Paris is known to be the most romantic city in the world as per pop culture. Hollywood made sure we know of that through nearly every romantic film we stumble across. Have you seen Midnight in Paris? Before Sunrise? An American in Paris by Vicente Minnelli in 1951? Need I say more? And I don't  know why - I haven't been to Paris - but I wonder what's up with people romanticizing that the city is 'that' magical.

I guess I would only find out when I get there but not now. I mean, if I could stay in Paris for the rest of my life, trust me, I would. Unfortunately I couldn't just book a ticket and go all the way to Paris. Okay. That ain't happening just because I want to, even if I really want to.

That's not to say that I haven't tried to get a taste of Paris in any form or way here in our place. I mean, French cuisine, art exhibits, old bookstores, a walk on a cobblestone streets, even my playlist is practically screaming Paris with the Hugo Cabaret soundtrack. French fries, anyone?

But do you know the place I've been to that maybe rings a bell or comes close with Paris? Of course you don't unless you're reading this right now and you learn that in my stay at Cebu I've been to the acclaimed La Vie Parisienne. 


Well, I'm just saying I've been there. I didn't really order anything because you know I'm allergic to alcohol. Also, I was too full for a croissant which was only P25 btw and I - don't be judgy - I was saving for a trip to Bantayan Island for the next day.

Even if I was too tired to actually go anywhere that night I thought it won't hurt to experience a night life in Cebu. Like at least once in maybe a long while. I mean that's what visitors ought to do, right? And my buddies were talking about the place like it was a real deal or something. What choice do I have? A blogger never rests. And man! La Vie Parisienne lived up to the hype!

From the artificial cherry trees with leaves glowing like it's spring or Christmas or whatever and to the clinking of glasses of wine. Ceci est la bombe! They have friggin cherry trees, man! Even if it's fake who in the right mind would not feel welcome in there with those cherry friggin trees giving you a cheery vibe. Okay, bad pun!

The Lhuillers probably had a good time in Paris that their French Bakery, Deli and Wine Library were designed to make you feel like you're in Paris even if you haven't been there yet. Forgive me for not taking any French language class but I just found out La Vie Parisienne literally translates to Parisian Life. Oh, well! Now we know. Hahaha. So, there's the smell of freshly-baked croissants to fill your lungs and they also have this wine library where a pose seems mandatory.

Yeah, I kind of belonged, right!?

In case you're wondering, I haven't really gotten a chance to take photos of their baked goodies because of the long queue inside the bakery so the only thing that comes close to a bread which you can find here are my cheeks. There's also gorgeous people - ehem - like us who are living La Vie Parisienne that night over some good chat and, oh well, over wine. But like I said, I didn't drink! Not even a sip. There should be at least one adult in our group in case they all get really drunk, right?




So the night went on until I noticed some people going Linda Blair on the foreign waiter dude who adjusted what seems to be a retractable roof! Come on, a retractable roof! That's something. Okay, their eyes were mostly on the guy though. Then to another. And well, it clearly depends on their preferences but the thing is, I noticed most people in there are breaking necks by turning their heads on every direction probably in search for a hook up or maybe romance or something. While I, after my butt's intimate relationship with the chair, I wandered around a bit to take these pictures.







Anyway, while wandering off I thought maybe that's how it works! This is how Paris works. Maybe Paris was hailed as one of the most romantic cities because of the set up itself. The music, the lights, the sweet aroma of bread and wine and people looking or taking their chances at romance. Paris. It's a place ideal for lovers and people who are still searching for love, for romance. I get that people always romanticize things as something else. Can't change that. But maybe, like them, that's just the way things are. And you don't get to ask why?

I know my La Vie Parisienne experience (or actually the lack thereof) may not come close to the real Parisian experience but maybe going to these French places is one of those moments where you should just loosen your grip to reality, enjoy whatever life throws at you and just let the magic or Linda Blair take you wherever, whenever or to whomever it wants. And if that's really the case then, I might have just been 'spirited away' to Paris, which is a good thing for La Vie Parisienne.

