Happiness In Cupcakes (H.I.C.)

Yesterday, I received a sweet surprise! Guess what this box contained.



This box was sent to Manila Foodistas by Meg from Happiness In Cupcakes. Happiness in Cupcakes, or fondly known as HIC, is a home baking venture selling cupcakes that are infused with alcohol. Yes, you heard it right!





It was the first time I saw a cupcake with a bacon topping! (Above)

Their cupcakes are available as either alcoholic or virgin. The former contains hints of alcohol like Cerveza Negra, Kahlua, Cuervo, etc, while the latter has no alcohol at all. It's funny how they have disclaimers that don't usually come with your ordinary cupcake box: "We don't sell alcoholic cupcakes to minors." & "Lightheadedness is a popular experience."


Here you go! In the box were 6 tasty-looking, unique cupcakes. Flavors are: The Elvis, Mojito, Car Bombs, Food For The Gods, Red Hot Choco Peppers and Margarita.




I got to share it with my friends, and they liked Red Hot Choco Peppers the most. It was spicy and chocolatey, a twist to your usual cupcake experience.



My favorite however, was Food For The Gods, which had a distinct walnut and caramel taste.



And yeah, here is The Elvis! It's peanut butter banana bacon-flavored goodness with bacon topping!



What's special about these cupcakes (besides the alcohol) is that their icing or cream are really delicious.

To order, you can contact them at 09175362770. Like their page on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/Happiness.In.Cupcakes.


One dozen's order is P650. 3 days lead time for orders!

Many thanks HIC!

Danne

Danne: Alchemy Baking Magic

In no other month does the sale of chocolates, greeting cards and roses peak other than February. And in this month of love, what better way to show your loved ones a simple gesture of love than giving them a simple macaron treat?

My friend Meryl, owner of Alchemy Baking Magic bakes awesome macarons which comes in different flavors. I personally have tasted her delicious and colorful home-baked macarons, and I could not get enough!

She personally bakes them. My personal favorite is Passion Fruit Milk Chocolate (5th from top). My second favorite is Coffee Caramel Ganache (2nd from top). I actually like them all, I had trouble deciding.

I really liked the crunchy texture upon biting these macarons, followed by the flavor of the filling.

Meryl commissioned me to design Alchemy's packaging for this season. Being an artist and a foodie, I was thrilled to be part of something that would combine my interests in graphics and eating. Ha ha!

So this was the design I drew! I tried to merge ideas related to baking and love, like sugar and sweet things.

These come in boxes of 4 or 6. To order, you may contact Meryl at 0917 896 3795 or call (02) 330-9229. Alchemy is also on Facebook! Click here!

Happy Valentine's day!

Danne

Danne: Chef Laudico's BFast

Ayala Triangle is one of the few parks in Manila where you can stroll and hide from the city bustle. For all those part of the Makati workforce, I'm sure this place is a familiar lunch or dinner area for you.

One day at Ayala Triangle, we got to eat in a restaurant called Chef Laudico's BFast. It's an all-day breakfast cafe, where they serve one of the most famous kinds of morning meals for Filipinos, the silog (sinangag, which is fried rice + itlog or egg).

Here's their menu, showing specifically the silog meals.

I still had hangover from Christmas so I got Christmas Ham Silog (PhP 148).

They had a unique version of the classic Champorado. This had rice krispies in it. 'Twas really

good.

I like how they made usual Filipino dishes unique.

Try BFast, whether for breakfast, lunch or dinner!

:-)

Good morning?

Danne

Chef Laudico's BFast

Telephone number: (02) 621-6100

Address: Ayala Triangle Gardens, Makati Ave, Bel-Air, Makati City

Danne: Ramen / Ramen Bar Eastwood

When I was living in Japan I got the chance to eat authentic Japanese cuisine-- those in side streets, prepared by seasoned cooks, those that weren't necessarily expensive but you'd know they're authentic.

One of the best (if not the best) ramen I've tasted is Ippudo Ramen, which is located just outside our dorm (but they have several stores around Japan). It was very tasty, rich, authentic! You should try, if ever you go to Japan.

And then there was the Ramen Museum in Yokohama, which deserves its own post! (Perhaps I'd write about it one of these days!)

Last week I got to reminisce my love for this Japanese noodle dish when I ate at Ramen Bar in Eastwood.

This was their ramen selection.

First order that came out was the Shoyu Ramen (PhP 280), which was soy infused tonkotsu ramen topped with tamago, naruto, negi, chasyu, butter and corn. If you see the eggs beside it, it's an order of Tamago (PhP 50).

Next up was an order of Chasyu (PhP 120), which very much resembles the Chinese Cha-sho (Asado).

We also tried the Yakiniku Beef Rice Topping (PhP 165), which very much tastes like Japanese gyudon to me.

