Ever since my trip to Tokyo last month, I love all things Japanese. I fell in love with the city…read morealong with its people, culture, things and food! I still have a Japanese hangover until now, evident in my obsession for all things Matcha Green tea. But Royce has been a love of mine even before I turned into a Japanese fanatic. Royce first stormed the malls of Manila years ago. At the time, most people prefer the smooth and rich texture of chocolate from Europe. I for one am guilty of that. Today, Japan argues with Royce that they can definitely come up with the same quality chocolate. Yay for competition! My favorite would have to be their dark chocolate variant and potato chips covered in dark chocolate. Now allow me to wipe of the drool dripping down my face.

I was once invited to a fancy birthday party and I had no idea what gift I should buy to the…read moreelegant and sophisticated birthday girl. The only thing I knew is that it should be something that I could buy there at Greenbelt. A friend of mine then suggested me ROYCE' Chocolate, a kiosk located in Greenbelt 5. "A box of good chocolates always works" - she said. I trusted her and bought a box of Au Lait Nama Chocolate, their classic one. Of course I've tried lots of different flavours before making my choice. It was a hard decision, come on! It's fine chocolate! :P Oh my God, I ended up buying a box for me also. However, since it's kinda pricey, I've promised to myself that the glorious box should last for a month at least. Of course I broke my promise. Of course I ate all the box. But I was pregnant, craving for good chocolate. So I'm forgiven.

One Christmas, my brother was so excited to give his gift to papa. He then warned me that his gift…read morefor papa was only for him and it wasn't to be shared with other people. He gave papa the gift and it was opened in front of everyone. It was chocolates from Royce. Of course, the little brat in me went ahead and got chocolates without asking and forgetting the fact that I am allergic to chocolate. Oh my. It was heaven in my mouth. A few days after Christmas, I went to the kiosk and ended up buying their Baton Cookies, potato chips and a box of their classic chocolate. Silly me couldn't resist and I gobbled everything up before New Year came. I was sick with asthma. But who cares?! I was eating a piece of heaven.

I was walking along the alley inside UPTOWN mall and saw this store in the middle of the walking…read morearea. The design of their store is so welcoming that you'd think you are in charlie's chocolate factory. They have the same design that would entice your craving for chocolate and at the same time look elegant than most chocolate shops. We got the chocolate chip caramel apple and a few of their chocolate pieces with almonds. Their candy apple is gonna make your tastebuds crazy. You wouldnt believe how the chocolate blends so well with the apple. After one bite, you wouldn't blame Eve for biting the forbidden apple too. Dont think that because their candy apples are so good that their chocolate pieces aren't. These are the david and goliath of chocolates. They maybe small but they sure as heck taste awesome. The chocolate was so rich and creamy while the almonds were perfectly nutty. Definitely going back again soon to try more of their products.

For chocolate lovers like me, this place is heaven. Almost all items in the menu are chocolate or…read morehave chocolate in them. There are different chocolate cakes, almost all of which I've tried, and all are winners. There are savory dishes with chocolate like pasta, which unfortunately I haven't tried yet, since my friends and I always come here for dessert and the drinks - yes, they have cocktails. And, the cocktails - oh, the cocktails! Nothing could be more perfect. It's the classic and comforting sweetness of chocolate laced with different kinds of liquor. A favorite among our group is the Inferno, which has just the right mix of chocolate-y sweetness, the bitterness of alcohol, and the kick of chili. I like how they put the alcohol level on the menu for cocktails - you can anticipate just how strong the alcohol is. Personally, I prefer mine not too strong so that the chocolate flavor and the alcohol are more balanced. I don't think I will stop coming here, even if I finally get to try all the items in the menu that I find interesting. There are always favorites that I will keep coming back for.

Maitre Chocolatier Boutique Cafe is chocolate lovers' Disneyland. Most specifically Lindt chocolate…read morelovers. I don't know but they have a hella lot of it in there, more than a year worth's of chocolate. There must have been so many inside that they decided, hey, since we are on it, why not make a pasta with chocolate. Truth be told, I'm not quite fearless yet to taste it but I'll try it in the future. Its so weird and exciting. Their menu's quite extensive. Aside from the aforementioned, there are also cocktails with chocolates, chocolate drinks, fried chocolate, chicken with chocolate, beef medallion with chocolate sauce.. you name it. Chocolate on everything. Are you getting diabetes already? :) And good news, they have fondue! While the fruits keep slipping out of their sticks, the experience turned out to be fun. Because the good thing about it is its for sharing.. and sharing is for friends. And with chocolate, chitchat and fondue, you can never be wrong.

Have you ever tasted watermelon flavored chocolates!! Yes you heard me right!! No I am not talking…read moreabout candies. If you want to experience the taste, head straight to Villa Del Conte. The other day I was window shopping at Greenbelt and I saw this place that was offering free samples of chocolates. It was free ;) so I tried one and then went on to have couple more. I ended up buying a piccolo (small in Italian) of watermelon chocolates. If that's not enough, they have orange and strawberry flavored chocolates as well. However, this place specializes in Italian chocolates, and there is wide range of chocolates to choose from. They have dark and white chocolates with hazelnut cream, macadamia filling to name a few. Their chocolates come in Piccolo (small), Medio (Medium), Grande (large) box. Their packing is comes in colorful cute boxes (I reused them as a storage box for my stationeries:D).

My father has several cacao trees in our backyard and I grew up drinking tsokolate from homemade…read moretablea. We had a batirol and my mom used to make really thick and rich chocolate drink a la espresso. But now, I don't go back home to our province very often because of work. So whenever I miss the taste of homemade tsokolate, I visit Tsoko.Nut Batirol. Although they serve Tsokolate Ah or aguada, meaning the chocolate is mixed with water so it's not too thick, I still cherish each sip because I think of home and my parents. Even the ambiance of the place reminds me of my childhood. Aside from chocolate drinks, this shop also serves great tasting meals. Rellenong bangus and dinuguan are my favorites. If I just want something light with my chocolate, I order ensaymada with cheese. I'm not fond of desserts but I think they have an interesting line up of cakes and pastries.

Michelle's Putong Ube is definitely a must try ESPECIALLY when it's FRESH. When it's not, the taste…read moreand texture really change. One time, I bought Michelle's Putong Ube from a reseller, not directly from the shop and I found the puto to be less tasty and drier than usual. I really have a hard time choosing which one my favorite is. I like the ube and I like the cheese. Well now I don't have to choose anymore because they just made the best thing ever - ube puto with small cheese squares on top. Omg. This is like a gamechanger. Two amazing things in one. I ALWAYS get this now. Other flavors they have: Putong Ube, Putong Queso, Putong Pandan and Putong Mascobado