Summer in the Philippines is best enjoyed with a tall glass of special Halo-Halo. One with ice cream, leche flan, sweetened jack fruit, banana, ube halaya and macapuno! You can have red beans or sago in it if you like - which I don't - but wouldn't it be so much better if you are given the right to choose the contents of your Halo-Halo?


It's Summer once again and the sun will emit all sorts of frequency, light and radiation to helpless humans like us. Be it infrared, visible light, ultra-violet; there might even be bluetooth or wifi! The sun's very unpredictable the past few days that every now and then you don't know which SPF number to use. And who knows, you might even get a heatstroke? *knocks on wood*

I know right? Summer heat can be a bitch. And do you know the best way to cool down bitches? The answer, a vengefully sweet and icy dessert. Yes! There may be lots of other ways and places where you can cool yourself down, but, ah-ah! Nothing beats a Halo-halo! And when you're here in Davao, there's only one authority when it comes to our country's most popular dessert and it's none other than Aling Foping’s Halo Halo Atbp!

Now on its 12th year in the business, Aling Foping's Halo Halo Atbp continues on providing Davaoenos the most refreshing escape to hot summer days. And take note that their name has "Atbp." in it, meaning, you'll also get to taste the best out of their menu. Just like the Bibingka which my friends and I have all agreed of calling a "Winner!". They also have the Chili Con Carne which was not too spicy but zesty at best. No wonder it got a nod from PNoy himself. Yeah, we were told they served it to the President during one of his visits here in Davao. But enough namedropping! Here's are some photos I grabbed from their Facebook page featuring the Halo-Halo, Chili Con Carne and the Bibingka since I can't find my photos of them.


So going back to the Halo halo, the thing about Aling Foping's is that you will be the one to choose the contents of your Halo-halo. Upon ordering, they have this form which obviously you need to fill-up. On that form, you'll come across the hardest decision of your life. Regular or Special? Special or Regular? Hmmm.. The special Halo-Halo comes with a scoop of ice cream but that's not the best thing about it. The ice cream just adds to the ube flavor and the texture but then the regular Halo-Halo is creamy enough and they didn't make the ice cream so...why settle for regular when you can have it espesyal?

Now it's time to choose the content of your Halo-Halo. Remember that you're not supposed to choose everything on the list. Don't be greedy! At P105 you're only allowed a maximum of 6 ingredients to your Halo-Halo. If you want everything or you want to double the amount of a particular ingredient then go ahead! No one is stopping you! You're gonna have to pay a bit more of course.

My cousin and I trying their Halo-Halo! :D

My Halo-halo is usually composed of leche flan, sweetened jack fruit, banana, ube halaya and macapuno. That's five out of the six I'm supposed to add. The sixth ingredient to my Halo-halo is still the ube halaya because of its melt-in-your-mouth texture and strong taste that is so good I always ask that it'd be doubled.

Halo-Halo may be a hodgepodge mess with 'everything nice' mixed all together. But if you know, you get to choose and you like what's in it then you're off for a delicious treat that will beat the summer heat! And it rhymes with eat so cheat and tweet and be complete while it's not yet time for Trick or Treat. Hahaha ^_^

So go out there! Halo-Halo is our country's most popular dessert for a reason! :D

Aling Fopings is located inside Matina Town Square, Matina, Davao City. You can visit their facebook page here!

Not known to many but Davao City is a melting pot of culinary diversity. We may not have popular town-distinct dishes like the fried kamaro of Pampanga, the Pancit Habhab of Lucban Quezon or the Bicol Express from the Bicol Region, but our homegrown restaurants and creative cooks can make up to that. But wait, there's more!

This article was also published in the University of Immaculate Conception - The Collegiate Immaculate Tabloid

I've been to nearly every must-go restaurant in the city (Thank you DFAT!) and I tell you what!? Food is so much better here in Davao. I'll spare all the yummy comparisons against food from other towns but I've got 5 reasons to back me up. If you want to know why I said food is so much better in Davao, then here's WHY!?

For almost a year I've developed such love for milktea. At present day though I consider myself an occasional milktea drinker (if not average) as I have already survived a month without a handy cup of my favorite red milktea with tapioca pearls. In short, I rehabilitated myself from it before I get totally addicted and I mean for real. My friends, however, still call me a milktea addict as I was a self-proclaimed one back then.

