I'd been eyeing this cafe ever since the banners went up their then-being-renovated space in the…read moreFashion Hall. I missed their grand opening but at least the cafe was there for every one to enjoy! This is one of those places where I would like to stay for hours, ordering food after food after food (or maybe even drink), and just paint with my watercolors. They really have good fixtures and the lighting in there is great, so snap away! The highlight of my stay: I got to taste their famous Chococro. Well they're just basically tiny croissants BUT they're tiny and flaky and soft and I don't know. I really love it. It only costs Php 55 apiece. Some basic Chococro flavors are only there for a limited time, though. During our visit, my boyfriend got the chocolate almond (which I never got to taste because ugh allergies), and I think I got the matcha one. I can't remember because I gobbled mine in one bite.

Love the ambience. Perfect place to wait while your gf or bf goes shopping while u rest and relax w…read moreWiFi

Another gem in Katipunan! Many of those who pass by the area (by foot or car) will notice this cute…read moredessert place right beside the Ateneo grade school gate. I once dropped by to get their red velvet cupcake out of craving's sake, and I was awed instantly with their desserts on display. I'm glad my lab mate suggested here to have lunch on one Saturday. I finally got to dine in and it was a success! We even played the board game "Mismo!" here and instantly we had one of the best lunches ever. I was surprised at their menu offer with unlimited rice and free dessert (we got red velvet brownie each), and the meals are about 120PHP (good deal!). They also have coffee and shakes that are sure to complement their dessert menu. The staff is very friendly and accommodating. They are able to help us with our requests like borrowing the board game that was displayed on their cupboard near the counter (hehe). I will surely visit their place again and probably try out their colorful and mouthwatering macarons, and read a book or study in their restaurant :)

Use to be Rosemaries, this place is now called Macarose. They serve desserts and savory foods that…read morewill make your tummy want more. Going in this restaurant, you can tell by the vibe that it has a hippie decorations and furnitures. On their walls are also artwork of their products, especially their desserts. Their meals are made to order. We came in pretty early, so for the server to tell us which is available was very nice of them. I tried their sizzling steak which was covered in their meat gravy. It had a scoop of peas and carrots. I added egg cause egg makes everything better. Although it would have been nice for them to cook it without a aring, (it would have been more authentic and taste better), it still tasted delicious. We also ordered the Burger steak. Again it was covered in their delicious gravy and a side of rice. Desserts ofcourse was part of the picture in our meal. Besides the carrot cake that we tried, we got a free mango cake dessert. Three layers of goodness. Buttom to top, it was sponge, mango creme, and a meringue on top. The sweetness was balanced with the deliciousness of the sponge cake. The smell of the mango was just nostalgic that you would want to order more of this cake. The carrot cake on the other hand has a thick creamcheese frosting. It was good but it was not my favorite.

Formosa Bakeshop is located at the ground floor of the M PLACE Mall with entrances along Mo…read more Ignacia Street (right across Camelot Hotel) and Panay Avenue (right across The Beech) in Quezon City. Formosa Bakeshop has decent asado rolls and yema cakes which, in a pinch, make for a filling lunch. Customer service was very good. Very attentive and polite staff.

One of the most recent additions to Maginhawa Street is Theo's a cozy and fun cafe in Central…read moreMaginhawa. It is found along the newer string of stores that occupy the space near the gym and the barangay hall. It has been open only for a few weeks, but it already has a steady following. The interiors are really cute and interesting. Downstairs, they have a few seating that prominently features a swing chair. Upstairs, you will find really woodsy interiors that remind you of being inside a small cabin. I love how cozy the place is. It just makes me want to settle down there with my computer or a book to read, and it would make just the perfect location to get some work done. What I also love about Theo's is the warm service that I always get from the hands-own owners who help out in the management of the place. Krystal (or however you spell her name) is always smiling and bubbly, and she always has great recommendations. I have been there several times to enjoy their cakes, which Krystal's husband apparently makes at home. I have tried their moist chocolate cake, which was superb (but not superb enough to beat my mom's secret recipe). I have also had their cinnamon buns to go, which was super nice, because it had the perfect amount of spice. I also love their cherry chocolate cake which is covered with white icing. The cakes are not that expensive, so you can always get more than one slice to indulge your sweet tooth. The coffee is so-so. I have to go back and experience more to actually have a fair opinion about their espresso.

Nice to see that there's almost always something new to check out in my backyard. Theo's was on the…read moreradar ever since I saw it on soft opening during one of my afternoon walks. And good on them opening amidst a cluster of milk tea places. I'd say that's a pretty interesting move but given the student population needing somewhere to hang out and work? I can see the need for another cafe. This one's pretty cut and dry. There's nothing that really stands out from the crowd here. It's a coffee place, it serves coffee, it has food and dessert. Pretty much what you'd expect from that kind of establishment. While I haven't tried any of the rice meals yet, I do have to agree that the cheesecake is exceptionally good. It isn't too sweet nor is it bland. It's a good balance of sweet with a nice texture that isn't cloying or nakakaumay. Definitely worth coming back for. First impression though was that it looks like a pretty small place so even if they've got a second floor, you might want to wait until peak hours are over to come in for coffee.

Don't miss their specialty Tsokolate Ah Batirol: rich, thick, and deep with that traditional cocoa…read moretablea flavor and slightly grainy texture pre-millennial Pinoys grew up loving. It's to die for. But I'm still alive. In my pre-vegetarian and vegan days, I would also have their aligue pasta, spaghetti slathered with chunky crab fat sauce. The creamy sauce coats each noodle beautifully, and if it's a little too rich, you can always cut the saltiness with a squeeze of calamansi. This is perfect for a budget indulgence that you wouldn't want to share with your date (they better get their own plate or the date's off). These days I ask for their malunggay pesto pasta, minus the parmesan. According to the server, they don't add cheese to the sauce itself, so it's vegetarian- (or perhaps even vegan) friendly. It's also creamy and the garlic-basil-malunggay combination works very well, though it's not as decadent as the aligue pasta. They've long moved their location from SM Cubao's basement to the Telus Building in Araneta. The indoor venue is a little cramped, good for a quick chat or read. It's actually cozier to sit at their outdoor tables if you don't mind noisy smokers, foot traffic, and eau de diesel nearby.

