Viennese Mocha Torte at Conti's

Have you ever experienced being caught off guard by something arrestingly beautiful that you do not want to let it go? That is exactly what I have experienced when I saw Viennese Mocha Torte, a new addition to Conti’s Pastry Shop’s line of satisfyingly delectable cakes.

I was dead set on getting a box of Turtle Pie at Conti's after hearing raves about it. After all, I have truly liked their Infamous Mango Bravo and Mango Cream Cake, so I said, why not try the pie. Then while browsing through the choices of cakes available, this intricately beautiful creation provocatively staring back at me while situated at the corner of the refrigerator loaded with other delectable cakes caught my sight and I was never able to take my eyes off it.



It is delicately beautiful I want to display it in our living room if only it wouldn't melt! It is very enticing to the senses you would feel that it is too beautiful to eat. Indeed it was love at first sight; naturally, I have to buy it too.

This beauty is made up of layers of rich chocolate cake, meringue, mocha butter cream mousse, and thinly chopped almonds.

If you are a mocha lover, then this cake is for you. The mocha butter cream dominates the entire flavor of the cake but the richness of the chocolate cake gives balance to it. The crunchiness of the meringue and almonds adds texture to the cake it would make you realize that it is indeed something different.

If you are a chocolate cake lover like I am, expect that it wouldn't give you the same satisfaction you get from a slice of decadent super moist chocolate cake on your favorite pastry chop, because Viennese Mocha Torte screams mocha! in your face there isn’t a chance that you would ever forget that you are eating a Mocha flavored cake. Well, it wouldn't be called its name for nothing right?

All in all, I can still say that it is worth its price of 450php for the mini and 950php for the mile high one. Oh, did I mention that it is as tall as Mango Bravo? Yes, it is.

So, this delectably beautiful cake that captures my heart at first sight is truly beautiful and delicious on it's own right. But I guess love at first sight is still different from your one true love (read:chocolate cake). I never regretted having a palatable affair with Viennese Mocha Torte, but life is too short so I guess I’ll be on my way to my next quest, Turtle Pie!

You can visit Conti's Pastry Shop website at contis.ph

Bacon and Mushroom Pasta in Tomato and Cream Sauce

It was one of those lazy afternoon when I saw the commercial for KFC's new Creamy Tomato Pasta bowl and I knew right there and then that I have to try it. Fair enough, it is affordable and it does taste good, but you'll know that it could be better. And that inspired me to cook my own version of it.

Pasta in Tomato and Cream Sauce is one of the easiest Pasta Dish that you can cook. This pasta allows you to experiment as to what other ingredients you can add. As for me, I use Mushroom and Bacon. Mushroom for an extra juicy texture and Bacon, because we all know that everything taste good with bacon.

Bacon and Mushroom Pasta in Tomato and Cream Sauce

The ingredients are simple.

Pasta of your choice (spaghetti, linguini, or penne)

Sauce:

2 Tbsp Olive Oil
2 Cloves of Garlic
1 Medium Size White Onion Chopped
3 cups Tomato sauce
1 1/2 cup heavy cream
Dried Italian Seasoning

Toppings:

2 Tbsp butter
6 strips of bacon cut into 1 inch strips
1 cup sliced mushroom
Dried Italian Seasoning
Grated Cheese


Normally, you can just heat the tomato sauce and the heavy cream in a pan then it's good to go, but for added taste, sauté onion and garlic in olive oil before adding the tomato sauce and cream. Add dried Italian Seasoning.

For the toppings, sauté onion, garlic, mushroom and bacon in a butter. Set aside.

Cook the pasta based on the instruction indicated on the pack, then once cooked, pour the sauce, top it with sauté mushroom and bacon, and then add grated cheese.

You can then serve it with toasted garlic bread and/or a glass of wine.


Foodie Notes:

Since I didn't use stock on the sauce, the consistency is thick and creamy, meaning depending on your desired thickness, you can always adjust it by adding meat broth to the sauce while cooking.

If you do not have fresh herbs and spices for your pasta, a bottled Dried Italian seasoning you can purchase in the grocery store will do wonders on the dish.

Tossing the pasta in the sauce right after cooking it will make a big difference in flavor instead of waiting for it to cool down before mixing the two.

Note that tomato is already high in acidity, so if you are using a tomato based sauce in your pasta, the wine you should choose to pair with it must have enough acidity on it so that it wouldn't clash with the tomato. While Cream-based sauce goes well with full-bodied white wine. Most wine you can purchase indicates at the back label as to which dish it goes well.