If my memory serves me right, milktea started to become a big thing in Davao about exactly a year ago. All of a sudden, there was milktea craze which lead to rampant openings of homegrown milktea stores and store franchises in the city. And now that the milktea business is on its peak, we hear of milktea stores opening every now and then, just like the one that opened last Month.

Situated in front of Ateneo De Davao University's bold gate in Jacinto St., is the new milktea store called 'Partea! Partea!' that comes with the catchy tagline 'Tea Has Never Been So Much Fun!'. And with their brightly colored chairs of green and vermillion, the store sets up an atmosphere where students would most likely love to have a cup of tea and very soon a noonday snack.


Of all the milkteas in Davao, I have to say that Partea! Partea! offers a new option and a different taste to milktea aficionados. Their original milktea formula kicks in with a mild tea taste, a creamy texture and a lip-smacking sweetness that is good but might not suit the taste of half health-conscious and half pretentious costumers who requests for less sugar, less sinkers, less ice and sometimes don't order at all.

During the taste-testing Andrew, Chattee and I did before the opening we came up with one instant favorite and it's the Lychee Tea with Strawberry Poppers. Yes! It's not milktea but it's a good alternative to someone who simply needs a refreshment after bathing under the sun or someone who suffer from lactose intolerance. Plus it has poppers! I wonder how the result would be any different to the lactose-intolerant when something still pops.

On boring days I would save up my P100 just to buy a milktea with Rock Salt and Cheese. But in Partea! Partea! you can already have one at P30 less. That's the surprise they have for RSC lovers. It goes well with the wintermelon milktea which was the one I ordered during the opening. They might want to add some more RSC though! But that's just fine because under your wintermelon milktea with rock salt and cheese lies a free black pearl sinker.

Group Photo during the Opening.

All in all, I would recommend Partea Partea to my friends and other milktea addicts! It's a go-to if you're looking for a new milktea taste in Davao and of course, a new milktea place! :-)

Must-Try's:
Lychee Tea with Strawberry Poppers
Wintermelon with RSC
Choco Milktea with Pudding

For more inquiries check out Partea Partea's Official Facebook Page.

Photo Credits:
Partea Partea Facebook Page
Pau of Tummy Tales

There's something about doughnuts that makes me nuts! I forgot why though. I was shaken in bed by a reminder with an alarm that today's the birthday of my doughnut-addict alter ego. And I was extremely happy because finally, I'll get to stuff a couple of donuts in my mouth after a week of craving for it or so. And here's the thing. They're not just donuts! They're Krispy Kreme donuts which brings my craving to an international level.They're world-famous right!?

My only problem is that I'm actually late for the event. So I called a friend who was there at the event if it's still okay to come over and she said that they're still having lunch. I quickly searched for my invitation card and found out that I actually have two. In case you wanted to know I got them from Abreeza Ayala Mall over a meet-and-greet dinner with the mall's new manager. So I immediately went downstairs to drag my cousin (Minorca) who was caught unprepared for the things in store for her, I mean, in store for us at Krispy Kreme. Luckily it would only take us 5 minutes to get to the venue. ^_^ So it was a GO!

I think I have to tell you that my cousin is not really a blogger. She's not even interested but I've been bugging her ever since about it. I know she's really got a big potential of being a fashion blogger. I just know it. She needs a little help in the writing part but I know she'll improve later on. So, I dragged her along and when we arrived - BOOM! My happy-o-meter rose up declaring it's indeed my donut-addict alter-ego's self-proclaimed birthday. Oh, I know that sounds so 'assuming' but it really made my day.


What made it even more special is that I got the chance to create my own donut! More appropriately customize one. It's so simple. You pick an original glazed donut, dip it on their chocolate swirling machine, dribble it for some time, shake it 20 times (Yes, every shake counts!), pick it up and sprinkle it with whatever topping you want. :-)

It sounds so simple but it was NOT!! At least for me. You see, I've got big hands and it was a little hard for me to hold the donut without deforming its base. So I need to loosen my grip a little which got me scared that the donut might fall on the chocolate swirling machine. Halfway through I got so nervous that I forgot to count during the shaking part. (O__O) Suddenly, I was the one shaking. I was actually surprised that I got to do it - finally! *sigh*




After that my cousin and I ordered snicker doughnuts and iced coffee to fill our hungry tummies. Yey!


