Triple Decker Cheesecake by The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf

As my fork glides through the dense layers of thick Mocha, New York, and Oreo Cheesecake, the interplay of expected flavors playfully dance inside my head.  Once it hits my palate, the seducing continues.  

Triple Decker Cheesecake by The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf was so sinfully indulging, the only absolution was to give in.

The thin layer of crust carries just the right amount of buttery taste that holds and accentuates all the other three flavors.  The Mocha gives certain kick of caramel-like sweet coffee which perfectly blends with the mellow tangy taste of the New York layer in the middle, only to be interrupted by more spunky flavor and ragged texture of the Oreo cheesecake layer.  

The chocolate goodness flavor brought about by the crumbs of Oreo cookies which lazily nestled on top intensify the lavish goodness of the triple decker but does not over power.  This cake is the type that melts in your mouth, and lingers in your memory.

The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf
website: http://www.coffeebean.com.ph/
facebook: http://www.facebook.com/coffeebeanphilippines

Happy Lemon Rocked My World!

“World’s Yummiest Drinks” is the tag line.  With that I strongly agree.  Happy Lemon is by far the yummiest drinks I have ever tasted.  Be it coffee, milk, tea, chocolate drinks, or juices, Happy Lemon does not disappoint.  Just like most of the people I know who consider Happy Lemon their get-happy drinks, since it opened its first branch in Greenhills, it has become my comfort drinks.  Happy lemon indeed rocked and still rocking my world.

Happy Lemon in Promenade Greenhills

 Earlier this year, I as summoned by some friends to try this new talk of the town drink shop located just a stone’s throw away from where I am living.  My first taste of it, I already knew that Happy Lemon will be a constant craving from then on.  I promise myself to taste as many variants as I can before writing about it and so for months now, I am frequenting their store both in Greenhills and Eastwood Mall to try their offerings.  So far, I have not tasted anything which doesn’t please my palate.

Happy Lemon in Eastwood Mall

 Clearly I cannot have everything in one go as it will send my sugar level soaring high, so I am still in the process of exploring some of the drinks they offer, but for now, let me give you my favorites at Happy Lemon.

Happy Lemon Menu

I am a coffee lover rarely do I choose chocolate drink over coffee, but it’s a different story at Happy Lemon.  Their Rock Salt and Cheese variants include green tea, coffee, and cocoa.  It is cocoa that captures my heart in a way that there isn’t a snowball chance in the dessert that I would visit their place without getting one aside from another drink.  Yes, it’s minimum of two drinks for me every time. Everytime.

Cocoa with Rock Salt and Cheese

 I love how the creaminess of the cheese blends well with the chocolate goodness of the cocoa drink.  The salt does not further intensify the saltiness of the cheese but it only accentuates the flavor giving it further kick that leaves me wanting more.  Yummy is the word.  

Glorious yummy cheese and rock salt on top of cocoa drink

Coffee with Rock Salt and Cheese is also delightful but I find their coffee lacking the strength in flavor.  But then again, it could be just me, since I am used to strong variants of coffee.  Nevertheless, this rocksalt and cheese variant is worth the try.

Coffee with Rock Salt and Cheese

If you are a tea lover, you might want to consider opting for their Green Tea with Rock Salt and Cheese.  The tea’s aroma with a sight of cheese gloriously nestled on top is a dead giveaway that it’s definitely a different twist from the usual.  

Green Tea with Rock Salt and Cheese

Their Rock Salt and Cheese variants are meant to be consumed without the straw so that you can experience the layering of flavors caressing your palate as you sip on it. But otherwise, it gives me the same awesome experience.

Another favorite on my list is their Cocoa Milk Tea with Puff Cream.  Cocoa plus Milk Tea is already good on its own but add to that the lavish presence of puff cream which gives the seductive creaminess to the drink, it is one awesome drink chocolate and milk tea lover would crave for.