"Kiddie-fying" The Dish
Most kids and for some who are kids-at-heart especially for Filipinos like us, they prefer a sweeter version of pasta. That is why there are already available different brands of pasta and tomato sauce in the market which targets the palates of kids, making the sauce sweeter than usual.

To make this recipe more suitable to kids, you can just add sugar to the sauce, not too much though, or you can opt to use the Filipino Style tomato sauce available in the local market. Then, aside from bacon and mushroom, you can also use hotdogs which kids love.

Also, kids love texture on their food. Most of my younger cousins love hotdogs on their pasta, and the next the great thing for them are cheese. Whenever they are served with pasta, they would always ask for more cheese. So, instead of grating the cheese, diced bits and pieces of it also works well.

Dennis The Grill Boy

Spending an afternoon at SM Mall Of Asia, one sure thing that you can expect to experience is a growling stomach. Not just because of the enticing view of different restaurants that you can see, but because as you stroll that gigantic place, there isn't a snowball chance in the desert that you'll not get tired and hungry. If the weight of the latter statement rings true to you, like it did to me most of the time, worry not, because there are some restaurants there which offers good foods at affordable prices so that you can still squeeze in a little bit of extra purchases in your budget. One of them is Dennis The Grill Boy.

Formerly called Pupung & Friends, this restaurant serves Pinoy comfort food such as Liempo, Bangus Belly, Barbecue, Steak, and other all time Pinoy favorites. An order of a meal would cost from 75php to 125php which is really affordable considering they offer unlimited rice.

Their Pinaputok Na Bangus Belly is so far my favorite. A decent size of Bangus Belly with diced tomato and onions covered in Banana Leaf was grilled to perfection. I noticed that prior to grilling; the fish was already marinated that is why it is so tasty and not dry at all.



One of the best sellers in the menu is their Lechon Kawali. Now, I suggest that you do not be deceived by the "hard as a stone" look of it because once you took a bite, it is pure bliss. It definitely kicks a common Lechon Kawali up a notch. Crispy on the outside, but soft, tender, and juicy on the inside. My mother told me that it’s probably cooked in a pressure cooker before deep frying it. The Atchara which comes with the meal only heightens the already flavorful Lechon Kawali so, you would definitely ask for a second helping of rice.

Dennis' Grilled Liempo is yet another flavorful option on their menu. You will know that it has been marinated just right because every single strand of meat is bursting with flavor. Unlike any other Liempo which is normally paired with either a Liver Sauce or Vinegar, this one is served with an ingenious Dennis' white sauce which has a subtle taste of butter, cheese, and mustard. It may look as if it's an odd combination, but this sauce is one of the reasons why I would definitely go back at Dennis.

Their flavorful Boneless Chicken Inasal paired with Java Rice is Dennis' another way to score a satisfied tummies with its big serving.

Oriental Chicken Barbecue marinated in special sauce with Asian herbs and spices is just perfect. This succulent smoky chicken barbecue is definitely a must try.

Another dish that one must try upon visiting Dennis is their Crispy Pork and Mango Salad. Imagine your favorite Ensaladang Hilaw na Mangga and add to that a crispy bits and pieces of Pork, it is a surefire hit as you paired it with grilled food. Although it's just part of their side orders, believe me, it can be a viand in itself.

Located at the entertainment area of SM MOA, Dennis The Grill Boy's Interior resembles that of a well sanitized office pantry, only it is made catchy by the colorful ambiance and comic strips posted on the walls. The food may take some time before it is served but that is understandable because they are grilling it as you placed your order. The food servers are professional in dealing with their customers but I think they could use some perky attitude on the side that can go really well with the lively ambiance of the resto.

If you have a big appetite but would want to stay within the budget, then you can consider trying out this resto for their quality meals. On my next visit, I will definitely try their Tapa Steak because I recently learned that they are known for this particular dish.

Dennis The Grill Boy
SM Mall Of Asia
Unit 1128 G/F, Entertainment Building
Contact No. 556-0779

Chocolate Heaven

Over the weekend, I have been craving for something chocolatey, so, to the nearest candy corner I go. I purchased a handful of their chocolate with caramel balls for 75php and although I enjoyed the chocolate goodness of it, I still crave for something more define and satisfying.