It wasn't my first time to try any Krispy Kreme doughnut but I've got to say that they have the best tasting doughnuts which is perfect for the Davaoeno's taste buds. Now I remember why I get crazy over doughnuts! I'm a Davaoeno. As simple as that.

Whenever a Davaoeno comes home to Davao from abroad or even just in Manila they would always bring a box of doughnuts as "pasalubongs". Somehow, I could say it has become a tradition. A Davao thing that's been going on since God knows when and now that Krispy Kreme has finally landed the Royal City of the South. There's no more flying! Only more of Krispy Kreme's goodness nextdoor. :-)

Life is Here!

P.S.

Please also check my cousin's first post on her blog! New blog actually since we couldn't recover her tumblr account. :-)  Check it here: Welcome Krispy Kreme! Be nice.

I rarely eat breakfast these days and when I do it's either I'm forced to wake up early to travel, attend an event or I'm about to sleep. No school. I stopped. Don't ask! Good thing there's brunch. It's supposed to be my tummy's new best friend as of my current lifestyle. But here's the thing. I usually wake up at around 10 in the morning and I'm left with a cold pandesal and some egg dish in the kitchen every fucking day. In fact, today I woke up with a cold pandesal and scrambled eggs for brunch. Tomorrow I'll probably wake up with another cold pandesal but with a sunny side up. The following day, I expect to have a cold pandesal and a scrambled egg with hotdog chunks. Then the day after that I think I'll wake up with another plate of a cold pandesal and a weird tasting tomato omelet. I know I should be thankful because I still got something to eat (even if it's always egg and pandesal) and most of all because I still get to wake up. Thank God! But I just can't imagine five more days, five more years, five more lifetimes eating egg and pandesal for brunch. If that ever happens - knocks on wood - I'll probably be able to lay eggs.



And in case there's a need for you to know, I don't usually eat rice during brunch or even breakfast. Not that I am on a diet or anything. I just don't feel like it. Char. I eat rice during those times only when I don't have a choice and my Mom's around to tease me about dieting. Which really ruins my day. Another thing, actually together with the egg and pandesal are either hotdogs, corned beef, preserved meat stuff and other canned goods cooked for breakfast. Unfortunately to me, these goods would always end up to the lunch boxes of my siblings who goes to school


Then one morning I was just staring at the cold pandesal and the hard-boiled egg on the table. And I swear I thought I was gonna die or something. Suddenly I heard a noise in the living room. I didn't budge because I still feel so fucked-up of waking up from my short sleep. When I turned back to the egg and the pandesal, the two looked back staring at me and I was like WTF! The hard-boiled egg quickly rolled itself down the table and the pandesal followed hopping like Jimminey Cricket. I immediately composed myself and tried to snapped out of what the hell was going on but I realized my brunch suddenly became interesting (At least, at last!). Choose the best answer in the parenthesis.

I went under the table to check but the two weren't there anymore. So I turned back and saw that the pandesal and the egg each developed some tiny arms and feet and that they're actually running towards the living room. I crawled going to their direction and noticed that they are headed to the wall clock that fell on the floor. As they neared the clock some beam of light came out of it and the egg and the pandesal leaped up to the light. They held each others hand while the song "Hawak Kamay" was playing on the background. I could also hear the ticking of the clock and suddenly everything was in slooooooowwww mooooottttioooooon. The two just floated on the light and got sucked inside the clock. I thought it was some kind of portal that leads to a world full of food. So with all my might and my craving for something else than pandesal and egg, I leaped towards the clock in slooowww motiiooon too. As soon as the light touched my skin I was vacuumed to reality, half-asleep and about to choose which meal set to pick.



