Valentine's Day # 3: A Xiao Long Bao Date at Lugang Cafe

When the Chinese New Year falls on the same month as Valentine's Day, it's inevitable to have a joint post for the Search for the Best Xiao Long Bao and 14 Romantic Restaurants for Valentine's Day. 

So here's part 4 of my Chinese New Year food trip special and # 3 for my Valentine's Day food trip special - Lugang Cafe. Before we begin, feast your eyes on our towering dessert! 

The Search for the Best Xiao Long Bao Pt3: The Famous Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao

Happy Chinese New Year!!! :D Let's start the new year with a bang with the much famed Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao. 

My Favorite Japanese Sushis Are In Omakase

Let's start the 1st work day of the year with a bang! Let me share with you my ultimate favorite Japanese restaurant - Omakase. 

Happy Lemon: A Happy Addition to the Tea Craze

Looks like my plea for more milk tea has been heard. Meet the happiest new addition to the recent tea craze! 

12 Baskets Bakeshop: Reunions, New Displays and New Breads!

Last October 21, my friend Kiwee asked me to help her locate Fred's 12 Baskets Bakeshop. 

It was her first time in the bakeshop since she came back from a year long stint abroad. She came just in time to see all the new displays and new breads of 12 Baskets Bakeshop! 

Grant Me Serenitea: More Milk Tea in the Philippines Please?

Fred has been raving about Serenitea since last September when I baked a fondant cake for RJ. He kept raving about how the store has its own customized espresso machine for their tea. Wow! That's a first in the Philippines - I think!


When we ate in House of Lasagna another time, I felt I was too sick to drink anything so I had to pass again. Little did I know that my craving for a taste of Serenitea was already snowballing to an insatiable thirst! I love Milk Tea. I even love 7/11's MineShine bottled milk tea. :P It may not be the best, but it's still milk tea!


My friend Kiwee, who just came back after a year in another country, wanted to see Fred's 12 Baskets in San Juan. I arranged for this and told Fred, "Let's go to Serenitea right after!" Finally!

After examining 12 Baskets' new glass shelf and trying out their new products, we headed over to this healthy tea shop along J. Abad Santos in San Juan. 

House of Lasagna: Four Generations of Family Food Passion

Last week, I talked about meeting my official favorite food writer, Lori Baltazar of dessertcomesfirst.com after she interviewed Fred for her feature on 12 Baskets Bakeshop. Guess what? Lori's article about 12 Baskets is now up in her site! Check this out: click me!


Wohoo! :) Thank you so much Lori. You made such a beautiful write up and the photos look so YUMMY! 

12 Baskets Bakeshop: Bread, Pastry & Cake

If you've read my past entries regarding my first fondant cake, I mentioned that I made it in Fred's 12 Baskets Bakeshop kitchen (click here, here and here if you want to read them). This bakeshop has been open in San Juan since June this year. 

Blessing of 12 Baskets Bakeshop

Only in its 3rd month, it has already successfully dominated my food dreams (those egg tarts!). Yes I dream about food :) I may look petite, but I have a huge appetite when it's really good food! I belong to a family of bread people so bakeshops always make us happy!

Balkan Express: Home of Eastern European Food & Burgers

After a tiring 1st half of the day from baking RJ's birthday chocolate cake last Thursday, Fred suggested having lunch in the new Eastern European restaurant just along Jose Abad Santos (just near 12 Baskets Bakeshop). Here are his exact words, "It's a little expensive but their food is really REALLY good!" Of course if it's that good, how can I say no?

Balkan Express (photo courtesy of spankyenriquez.blogspot.com)

Balkan Express prides itself with delicious home cooked Eastern European food. Their regular meals range from Php180-330. They also serve baked pork knuckles but this is on an order basis since it's really pricey at Php1400/kg.