Good thing, my father treated us to a box of Pizza and Red Ribbon's new Chocolate Heaven Cake as his post Valentine's treat to us. So, this morning, while I am writing this post, I am enjoying a slice of it with a cup of tea. I am literally doing a review in between bites, and enjoying every minute of it.

This ingenious creation is made up of four kinds of layers of chocolate goodness such as Chocolate Brownie, Chocolate Mousse, Chocolate Icing, and Chocolate Curls.

If you are a chocolate lover like me, you would enjoy this delectable chocolatey treat. Every bite will give you a satisfying sinfully experience so you have to forget the term diet while enjoying it. Since it is oozing with heavenly sweetness, I suggest that you pair it with a cup of unsweetened tea. Also, I would have loved it more if the brownie they use is moist because I find it a bit dry for my taste. Nevertheless, I am still able to satisfy my cravings.




You can enjoy Chocolate Heaven at a very affordable price of 560php for their regular size, and 335php for their junior size.

Also, there is an on-going Red Ribbon Chocolate Heaven Photo Contest and you might want to check that here.





Red Ribbon Delivery contact number is 8-7777

Angus Steakhouse Pizza by Shakey's

If you are craving for a prime Angus Beef and a Pizza, you can have it in one, with the new Angus Steakhouse Pizza made possible by one of our country’s leading Pizza Restaurant, Shakey’s.

Aside from the pieces of Angus Beef, this innovative Pizza is made special with juicy mushroom and onion slices, and it is made crunchy by shoestring potatoes. Since it uses prime Angus Beef, it is more tender and juicy, adding tickles to your palate as the flavor burst in every bite.


Since I am a thin crust pizza lover, I usually order mine in thin. Some of my friends however, say that they prefer it in thick crust because it tends to lean on a salty side if the crust is too thin. But it is not salty on my taste, so I am fine with it. Good thing that it is also available in New York crust, meaning not too thick and not too thin type of crust, if you can’t decide on the two.

Also, some friends are quite disappointed because they are expecting literally a steak on the pizza but found ground beef instead. Nonetheless, it taste good and it is definitely worth your money. I love how they incorporate the shoestring potatoes on it, and the sweet and meaty aftertaste will leave you craving for more.

Visit your nearest Shakey's Restaurant or dial 77-777 for on-time delivery

President Tea House, Revisited

When it comes to Chinese Restaurant, as I have mentioned on an Interview by Yummy.ph, President Tea House in Binondo has always been on the top of my list,

It may not be one of the fancy places where you can expect a fine dining experience at its best, but this simple restaurant in Salazar St. in Binondo screams authentic yet affordable Chinese Cuisine. Just like what have mentioned on my previous review here, it will always be close to my heart.


Walking down the streets of Binondo to buy Tikoy for the celebration of Chinese New Year, we cannot get passed this little quaint without having a simple feast of Chinese delicacies.

A plate of different Dim-Sum

One of the best things about President Tea House’s is their Dim-Sum on a Cart. Food are freshly cooked as you placed your order but you wouldn’t even noticed the waiting time since you could always call on the food server who handles the Dim-Sum Cart and have a feast of different dim-sums for your appetizer.

Some of my favorites are the Sharks Fin, Vegetable Dumpling, Hakao, Cucumber Dunpling, and Japanese Siomai among many others.



Aside from the Dim-Sums, their Meat Lumpia is simply scrumptious. At first glance it can be very deceiving because it could be passed on as the usual Lumpiang Togue. But lo and behold, this Lumpia is something you wouldn’t want to miss because it is made out of pure pork and shrimp meat.

Meat Lumpia

It’s like eating a log of Pork and Shrimp Dumpling, only it is wrapped in a crunchy golden brown lumpia wrapper. The meat inside is very tender and juicy, while the crunchiness of the wrap can add to the delectably satisfying treat to your palate.

Inside of the Meat Lumpia

I have raved about their Seafood Roll on my previous review and I will definitely rave abut this again. At a glance, it looks like a pizza roll. The one your mother would make out of tasty white bread stuffed with pizza toppings, rolled in bread crumbs and egg, then deep fried it after rolling it into a log. But it’s not. It’s a Sea Food Roll, which made out of minced sea food such as crab meat, shrimp, squid, fish, and then accompanied by minced carrots and ripe mango.

