house Kamputhaw branch. 

Rico's Lechon Menu: 

Rico's Lechon Menu

Rico's Lechon other offerings menu

<a href="https://www.zomato.com/cebu/ricos-lechon-kamputhaw" title="View Menu, Reviews, Photos & Information about Rico's Lechon, Kamputhaw and other Restaurants in Cebu" target="_blank"><img alt="Rico&#039;s Lechon Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato" src="https://www.zomato.com/logo/17828258/minilogo" style="border:none;width:104px;height:15px;padding:0px;" /></a> Rating: 4

Rico's Lechon has a branch in:

Tojong Corner Acacia Street, 

Kamputhaw, Cebu

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Sunday, October 25, 2015

Restock Curiosities. The name is fitting. It's a nook near the office conducive for creative thinking because the interior is compelling enough. 

Just by looking from the outside, I had that great feeling already. And when greeted by this...

Drawings and paintings. Mostly disturbing.

Calligraphy / watercolor/ ink bottles where greatness starts

Spurs of green everywhere

Natural and handmade products, product of curiosity prolly

And this so long a poem painted from the wall. Amazing. 

...it's like an artspace offering coffee than the other way around. 

Honestly, I like the industrial charm of the place is just for this kind of unwinding:

For drinks maybe so-so because when I had Mocha at Php 160, I was expecting the usual sweet yet caffeinated one. But apparently, they're using native cocoa thus its close-to-pungent smell and different taste. Surprisingly, my Taiwanese friend liked it very much. 

Despite that, I won't hesitate to come back when I get another chance. But I'll steer clear of their "mocha". 


<a href="https://www.zomato.com/manila/restock-san-antonio-makati-city" title="View Menu, Reviews, Photos & Information about Restock, San Antonio and other Restaurants in Metro Manila" target="_blank"><img alt="Restock Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato" src="https://www.zomato.com/logo/6317396/minilogo" style="border:none;width:104px;height:15px;padding:0px;" /></a> Rating: 3.5


Restock is located at:


7635 Guijo Street, 
San Antonio Village, 
Makati City

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Thursday, October 01, 2015

Mario's in Tomas Morato is known for their mouthwatering steaks. I was lucky one night to try what delights they are offering. 

First of all, inside Mario's you can feel how expensive they are, relatively. Haha. Not just from the interiors but also by way of their table setting. 

For starters, had Caesar Salad at Php 260. Their Caesar was ordinary. In fact, I didn't enjoy it. I don't know if it's the lack of dressing. The taste of the greens were so much. At this price, size can just be gobbled by one to two. 

Starting it right!

For the mains, chose from the Chef Recommended: Pot Roast Beef at Php 450. My pot roast came with a scoop of mashed potato and sauteed sigarilyas. The beef was so so tender, alright but it's not richly flavored the way I expected it. Maybe I was influenced by  Piatos's Roast Beef potato snacks. The mashed potato was good but sometimes, I can encounter a chunk.

Here goes the Php 450

Should I choose from these next time? Well, I must say that overall it was okay but not that I'd applaud to. Besides, these were what the waiters recommended.

Let's try the 500+ next, maybe?

Alrighty, maybe I had my hopes up and above.


<a href="https://www.zomato.com/manila/marios-tomas-morato-quezon-city" target="_blank"><img alt="Click to add a blog post for Mario's on Zomato" src="https://www.zomato.com/logo/6306036/minilogo" style="border:none;width:104px;height:15px;padding:0px;" /></a> 
Rating: 3.5


Mario's is located at:

191 Tomas Morato cor. Scout Gandia St.,
Quezon City
http://www.marios.com.ph

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Friday, September 18, 2015

When you're too used to Shakey's and Pizza Hut, Don Henrico's proves to be a choice alternative. It's not so expensive but they serve trusted delights in the all time favorites pizza and pasta. 

One weeknight, due to cravings of sorts, headed over to Don Henrico's in SM Mall of Asia. For starters, had Homestyle Onion Rings at Php 170 and Baked Mussels at Php 180. 

The onion rings were crispy, good thing and we love their sauce! It's not the usual mayo but close to a salsa. As it was cheesy, baked mussels were also enjoyable. 

Shoot!

Bitin!

For their pizzas, large at 18" were big already! We didn't anticipate that two of these were too much already. Had Pizza Bianca, large at Php 690 with home-made ricotta and mozzarella cheese in special butter-wine sauce. Their version is like eating Carbonara on a bread. Then at one point, it's like a four-cheese delight. You can only take one of this. Too rich but nevertheless a cheesy choice.

No need to explain how cheesy it was

The other one was Don Henrico's Supreme Pizza, large at Php 850 with pepperoni, beef, ham, mushroom, pineapple tidbits, onion, bell pepper and black olives. So many toppings! It was a mishmash of several flavors in one bite. Great! 

Can we count the toppings?

Spaghetti Bolognese, family at Php 340 with ground beef tossed in tomato sauce with minced garlic sprinkled with Parmesan cheese was a sure hit, too. The cheese was heartfelt. 

Plus the garlic bread

Dinners at Don Henrico's are simple yet filling. 


<a href="https://www.zomato.com/manila/don-henricos-mall-of-asia-complex-pasay-city" target="_blank"><img alt="Click to add a blog post for Don Henrico's on Zomato" src="https://www.zomato.com/logo/6312101/minilogo" style="border:none;width:104px;height:15px;padding:0px;" /></a> :
3.5


Don Henrico's has a branch in:



G/F Entertainment Mall,
Mall of Asia Complex, 
Pasay City

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Friday, September 11, 2015