The Happy Day At Country Basket

Choose your battle.

I went to work with a happy mood today. Odd but I like the feeling. Perhaps I just had a good sleep. Lesser things bugged my mind on my way. A rare situation but I kind of hoping it would be like that often.  I just listened to the music played by the taxi. A smile painted my face, really rare. I felt light. It must be the good cold weather.

After I got my quick caffeine fix, to add to my delight, I saw my new crush. drool. The blue shirt looks good on you.  Now wider smile this time, from-ear-to-ear.

My team greeted me and they even noticed my happy tone. Today was just really different.  

My PC was up, I was scanning through my e-mail. The first e-mail I opened was full of rant. I made a choice, for a quick second I told myself, this is not my battle.  So I hit the reply button and just said "thank you for all your assistance." After all, I got what I requested. So I let it go. It was not my battle to take.

The rest of the day went smoothly. If I had chosen to pick that fight I guess things would turn out differently.

Since I was good today in the office, I thought I deserve a treat. What else? Some good dessert.  I first heard it from a friend, she gave me a pack of cookies to taste. I like the tint of dark chocolate so I thought I would pay them a visit.

Located in Lahug, just accross JY center. I really thought it was just an ordinary to-go bake shop. I was surprise to see their store.

It was small but very neat.  My friends and I enjoyed taking photos with their fine arts.

Every corner was just a happy place.

The colors were bright, it compliments with how I felt.

The moment I opened the door, there were just a lot to choose from.

So how do you choose? These are what we've picked.

Kahlua Walnut Pie @ 130 pesos

The walnut and the chocolate combination was playing trick in my tongue. It was a good combination. Bite after bite, the taste got intense. I was just overloaded with happiness. I love dark chocolate!

Brownie Cheesecake @ 55 pesos

Don't be deceived by its look. This tasted better. Its denser, moist and chocolatier! The way I want my brownies. Love em.

Belgian Dark Chocolate Lace Cookie @ 150 pesos for a pack of 8

Need I say more? If you have noticed, how many times I've mentioned the word happy in this post and some happy related gestures. These are happy food. In fact I grabbed some cookies to-go. May everyday be like this! Cheers to choosing to be happy this year! So what't your name new crush?! #office_flirt

The Visit at The Chocolate Chamber

I remember growing up my mom used to make tablea. After she roasted the cacao beans, she would call us to help her peel them.  You'd see my tears rolling as I get some thumb blisters while doing it. They were off-from-the-roasting-pan hot.  Maybe that's the reason why I wasn't into chocolates before.

When I got my sweet tooth some years later, I thought tablea would be a great business. Just put them in a nice package and send them off to the market.

While everyone was so busy getting their errands done before Christmas, I had the opportunity to relax from my own list. Also, to avoid traffic.  Hiding in corners of Panagda-it. A walking distance from Sarrosa Hotel, the road perpendicular to F. Cabahug St, I found comfort in The Chocolate Chamber.

They newly opened.  It was their 12th day when I got there.  In the afternoon, they open at 2pm. (yup they have lunch breaks at 11AM)

It felt like visiting my grandparents with their embroidered table napkins.

While waiting for my friend to arrive who got stuck in the traffic already, I was their first customer, I had the chance to talk with the owner who was very friendly.  I realized his business partner experienced the same thing with the cacao beans growing up and pursued the business.

I had no idea what I was getting. I checked the menu and it was all chocolate.  Imagine a dungeon filled with chocolate or the witch candy house in Hansel and Gretel.

As starter, I got the hot drink.  The owner suggested the hibiscus flavor. I thought it would smell weird, flower and chocolate. It would be great for a tea, but chocolate? Nah, I got the strawberry instead.  Perfect choice I thought.  When it was served, the aroma filled the room. Imagine playing with strawberry dipped in dark melted chocolate.  Ok, my mind wandered somewhere kinky.

Isn't this lovely?

old fashion chocolate cake

I like the bitter-sweet taste of the chocolate filling.  The cake, I like it more if it was moist.

blueberry with cream cheese

I don't think the blueberry compliments well with chocolate. It was too creamy it hurts my throat.

But the chocolate truffles (given as a complimentary) they were for the gods! To think these were home-grown beans and yes! they make their own chocolates.

And I took this home, choco-vanilla cookie butter which is highly recommended.

The Ice Cream Story

"There’s no doubt about it—breakups suck. But in the first few hours or days or weeks that follow, there’s one important truth you need to recognize: Some things can’t and shouldn’t be fixed, especially that loser who dumped you or forced you to dump him.

