The Foodinista: Coffee

7 Eleven: City Blends Iced Coffee

Sunday, October 20, 2019

7 Eleven's City Blends Coffee has been my staple to-go caffeine fix whenever I want a fresh & rich coffee that is affordable and easily accessible. Each cup is made with 100% Arabica beans that are freshly grounded right in front of you. Aside from their classic iced coffee, City Blends offers other variants such as French Vanilla, Mochaccino, and Hershey’s Dark Chocolate.

I'm avoiding 3-in-1 coffee lately because of its sugar content. Brewing coffee in our office on the other hand just takes up so much time so whenever i'm lazy to make my own, I just buy from 7 Eleven!

I would usually order an Iced Coffee or a Hershey's Dark Chocolate drink at 7 Eleven. I love love love iced beverages. Iced drinks are always more satisfying for me whether the weather is hot or cold, so I would usually end up filling my glass with ice and transferring my hot drink in there to cool it up.

It's just so hot in the Philippines ya know?

Good thing 7 Eleven finally offers their City Blends Coffee on ice!

City Blends coffee is available in three sizes. (8 oz., 12 oz., and 16 oz.)

The cups for the iced coffee can be found on their ice tube section in their freezer. Each cup comes with an instructional cover that says: PEEL, FILL & CHILL! It's just easy as 1-2-3!

After getting a cup of ice, you can already choose the flavour of your desire.

Each cup comes with a sachet of sugar syrup which you can add to sweeten your cup of iced coffee.

Taste: Sweet, Milky & Refreshing!

Review: It's on the milkier side of the coffee spectrum which is good for me because I don't like my coffee too strong. I don't enjoy drinking black coffee that much so I always go for the sweeter and milkier ones. The size is pretty good for the price and you get to control the amount of sweetness you want in your coffee.

Price: ₱42 / Cup / 16 oz.

PEEL, FILL & CHILL!

Ps. Not all branches offer this yet as of this writing.

You're lucky if the branches near you already offer this cause it's undeniably refreshing and most especially convenient!

Chinese Restaurant

Tuan Tuan Chinese Brasserie, Greenills Promenade

Wednesday, July 11, 2018

As the first Chinese Brasserie in the country, TuanTuan Chinese Brasserie is Hong Kong's comfort food with a French Flair. Captivated by the Chinese fascination with the circle, the idea of union is the meaning of TuanTuan - round and round, also gathering things together. At TuanTuan, they create a distinct dining experience by cultivating Chinese culinary tradition within a sophisticated yet cozy French inspired ambiance. At heart a brasserie, they serve food that is delicious, quick and authentic.

The story of TuanTuan begins in the early 1960’s in Hong Kong, a period of dynamic foreign influences and economic growth. Family-run restaurant, Mui Garden, was popular for serving quick Hong Kong comfort food that was both hearty and accessible, the most famous of which was their special curry & noodle soup.

After emigrating in the 1990’s, the Mui Garden family successfully replicated their expertise in Canada and even opened another store called Deer Garden that is known for their Halibut Noodle soup. Led by son Gordon, their special brand of Hong Kong comfort food has been lauded many times over. The famous Mui Garden curry is decadent, rich with the perfect blend of choice spices and creamy coconut milk.

The multi awarded Signature Halibut Fish Soup from Vancouver is a distinctive experience: luxuriously milky yet light, silky, alive with the rich, delicate flavors of the sea. The soup base is made from specially chosen fresh Pacific Halibut that can only be found in Canada. The famous Hong Kong style curry is decadent, rich with perfect blend of choice spices and creamy coconut milk.

Recipes that have been passed on from generation to generation. It is with much pride that we bring you these multi-awarded dishes steeped in decades of history, the same recipes that has satisfied countless diners in Hong Kong for over fifty years.

[Source: TuanTuan Website]

Crispy Barbecued Pork Snow Buns

₱

148

On Valentine's Day (2018), my boyfriend and I spent our dinner date at TuanTuan Chinese Brasserie. It's located at Greenhills, Promenade. We weren't planning on eating out that day because we only planned to watch Black Panther and agreed to spend our Vdate on a different day. Being both foodies, we can't help but have a decent dinner on this special occasion. We were just craving for good food so he brought me to Tuan Tuan.