Cocoa Milk Tea with Cream Puff

Caramel Milk Tea with Brown Sugar Jelly is definitely another treat that pleases my palate.  Expect a sweet kick to your usual Milk Tea with its Caramel component while the brown sugar jelly only sends it a notch higher.

Caramel Milk Tea with Brown Sugar Jelly

Their Yakult Green Tea is one of the drinks happy Lemon is known for.  It was a refreshing drink which screams Yakult in your face while the bitter component of the green tea only intensifies its yummy flavor.

Yakult Green Tea

Lemon Yakult Mousse with Aloe is also not to be missed.  Truly refreshing take on the usual juice, plus the aloe adds exciting flavor and texture to an already awesome treat.

 

Lemon Yakult Mousse with Aloe

Lemon Honey Juice is the usual Lemon Juice only better because of the honey infused on it.  I love to have this after a whole day of shopping to replenish and rehydrate my thirsty palate.

Lemon Honey Juice

Blueberry Mousse Spin with Popping Bobba is one fruity treat I love.  Considering that I am not really fond of Blueberries, well, it had me at its popping bobba!  You would have to try it for yourself to know what I am talking about. 

Blueberry Mousse Spin with Popping Bobba

Their Oreo Cookies and Cream Cocoa is another must try if you’re crazy over Oreo cookies.  You can bite into the generous servings of crushed Oreo gloriously swimming on cream while enjoying the chocolate goodness of the cocoa drink.

Oreo Cookies and Cream Cocoa

These are just some of my favorite, believe me when I say that there are more and I am sure that I am not alone with this Happy Lemon affinity.  I have loved several Milk Tea store before but nothing beats my happiness whenever I am at Happy Lemon.  I was told that another branch will be up and running soon at Rockwell Powerplant Mall.  I just hope that they can come up with an addition to their menu aside from drinks.  Something their patrons can munch on while drinking their yummy drinks perhaps.

Happy Lemon does not only serve yummy drinks but their service is also good.  No wonder their stores are always jam packed with people wanting to have their Happy Lemon fixed. 

To say that I am a fan is an understatement.  It’s been months now and I am still hooked because it is guaranteed that at Happy Lemon, they only serve only the yummiest drinks. 

Happy Lemon

The World's Yummiest Drinks!   

Locations:

G/F Promenade, Greenhills, San Juan

4/F Eastwood Mall, Libis, Quezon City

Soon to Open:

2/F Archaeology Wing, Power Plant Mall, Rockwell Center, Makati

Email   

happylemon@happylemon.ph

Website   

http://www.happy-lemon.com

All Time Favorites at Shakey's

My unwavering love for their thin crust pizza made Shakey’s one of my all time favorite pizza parlors.  For years now, the quality of their food has never changed, at least in my opinion.  Add to that the superb customer experience I always get from them whenever I visit.  I may have fallen in love with other pizza restaurants, but Shakey’s still has a spot on my list.

Thin Crust Belly Buster Pizza is one of my all time favorites.  Packed with 11 kinds of toppings, Italian sausage, beef, pepperoni, ham, salami, cheddar cheese, salami bits, mushrooms, red and green bell pepper, onions, and black olives.  A bite of this ultimately satisfying pizza will send a burst of flavor inside your mouth, while its crunchy thin crust only adds delight to the experience.

Thin Crust Belly Buster Pizza

When dining alone or whenever I am with a just a couple of friends, I usually opt for their Wholesome Combos.  Their Bunch of Lunch or Hero, Salad and Chicken Combo are my usual choices. An extra order of their creamy mushroom soup is always a must.

Bunch of Lunch Combo

Spaghetti, chicken, mojos, and a slice of pizza.  Bunch of Lunch is one filling meal where you can have a taste of the good things that Shakey's offers.

Hero, Salad, and Chicken Combo

Half a Hero sandwich, salad, and chicken. If I don't want to get fully loaded, this combo meal is perfect for me.

