KEN CHAN Opens CAFE CLAUS in Tandang Sora Quezon City

It looks like a fun, festive day over at Cafe Claus, the first Christmas themed cafe in the heart of Quezon City. This is the brainchild of Kapuso star Ken Chan and his partners. Cafe Claus is located in front of Tandang Sora Bayan Palengke along Tandang Sora Avenue. It also is the space formerly occupied by HBC Tandang Sora (which closed down during the pandemic). Ken wants this to be a home away from home, to make sure you feel the spirit of Christmas. 

 Ken says “The longest Christmas celebration is in the Philippines and honestly, there’s no Christmas themed cafe in the Philippines. Here in Cafe Claus, it’s going to be Christmas all day. When you go here, you forget about your problems, your worries, and you get to have more hope, positivity, and lots of things that remind you of Christmas. This is my first cafe, it’s always been a dream. I told my Dad that I wanted to have one because I love to put up businesses, I also love to eat.” 

 

 The restaurant is also releasing seasonal paper cups (and parts of the proceeds of their sales) aimed to raise money for charitable organizations that they plan to support. Aside from that, they also accept toys for kids and have special boxes for it. They have different items on the menu which are also Christmas themed, I would suggest you try Myrrh (mushroom soup) for your soup, Holy Grail caesar salad, Cinder Klaus Spinach Cheese Dip, Shrimp Poppers, the Signature Lasagna called Nollaig shona duit which is Irish for Merry Christmas, which is part of their 4 pasta dishes, carbonara, pinoy spaghetti and marinara. They also have Ube Champorado (available in hot or cold versions), Chicken Pot Pie which they call Gertrud’s Christmas which is also good to try.

So if you want to have a break, enjoy the Christmas season all year round at Cafe Claus. It's right in front of Tandang Sora Public Market (You can pin HBC Tandang Sora and it should take you there). Congratulations Ken Chan, you're already successful and this venture looks promising!

Trinoma's Zombie Outbreak Diner and PAWS Pet Cafe

Heads up kids and not so kids anymore!

It looks like the word is out! For the whole month of October (Weekends for the Diner) Trinoma is giving you a treat! They probably know that Halloween is just around the corner and since they've been holding the Choose Your Own Food Adventure call all this month, they're letting you experience a full blown Zombie Outbreak Diner and the oh so cute PAWS Pet Cafe too!

The Zombie Outbreak Diner is located at the Garden Area right beside the fountain in the front entrance of the mall. Just go right after the guards and you'll see it there. Now this ain't your ordinary diner of course because it's going to be a whole different experience if you need to PLAY while you're having lunch or dinner. The experience of being in the story was pretty interesting because this is a case of WHODUNNIT (A Crime Solving Game) and you might also get the chance to win prizes! Here's what happened during the launch!

Aside from this awesome dining experience, they've also got those cute little dogs and cats from Philippine Animal Welfare Society that put up their own kiosk at the third floor of the same mall. You basically just order coffee, get cat food or dog treats, then get to have tea or coffee with your friends and these lovely little furballs! Oh I just want to take them all home!

Anyway here's a short trip we did during the Dog day. There are cats too but it's scheduled on a different day. Both are so awesome, I want to take home adopt the white little dog :(

So come hurry and get your friends, family and yourself to Trinoma today! Aside from good things to buy, you can get these lovely dining destinations that's only available the whole month of October! Make sure you also visit the PAWS Pet Cafe just a few floors up from the Zombie Outbreak Diner, solve the mystery to help catch the one who killed the Doctor! Dun dun dun dunnn... 

Thank you TRINOMA and Ayala Malls for having us! Super loved being there earlier!

For more information about their activities:

TRINOMA

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http://www.ayalamalls.com.ph/

The SELFIE Cafe at Robinsons Galleria

There's a new coffee shop in the 2nd floor of Robinsons Galleria in Oritgas. It's called the SELFIE Cafe. It's a Filipino brand, a brain child of entrepreneurs who wanted to make their kids dream into a reality. Yes, this was actually thought of by kids and why not if the technology is already available right?

 They have really nice pastries and breads available and they invested heavily on the coffee. They wanted a specific blend and they spent a lot of time in testing beans from the local market. They wanted a robust, full bodied, dark chocolate like coffee and they couldn't actually get it with the local ones to fit their palate. They resorted now to directly importing from Italy so they could get the coffee they need to brew. The fact of the matter is, they're making not  just the coffee special, but the way they actually prepare it. The cafe is actually called SELFIE for a reason, they make your selfies into your cup of coffee, no joke!