It’s called a breakup because it’s broken, and starting right here, right now, it’s time to dry your tears, put down that pint of ice cream, log out of his e-mail, and open this book to Chapter One–and start turning your breakup into a breakover." Greg Behrendt

picture courtesy of google

Author of equally famous book, He's Just Not That Into You, Greg Behrendt slaps you with hilarious facts about things we stupidly do after breakup that includes digging a pint of ice cream. He said that the answer to the emotional turmoil cannot be found at the bottom of the container. But there's something about ice cream that can lighten your mood so that didn't stop me! haha Even the calorie count didn't scare me.

picture courtesy of google

So it started with Magum. The craze was all over facebook which includes posting of empty wrappers.  It even went PG when a friend posted a picture with only a white towel wrapped around his waist and holding a chocolate truffle magnum inviting all readers to lick it like a disco stick. In every convenient store they always run out of supply.

I wasn't so crazy about it because I was in love with Caramael Macchiato from Starbucks. My friends and I never fail to grab one after our visit from S&R.  In a car on our way home, with the radio on to set the mood, singing on top of our lungs, laughing trip, bullying each other and digging the ice cream (sorry of the lack of phase, somehow it doesn't sound right). Actually, I miss doing it seems like everyone is busy.

One hot Sunday afternoon, I went to a convenient store for something, I checked the fridge and there's one magnum left.  Curious, I thought, maybe it's meant for me. So I bought it and that's when I joined the bandwagon.

Ben and Jerry was a different story.  It was the same situation Greg described in his book.  I found out I was the third person, they broke up, we eventually broke up, I dated someone, we broke up too because I wasn't over with the first one. Two break ups in a short period of time. A pint of ice cream wasn't enough.

There's a new ice cream in town, Blue Bell. It's a new craze for some limited few because its a bit pricey and its only available at Rustans. 

I love vanilla ice cream. It's soft and creamy and the cookie is chewy, yum! And yes it came with a heart break story too!

Maybe I should stick with Magnum, I kind of like the serendipity story.

The Love for Chocolate At Maitre Chocolatier

"Like water for chocolate"

"An alternate interpretation of the saying "like water for chocolate" is to be like water that is hot enough to receive the chocolate when preparing hot chocolate to drink. It is a metaphor for describing a state of passion."

Growing up seems complicated than I thought. But I'm not jaded. Nope, I have not lost my romantic bone especially after I visited:

Yes I've had bad relationships. That's life! No matter how bad it is, what's important is that we get a lesson out of it and a good story to tell when you get old... hahaha! Just like this saying from their menu.

Yes it's been two years from my last heartache when I cried like a river. That's past.  I've learned to know myself better and love myself more.  I've learned what I want and what I don't. I've learned to appreciate what I can do rather than being dependent on someone else's opinion. Visiting this place reminds me how special I am and I deserve no less. Yes a bit pricey but like I said I deserve no less.

 If served with these desserts would still worry about love life?  They are desserts from heaven.  They are too good that I even forgot my name when I tasted their Angel's Confection.  I love Nutella, all the more with Ferrero chocolate in a cake! Make love with the chip and dip Chocolate Scones! all of my favorite dips in one serving... yum-yum!

This place is warm and cozy perfect for couple whose in their honeymoon stage. Yeah I'm ready to date again. I'm not closing any possibilities. I even like this someone. As what our grandparents said, "The best thing in this life is to love and be loved".  Hopefully my story will not be as complicated as the book by Laura Esquivel.

For the meantime since I don't want to look like a loser munching a dessert that is meant to be shared, I tag my friend along.  We are equally crazy about chocolates and desserts.

The Breakfast Club At Manggahan In Lahug

The common denominator among the 5 of us, well 6 if you include the bat in the background, is we are nocturnal people. Yes, we work in a graveyard shift.  So breakfast is our dinner and dinner is breakfast and lunch is served by midnight instead of noon. By noon we are already snoring, if the weather cooperates as sometimes, it gets too hot and humid.   

I'm used to it. I have been in the industry for almost 10 years. Seems like our elevators serve as time portal. The moment you step on it, it will bring you to a different time zones, London, NY, California, Sydney.

Its been a while that I have seen these people so breakfast/dinner would be a great time to catch up (we used to be on the same project)

We went to Manggahan in Lahug. (The place used to be a mango farm that's where they got the name and actually you can still see a few trees) It's located along Wilson St. on your way to Camp Lapulapu. If you see JY square then you are close to the area.

Bummer, we arrived there 9:30am and the kitchen won't be open until 10am. Actually, the chef did not arrive yet. But they let us stay, we were willing to wait anyway. A good conversation, laughing and tripping filled the 30 min wait. Everyone just wanted to talk, we were to noisy, good thing we were the only guest there that time.  Here's what we got:

Dinuguan ni Cardo

Chopsuey

Sizzling Pork Sisig

Sizzling Pochero

Pancit Canton

mango shake

Some of their food has funny names, Dinuguan ni Cardo.  Some were not the usual, Crocodile Sisig. I didn't try the crocodile,  I wasn't ready for it yet and yes we still have plenty supply of chicken and pork at home hah-aha-ha, so spare the reptile! The place is known for giving more than the price you pay.  They serve good food. They are like home-made cooking. Nothing fancy but it taste good, just like having a good dinner at home. Another special from their menu is the Tuna Panga and Crispy Pata.

