Food makes us happy! :)
Amidst the small town of Anao, Tarlac, is Kape Agape, a small community cafe inspired by the highest form of love “agape” – the love of God for man and of man for God. Located at the heart of town abundant with ylang-ylang trees, the cafe not only serves nourishing food for the tummy but also for the soul.
More often, salads play the role of the sides or appetizers but never the main course. As September is officially a “Salad Month”, SaladStop! brings salads and mindful-eating in the spotlight. Known for their hearty fresh salads, wraps and tasty yet nutritious snacks, SaladStop! launched their “Eat Wide Awake Movement” with activities running throughout the month to encourage people to go on a healthy diet and proper fitness. New offerings are also introduced in their menu.
Hand-baked goodness and a healthy alternative snack is readily available on the go. I have long been a patron of Plato Wraps. This plato-shaped bread with a variety of choice for filling is one of my go to snacks when I see one. My staple orders would be the Yummy Tuna, Beef Gyro and Chunky Chicken on on pesto wrap. Other choices are Very Veggie, Wrap and Roll Dog as well as Ham and Cheese. After 16 years in the business, the family-owned venture adds a couple more flavors: the Peri-peri Latino Wrap and Crabby Rappu.
It was a year ago when we were introduced to the one-of-a-kind toast from Cafe Shibuya. Their 2 1/2 inch thick rectangular bread toast were not only sumptuous but has a pleasant interplay of flavors. With the colder season coming, who wouldn’t yearn for a good toast along with afternoon coffee? It’s also a good time to try Cafe Shibuya’s new offerings, the Salted Egg and Green Tea Lava Toast. Now, there’s even more variety of toasts that people can enjoy in the cafe.
“A meeting place”, if you’re wondering what “Tagpuan” means in English. Tagpuan sa San Juan, the humble street corner eatery with a couple of tables and crates as chairs serves cheap comfort eats from kansi, goto to tapa and more. We weren’t actually looking for a meal that morning since we had breakfast but was delighted they serve real brewed coffee. Yes, not the instant 3-in-1 kind we had earlier. Even with the sweltering heat, I savor the warmth of a quality brew. I’ll take it any day warm or cool. But what made is visit this unpretentious eatery is not only for the food but their unique movement for the La Union community.
The whole region of Palawan has cashew trees in abundance. Even in El Nido where I stayed for a while has people freely picking out fruits of these trees by the roadside. It is no surprise Isla Casoy de Palawan, a humble cafe at Mercado de San Miguel in Puerto Princesa has a menu offering based on the local favorite Casoy or cashew nut. It has become a favorite stop for me in the city not only for pasalubongs (take-home presents) but also its cashew-infused meals and drinks.
The suman, a Filipino delicacy is an elongated rice cake neatly wrapped in banana leaves is a favorite local snack. But how many flavors of thse suman have you tried? There’s chocolate, mango, cheese and it’s just crazy to know there’s more. Well in Clarin municipality of Misamis Occidental, they boast of 13 flavors under the roof of Clarin’s House of Suman, a popular stop amongst locals and tourist not only for suman but some pasalubong treats as well.
It still breaks my heart seeing the actual rubbles of Bohol’s heritage churches when after a year the island experienced a devastating earthquake. The church from one of my favorite haunts, Baclayon was not spared. I remember frequenting the Baluarte right across the church for some afternoon sea breeze, sunset and cheap but good barbecue stalls. Is also a delight to see a newly opened cafe, Baclayon Heritage Café. So timely I was yearning for a good hot drink and snack that afternoon so I got to try the place.