I've never heard of this restaurant before and I was even surprised that my boyfriend knew about this place. This restaurant had been around in GH for quite sometime now but it's not as advertised & not as mainstream compared to other Chinese restaurants like Tim Ho Wan & Din Tai Fung. The restaurant creates a distinctive dining experience by refining Chinese culinary tradition within an urbane yet cozy French inspired ambiance.

FOOD

Crispy Barbecued TuanTuan Snow Buns ₱148

Think crispy and fluffy at the same time. Toasted underway and heavenly soft on the inside, this bun knows how to tease and sweetly satisfy a craving palate.

I love pork buns and the only buns that i've tried so far were from Tim Ho Wan's version before going here so it's my only point of comparison. TuanTuan Snow Buns are probably the best pork buns i've tried ever! Yep, even better than the THW!

Their buns has a crispy coating on top that doesn't fall apart easily. It's not flaky and it's not as sweet as Tim Ho Wan's! Their buns are more compact and has a toasted texture at the bottom which reminds me of toasted siopao. The meaty asado filling has the perfect balance of sweet and savory. ₱148 is a pretty good price point for the quality of the buns. I would love to take this out and probably eat this all day!

EAT IT WHEN IT'S HOT! THEY'RE FRESHLY MADE & SERVED!

Halibut Noodle Soup

Halibut Noodle Soup

Mix: Original Fish Soup, Sliced Beef, Pork Balls, Fresh Ramen Noodles

Their signature Halibut Fish Soup gives a hearty experience that is both appetizing and healthful. The dish takes pride on its luxuriously milky yet light, silky, alive with the rich, delicate flavors of the sea – from the deer garden broth that harkens from clean, cool waters of Canada to the halibut that is imported for supreme quality and taste.

This one is a top reco of many foodies and also a best seller on their menu so I ordered it to give it a try. First impression: It had an awkward taste because of the cilantro. If you don't like cilantro, you might not enjoy this dish. It's not love at first taste but it's something you'll learn to enjoy once you keep digging in. The noodles were al dente and perfectly cooked! My boyfriend really liked it because he's very particular on how noodles are cooked on soup dishes and this one passed his expectations. The soup is very comforting, very savoury and all the meat tasted well together in my bowl. I actually expected that there will be a fishy taste but it didn't have any. The overall taste is quite herby which I think might not be appreciated by everyone. Its either you love it or you don't. Plus points for the BIG serving, one order is meant to be shared by two people.

House Special Trio P428

House Special Trio

House Special Trio is like a unique version of chao-fan. It's baked fried rice topped with three flavors: baked seafood in white sauce, wild mushroom in pesto sauce and porkchop in tomato sauce. This is best for those who can't decide!

My favorite among the three would be the wild mushroom in pesto sauce! The strong pesto aroma & taste boosted my appetite. I didn't want to eat this anymore cause I was happy with my Halibut soup already but it was just irresistible. This is a must try if you are a rice lover like me. The dish is something new & different from the usual PH & Chinese resto rice dishes, this is something that cannot be tasted elsewhere! I believe this dish is common in HK but i've never really explored their food so I hope i'll get to try authentic unique rice dishes there when I go back.

HK Milk Tea & HK Coffee P98 | P48 when added with noodle dish

Nai Cha and Yin & Yang

Silky smooth, with just the right amount of milk – the key to the perfect Hong Kong style coffee & tea seems to be instinctive at TuanTuan. It uses the ingredient that only the most reputable tea masters in Hong Kong use – Black and White Milk. Their Nai Cha is one of the most authentic HK Milk Teas i've had in Manila. It's so refreshing, light and very tea to taste. The cold drinks are served in a stainless steel mug to keep it cooler for a longer time.

Overall, it was a great experience dining in Tuan Tuan. It was a good call for the boyfie to bring me here for Valentine's which made our dining experience extra memorable. I will definitely be back to try their custard buns and other noodle soup!

If you're looking for a palate adventure, visit TuanTuan and be transported to China & France at the same time through your taste buds!

