Cebu, beyond danggit and dried mangoes

A recent trip to Cebu was again an excuse to binge.  Cebu is one destination foodies like me will always appreciate - from the pungent danggit and squid to the chewy and irresistably sweet fresh and dried mangoes they offer, one's purse is sure to be affected with all the city has to offer.Beyond Leona's which is one bakeshop I always unfailingly visit when there, the Lechon of CNT is also another popular food item item for the taking.  Though some may find the lechon too salty, it is for me, the best Lechon ever.BAKED SCALLOPS

In this recent visit, I got the chance to visit the North WIng of SM and boy, was I very impressed, as it could really compete with malls outside the country.  It actually reminded me of some of the malls I've seen in Bangkok during a recent visit.<SINUGLAW



SIZZLING SWEET AND SPICY EGGPLANT

On the 2nd floor of this mall, I got the chance to enjoy Filipino food with my team in Chikaan, a restaurant offering among others, grilled fish and sinuglaw (inihaw na liempo (sugba) & kinilaw na tuna in one dish).  Sarap.


Pasalubong was one quick stop at Shamrock which offers otap, rosquillos, turrones and more dried mangoes.  With my Angel cake from Leonas, I found myself bringing more items back to Manila than ever before.  Oh well.

Cibo never fails

To reward ourselves after such a busy week, hubby and I had a quiet dinner (so naturally, this happened minus the kids) at Cibo in Greenbelt 5.

Hubby's favorite these days has been pasta with aglio olio or a pesto of some kind, so, as expected, this was what he ordered. I settled for the pizza - I've always preferred thin-crusted, Italian-style pizzas, and Cibo is the place to be.


Cibo's PIZZA


Differentiated from what other Italian restos offer, theirs is an oval shaped pizza that is good to share and with service that is impeccably delivered, this place will always be one of my preferred eating destinations.


Tiramisu Crunch


As I am a sucker for desserts, I couldn't decide whether to have the flourless chocolate cake or the tiramisu. I settled for the latter and was totally happy with my decision. The tiramisu crunch was generously topped with dark chocolate and with its layers giving it a crunchy texture, it provided a wonderful item to cap off our meal.

Subway & Southern Flavors in Food Choices

My sister had to make the hard decision and transfer the Subway outlet she manages in Alabang Town Center from the mall area to the food court area.  She is not alone on this.  With lease rates escalating tremendously, food entrepreneurs like her would have to make difficult business decisions these days in order to survive.

She merged her 2 sandwich shops - Southern Flavors (a mexican inspired sandwich bar) and Subway (the deli sandwich concept Americans are all too familiar with) and both can be found in the Food Choices at ATC. 

During the blessing, our kids (Jaime, Miggy & Isabel) posed as models while tirelessly going around Food Choices and of course, enjoying the food which my sister, Maricar and her team prepared.



Visit Subway and Southern Flavors sometime at the Food Choices of the Alabang Town Center for delicious and affordable meals.

Pink Kitchen 2

Over the weekend, the 2nd Pink Kitchen activity was held at the Rockwell tent in Makati, with over 50 chefs, foodies and culinary experts selling their creations during the event.  Proceeds will go to I Can Serve foundation, a breast cancer awareness group.

Our booth - before all the action - I love the picket fence effect!


It was my team's first time to participate and of course, featured items are the "hits" of the San Miguel Pure Foods Culinary Center as follows - Chicken Galantine with Figs & Nuts, Chicken stuffed with Jambalaya rice & Chorizo, Chicken Canneloni, Sausage & Peppers Pasta, Purefoods Jamon Royale.  Desserts also were extensive as mini cakes such as moist tableya chocolate cake, tres leches cake, mantekado cheesecake plus bars such as sugar free carrot bars, baklava and coffee streusel bars were offered.Of course, the event featured the quality products of San Miguel Pure Foods. 

Here's sharing with you some photos of the event.


Communal Tables provided a convenient opportunity for one to bond with co-foodies


Vegetarian Spring Rolls by San Benito Farm which hubby truly enjoyed