Creamy Mushroom Soup

Their Mushroom Soup was surprisingly delicious, a meal without it would be incomplete.

If in the event that I am in a company of more than three, it is rather practical to order for their Monster Deals.  The last time I visited, I was with three of my friends and we feasted on the deal which consists of Angus Steak Pizza ( our personal choice ), chicken, mojos, a platter of spaghetti, garlic bread, and a pitcher of cola.

Angus Steakhouse Pizza

I've already written about Shakey's Angus Steakhouse Pizza, and up to this day, I still enjoy this variant.  However, there are times when it can be a bit salty, so I always request for them to go a little easy on the seasoning for my order. 

Chicken and Mojos

I have gone crazy over Shakey's chicken and mojos way back and up to now, I still have incessant cravings from time to time.  

Spaghetti Platter

Their spaghetti may not look appetizing at all, but it is one of my favorite store bought spaghetti as it reminds me of the one my sister cooks at home.  There's a fine balance between sweet and sour flavor in the sauce which blends perfectly with the al dente pasta.

Garlic Bread

Their good old spaghetti would be very very lonely without these yummy pieces of garlic bread.  The bread was perfectly crunchy and generously smothered with garlic butter.  I can eat this alone if only it is sprinkled with Parmesan cheese on top.

Several Shakey’s are near in my area, but their branch in P. Tuazon Cubao, Quezon City is the one I frequent to for guaranteed fast and good service. Shakey's is and will always be an all time classic favorite, I hope they won't change the good quality of their food and the good customer service.

Shakey's - P.Tuazon Cubao
P. Tuazon Blvd. cor. 10th Ave., Brgy. Socorro
Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Phone Number: (63 2) 9120331, (63 2) 912-0156
Website: https://www.shakeyspizza.ph/

An Invite to Desserts Gone Raw! at Sugarleaf

Sugarleaf... foods that nourish, one of today's innovative healthy-eats restaurants invites everyone as they present us "Desserts Gone Raw: A Food Preparation" workshop on August 6, 2011 from 2pm to 6pm together with Bali-certified raw chef and professional educator, Asha Peri.

This event aims to let the participants learn the basic of raw food, specifically dessert preparation and be knowledgeable about the healthy benefits of raw as well as low-glycemic diet - not only for diabetics.

Asha Peri's Mango Berry Cheesecake

Asha Peri will demonstrate how to prepare her delectable menu including lemon berry cheesecake, chocolate and mango tartlets, raw chocolate crunch bars, fruit crepe roll ups and more. 

Asha Peri's Raw Crepes

 “I am happy to team up with Sugarleaf as we share the same advocacy of spreading the value of wellness and promoting a healthy sustainable lifestyle to more people.” shares raw vegan Chef Asha Peri who obtained her certification from renowned raw food educator Elaina Love of Pure Joy Planet Culinary Academy.

Chef and Professional Educator, Asha Peri

Take advantage of the introductory rate of P1,500/person.  Student, couple, group and senior citizen discounts apply.  Early reservations recommended as seats are limited.  Call, SMS Angelo on 0917 8039 055 or email angelo@sugarleafph.com. 

Sugarleaf will be having three-part country- and cuisine-themed workshops with Asha in the fourth quarter of 2011.  Check Sugarleaf's calendar of events and workshops on their website www.sugarleafph.com. 

Indeed, healthy is the new cool.  I hope to see you all there!

Sugarleaf is located at the G/F Health Cube Building, 226 Wilson Street, West Greenhills in San Juan (between Kink Cakes and BDO).  Tel 385 0387.  Open Mondays to Saturdays 8am to 10pm and Sundays from 8am to 2pm.  Follow us on Twitter @sugarleafph

*photo credits to Sugarleaf

HAPADOG Japanese-Style Hotdogs

They are rocking Mercato Centrale’s Midnight Mercato with their Japanese-style Hotdogs, and now Hapadog’s first branch located in Sm North Edsa’s Sky Garden is making a wave.  First time I visited their branch, I was already smitten not just by the minimalist yet classic look of their store but by the interesting line up in their menu.  