They make this right in front of you. They only can do this on the frozen concoctions though because the gist is they need something to hold the amount of whipped cream that it's going to be printed onto.

They have a section of their coffee shop dedicated to take your selfies. It's like a studio so you can either transfer your existing ones or just take your selfie with their phones. They have a booth at the side where all the magic happens. They will top your coffee cup with about an inch of hard whipped cream, so there's a surface to print on your portraits.

Or if you're too shy and you're with a rowdy bunch, take a GROUFIE instead and print them on ALL your cups! You might have to wait a little longer though. Plus their SELFIES are really detailed, like seeing a real photo printed on your frozen treats.

If you want to enjoy a cup or two, or just take a break in the great Ortigas district, you may visit them at the 2nd Floor of Robinson's Galleria today (just go up the escalator on the front entrance along EDSA). The coffee is good, the hot ones too. 

Trust me on the Mocha, it's good and not too sweet! Just the way I like it!

For more information about their coffee:

Selfie Cafe

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https://www.facebook.com/selfiecafePH

Comida Chefs Gallery Cafe

Food is something that is non negotiable. When you're busy dreaming, you think of it 80% of the time. We Filipinos are becoming adventurous now that we've got access to more ingredients either from the Southeast Asian Region or beyond. We were fortunate enough to take some of these in at the Second Floor of the Caballete Artist's Gallery. The cafe and restaurant called Comida Chefs Gallery Cafe turned up to be quite an adventurous little place - perfectly fit to take right after the artistic dose you'll get on the art gallery on the first floor. We were welcomed by Chef Danny Dela Costa who also had an old restaurant called Comida Ilocandia in Timog Avenue. Spurred by his love of Ilocano and the fusion with new world dishes, he takes us to gustatory trips around the world then spins it with the ones in the northern region. I already had the great fresh salads he made during the launch of the Caballete Art Gallery and it was really good, bordering on even fancy.

The place could probably fit 20 people, but it was already packed for around a little less than that. Often times, it's gonna be few since foot traffic and audiences from the gallery only account much of this restaurants clientele. It's a bit inviting, to grab a book and study, have a business meeting or perhaps just be with intimate friends and family. Smaller groups would love it, more so the food!

"We have full support to the business we developed. I have been a designer for 45 years and been traveling all over the world. I've been exporting to Japan, the US and Europe then. During my stay in Europe, I took up culinary courses in London as I won competitions with Magnolia Cookfest organized by San Miguel. I won the chance to do so. I fell in love with a guy and opened up a restaurant that served Nonya and Filipino cuisine. I went back here and taught classes with Ms. Heny Sison, cooking started that way. After 4 years, I won a competition in Japan and got to New York for 4 years. I already have a course from UP AB Speech and Drama. Back then I felt that I was already an artist but really, really multi faceted. Although, I still believe I belong to one, that is fashion design. Cooking and making apparel for me felt quite the same. We've been in the business for about 3 years now, we've done mostly regional cooking with my cousins and college friends. Unfortunately 2 of our members passed away and some got involved in politics. We met one day and talked to him, the trend now is a gallery and another business but since I wanted to do hawker food, I did it here. My staff has been with me for a long time, we are in the catering business and do personal chef services. We do TV productions, birthday parties, we can go to your kitchen, ransack your ref and serve everything. We do not use preservatives and now doing heritage food and use modern techniques. I do RTW corporate wear and image enhancement for  department stores here, but my love affair with food has always been there."

Indonesian Tangy Rice Stick Soup

I super loved this one. This is sort of hawker food from Indonesia.It's Tangy Rice Stick Soup. It's got almost everything on it, much like a Vietnamese Pho, but the soup base is done with lemon grass hence the sour taste. If I would order something from this place, it would be this!

I think this stemmed from Sate in the Malay region, Nonya cuisine perhaps.

I think he mixed Chicken, Beef and Pork, formed it into a ball with spices and skewered it in on lemon grass sticks and char grilled to get that perfect smoky smell. It's like Asia meets Middle East so it's very meaty but infuses the herbs to get that distinct smell.

