Casita Xocolat

First time I visited Xocolat, I instantly fell in love with their Frozen Hot Xocolat. Their branch in Eastwood Libis was still in operation at that time, and although their location was sandwiched between two gigantic and well-known coffee shops, it was always this aesthetically eclectic tiny little chocolate store that my friends and I frequent to for our caffeine and chocolate fix.


During that time, they only serve light meals such as Pastas, Salads, Paninis, and Desserts alongside their Hot and Cold Drinks. Fast forward to present, Casa Xocolat is now offering Breakfasts and Rice Meals for their customers.

Last week, when my friend Glenn and I visited their branch at Topy's Place Compound at Economia cor Calle Industria Street, in Libis Quezon City, we were able to sample their Rice and Breakfast Dishes aside from the usual cold chocolate drinks that we adore. And while we were there, we were also able to chat with Marketing Manager, Tricia Avecilla and Co-owner, Val Lopez about the development of Casa Xocolat and its future plan in serving people the best Chocolate in town.

Casa Xocolat’s traditional yet innovative breakfast meals which varies from Pancakes to Spicy Tuyo are served between 8:00am to 11:00am, Mondays through Sundays. It is served with your choice of hot chocolate or freshly brewed coffee.

Ham and Cheese Omelette 175php
Omelette filled with Ham and Cheese has always been one of the breakfasts that are downright simple yet filling. But Casa Xocolat made it special by serving it with grilled tomato and strawberry syrup, a combination I wouldn’t think that can work perfectly well in the palate.

French Toasts 175php
Now, this all time favorite breakfast was taken up a notch because instead of using the usual tasty bread, Xocolat made it into chunks of bread soaked in a special cocoa batter and served with a cup of fresh fruits and country sausages. It looks like bite size brownies but one taste would tell you that it indeed is French Toast, with Xocolat Twist!

It was only this year that Casa Xocolat introduced their equally innovative Rice Meals to further enhance their customer’s Xocolat experience. Innovative in the sense that they do not deviate from their goal of advocating chocolate to the food that they serve since some of the meals has a touched of cacao in it.

Spiced Chicken 195php
Made of Chicken Fillet with Shitake Mushroom lavished with their signature rub which is according to Val, has cocoa powder on it, and served with rice and potato gratin. Being an Adobo lover that I am, I immediately fell for this special dish since it tasted just like Adobo, only made special by the flavorful spices that gives distinction to its taste.

Cream Dory 185php
Now, this meal made me and Glenn swoon. Also served with rice and potato gratin, this fillet of fish seasoned with five spices is one treat you wouldn’t want to miss. It is also made special by the light cream sauce that comes with it.

For dessert, aside from Frozen Hot Xocolat, we lavished in their Deconstructed Molten Flourless Xocolat.

Deconstructed Molten Flourless Xocolat 225php
The Flourless Xocolat Cake is simply to die for while the cream that comes with the set tasted as if was mixed with cream cheese. Of course, the Xocolat itself is enticing and the vanilla ice cream further intensifies the taste. It is definitely a must-try.

That splendid afternoon full of delectable meals wouldn’t be complete without having a Box of Gourmet Brownies from the two wonderful ladies we met. Super moist Gourmet Brownies are available in 6 variants such as Original Sin, Peanut Butter Brownie, Adult Brownie, Citrus, Java Buzz, and Breakfast Blondie.

Aside from their usual fare, Casa Xocolat also has what they call Xocolatini Hour from Mondays through Fridays 6:00pm to 9:00pm in which for every 2 Martinis you order; you would have a free Xocolat Fries or Potato Croquettas. This is indeed a good way to spend an after-office bonding with your friends.

Experiencing chocolate in all its form and glory in a very cozy environment that boasts of free wi-fi in the midst of eclectic yet refreshing ambiance is one Xocolat journey that you would want to experience whether you are a self-confessed Chocoholic or not.

Special thanks to Tricia and Val of Xocolat.

Casa Xocolat
172 B. Gonzales Street, Loyola Heights, Quezon City
929-4186

Casita Xocolat
Topy's Place Compound. Economia cor Calle Industria Street,
Baranggay Bagumbayan, Libis, Quezon City
470-7563

XocolatG/F Shops at Serendra, Fort Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
856-2146

Cafe XocolatLobby Promenade, Greenhills Shopping Center

Credit to Ern Raymundo for some revisions.

Choco Overload Cake by Conti's

After what seemed like forever, I was able to meet up with my good friend Glenn yesterday for the food tasting event at Nasi Lemak in Robinsons Galleria (will post about this soon). As a fellow foodie, Glenn was the one who have encouraged me to put up this food blog. From then on, his unwavering support together with some of our friends never faltered.