Bakery

Boulangerie22, Sm San Lazaro

Friday, January 05, 2018

Boulangerie22 is a newly opened french fusion bakery in SM San Lazaro. I was excited when I heard about them cause it's been awhile since a good restaurant opened in this SM Branch, I just live across and I have already memorized all the restaurants in this mall haha it's either fast food or your usual food court stalls. Good thing there's something new to look forward to!

I brought my sisters with me when I visited Boulangerie, it's a very small bakery shop with a few seating capacity for dine-ins. They offer different kinds of Breads, Croissants, Pizza Bread, Jams, Muffins, Madeleine and Financier, Cookies and Macarons, Cakes and even Tea.

I'm not much of a bread fan, I don't like starchy food. It's not something I would crave for because CARBS!

Kidding aside, there are only few good bakeries in Manila and if there is a good one it would usually be expensive so i'd rather not stay in bakeries and it doesn't boost my appetite at all.

Boulangerie is an exception because the ambiance is worth staying for and their wide range of pastries makes me wanna try it all!

Boulangerie22 offers cakes and freshly-baked breads made out of traditional method but with a modern twist. Aside from pastries, Boulangerie22 also serves soup, pizza, and pasta.

Italian Spaghetti Bolognese P149
A typical Italian spaghetti, pasta cooked al-dente topped with tomato sauce and sprinkled with chives. I love the quality of the pasta but the sauce is just your typical Bolognese. I wish there were also more cheese on top to give it a saltier kick.

Truffle Fettuccine Alfredo Pasta P179
Truffle fan here and I love that they keep adding truffles even on their Pasta. My sisters loved the pasta and they'll be willing to order it again, I tried it too but the serving was too few. I find it expensive for the quantity served but it's a must try!

Truffle Forest Mushroom Soup P129
High quality truffle mushroom soup for P129? This is nothing but a dream. Can't believe I can now satisfy my truffle mushroom soup cravings for an affordable price. The mushroom is grinded already and gave the soup an additional texture which made it interesting to eat, the saltiness was also perfect. Craving Satisfied!

HOLY CHEESUS P149
MAMAMIA HALLELUJAH! I've finally tried the Holy Cheesus!
They heat it in an oven toaster and served it with oozing cheese inside. The cheese is so sexy!

I love how the cheese didn't over power the whole pastry, I thought mauumay ako at first but love at first bite talaga, even my sister couldn't get enough of it. I would love to pair this with their pastas, they make a good combination!

Ang Sisters

Overall it was a totally satisfying visit. The staff were really accommodating. This branch isn't so big and can accommodate less than 10 people dining in but a lot of customers come in to buy their take-out pastries. They have special offers before the mall closes so if you want to take advantage of the huge discounts on their pastries better visit before the mall closes. I will be definitely be back especially for the soup!

Breakfast

Little Owl Cafe, New Manila: Media Launch

Wednesday, February 08, 2017

Little Owl

Last December 2016, I was invited by Little Owl to attend their Media Launch while on Soft Opening. We were introduced to Sir Jonvic, the head chef and the Director of Lola Food Group, and the same team behind the famous Lola Cafe in Quezon City and Liberty Kitchen at Eastwood.

I was really excited when I got invited to this event because Lola Cafe is one of my favorite restaurants in the Morato Area. I've been here twice already and the quality of food has been very consistent so far!

Little Owl

Little Owl is located in Broadway Ave, New Manila which is just across St. Lukes Hospital and a few medical centers. A good place to spend lunch breaks for students and medical practitioners who works in the area. Their coffee won't disappoint cause they're in partnership with Toby's Estate!

Cool huh?

I like the vibe of this restaurant, it is very minimalist and homey. The white walls and high ceilings added a very welcoming and cozy feel to the restaurant.

Little Owl First Floor

Little Owl has a second floor - mezzanine area that caters to private events. You can reserve ahead if you plan to celebrate events here. I like how it's private and can accommodate 20-25 pax.

Jonvic told us they're marketing Little Owl as an event place too and they have been receiving a lot of bookings for intimate gatherings.

