Revisiting Xocolat

Xocolat was the most decent non-commercial cafe near my old uni. It started out a literally a house turned into a dining area, and their Katipunan branch remained that way, although they had set up shop in commercial areas like Eastwood and Ortigas.

It was a pleasant surprise entering again and seeing that they redecorated and channeled kindergarten and beach vibes. I loved the homey feel.

Capiz shell lighting! Beautiful.

The strength of the establishment is on their desserts.

The melting point of cocoa butter is just below the human body temperature -- which is why it literally melts in your mouth. - Source. Frozen "Hot" Xocolat sherbet balls, a connoiseur's choice Php 165. The best sherbet I tasted! (Either that, or I my bias dark chocolate was on overdrive)

Xocolat Cheesecake Php 125 per slice. One of the best red velvets I've had!

Dark chocolate contains flavonoid phenolics which are known to lower the risk of heart disease. Which means it is good for you as a glass of red wine. - Source. I failed to take note of the details of this, it was something like hot chocolate using Aztec beans. It was tasted rich and creamy and left a gingery taste on my throat. Lovely!

Bittersweet chocolate is what is usually called for in baking. It contains more chocolate liquor (at least 35%) and less sugar than sweet chocolate. Semisweet chocolate contains 15% - 35% chocolate liquor. - Source. That Xocolat Cake for Php 95.

Xocolat

#172 B. Gonzales St.

Loyola Heights, Quezon City

Philippines

Kiss the Cook Cafe (again!)

We had post-Sunday mass dinner in Kiss the Cook along Maginhawa Street.

Lemongrass cooler for Php 80. Native to India, and mostly used as a herb in Asian cuisine, lemongrass caused apoptosis (programmed cell death) in cancer cells. Panacea in a jar? In any case, this version is a bit sweet for me. I'm used to a more gingery taste.

Php 165 Malagos Blush with dried cranberries, kiwi and oranges with pomegranate dressing

Php 245 Pistachio-crusted Chicken on garlic mashed potatoes and side salad

Truffette (dark chocolate gelato nugget topped with cherries and baliley's cream) for Php 180. We loved this serving! The rainy weather pulled down our mood, but the taste of this perked us all up so much that we had two orders of this. We always go for dark chocolate because it has the richest source of antioxidants, but in this case whatever tinge was cancelled out by the cream (milk)

Kahlua Creme Brulee (rich creamy custard topped with burnt sugar) for Php 120. I'm used to warm creme brulee so I can't make a proper assessment on this.

Php 120 Chocolate Lava Cake (topped with the choice of Pistachio or Vanilla Yoghurt - but we were insistent diners who requested to have dark chocolate froyo instead. Thank you for having it our way!)

Kiss The Cook Cafe

65 Maginhawa St.

UP Village, Diliman

Quezon City, Philippines

Tel: 632 434 3700

Pilot Episode in Angeles Flying + C's Italian Dining

Thanks to Alex for pushing us to try out Angeles Flying Club in Pampangga, and it was one of our best out of town trips thus far! It was an adrenaline rush seeing so many provinces below my feet, having the high speed wind blow through my face, with the temperature of the morning sun just right =) I was lucky enough to have Mr Max as my very friendly and accommodating guide and mentor.

Ruth's eye caught very good frames on this album.

Php 1M / light aircraft. Weight limit is 105 kg.

Classic

Full speed ahead to Mount Arayat!

Common thoroughfare >:)

At one point, Mr Max took me 50 feet above the farmers while they worked on their rice fields, and I had the pleasure of deliriously waving at them.

Pampangga Piggery

Beautiful sunny morning. Many thanks to the normally rainy weather for allowing this great adventure.

For lunch, we headed to C's Italian Dining, located within the Ho district of Angeles City. At first, I didn't expect much when I saw the interiors: dark walls, the chandeliers unmatched, and their metallic chairs didn't fit the ambiance. I forgot about all of that when I tasted the food! Creamy and in big servings, it was definitely worth the travel. We entered the establishment with the place looking empty and drab, but by the middle of our lunch, it was filled up and lively.