There's a hand waving in my face and I heard someone saying "What do you want to eat?". I collected myself back and quickly chose the Roasted Chicken with Macaroni Salad on the table. Sooner reality on me and I realized "OMG! I'm at Cafe France" and I barely had any sleep. Stupid daydreams! It was around 11:00 o'clock already and my stomach started to grumble in hunger. So I immediately eat my food. The roasted chicken tasted nice by the way, but I thought if there's anything I need to try in Cafe France it had to be Cafe France's pastries. From the internet I've read about that Cafe France offers a wide array of yummy treats and their best sellers comes from the baked ones. And since it's their first branch in Davao, in fact, outside Luzon I was more than eager to try out nearly everything they could offer us during the Press Launch.



So I tried their Seafood Marinara, some California Chicken Clubhouse, salad and the croissant from the breakfast tray. And the winner for me was their croissant! In fact, I totally agree with what Jesse said about Cafe France's Croissants! "They are God's gift to human kind." And thank God my pandesal-and-egg infected floppy tongue is back to normal again.


Since then I've been going back to Cafe France just to order croissants! I've tried their Chocolate Croissant, Butter Croissant and Choco Almond Croissant and oh..they're perfect with a hot chocolate and sometimes even with the milktea I'd bring. Hehehe

Cafe France is more than your usual coffee shop. They offer a wide selection of great tasting pastries, stomach filling meals and a croissant that doesn't only satisfy one's tongue but snaps you out of your nightmarish egg and pandesal daydreams.

Credits:
Photos Courtesy of Chic Foodies! Thank you Algene. :-)

Davao has always been a food haven for me. There are lots of food establishments around and they multiply whenever Kadayawan approaches. From street-food stalls, karinderyas, to fast-food chains and restaurants, you will surely enjoy dining on any of the fine food choices in the city.

While promos and discounts run wild from just about everywhere. It won't hurt to treat yourself a royal lunch or dinner by dining at the King of all buffet restaurants in Davao City - The Apo View Hotel's Entree. Besides, Kadayawan is the king of all festivals. Ergo, eat like King!


Aside from the awesome food, make sure you'll catch The Apo View Hotel's line up of events this Kadayawan 2012 which includes cultural and dance performances, fashion, photo and art exhibits, the mouth-watering cupcakes by Sugar Rush at the Kadayawan Bazaar, and the mesmerizing fire dance by Apo Duwaling. The good news? Entrance is free!

 You can actually just visit the place any time - I've done it twice and for no apparent reason. lol.

If you happen to be a tourist, a hotel-guest or someone who just wanted to be a king for a day. I tell you, never ever miss Entree!

Even I, from the far far away Street of Bronze, have come to a feast with the Dukes, Princes and Princesses, Kings and Queens at the Entree Restaurant. Ehem. Ehem.

Salad Oh, Init pa! (LOL)

Thy carnivore on its truest. I came to the table to snub the forest. Then I walked down to the sea and enjoyed caridea, maki, sushi and sashimi. 



Henceforth, I ate a sea of food. With bits of carbs but a goody good, good! And now you sing my every word. That rhymes and times with the whole wide world!

But wait! Thou shall not challenge the villagers stomach. To the table I returned to wreak more havoc. Then I saw a land of ham. Of which I smothered with pineapple jam. Then went the meat with streaks of green. Luxurious, pungent, with bits of bean.

And then I saw something sweet! Oh God there's cake and it's grinding my teeth.


While every feast must end with a burp. I went to my table with a stuffed t-shirt. And that's how it is to become a King. To eat with class is to try everything. I think that's all I have for this quest. I'm so honored to be Entree's Royal Guest.

In case you're wondering from which social group I came from. I'm proud to say, I belong to the bloggers who looks like they've just attended JS Prom.



Please hold on a moment. While I try to untangle my tongue. Okay, so. .  after my royal experience I think not Davao as a food haven anymore - but a heaven of food for a King - who can be anyone.

Be a royal guest for only P800. Entrée Restaurant is located at the lobby of Apo View Hotel (Camus St., Davao City). For more information and reservations, please visit Apo View’s website or contact them at (082) 221 6430 to 40.

I don't usually order any chicken meals on fast-food chains or restaurants because my family have been running a 'chicken' business for nearly a year now and that is aside from having a small eatery in our house that offers chicken dishes. I don't really want to get into details for I might sound unappreciative but I suppose having chicken on all meals of the day and a chicken-stuffed-refrigerator (that smells awful btw) would explain to you why.