Presented with tempting choices, we cannot decide as to what signature hotdogs we should choose.  One of their friendly food attendants come in to the rescue by offering us their Hapa Meals which consist of Half Hapadog of our choice, Korokke Balls, and Lychee Iced Tea for only 115php.  We saw on the table near us how big their hotdogs were, and so we decided that this Hapa Meals would be perfect for us.  

Hapadog is one mean meaty hotdog nestled on a soft bun with caramelized onion, wasabi mayo, hapa sauce on top, sprinkled with nori flakes and spring onion.  I was able to try 2 more variants but their Hapadog favors my palate.  I love the garlicky flavor of the hotdog that blends well with the caramelized onion, plus the nori flakes and the wasabi mayo gives it a Japanese flavor kick that is delightful to the palate.

Hapadog (whole 155php / half a hapa 75php)

One of their best sellers, Temp-tation Dog tasted like tempura, only better.  Meaty hotdog deep fried in a tempura batter with grated daikon, tempura sauce, and spring onion.  It was an instant hit to our group.

Temp-tation Dog (whole 175php/ half a hapa 85php)

Korokke Dog is a combination of meaty hotdog, mashed potato, tonkatsu sauce, Japanese mayo, and nori flakes.  This one was also good, the meaty taste of the hotdog was tempered by the taste of the mashed potato and it made it all the more filling to the tummy.

Korokke Dog (whole 165php / half a hapa 85php)

Korokke are lovely croquettes which got me munching on and on and on.  Customers get to choose between beef or sea food croquettes, I haven’t tried the sea food but I adore the beef variant.

Korokke (Beef 65php / creamy seafood 95php)

Their Lychee Iced Tea was remarkably good.  Not too sweet, and unlike other restaurants Lychee flavored drinks, this one got a real Lychee floating on it.

Lychee Iced Tea

Aside from their signature hotdogs and side dishes, they also offer Hapa Gyozas.  We have tried their beef gyoza which was so good I actually craved for more. I love the sauce that comes with it but try it with the mayo that comes with the korokke balls, it was equally superb.

Beef Gyoza

We also got to sample their Prawn Gyoza and we loved it just the same.  The prawn was so tasty and its flavor further illuminates as I dipped it into its sauce.

Prawn Gyoza

We were already full but their Hapa Rice was tempting enough so we tried their Donburi and we never regretted it.  I love how the flavor of the ingredients blends well with the noodle, rice, and the breaded pork.  Nice thing about their Hapa Rice is that you get to choose whether you want to have chicken, pork, beef, or sea food with a very slight difference in the price. Aside from Donburi, Japanese Curry and Cream Stew Hapa Rice are also available.

Donburi

Karen, one of the owners, took time to visit our group while we were dining to check if we are enjoying the food, and when we told her that we are celebrating a friend’s birthday, she was kind enough to treat each one of us with a shot of their magnificent drinks.  The birthday celebrant got a flaming shot named Hot Fuji Apple Pie which smells like heaven hinting of cinnamon.  It was such a wonderful treat.

The price leans on a higher point of the scale but considering Hapadog’s good food and awesome service, I think it’s worth all the money we have spent.  I could rave how good their foods are, but what warms my heart the most was the awesome customer service they provided us.  

Truth be told, I rarely go to SM North because of its proximity to where I reside, except for some visit to one of my favorite Filipino Restaurants, Recipes I normally would just eat out somewhere in Ortigas, Eastwood, and Makati.  Now, I think I would be frequenting the area because Hapadog is one restaurant I would surely go back to. 