Pesto sauce with whole wheat bread

Saint Jacques Panizza - Scallop flakes, shrimp, sun dried tomatoes and chili flakes for Php 690

This went with the panizza

Final panizza wrapping

Carrot and pumpkin soup for Php 250

Chicken Alfredo Pasta for Php 590

Tiramisu for Php 180

Angeles Flying Club

Woodland Airpark, Talimundok, Sta Maria

Magalang, Pampangga

Tel: 63 45 8022101

C's Italian Dining

Don Juico Ave

Angeles City

Tel: 63 45 892 4059

Dieg's Bakery + Magalang Church, Pampangga

We were too early to fly in the Flying Club so we went back to town in search for breakfast. After a series of closed shops, we found Dieg's bakery right beside Magalang Church. I have not been to a local bakery in more than a decade. It was a pleasure smelling bread fresh off the oven and to purchase it for Php 3.00. Nothing costs like that in Manila anymore.

Magalang Church. I love bell towers.

Rustic charms: the church looks so raw - they haven't painted over the concrete and the statues of the saints

Spanish bread! It's alive! Very warm and it smelt inviting.

Whatever this meant, this was yummy too.

Bread for Php 3 was a sure win.

Dieg's Bakery

Along Arayat-Magalang Road

Pampangga, Philippines

Baptism of Chocolate Fire in Salcedo Vilalge

The first chocolate shop opened in London in 1657. Prior to that, only nobility could eat chocolate. - Source

Thank you to my good friend Lisa for treating us to Chocolate Fire for her birthday celebration! Great choice to cap a rainy but relaxing Saturday night.

I doubt it's fresh but it's definitely dipped!

Aaack I love truffles!

Smorgasbord of chocolates to choose from

Chocolate with chillis behind the truffles. Accck! Great to try but I would think twice about a second helping.

Pringles dipped in chocolate. Once you pop, you can't stop! Perfect fusion of salty and sweet.

Chocolate milk fondue

Dark Chocolate Fondue. My most preferred. YUM.

Reinforcements: Alcohol within the chocolate. Nice touch Lisa!

Chocolate Fire

Ground Level, PDCP Bldg.

Leviste St. cor. Rufino St.

Salcedo Village

Makati, Metro Manila

Philippines

Tel: 632 840 3473

Sampalok Lake + Clydenjosh Luto sa Lawa

Sampalok Lake is one of San Pablo City's 7 lakes, but is the only lake that you can travel around in.

Mt Banahaw overlooking Sampalok Lake

Homogenous sari-sari stores along the circumference of the lake

San Pablo City as the Tilapia capital of the Philippines

One of the many fish pens within the lake

Common city province sighting

We had a short merienda in Clydenjosh Lutong Bahay at Yamang Dagat sa Lawa (Home-cook and sea food of the lake) which looked like the most upscale restaurant in the area. It seemed that their specialty was Tilapia and other cooked seafood, but we settled for the usual Filipino dessert picks of halo-halo and mais-con-yelo.

Halo-halo for Php 70. Green jelly! Not a usual ingredient, but otherwise, its a common halo-halo fare.

Special order of Mais-con-yelo (corn on ice). They were gracious enough to grant a special order even if this wasn't on the menu

Pork and tofu for Php 140. What is it that they put on the tofu?

Clydenjosh Lutuan sa Lawa

Along Sampalok Lake

SAn Pablo City, Laguna

Philippines

Kiss The Cook Cafe in Maginhawa Street

I had lunch with my good friend Dustin in Kiss The Cook Cafe, located along Maginhawa Street, the up and coming art district of Manila. Another good find in a non commercial space! I expected a more homey arrangement and to be serenaded by more soothing music, but their darling chandeliers more than made up for whatever initial reservations I had. Great food, easy on the pockets.

The chandeliers, and the charming old fashioned plates

Dessert came first! We had the Fragola: strawberry gelato wrapped in crushed nuts, served with maraschino cherries and Tequila Rose for Php 120

Italian Shortrib Stew: slow-braised in wine and tomatoes with pesto spaghetti for Php 295.

Pesto spaghetti - a bit dry

So tender and tasty! I would go back for this.

Ice cream Yoghurt Selections for Php 120. We chose Vanilla, Pistachio and Dark Chocolate

This rich, creamy and dark spoonful became my standard for perfection. (Fun fact: Napoleon always carried chocolate for the energy boost.)

Pistachio flavour: Sour at the first bite, but had the tart that you need. (Fun Pistachio fact: Pistachios have been cultivated for 7000 years and was one of two nuts mentioned in the Old Testament of the Bible - the other one was almond)

Vanilla, my vanilla. The best vanilla beans are from Madagascar!

Kiss The Cook Cafe

65 Maginhawa St.

UP Village, Diliman

Quezon City, Philippines

Tel: 632 434 3700