Fried Seafood Roll

Also, it has a white sauce in it which resembles that of a yogurt and mayo sauce, but I am not sure. What I am sure of is that it is so delectably satisfying. You bite into its crunchiness then the moist bits and pieces of sea food and vegetable will slowly slipped into your tongue with the creaminess of the white sauce, and so the fusion of different flavor will explode inside your mouth, leaving you wanting for more.

Inside of Fried Seafood Roll

Now let me move on to their Roasting Combo. It is basically a platter of roasted pork, roasted chicken, and roasted beef morcon with sea weeds and century eggs. This one I must say is a stellar. Everything tasted so good whether you mixed it with the sweet sauce or the garlic ginger sauce that comes with the platter. If you are not sure of what to order, this platter is always a good choice as you can taste a little of almost everything.

The Roasting Combo Platter

As for the drinks on their menu, their Black Gulaman, and Almond Lychee are definitely worth a try. Black Gulaman is not too sweet but nonetheless tastes good, while the Almond Lychee is a drink and a dessert in one.

Black Gulaman and Almond Lychee

After feasting on the delectable meal, you will be served with their house tea that does wonder to your tummy. As you sip on the tea, you’ll be greeted with a warm and very soothing earthy but not over-powering flavor of it, and you can feel that it is slowly taking away the uncomfortable feeling of fullness.

The House Tea

Be it a family affair or just a simple quick snack, President Tea House is one place that can give everyone an authentic Chinese cuisine, not to mention a Chinese-feel that its ambiance has.

President Tea House

809 Salazar Street
Binondo, Manila
(632) 246-9802

Crispiest Liempo and more at PenPen Restaurant

It was a Saturday night and almost every bar along Tomas Morato was jam packed as usual. It was almost midnight and so we no longer expect to find a decent bar within the area where my friends and I could spend the night. Good thing my friend Pol encouraged us to try to check out the resto bar where he and his other friends have gone to for a get-together. Upon arriving, I was in awe that he actually took us to a resto I’ve been wanting to visit for a food review.

It was late last year, when I started bugging my friends to accompany me to PenPen Restaurant in Tomas Morato after one of the owner and actor Ping Medina, started posting photos in Facebook of dishes that they serve. Due to different schedules and other pending Restaurants and Food Reviews, it was only this month that I had a chance to go out with friends, and as luck would have it, in front of me that night was my next target for Restaurant Review.

It was almost midnight when we get there and it looks like they were about to close. Luckily, the lady-in-charged told us that they can still accommodate us since there’s still a party on the Up-stair Bar. We were thankful for the kind gesture and so we started placing our orders.

Their menu consist mostly of Filipino Cuisine but with a remarkable PenPen twist, the main reason why this resto is slowly but surely gaining raves and good feedback from their customers.

Aside from the buckets of beer, we decided to order Crispiest Liempo and Mini Cordon Bleu for our pulutan (appetizer).

Also, we tried their Bicol Express, Chicken and Bacon Creamy Carbonara, Pesto Veggie Carbonara, and Pen-Pen Pandesal with Kesong Puti and Basil Pesto Sauce.

Their Crispiest Liempo, considered as PenPen Restaurant’s pride, I must say is the main star of the night. It is pork loin strips, sliced thinly and fried until golden brown and crispy. It can be paired with hot steamed rice, but it is the best when you eat it with a bottle of cold beer.



The Mini-Cordon Bleu are baked chicken nuggets stuffed with garlic cream cheese served with creamy mayo dip. This one has a distinct taste not comparable to any other cordon bleu I have tasted; I guess that’s what makes this restaurant special.

Their Bicol Express is the first dish that graced our table and it is an instant hit in the group. You can have it Spicy or Semi-spicy depending on your taste buds. The chunks of pork is so tender and the bagoong they used for the thick sauce is not that strong therefore it doesn’t over-power the taste of the entire dish.

Chicken and Bacon Creamy Carbonara is so far one of the best carbonara I have ever tasted. The tasty and creamy sauce is smothered in the al dente pasta with a generous mixture of bits and chunks of Chicken and Bacon.

Although I love their Creamy Carbonara, I am more impressed with their Pesto Veggie Pasta. The small chunks of vegetables are generously mixed on the creamy pesto sauce which gives it a little kick once it hits your palate. A good choice for vegans and for those who would want to stick on a healthy diet.