Spalog

This is Chef Danny's spin on the old Pansit Loglog. He used pasta, Spaghetti in place of the usual rice based noodle in the original one. He calls this Spalog. It worked, and the mix of saltiness with the bland pasta was like putting art in a canvass. The hints of smoked fish, crunchy chicharon and some veggies make this a very nice complete meal. Make sure you also get the Pandan Lemon Grass Cooler to hose it down after the very pungent spices from the pasta.

Chori Burge and Longanisa

The Philippines best are showcased here too. They have the Boracay famous Chori Burger and the Ilocano Longanisa. I wanted something meaty that afternoon and they got these made from scratch. They do not contain preservatives and is on the garlicky side. If you are looking for something that you miss in Ilocos, then visiting this place would probably bring you home. Pair this with rice and you're already there!

Latija Comida

Chef says this is mostly an old Filipino Dessert called Latija Comida. It's mashed Banana layered with Cinnamon, milk and cream but it's not too sweet. I like it and would be perfect for people who don't want intensely sweet desserts or for those watching their weight since this is fruit based. The layers felt like crepes too. It's pretty good, something simple but pretty good!

Comida Chefs Gallery Cafe is on the second floor of Cagballete Artists Gallery located at 111-A Kamias Street Barangay Malaya 4 in Quezon City. It's perpendicular to Kasingkasing Street and is in front of a Shell Gasoline station, about 4 blocks away from Edsa. If you're looking for some peace and quiet, comfort food, in a very lovely setting that won't break the bank, then come visit Comida Chef's Gallery Cafe for lunch or dinner. They serve drinks too, all you need to do is ask! 

For more information about their place:

Caballete Artists Gallery

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http://www.Facebook.com/CaballeteArtistsGallery

Restaurant review: Runner's Kitchen in Tomas Morato

Facade of Runner's Kitchen

I like being in Quezon City. One of the perks of living here is that you never could stop discovering places to have an adventure, to wine or dine. On the day we had an abrupt food crawl in the Quezon City - Tomas Morato area, my Sensei and New York famed Fashion Photographer Xander Angeles saw me posting food shots on Instagram - and invited us over their new restaurant named Runners Kitchen. It's located at the creek side, on a building beside the bridge in Tomas Morato. It's in between Kamuning Road and E. Rodriguez Avenue. This place spurred from the ideas and plans of running enthusiasts (all members of Run365PH) Xander Angeles, Abby Asistio, Glaiza De Castro, Bianca King, and several partners. These guys run together, Originally, the plan was to have a food truck - but they ran into trouble with permit requirements from individual cities where they wanted to have food to be sold. So the next option was settle in one city (which they find more practical too!), and put up a restaurant here. They are opening this place officially in March. Athletes, runners, bike enthusiasts can enjoy healthy, some gluten free, well balanced meals in this place. 

The Interiors

The moment I stepped in, I meticulously looked at the restaurant's interiors. I asked who did it and they laughed a bit because I was talking to him already. My Sensei Xander has what you can say... aesthetic, much of an artist. Knowing him for quite a number of years, the design sort of made sense to me. He used raw looking wood for the bar, and continued on to the beams on the ceiling to cut off the bare white wall. He also installed desk lamps on a series and got that over the non seating bar (as they're not serving cocktails) but I could see they're making really good cups of coffee and serve a pretty good selection of wines, a choice of good beers, that fervently follow their restaurants theme.

It's like after office hours. When executives sit down and roll up their sleeves, go out and ride their bikes or run on a weekend. Then hang them up so they could recharge, refuel, grab something healthy so they won't be piling up the calories they lost during the sport.

They have ample amount of lighting, no place to actually get blinded or be bothered. It's cozy, a place where you could bring your book - to curl up and sit on a table. Order a cup of coffee and travel through thousands of places virtually. The whimsy, are those light fixtures that mimic flashlights and a real deal working Fixie bike on the wall. Aside from that, the table lamps on the bar, the small wood panels, the writings on the wall, in some way can be a conversation piece.

You get assured, reading inspirational treatments like these in one part of the room. I think it's just a start and they might get more in the other blank walls, though less is more. 

The place could properly seat around 50-70 people, and could probably use the outside areas for that too. They have ample amount of parking, guarded by the building. As for acoustics, that might be a little thing to improve on because you can probably hear everyone else's conversation (but please don't!) since the walls are bare (not padded as with other normal restaurants) with paint. People who usually hang here though are civilized, so if you're a little rowdy, please be nice when you're staying for a while.