After we ate, we played guess the bill.  Whoever had the closest estimate wins. I won. My guess was Php800 for all of us. I cheated because I had been to the place and that's how I know about the Panga and Pata.

For dessert we drove through Salinas drive. Turned right through Archbishop Reyes Avenue. And right again to N Escario St for Mickey's Japanese Cakes.

Mango cupcake

Pumpkin Pie

A bit pricey, costs 120 to 140 per slice. Perhaps my tongue were not designed for their pastries.  The guy in the counter said it's their best seller. The mango flower was creatively made and the pumpkin pie was "in" for the occasion, its Halloween after all. I guess that's my good way of saying I don't like them.  Maybe Japanese cakes are not really sweet, I don't know, not even the cream.  It's more like a Jell-o to me than a cake.

   

So I settled for the tart I bought from the office earlier that day.  It half the price but 3x yummy-ier.

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Thanks Marc for the photos

The Secret Gems

On a secret date? Surely, Cebu is a small place to hide. But let me take you to some places away from the curious eyes of the madding crowd.  One route, 5 dessert shops stops that will complete your date. Or you can skip everything else and get to dessert right away.

Here are some the secret gems within the city.

CupcaKen. Driving through Salvador extension Rd from Labangon to Banawa, just before you reach Convergys, right after the corner road that exits to V-Rama. I've been curious about the place. I saw a photo where my ex was tagged smiling sheepishly outside the store. I've been told of the location but just couldn't spot until a friend who lives nearby pointed the place.

A small place yet very neat. Here are some of their best sellers. (55 pesos each)

Red Velvet

  

Chocolate Choco-Chip Dough

Mango Float

My favorite? The mango float cupcake. The cake and the cream on top create a perfect combination.  It's like magic when its in your mouth. There's a pinch a zesty taste that will linger in your tongue.

From CupcaKen, take the R. Duterte St and continue driving until you reach Cebu Provincial Capitol then take the road below for the next stop.

If you can see the building of UNO, then you are at the right place.

Prepare your basic french as the chef/owner is from Bordeaux, France. Here are some of their delectable desserts: 

Blueberry Cheesecake

strawberry and pistachio macarons

Canelés de Bordeaux

My favorite is Canelés de Bordeaux.  Don't judge by its look.  It surprised me. Like a bomb, it burst in my mouth and gave an orgasmic blast. The bitter taste of a burnt outer layer played with the sweet soft inside. The owner explained that it contains the same ingredients of a crème brûlée but baked differently. Its best paired with coffee.

Parallel Road along Juana Osmena St, you may find Homebakers.

Here are some of their sweet delights.

Red Velvet

Chocolate Cake

Braso De Merceditas ( I dont own the pic)

Too yummy I forgot to take a picture, my personal favorite is Braso De Merceditas.  Funny how I visit the place often but I couldn't remember how they call the red velvet cake and the chocolate cake.  There's another bitter-sweet chocolate cake that i like, its called Serendipity.  Its a moist chocolate cake but doesn't hurt your throat. Two thumbs up for serendipity cake plus my unforgettable story behind it.

   

Drive through Juana Osmena then turn right on the next corner along Escario st.. When you reach the intersection, don't take the Gorordo Ave rd, continue driving until you get the intersection of Escario and Apitong St. It should be the street before Parklane International.

Hidden away in a corner J Block Building is Sweet Little Things.

It is true that great things come in small packages.

mudpie . red velvet . blueberry crumble

My favorite: its the mudpie of course. If you have seen my face, I had chocolate all over and a smile like that of a 2-year old kid.

Take note that Apitong St is a one way road, so take the Rosal rd then turn right and exit through J Solon.  For the next stop, get to Mindanao avenue and exit Ayala through Cardinal Rosales Ave.  Cross the intersection to F. Cabahug Street.  Turn left.  Corner of Pres Roxas St and Pres Magsaysay St is the Corner Bakery.

Not your ordinary bakery. It feels home-y. 

chocolate cake

Banana-Caramel Pie

When desserts save a not so good date, this classic chocolate is a monster sent from above. Each bite spells satisfaction. It’s perfectly baked and well moist. The cream plays with your tongue. The banana-caramel pie has a different story. The taste of the banana, nuts and cream explodes in your mouth. It will make you forget your name or your date!