HAPADOG

SM North EDSA Mall, Sky Garden, Quezon City, Philippines

Website   

http://www.hapa-dog.com

http://www.hapadog.com.ph

Balkan Express

Way back in college, a Yugoslavian friend talked me into watching a film entitled “Balkan Express”.  It was a madcap funny film, a clever satire that is why I enjoyed it.  Fast forward to 2010, when one of my favorite writers and a fellow food aficionado, Manila Boy Spanky Enriquez raved about a restaurant called Balkan Express, I know it’s gotta be good. The fact that it is located near my place in San Juan City, only made it all the more enticing to me.  I can add it to my list of San Juan Restaurants I can go to if I’m not in the mood for long drives, such as Everything At Steak, House of Lasagna, Yuu Jin Japanese Resto, Bread and Bean, Chicken Charlie, Sandy's Pizza, and more.

Although first impression is important, If it is possible, I make it a point to pay a couple of visits, if not more than that, before I write about restaurants just to check the consistency of the service and quality.  Also, it gives me a chance to try variety of dishes which tickles my interest on their menu.  Balkan Express is one of those few who manage to deliver when it comes to consistent good quality of food and excellent service.

Tucked in Little Baguio, San Juan City, Balkan Express serves no nonsense meaty dishes.  Tagged as Home of Home Cooked Eastern European Cuisine, Balkan Express which is owned by brothers Marco and Martin Batricevic is one restaurant I always look forward to visiting whenever I want to do mean carnivorous food tripping.

Stuffed Pljeskavica 320php

Grilled Minced Beef Stuffed With Melted Mozzarella and Chili Flakes

Stuffed Pljeskavica

Grilled beef meat stuffed with mozzarella cheese and chili flakes.  It is usually served with French Fries but you can opt for Jasmine Rice which I did because I am hardcore that way.  The degree of difficulty in pronouncing the name does not discount the fact that this dish is very easy to love.  The beefy goodness of the meat stuffed with the creamy melted mozzarella cheese is heaven in all its glory, while the kick of spiciness which comes from the chili flakes gives it a naughty spunk that leaves you craving for more.

Chicken Batak 290php

Chicken Batak

Chicken Batak on a bed of hot Jasmine Rice

This dish gives me a different high, regardless of its name.  Perfectly grilled chicken meat stuffed and smothered with mozzarella cheese, sprinkled with secret Serbian spices on a bed of hot Jasmine rice.  I think the cheese pull this dish off because it would be just the same ordinary grilled chicken otherwise.  Good thing that I am a cheese lover, so I gave this dish thumbs up.

Cevapcici 180php

Cevapcici

I want my Cevapcici with extra cheese!

Cevapcici served with fries, homemade tartar sauce, catsup, and veggies

Beef sausage links on a bun is described on the menu as an all-time-favorite Balkan dish.  These flavorful mean sausages can do without the homemade sauce that comes with it because it was already tasty on its own. 

Pljeskavica 180php

Pljeskavica, Grilled Serbian Burger

Pljeskavica, served with fries, homemade tartar sauce, catsup, and veggies

This grilled Serbian Hamburger was the meatiest burger I have ever tasted.  The patty was gigantic and very flavorful.  Though it looked like your ordinary big burgers, the taste will speak for itself.  I love how juicy the meat was, and every bite was bursting with flavors.

If you want to know Serbian Cuisine, Balkan Express is a good start.  Although their menu offers limited choices, the authenticity in taste is highly recommended.  The place is small and the parking is a bit of a challenge.  The food attendants were very accommodating and I appreciate that they are knowledgeable about the food that they are serving.

On my next visit I’ll probably try their Musaka, which needs to be ordered one day n advance.  Also, their Goulash and Balkanski Kebab are on top of my list of food to try on their menu.  So far, what I have tasted on their menu were all delicious and satisfying, enough reason for me to go back there and introduced it to my friends.

Balkan Express is located at 87 Jose Abad Santos cor Mons Street, Little Baguio, San Juan City. Call them at 33-00-945.