Most of the time, when my beat up old Olympus Camera was nowhere to be found inside my bag (well, you see, I only use digital camera for the photos here in my blog), Glenn's baby, a Fuji Camera has always been there to the rescue. And since we have the same eyes for detailed photos, I trust him in taking some of the pictures for my posts especially if there's a lot of food to shoot. (I only have two hands and it really is a tedious task to take photos of 20 dishes without pissing every single hungry person at the table).

Glenn did some of the shoot for my early restaurant review posts such as at Arya, Fish & Co., and Bellini's, while the rest of the photos are taken by me having in mind all the pointers I have learned from him. Basically, he guided me until such time that I can do the shoot on my own. And for that, I am forever grateful.

Another thing that endears me to my friend is his love for Chocolate. It is our common ground. Whenever we are together, we are never without a chocolate in any possible form it has. And since he is migrating to Canada this year, I promised myself that despite our overly dramatic schedule, I will one day spend the entire day with him, over a cup of his favorite coffee and one of my very own favorite chocolate cake by Conti's. A cake that remind me of him.


Conti's Choco Overload Cake is one of the cake that a chocolate lover must not missed. True to its name, it is an overload of chocolate but as the cliche goes, you can never have enough of it.

A delectable layers of Chocolate Brownies, Chocolate Creme, Chocolate Sponge Cake, Chocolate Mousse, Chocolate Icing, and Drizzle of Chocolate Syrup. Every sinful bite can send you to Chocolate Heaven and back to the comfort of your own chocolatey world. A mini size would cost you 450php while the regular one is 775php.

It is best served chilled with a cup of your favorite coffee or tea (let go of the sweetener, the cake will substitute it for your sweet tooth). Also, it is best shared with special friends, as special as this cake, while reminiscing the past, sharing the present, and looking forward to the promising future.

Conti's

#53 Connecticut St.

Greenhills San Juan City

744-4148 / 744-4208 / 727-6898

Sachi Japanese Restaurant

Some good things in life are not always for free. Sometimes you have to pay for it. But if you are as frugal as me, there isn't a snowball chance in hell that you wouldn't find good deals. And as a foodie, good food at a very affordable price is one of the good deals you wouldn't want to miss.

One great deal I discovered was a 149php worth of lunch at Sachi, a Japanese Restaurant in Araneta Center Cubao. The average dining cost for this resto is 400php per person, but with their promo, you'll get a set lunch consisting of an appetizer, entree, and a dessert for a peso short to 150 bucks.

Hare-Hare Salad

For the appetizer, the choices are California Maki, Hare-Hare Salad, and Miso Soup. Although I enjoyed their freshly made California Maki, it was their Hare-Hare Salad that captures my heart. The crispiness of fresh vegetables plus the sweet taste of kani compliments the subtle nutty taste of the salad sauce.

California Maki

For the entree, you can choose from Katsudon (Deep-Fried Breaded Porkchop), Tendon (Deep-Fried Shrimp Tempura with Tendon Sauce) and Yakisoba ( Stir-Fried noodles with Chicken and Vegetables)

Katsudon

I am not a big fan of Katsudon but I could say that Sachi's is the best I have ever tasted so far. It is crispy on the outside but the pork meat is soft, tender, and juicy on the inside. Plus the sauce they use is simply delectable.

Yakisoba

Their Yakisoba is also impressive. It is not dry as compared to other Yakisoba in some Jap Restos I have tried. Topped with generous amount of Vegetable and Chicken, it is far from being lame as I thought it was.

Green Tea Ice Cream

They only offer one dessert and that is Green Tea Ice Cream. I was ready to suggest to add another choices but when I tasted the Ice Cream, I was speechless. It was so good I was not satisfied with a scoop. Perhaps it is the best dessert to cleanse ones palatte after the meal that is why they are so confident having it as the only choice for the dessert.

Located alongside different restaurant outside Araneta Coliseum, has now become one of my favorite restos in that area aside from Cafe Adriatico and Italianis. Their Lunch Promo is available from 10am to 2pm only so be sure to be there within that timefor you to enjoy this one great foodie deal that Sachi has to offer.


Sachi
G/F Coliseum Center, Araneta Center, Cubao
Quezon City, Metro Manila
Contact no. (02) 911-31-01 loc. 8372

Everything At Steak (Family Steakhouse)

Do you believe that there are things in life that are worth the wait? I do. Holy Week has already passed and so are the meat abstinence days for some who are just like me, a born carnivore. As I have mentioned in my previous post, one of the things that I am sure of is that I couldn't give up on meat. So, you can very well guessed that the first thing that comes into mind after a week of no-meat-at-all, would be a feast of meat.