Lastly, we tried PenPen Pandesal with Kesong Puti and Basil Pesto Sauce. It is a big pandesal with Lettuce, Tomato, Cucumber, and Kesong Puti (Cottage Cheese) drizzled with Basil-Pesto Sauce. I never had Kesong Puti with any of these added veggies and so I never thought that the crunch on the vegetable compliments the distinct taste of the cheese. The basil Pesto sauce gives little kick of sweetness to it, so, if you’re the type who doesn’t want something sweet on your bread, you could just forgo the sauce.

PenPen Restaurant, having a tag line of “Comfort Food Araw-Araw” is true to every word of it since their home style cooked dishes are not just delicious, but affordable as well. The friendly and accommodating staff adds to the laid back and homey feel of the entire resto and so anyone would instantly feel that they would want to go back there anytime.

I recommend this resto to foodies who are looking for affordable and delicious food in a relaxing atmosphere. The next time that I’ll visit there, I’ll definitely give the Aligue Pasta, Creamy Garlic Calabas Soup, and Baked Bangus Belly a try.

PenPen Restaurant

Comfort Food Araw-Araw
105-C Scout Castor Street,
South Triangle, Quezon City.
Contact no. 411-41-57
They accept Reservation and Catering

The House of Lasagna

Having spent most of my adult life living in San Juan City, if I am in the mood to have a break from the usual home cooked meal but do not want to go far, there is always the reliable J.Abad Santos St. in San Juan and its other neighboring streets that has variety of Restaurants to choose from. The area is just a stone throw away from where I am living and so, over the years, I witnessed new restaurants proliferates the streets which make it worth the visit especially for foodies.

Another addition to this foodies haven street is The House Of Lasagna, Cakes and Pastries, owned by a good-looking and friendly Chef Erick G. Congmon. Being a pasta lover myself, I dragged along my good friends and fellow foodies Chris and Glenn out of curiosity. And I must say that we are not disappointed because we had tasted the best Lasagna ever.

Upon having a conversation with Chef Erick, I learned that their family owns the famous Sunburst Restaurant in Cebu. Since it runs in the blood, this College of Saint Benilde Alumni decided to put up his own business, The House of Lasagna June of 2009 after receiving orders of his specialty and mastered recipe which is freshly homemade Lasagna from friends. Through word of mouth, his ordering customers eventually increase up to now that he’s already running his own restaurant.

Aside from Beef Lasagna, we also tried their Pesto Lasagna and Lengua Pastel.

Their Beef Lasagna is simply superb. The pasta is al dente, the sauce is not too sweet nor too sour, the beef is tasty enough you can distinguish it from the Chicken Lasagna which they also offers, and the generous cheese they used is heavenly.

The Pesto Lasagna is a stellar. The pesto is not over-powering, and you can taste its freshness that slowly slips into your mouth that compliments the melted cheese and creamy sauce.
Their Lasagnas are freshly made upon ordering and it comes with 2 pcs homemade garlic bread which is delicious in itself.
The Lengua Pastel is another stellar. The meat is so tender and juicy, bursting with flavors and the sauce further intensify the cuisine you would want to order for an extra rice, but since the serving is big and it comes with garden salad, you will be satisfied with just one order but would definitely go back there to other it again.

Although we were so full, we did not let the night pass without having a taste of their desserts. We ordered for their Blueberry Cheese cake and Mango Charlotte.

The Blueberry Cheesecake is simply delectable and the Mango Charlotte resembles that of Conti’s Mango Cream Cake, which I love, only it has generous mango chunks in the cake and cream itself, and it has lady fingers. So, it’s perfect.

The next time that we will be visiting the place, we would definitely try their Vegetable Lasagna, Steaks, and their Southern Fried Chicken.

The place is small but definitely cozy. The decoration of beautiful lamps and wood-framed mirrors which resembles cute little windows adds to the sophisticated aura of the restaurant. There’s a homey feel as you enter the place and their waitress are all accommodating and friendly.

With Chef Erick G. Congmon

All in all it really was a good experience. They were supposed to close the store before midnight since they have reservation the next day but they were kind enough to accommodate our late night visit and extend their store hours. That only shows how they treat their customers with consideration. The conversation we had with Chef Erick was very informative and enjoyable.

I highly recommend this place to my fellow foodies out there who would like to have a wonderful gastronomical experience without the hustle and the bustle ambiance of the metro.

House of Lasagna
Cakes and Pastries
Unit 1-B Ground Floor
J. Abad santos St.,
Corner V. Cruz St.
Little Baguio San Juan, M.m.
Contact Person: Chef Erick G. Congmon
For Reservation please call (02) 994-72-84