The place isn't cramped. They did a good job inserting mirrors on these wall treatments so you get the illusion of a more open space rather than "just a wall". The shelves all have the wines they have available in the restaurant but I'm sure they have these chilled somewhere in the kitchen/commissary. They make everything here including the preparations, so you wouldn't complain a single day about freshness of the produce they use for the food they serve. Our salad was green, no damage, no wilting, no bruises whatsover. I'll tell you about that later.  

I guess my Sensei Xander Angeles and his partners did a pretty good job with this place. I can only imagine how it might have looked before they moved in. This probably took countless months, no, years of preparation. If all the passionate people in the Philippines made their work like this, it'll be bad a$$. See how they got it done here?

Harina Artisan Bakery Café

There are many things that a blogger can do and one of them is eat. I don't just eat though, because I am very picky about breads. I mostly love those freshly baked ones in hotels because those are made by chef-artisans. I didn't know there was one quite near my neighborhood. This is Harina Artisan Bakery Cafe!

This quaint all day breakfast store in 118 Katipunan Avenue, White Plains in Quezon City (who has SUPERB bread sticks btw!) embraces the notion of selling only the best artisanal breads (no artificial flavors or preservatives) this side of the metro without holding back on the freshest ingredients... a word of warning, it shows on their products. We had the best ones from the menu and tried them out one quaint morning. It looked pretty good!

Brunch is special. The Iced Tea, ahm I've got to be honest. It wasn't a special brew but it was alright. It's not sweet, encourages you to eat a bit because you'll feel refreshed in a hot afternoon.

This is the Chicken Caesar Sandwich. Much like the salad dish that they wanted to emulate, it takes a whole different level if you put in on toasty, crunchy bread. That thing makes a whole lotta difference because its really good. It's not a run of the mill commercial bakeshop thing, it's all pure unadulterated bread, with all the nice greens, crispy bacon, runny egg and mouthwatering dressing.

 

This is Harina's Bloomin' Bread. I had tons of this. Imagine that fresh yeast smell pouring out on soft pillowy center and that crunch you get on the outer shell. Dip it in herbed balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil. Heavenly.

This is their Waldorf Salad Sandwich. Light, filling and very tasty. Bread is croissant like. I love this and imagine I could go out for brunch with a friend eating just this.

This is their Breakfast Tart. Imagine flaky puff pastry topped with cream cheese, spinach, baked tomatoes, bacon and eggs. I'd recommend this for two people but if you are a little hungry this would be so easy. 

This awesome PBB and Chocolate-Stuffed French Toast is highly recommended. It's comfort food that is contained in your dreams... then come to reality. The toasty whole wheat bread isn't bad either. For the price you pay for this breakfast, totally worth it!

Nice and light, Strawberry Cheesecake Stuffed French Toast is just one of those dangerously looking calorie bombs that really isn't. We were surprised at how light and airy this was as compared to the other French Toast variant mentioned above. For health buffs, if you are to cheat... get this healthier alternative since its got fruit on it. But if an honest match goes, I'd rather choose the PBB Chocolate Stuffed French Toast because its more sinful.

Oh and if you are crazy with Cronuts, they've got their version too!

Sweet and flaky, you can get the Laminated Donuts in Peanut Butter, Chocolate and Blueberry Cheesecake variants. Good to take home.

Sweet and moist Chocolatey Brownie topped with Cream Cheese and Slivers of Fresh Strawberry and sides of sweet Red and Yellow Fruit Syrup. How can anyone say NO to this? Of course it's already gone after a few minutes!

DO NOT FORGET to take home a bunch of these scrumptious, sweet, decadent and wonderful Cinnamon Rolls. We can't have enough of this and it'll surely run out of the box in no time if you have kids or people like me looking at the box. Pretty good, another reason why you should make an effort to go and drop by the White Plains area. They are right in front of the row of the gardens on the side streets. Take my word for it and get the best artisan made products in a simple neighborhood store in Quezon City.

Harina Artisan Bakery Cafe is one place I could vouch for. For meetings, a small get together with friends and family, consider this a warning... if you don't try the place, you'll regret it.

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Harina Artisan Bakery Cafe