But with Bonchon Chicken arriving in Davao City, I don't know if I can even help myself from going to their store. Hyped as the most delicious chicken that has ever landed a Filipino's palate, I was wondering how it tastes like. Ohhmm.nomnom. I can only imagine.



Then came the day I finally got to taste the oh so talked about Bonchon Chicken during its opening at The SM Annex Davao! And damn all the chickens in Davao, Bonchon has the best tasting chicken here so far - followed by ours (shameless plug for a small nameless chicken grill - Disclaimer: Mom forced me to insert this!).

Photo Credits: RM Bulseco

The BonChon Chicken is said to be double-fried for the reason that double frying dissolves the fat between the chicken's meat and the skin. The result is an extra crispy chicken that favors health-conscious costumers. Before the second frying phase, the fried chicken is glazed with Bonchon's savory secret sauce and then fried to crisp perfection.

Aside from Bonchon's world renowned chicken, they also have a wide range of dishes on their local menu. They have their own take on the English classic of fish and chips, crispy squid rice, onion rings, and the fish taco which was inspired by the California food truck mishmash of Korean and Mexican.



Their Korean bulgogi's also gives a gooood impression, especially the crunchy chicken bulgogi over rice. The rice itself is seasoned with a sweet-pungent sauce that makes every spoonful ecstatic. Bonchon's Bulgogi Fest also comes with Korean Beef Bulgogi Wrap and Beef Bulgogi Rice. And to fully savor the Korean atmosphere of the place, why not try their Chapchae Noodles and Kimchi Coleslaw? :-)

Photo Credits: BonChon Philippines

 
What became my instant favorite at BonChon, aside from the chicken, is their Korean Yogurt (KoYo). To be specific I love the Banoffee Pie variant of their KoYo. It's layered with creamy yogurt, crunchy baked graham pie crust and topped with banana drizzled over with caramel syrup.

In the end of my first Bonchon experience, I realized I can't chicken out of eating chicken. Scientists may say or prove that eating chicken can make someone gay by producing estrogen-whatever-shit that is, that's not really my concern though, but I'd still eat chicken even for the rest of my life. Not just because BonChon is here to excite my taste buds, not because I almost grew wings eating chicken like since forever but because chicken produces eggs and I can't live without eggs. Ohhhh..wait, what? That sounded wrong. LOOOL.

COFFEE BREAK @ Starbucks Kapatagan. Char lang!

We also had the chance to try the civet cat coffee. Brewed from the finest coffee beans that has just been harvested from the fresh poops of civet cats. Juzzz kiddin..

After the coffee break courtesy of the coffee-pooping civet cats (technically), accommodating people of The Hillside we went straight to Agong House. Agong House is a quirky place! If you need artistic inspirations you will surely get overwhelmed by the artworks of the great Kublai Millan. It only took us a few minutes to get to Agong House from The Hillside. Since the entrance or pathway up to the park is narrow and steep, we needed to walk up to the park.

Well everyone did . . uhmm..exept for me, that's because I rode a horse without anyone noticing. While everyone was busy taking pictures and wandering around a group of tourists went to the park riding horses. When they all hopped out of the horse I asked the owner if I could take a photo while riding the horse.

It was my first time riding a horse and it was quite an unnerving experience. I didn't feel comfortable with the thought that I'm riding on something that's bobbing between my legs.

Just like a boss, a ninja, Captain America. :-p

And there came moments of solitude. Yes, I went back to EMO MODE. Who wouldn't? The place sets that kind of mood. While quirky sculptures creates a bizarrely emotional atmosphere, nature throws flashback of happy thoughts and a bit of anxiety over a relaxing musical score.

It was there. There are at Agong House where I found peace. Earlier, I've been thinking about thinking nothing and wanting not to think. But while there's still life that's impossible. The key to a peace of mind is to preoccupy your head with happy thoughts and surround yourself with happy things and happy people. And only then you will find. .

Sum the three and you'll get PURE HAPPINESS! <3