Mezzanine

Now on to the food, we were served the following:

THICK BACON CUT STEAK

w/ apple marmalade served with eggs of choice (paired w/ rice)
For P365 I don't think I even deserve to enjoy a thick cut bacon as good as this! We paired it with rice (Unfortunately the photo doesn't show it) but I prefer it better with rice than the toast bread. I would want to eat this on a lunch time! I like the contrast of the saltiness from the Bacon and the Sweetness from the Marmalade Sauce. This is a must try!

Thick Bacon Cut Steak P365

MIXED MUSHROOM & ROASTED VEGETABLES
served with scrambled eggs and fondue

This was Kevin and I's Top 1 on the list that they served us during that day. The scrambled eggs where so soft and light it melts in the mouth together with the melted cheese, oooh! This is actually what I can describe as a GOOD BREAKFAST. It's light, healthy and organic.

Mixed Mushroom & Roasted Vegetables P250

SHAKSHUKA

Eggs poached in Tomato Sauce w/ Whipped Cheese Served with Toast

This dish really amazed me, served in a pan in skillet form it reminds me of DIY breakfasts on Tastemade. The ingredients were so basic yet it turned out really well. Love how the tomatoes tasted hearty and fresh! DIP THE TOAST in the skillet to fully enjoy this meal!

Shakshuka P270

CEASAR SALAD P285

Romaine, Arugula and bacon lardons tossed in ceasar dressing

Honestly, this tasted quite like an ordinary Ceasar salad. I hope they'll add more dressing cause it was to dry, It's too leafy and the lettuce were not properly separated.

CARBONARA P295

Tossed in Bacon and Parmesan Cream topped w/ Poached Egg

The Carbonara was fine. I didn't expect much anything from it since a Carbonara is a Carbonara. I find it pricey for P295 cause it's quite ordinary. Though the cream they used were thick and heavy so I guess that's what made it expensive. Pretty good pasta meal.

Fully Egg White Omelette P220

FLUFFY EGG WHITE OMELETTE

served with Feta Cheese & Pesto, Arugula & Toast

A little disappointed on this dish cause the egg is fluffy but literally tastes nothing. The pesto helped a bit but I suggest they add more seasoning on the egg.

Grilled Cheese Sandwich P220

GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH

I have mixed feelings about this sandwich. I love anything grilled cheese but this lacks in flavor. The cheddar was gooey and all but really lacking. It cheddar lacks sharpness, I wish it was paired with a tomato soup instead of the sauce since it didn't came out strong. But I liked the string fries on the side which reminds me of Picnik!

DESSERTS

CHOCOLATE TART P130*

WARM APPLE & PEACAN P160

CALAMANSI TART P130

Not going to elaborate how the tarts tasted cause i'm not a fan of tarts in general. But among the three I liked the Chocolate Tart the most probably because they've used dark chocolate on it instead of the usual milk chocolate, a little too sweet though but it can be adjusted. The Calamansi Tart is a unique find but it was too sugary, too sweet that I wasn't able to grasp the sourness of the Calamansi anymore. They have to adjust the sweetness level and add more cream on top to balance everything out for their tarts :) One order can be shared by two people already cause the size is already big!

Espresso Cocktail P150

ESPRESSO COCKTAIL

(Espresso Shot, Vodka, Caribbean Rhum & Amaretto)

The espresso was too strong and wasn't really a good mix with Vodka. Just had a sip and didn't drink it anymore. It's interesting though cause I've never tried an Espresso Cocktail before, I hope they keep this but improves the alcohol and espresso content.

Green Sangria P150

Hate anything with cucumbers but this Green Sangria made with Green Apple, Cucumber, Calamansi, Vodka, Wine & Soda was good. It's light and refreshing! A perfect drink to beat the summer heat!

Pink Owl P150

PINK OWL

(Watermelon, Lychee, Vodka, Mint Leaves, Soda)
This one is my favourite! SUPER LIKE. Good thing I ordered this and I recommend this to ladies who doesn't drink often. It's very light, peachy, sweet and tangy. Love how the soda added some kick and spark to the drink! Plus it's PINK!

Fluffy Banana Pancake P220

FLUFFY BANANA PANCAKE w/ maple syrup

I've never tried banana pancakes before and I liked this one. It's drizzled with maple syrup on top and sided with fried banana. Perfect for banana lovers out there! Minions where you at?