Why would you want to eat here? It's in the middle of the gadgets and electronics "zone" of SM,…read morewith nary a view of or nearness to anything attractive, unless the idea of dining near cellphone covers or thumb drives turns you on. Well, if you must know, the food is actually pretty good here, and after a long afternoon of shopping in Cubao, which can happen in our corner of the metro, mind you, you can surely have a good bite here. Yes, there are probably better eating places, and cheaper fast food just past the escalators nearer the SM grocery, but if you're looking for a nice, home-style meal at a reasonable price, you can get it at Tsoko Nut. I'm partial to the coco liempo, but even the chicken embutido and something as simple as the pandesal kesong puti are nice. They also have dessert, which I appreciate, like the tablea cake, which is pretty dang good, as is their tsokolate ah batirol--just as it should be, considering it's what they're kinda named after.

Nostalgic Mongolian Bowls & More…read more A Katipunan classic, Sweet Inspirations is best known for its Mongolian rice bowls, where you can load up on meats, veggies, and sauces. At ₱599 for unlimited bowls, it's a great deal--pile it high and fill up to your heart's content! Beyond Mongolian, the menu has Filipino and Western comfort food, including Pork Spareribs, Grilled Boneless Chicken, and Lengua with Mushrooms. Portions are average and best for solo diners rather than sharing. Their bakery selection includes classics like Ensaymada (₱50), Spanish Bread (₱30), and Cinnamon Rolls, along with cakes such as Chocolate Decadence, Sans Rival, and Tiramisu. While the variety is nice, the cakes tend to be on the dry side. The ambience is simple, but it's a spot packed with nostalgia, especially for former Ateneans. If you're craving a customizable, hearty Mongolian bowl, this is the place to go! Verdict: Unlimited Mongolian bowls are a steal! Cakes are dry, not the best for dessert lovers Other dishes are decent, but portions are just okay Would I come back? Yes--for the Mongolian!

The cheapest buffet I've ever had at only (240 PHP or 5 USD) and it comes with unlimited coffee…read more Selection is basic, they have; scrambled egg, mixed chopped buttered veggies, crispy tawilis (salty), embutido, beef tapa, plain and garlic rice, arroz caldo, champorado, and some desserts. Their food can't be faulted at their price point and their pros out weigh the cons, but to dine here is for convenience and not as a dining destination. Look at this way, if you just want egg and rice, this is the best deal anywhere, because it's unlimited and ready for the picking. AMBIANCE Marble floor and walls designed to a homey feel, in fact it looks like a house from the outside. Interestingly enough they haven't increased their price since they opened in 1990.

I have been out of the country for over 10 years so I was craving great Filipino food. We ordered…read moremongo soup, pako salad, crispy pata, caldereta, kare-kare and for dessert we had puto bumbong, bibingka and palitaw. Mongo soup was delicious although growing up our monggo was more an entree so was thicker. The pako salad was outstanding with a hint of the bagoong flavor of my childhood. I wish it had more! Caldereta and pata were both delicious. The kare-kare lived up to the flavors of kare-kare I was expecting however it was mostly vegetables. There were 4 pieces of tripe and a tiny piece of oxtail. Even my nephews who lived here were disappointed and said this was one dish they were not going to order again! For dessert, bibinka and puto bumbong were as expected. The palitaw however was excellent! I'd certainly go back to try all the other dishes and desserts despite the disappointing kare-kare.

My favorite uncle and aunt came to visit the Philippines from Canada a few weeks ago and just as…read moreany balikbayan would have it, they were asking for halo-halo, pansit palabok and Bibingka. And as the dutiful niece that I am, I happily obliged to their cravings and ecstatically ate along with them. First stop - Cafe Via Mare. While Via Mare does offer more expensive than the more common Filipino dishes, the quality, taste and presentation all make up for it. Admittedly, I have had better halo-halo and Pansit dishes elsewhere but what I never can shake off from Cafe Via Mare is their Bibingka - undoubtedly, the best in the Metro. Via Mare's Bibingka are all freshly made upon order which makes it awesomely good. The ingredients used to make the dish are also of good quality with the perfect combination of sweet and salty. Make sure to ask for a combination of both the Salted Egg and Queso de Bola for an explosion of flavors right in your mouth.

Here's a coffee shop that will cost you just as much as Starbucks would, but at the standards of a…read morehotel, and with a chocolate-dipped croissant that will surely make it known far and wide. Cafe Pronto is the bakery and cafe of Marco Polo Ortigas Manila. It's right on the driveway of the hotel so you can't miss it. A large selection of pastries including the chocolate-dipped croissant, savory sandwiches, and salads to-go are available at the counter. Beautifully decorated cakes and red velvet chocolate cupcakes are enticingly displayed. (My daughter and I had a mini argument when I told her she could not have a cupcake for breakfast.) The ambience is nice and bright. I chanced upon some #TitasOfManila when I was there on a Sunday morning, and a few professional women probably talking business over coffee on a weekday afternoon. For the price of the sandwiches and coffee, both of which range between 110 to 180 pesos, it really is a decent alternative to Starbucks if you're ever looking for a new menu with the same price range.

Yummy ensaymada..come after 7 and you can get it 50% cheaper..all breads are all 50% off by 7..pan…read moreau choclat is great too