Que's Birthday

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It's two months overdue but my one and only thus the best sister's birthday is worth a space here in my personal nook online! I couldn't ask for any better person to be my sister other than Queza. A very down-to-earth,  nice, hardworking, responsible, wise and bright, basta napakabait at napakabuting tao my sister is! It's funny looking back on those two decades and so on how we grew up and now we are both trying to get past through our "adult problems"! Hahaha! Parang kailan lang when she was one cutie patootie grey-eyed bald baby girl and now she's grown to be the best in bullying me! My only prayer is for her to grow even more, to be the best woman God intended her to be. I know she will. 

On the second of February, as part of sorta early celebration, we dined in at Mama Lou's in BF Homes. Mama has been wanting to eat there and so we did that night. Oh how it satisfied our tummies! Mama Lou's has been consistently meeting my expectations so far. I understand why it does not run out customers. :) We also had our dessert at Milky Moustache after which I would also be posting about next. 

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Aficionado: Paume's Pastry House (BF Paranaque)

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This was not part of my initial list but it would still fall under my aficionado finds. Paume’s Pastry House is located along Presidents Avenue still in BF Paranaque (oh don’t you just love the south?? Haha!) Together with my family, we had our caffeine and pastry fix that night after my sister's birthday dinner at Bamba Bistro. It was upon my friend’s recommendation that we knew about this place -- it was one good endorsement; it did not upset! 

Bright and a Parisian-inspired interiors greeted us. The vibe was very open and welcoming. There were few tables and seats but the place that night was not fully packed. There is even a tiny nook for kids and toddlers. Their menu is composed of pastas, rice meals too, pastries, desserts; and drinks from juices to coffee brews and coffee-blended ones. I immediately spotted their pastry display, it’s right in front of the door; and for a sweets-lover like me it’s automatically inviting. However, I was not able to try any of their pastries that time. I also spotted their coffee brew machines which actually is one reason why I included Paume’s to my Aficionado list haha!

 

Each one of us had ordered a drink of some sort, some hot some cold, but I was only to take note of my and Luke’s orders. Their Feel Good Affogato is the best I have tasted so far. Their French Kiss Latte was an instant favorite, too! The fact that we were well-served also added to the fact that my family had an instant liking to the place. As my friend who told me about this, I also highly recommend this place. Yay more south finds!!  

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Aficionado: Magnum Opus (BF Paranaque)

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Magnum Opus means "work of art". Naming it to a coffee shop automatically gives the notion that it is an artisanal one. This is another post on hopefully an endless series on my search for coffee shops and caffeinated drinks, locally and hopefully abroad (sarap pakinggan ng abroad!!) 

As I began searching for coffee places, most especially the third wave ones, I was so glad that one shop humbly sits here, down south. Yes, it's located in The Prime block in BF Homes Paranaque. Maraming salamat Aguirre avenue, you are a wonderful stretch of food and drinks discoveries. I did not have the chance to try it right away. It was only when a good friend from the north, had to visit my HQ and fit the dress I designed for her, that we both got the chance. We were like-minded on this as it's the same place we wanted to try bilang she came from the north and then she was currently in south that moment. We are so happy we did! It did not disappoint :) 

It's a tiny place with an al fresco area. Since the inside was crowded that time, and to give Arianne the chance to have a breathe of fresh south air hahaha, we stayed in the al fresco area. It was a good time to catch up. Medyo matagal din kaming hindi nagkita. When I am with Arianne, all of my travel and dining dreams resurface instantly! These are the common stuff (with Korean stuff as a bonus pa pala hahaha) that we normally chat about. We talked a lot on these matters and career, too. She's one person I thank God for --  we don't get to hang out always, and she has far closer and has the closest friends, but I know she is a friend of mine.

Arianne ordered flat white and I tried their bestseller Belgian Heartbreaker. I SUPER LIKED their Belgian Heartbreaker. No wonder it's their bestseller. Their cheesecake tasted good, too! With coffee/coffee-blended drinks, I always want a good blend of sweet and bitterness, ayoko ng masyadong matapang at lalong ayokong masyadong matamis for coffee. I guess Belgian heartbreaker had a good mix of milk, coffee and dark belgian chocolate -- yes the dark belgian chocolate was melted and mixed to the coffee drink. Sarap talaga! I am yet to try other drinks and hope I could be back soon for a solo session with a book, maybe? This is indeed a must-try for the south people. :)

 *visited November, 2014 (a lag post haha!)

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Aficionado: CommunePh

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I have a thing for coffee. I have to admit that it's close to addiction most especially lately that I have been really interested in trying all handcrafted coffee shops (kahit nga hindi handcrafted e hahaha). I even compiled and wrote a magazine article on the rising third wave coffee shops having tried some. One of them is CommunePH. It is located in Liberty Center along H.V. Dela Costa. We were looking for a friend's party venue more than a year ago when we stumbled upon this nook. Since then, I have read quite good reviews about this and latte arts from here were frequenting my Instagram feed. One random Saturday of November, I went back here. 

As much as I love coffee, I am no expert on the brews and the beans and my decision whether I like a certain drink or not is purely based on what my unique set of taste buds signal my brain cells. Hindi ko kayang alamin kung arabica beans variety ba ginamit or robusta variety. And despite still, I easily palpitate on coffee. How ironic no? But I don't stop trying. I also make time to read the menu carefully, then listen to the barista's recommendations and comments. In my case, while I like being alone in coffee shops, having a company would allow me to taste another variety, bilang madali ako mag-palpitate and ordering two or more drinks for the sake of trying might not be good for my heart not to mention my pocket.

That afternoon, we didn't enjoy much what we ordered. Haha! We tried their cafe au lait and cafe mocha. Baka not in the mood din ang mga barista. 

tried their apple pie as well 

Though we were not satisfied with what we ordered, for me, it is always worthwhile staying in a coffee shop. CommunePH is still worth a visit! Try it for yourselves. =)

P.s. That same night we had our annual tradition of watching the light and sound show at the Ayala Triangle. 

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