This is the Spicy Kakuni Rice Bowl (PhP 185), which is pork belly with rice.

Overall, the eating experience reminded me of how we used to enjoy Japanese cuisine in Japan, probably one of the best types of food around.

There's more kinds of ramen to try. Not only from this restaurant, but also from others. I'm looking forward! If you'd like to recommend any ramen restaurant, kindly comment in the comment box at the end of this post and I'd be sure to try.

Danne

P.S. Check out my new site, http://dannelim.com if you have time. In there is my graphic design folio, blog, among many other things!

Ramen Bar Eastwood

Telephone no. (02) 570-9457

Address G/F Eastwood Mall , Libis, Quezon City, Philippines

http://www.facebook.com/ramenbar

Danne: Cerchio

"Cerchio" which means circle in Italian, doubles as a name of a fusion restaurant located in Scout Limbaga cor. Tomas Morato in Quezon City.

The place is a modern, lounge-type restaurant which offers a classy ambiance. We called in advanced and reserved seats on the second floor, which has bigger, more comfortable lounge chairs.

They even have this bookshelf set-up on the wall which made the feel of the restaurant even more homey.

True to the name of the restaurant, they had circles all over their interiors. These are pipes cut cross-section and installed as wall elements.

And then the food. We ordered one of their best-sellers, Pork Sisig (PhP 230). They are served with the mini sunny side up eggs which were so cute!

I especially love this sisig because it was really tasty.

We also had Peri-Peri Chicken with rice (PhP 390). The serving was pretty huge for one person, so I think this is to share.

The overall dining experience at Cerchio consisted of food + ambiance. One would be incomplete without the other. They had good service too and had valet service available.

Enjoy!

Danne

Cerchio Grill & Lounge

Address: 76 Scout Limbaga, Tomas Morato, Quezon City

Telephone nos: 3550998, 3515279

Danne: Kusina Master with Chef Boy Logro

Manila Foodistas was invited to the taping of GMA7's newest noontime cooking show, Kusina Master last December 21, 2011.

We were able to talk to the show's chef/host Chef Pablo "Boy" Logro" alongside several press people. Chef Boy shared stories of his humble beginnings, starting as a houseboy at age 14 and pursuing culinary until he has reached his current status as the first Executive Chef in the country. Chef Boy talked about establishing his own culinary school in Cavite and his many experiences in cooking for royalty while he was still in the Middle East.

Upon entering the studio we saw chefs preparing this particular dish. The recipe for that episode was spareribs with pineapple. Food was precooked for audience tasting.

I was unfortunate to have to leave earlier so I wasn't able to try these! :-( They look delicious though.

Every week, one Kapuso will be Chef Boy's co-host, and for each episode, there will be one celebrity student. Singers Kyla and Rachel Ann Go were present during that taping day. I guess they shot for more than one episode.

Chef Boy begins his demonstration. He is most known for his comic style of hosting which adds up some energy and liveliness to the whole cooking demo.

Celebrity guest Kyla assists Chef Boy.

Kusina Master is one of the first few shows I've seen taped live. It's really interesting how much work is put into pre-production as well as to every little detail of the show.

What's unique about the concept of the show is that viewers will be given an assignment for the next episode: a list of ingredients to prepare, so that they could follow the chef's instructions right while the show is airing. Chef Boy also promises to use more 'techniques' such as wok cooking.

Kusina Master with Chef Boy Logro airs beginning January 2, 2011 (before Eat Bulaga) at GMA7.

Danne

Danne: Kaya

There are a few places where we always go back to eat, and the restaurant I'm about to feature is one of them: Kaya. Perhaps you have passed by any of its branches around the metro and have always wondered what's there to eat or if its food tastes good. I can tell you it's one of those you'd love to revisit.

Kaya's menu includes well-known Korean dishes. I am not really familiar with Korean cuisine, below are several staples we order every time we go back.

One of which is Pajeon (PhP 180), which is an onion leek pancake with squid. I especially love the outer corners of this!

The Dak Bulgogi (PhP 190), which is grilled spicy chicken fillet, is another must-try. This + sticky rice is actually already a meal for me!

They serve the Dak Bulgogi on a sizzling plate. The waiter cuts the chicken fillet into strips upon serving.

This, I believe is the Kalbi Jim (PhP 240). It's Korean beef stew.

I got to eat at Kaya's branch in Powerplant Mall. I believe they have several other stores.

Kaya's food is actually affordable and delicious. Yay for good food you'd love to eat again and again!

Danne

Kaya Rockwell Center Branch
Address: Shop No. 009 Level P-1 Powerplant Mall, Amapola cor. Estrella Sts., Makati City
Telephone no.: 898 0934