CUPCAKES BY SONJA



(packaging of Cupcakes by Sonja)

Buzz about Cupcakes by Sonja had been around for a while. It has sparked my curiosity since cupcakes have been the recent dessert of choice. We first tasted these cupcakes at one of the Bridal fairs I accompanied my sister to, they were given away for free. It was good we thought, but we wouldn't line up for it. After a lot of the hoopla had died down, we decided to bring some cupcakes during my cousin's welcome party to her daughter, Audrey Christine last Friday at their house. My sister and I trooped to upscale Serendra to visit Cupcakes by Sonja. It was a cute little bakery, adorned by pink and white stripes, reminiscent of Victoria Secret hehehe...

We ordered several varieties, among which were Red Velvet, Vanilla Sunshine, Chocolate Surprise, Goin Bananas, (which was our favorite of all) and Mocha Motion. I personally picked Red Velvet which was cupcake with Belgian Choco and topped with a Cream Cheese Frosting, the variant you can see below.



I was so disappointed with it. It tasted like the ordinary cupcakes you can find at your local neighborhood bakeries, what we call kababayan. But after a while, I tried eating it slowly, I convinced myself it wasnt all that bad, coz the frosting was good. I just had to convince myself I paid P65 for it.



Vanilla Sunshine with Vanilla Buttercream Frosting (this one we got for free by using my HSBC credit card)



(Clockwise from top left: Goin Bananas, Mocha Motion (had the best mocha frosting), Vanilla Sunshine and Chocolate Surprise)

Well, it was a so-so experience for me. The cakes cost anywhere from P58-100. Way too costly, and too far from my place. I have to go on a pilgrimage just to get my hands on these cupcakes. Maybe I had my expectations up there so I was disappointed with it. Final verdict, not worth it. But it can be your excuse to visit Serendra :)

Before I forget, they are having an ongoing promo, if you use any HSBC credit card for your purchases at Cupakes by Sonja, you get a free cupcake of the day for every P500 purchase!

CAFE BRETON

Everyone who loves crepes knows Cafe Breton by heart. It is a quaint French creperie which made crepes (wafer thin pancakes) famous around the Metro. I miss the old branch at Maria Orosa in Malate where their cutest cafe was located at. It had a big window on its second floor facing the roadside. Too bad they closed it down. Now we frequent the branch at the Ground Floor of the Podium in Ortigas Center, Pasig City.

La Pinay (Mango crepe a la mode with a drizzle of chocolate syrup on top) is the variety that made Breton famous. After ordering it far too many times, my sister and I decided to venture to new things. Here are two of our favorites:



La Delice- Banana Crepes with Nutella Hazelnut Spread and Almond Chips, Topped with Vanilla Ice Cream



Deja Vu- Mangoes with Caramel Syrup, Topped with Whipped Cream and Vanilla Ice Cream

For me, Breton serves the best Cappuccino in the Metro. You can order single or double servings for less than a hundred bucks. But during our last visit, I decided to go iced and ordered their Cafe Ligeois (I don't know if I spelled it right) It was good as well, though nothing really new



A lot of creperies have sprouted around the Metro, but I'd have to say the original is still the best. Breton is still on top of my list.

MEAT PLUS CAFE




I was in Subic during the entire workweek to attend a Workshop on Land Administration and Management Reform at the Legenda Hotel inside the Subic Bay Freeport. It was a very hectic and tiring week for me. But I did welcome the trip outside Manila, to enjoy clean air and green views. The surroundings in Subic are still very relaxing, although it is very noticeable how many establishments have closed down due to the decrease in tourist arrivals. A lot of duty free shops have gone, leaving only Royal Subic Mall, apparently run by the Shopwise (Rustan's) chain of supermarkets and Freeport Exchange, as the only big groceries/mini-department stores around that area.

But it was a relief to know that Meat PLus Cafe, the well-known steakhouse of old, where your slabs of meat are cooked while you wait. I was able to sneak out to try out their food fare but since lately, I've been bitten by the burger craze, I decided to try it out.

I ordered the Meat Plus Burger Combo (P150) which came with a sideorder of fries and coleslaw and a choice of soda, iced tea or lemonade. The burger had two patties of considerable size, with melted cheese, lettuce and tomatoes. No frills, but cooked medium well done. I enjoyed it a lot. It was not spectacular, but it suited my taste perfectly, coz I finished the entire sandwich!



A closer look at the burger



I would recommend it, apart from the other items on the menu. You should be going there if you're suffering from a serious steak craving. Everyone around me seemed to be enjoying their orders. But I guess I'd have to go back to Subic to be able to agree with them.

Meat Plus Cafe is located at Subic Bay Freeport, right across the Freedom Exchange Store.

MAKE YOUR OWN HAVAIANAS



(top view of the North Court of Powerplant Mall during the "Make Your Own Havaianas" event held last weekend. Last day is today, Monday, 26 March 2007)

We went last Friday to Powerplant Mall, Rockwell Center in Makati to attend the annual installment of "Make Your Own Havaianas." This year, it was held from March 22-26 at the North Court of Powerplant, (that's right across Marks and Spencer) As expected, drones of flipflop addicts were there to customize their own slippers. Lookers on are bewildered why on earth people would line up for freaking rubber slippers. Well, it's kinda hard to explain to those who are unknown to the Havaianas experience. These are rubber slippers that endure the test of time. I've had a pair for four years now and it still looks the same as when I unwrapped it that Christmas.

So how do you go about it? You are given a menu card, where all the possible color combinations are indicated, you just have to tick the box of your chosen color. Along with those came choices of pins or swarovski crystals that you wish to embellish your flipflops with. There are color wheels and samples of the soles and straps all around that will help you with your choices. Although, each customer is allowed only to bring home a maximum of five pairs for the duration of the event. Although I wonder how they can be able to monitor that if you come on separate days. Once you have decided on it, then you line up to have your pair assembled and voila, you have your own customized havaianas!

I chose a red pair with bronze straps and palm tree pins. Here is a pic of my masterpiece, after long hours of reflection and study :)




While Cousin Jover chose a green and silver combo, and palm tree and Brazil Flag pins for his own design :)



Each pair would cost you P795 and that price includes one pin. Each additional pin or swarovski crystal would set you back P50.



A glimpse of the Havaianas assembly line.

I'm proud of my new pair that will strut its way on the sandy beaches this Summer! Yahoo!