If you like your lumpia to be garlicky, then this is your lumpiang ubod.  I liked the small sized lumpiang ubod (P18/pc) than their large sized lumpiang ubod (P28/pc) because of its size not because it has a different filling.  This lumpia actually doesn’t need to have a sauce so it is just handy to eat it.  Just right for AD to eat it on his own.  Maybe you’d eat 3-4 pcs one after the other so better order more if you know your appetite!

Another great potluck or picnic food idea!  Don’t forget the Crunchy Piaya!  Let me know what you think of these food if you’ve tried this one!  If this is not the best, then what is so we can try it!

Bailon Homemade Ilonggo Delicacies
1115 Rodriguez Avenue, Bangkal, Makati City
+632 843 6673;  +632 843 3721
+ 63 916- 751 9071
bailonfoods@hotmail.com

The secret of the best Piaya in town is OUT!  HB is really fond of piaya so when we knew about this piaya thru our new found friend, Manny.  I knew that HB just have to get a taste of this.  We called and ordered for 2 packs.  It was supposed to be a snack when we visit our parent’s place but the plastic of 10 pcs was gone before we even enter our street.  Puffft!  Gone!  I guess this is our way of saying, WE LOVE THE PIAYA!

Usual piaya is the flat one but this has a shape and lump of your usual hopia.  So we thought it was like it BUT it was not heavy.  Definitely, this is not a hopia piaya.  As we had our bite of the piaya, CRUNCH! was all we hear.  Crunch, crunh, crunch!  The piaya was airy in the middle but the sweet muscovado filling (with sesame seeds) was thinly spread on the piaya crust.  It would’ve been great to heat and eat it warm as the filling would be kinda melted while the crust still crunchy BUT if you can’t resist it, be sure to buy an extra pack for you to enjoy it at home.  The sesame seeds did a fine job in giving the piaya a toasted flavor! 

Want to try it? This is great for family and friends gatherings!

Piaya is P70/ pack of 10s.

Bailon Homemade Ilonggo Delicacies
1115 Rodriguez Avenue, Bangkal, Makati City
+632 843 6673; +632 843 3721
+ 63 916- 751 9071

bailonfoods@hotmail.com

Before heading to the Avenue Q show, we decided to eat at Piquant in RCBC. There were a lot of restaurants at the 3rd level but this stood out because they serve healthy foods, particularly South Beach/ Atkins dishes. We ordered 4 meals for 4 people but in the end, 3 people were eating 4 meals. Nevertheless, nothing was left after 20 minutes of eating.  Too fast?  Sorry about that, we were in a hurry because we have a show to catch.

Florentine (P175).  Spaghetti noodles with spinach, mushrooms, spring onions, anchovies and basil in light cream sauce.  Easy to make pasta dish, not to forget that it was great tasting too!  I liked the anchovies which added saltiness in the pasta.  Whole wheat noodles are available for those who are conscious of what they eat.

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Another MUST pasalubong when you passby Nueva Vizcaya. This buko pie is definitely a winner. Three-(3) buko pies for P120! Awesome! Good thing, HB brought 2 boxes home this second time around (from his Callao cave trip).  One box was not enough for me and AD to share. We should have 1 box each!

Sorry, no close-up photo of the buko pie. To describe the pie…The first time I saw it, the buko pie was definitely not a love at first sight treat. I thought that this does not taste good but I tried it anyway.  After all, HB wouldn’t buy it for us if it is not the BEST!  Boy, I was wrong! One bite and pffft!  The slice was gone within a few seconds.  I even questioned HB, why he just bought 2 boxes (1 box had to be sent to his parents)?!

It was flat and small, not your typical buko pie from The Original’s nor Letty’s of Laguna. It was half inch high and diameter of 5-6 inches. On the box, you’ll see the Anchor Butter logo. That alone gives you a hint that it might taste good. Gettin’ hungry?…The crust was not dry nor hard…again, not your usual buko pie because it was chewy. When you bite into it, you’d know that the buko strips were not carefully chosen but that’s okay because surely it won’t bother your eating or at least, for me. What made me like the buko pie was filling.  It was with the right sweetness, teeth sinking into the filling.  You’d be surprise that it was easy finishing off one whole buko pie.   Yummy!  Killer food.  Shucks!  Good thing Nueva Vizcaya is not just an hour or two away from Manila because this might be our snack for one whole week!

Anyone going there again? Can you buy me 3boxes?  No, make it 6 boxes!  hahaha

I was surprised to see The Cake Club by Diamond Hotel at Rockwell Power Plant Mall when we passedby the area months ago. Strategically located in the middle of restaurants/ stores such as: C2, CPK, SumoSam, National Bookstore and the Archeology Section where after shopping and eating, you’ll find your haven in the middle. Very hard to resist expecially when they are there to entice you to sit, relax and do nothing but eat their treats. By the way, they have Wifi access so that’s another treat for you! Stay for as long as you like!

Oh, before I forget, here are their dessert line ups that I’d like to share with you so you can choose what cake you’d like to bring on your next potluck sessions:

Le Royale - Dark Valrhona chocolate mousse with almond meringue and hazelnut crispy

SuperMoist - Diamond’s signature moist chocolate cake made more delicious with layers of rich ganache

Baked Cheesecake - Diamond’s classic rich cream cheese cake

Gateau Chocolat - Flourless Valrhona chocolate sponge cake layered with rich and creamy chocolate ganache

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Not to mention the people who will be participating in the conversation!  I’d have to pass the coffee but Starbucks do offer other great beverages…I get my fresh guava juice there!  (That reminds me to share with you a yummy very affordable healthy juice.)

Let me invite you to come and join us at Starbucks every Saturday afternoon from 21 June to 5 July 2008. So,

See you on the 21st of June at Silver City, Pasig! Dialogues with Anton would start by 4pm. It would be awesome to have lively audience so I do hope you won’t miss this!

See you!

If you can’t make it this Saturday, I do hope you can attend the 5 July session. It would be at Starbucks 6750.