Here in San Juan City where I am currently residing, there is a little Family Steakhouse called Everything At Steak. It offers choices of steaks at a very affordable price. For 200php, one can already have a set of meal that is sure to satisfy a big appetite.

Everything At Steak Family Steakhouse's best sellers are T-Bone Steak and Rib-Eye. Ones visit to this resto wouldn't be complete without these two dish gracing the table by its enormous presence.

T-Bone Steak with Barbecue Sauce and Potato Salad

Cajun Marinade Rib-eye with Gravy and Chorizo Carbonara

Aside from the best sellers, among many other choices in their menu, it was their Barbecued Spareribs and their Grilled Boneless Chicken that captures our heart and tummys.

Barbecued Spareribs and Macaroni and Cheese

Grilled Boneless Chicken and Meatball Pasta

The meats are unnervingly succulent and tasty, and every bite screams flavorful concoction of herb and spices. Also, everything is so juicy and tender it melts in your mouth.

Another thing worth raving about are the side dish. Some of the choices are Baked Macaroni and Cheese, Potato Salad, Baked Potato with Bacon Bits, Chorizo Carbonara, Meatball Pasta, Mashed Potato, Buttered Carrot and Corn, and Coleslaw among many others. I noticed that each side dish are a meal in itself for its big serving, and it made me think that the resto owner is so generous for still including a cup of steamed rice in every meal.

Personally, the Meatball Pasta is my favorite side dish. It tasted like Macaroni and Cheese but with a hint of creamed mushroom that adds character to it. The juicy and savory meatball further intensifies the goodness of this dish.

Aside from the steaks, they also offer steamed fish, different soups, appetizers, and burgers which I will certainly try on my next visit.


Their branch in San Juan is fairly small but comfortably cozy. It can only accomodate certain number of people with its roughly 10 tables that is why most of the time, people are gathered outside to wait for their turn to be seated. Also, since the meals are freshly cooked when you order, you have to wait a considerable time before you can feast on it. Yes, there would be some waiting time once you decided to dine in this resto, but I can assure you that their steaks are worth it.

After abstinence, surely there are things in life that are worth the wait.


Everything At Steak, Family Steakhouse
#5 P. Guevarra St. cor. V. Cruz St., San Juan City
Contact No. 7262386

Tuna and Pimiento Spring Roll

When Oprah Winfrey coined the question, “What Do You Know For Sure?” I know that aside from the people whom she had thrown this question to, many have dig deep within to search for an answer. There is something rather poignant about that nagging question that we couldn’t just bend our mental faculties quite enough to ignore. What do you know for sure?

This question has been asked to me by friends quite a few times now and most of my answers, I have already forgotten. It only means I was not sure of my answer. Then just recently, over a cup of steaming tsokolate and freshly made churros that screams butter and cinnamon upon every bite, I was asked again of that same question but this time, on a lighter sense. Without the existentialist drama that creates havoc to my ultimate quest of finding a purpose in life. “As a food enthusiast, what do you know for sure?” I was asked.

I was about to answer “That green and leafy vegetables are healthy”, but ill bouts of laughter that sounded like hyenas from my friends who all look like dolls has never been a good early morning experience, so, I changed my mind. As a food enthusiast, what I know for sure is that I couldn’t give up on meat. I just couldn’t. But then of course, it is a different story when it comes to Holy week when almost every one is abstaining from eating meat.

Yes, I love meat. But who say’s a meal without a meat is boring? I always believe that eating is a celebration of life, therefore, if we are not allowed to eat meat for a certain period of time, we must find ways not to bore the heck out of ourselves by finding substitute to what is missing. Fish has always been a good replacement. It is healthy and you can make a lot of dishes out of it. Just like Tuna Spring Rolls.

Tuna and Pimiento Spring Roll

Lumpia or Spring Roll has always been one of my comfort food. The good thing about it is that you can experiment with the filling. And since we are abstaining from meat, I find Tuna as the best filling in my spring roll, plus pimiento for the added tangy taste.

Aside from the fact that it is healthy, it is also easy to make. You can use either Fresh or canned Tuna, sauté them in Olive oil, add some chopped pimiento, shredded carrots, cabbage, or even cheese, then set aside to cool down.

After cooling down the Tuna filling, drain off any excess oil and then wrap it in a Spring Roll wrapper, sealed with an egg white, then deep fry until golden brown.

Let it rest for a minute in a dish with a paper towel to drain off excess oil before serving. You can either use Vinegar with little salt, pepper, chopped onions, and chili for the sauce or just plain catsup and mayo.

Another thing I know for sure as a food enthusiast is that, although I am a meat lover, a week without it on my plate is no big deal since I believe that even little sacrifices counts. There’s always fish and vegetable we can count on anyway, we just need to exert effort in preparing these meals that are good for the heart, and this time, even good for the soul.