You know when you deserve a break after days of work and stress. What better way to spend these fortunate days than spending it with the people you love. Going back to Davao is a way of unwinding and enjoying my vacant days. Since I rarely visit the city, my friends find time to squeeze me into their schedules even if it’s a little bit hectic and I appreciate them for that.

As a line from a song would say, “We don’t even have to try it’s always a good time.” There’s  never a dull moment when I’m with them.  Our team used to be all single. I think I was the first one to break the so called “curse.” Haha. But everything’s all looking good for us – career wise and happiness wise, because being single is never a hindrance to happiness! And umaarangkada  na ata ang lovelife naming lahat. Haha! *knocks on wood* Buyag!

(c) KarlaMisa

It was time for them to meet CORNBALLS (our code name for him before which turned out to be his name for our team now). We spent the evening at the place where all the talking unveils – Starbucks Abreeza. Yes, it has to be specific because this is our favorite place. We honestly think they do what they do best. Comparing to other branches we've tried, the yummiest food & drinks are here. Although you think they’re all probably the same… Think again! It’s really different.

So much for that... we spent the whole night talking about random stuff mostly work, latest buzz, and anything under the sun. Catching up big time because there’s so much happening for all of us. We talked it over coffee and ended the night young. Cornballs and I had to go out with our friends from high school after the that so we had to dismiss earlier.

 

(c) KarlaMisa

In another day of visiting the city just to get some documents from my alma mater, I spent most of my time catching up with them again. We had dinner at Café Mediterranean. We wanted to have coffee but everyone was drained from duty and we all need some rest. We left unusually early, looking forward for our next get together.

They day after, I had a lunch date with the absentee from the previous meet up – Pokieyaaa. After getting all the necessary documents from our school, we thought of where to go next because we wanted to put his car into use. We decided to go to Tea’Amo just to chill. Found myself hungry so I ordered their chicken parmigiana. Pokie only went for desserts because he was planning to eat a full lunch at their home.

Thumbs up for everything! :D Just can't get enough of this place. I hope we can have our christmas party here! After the lunch date we both headed our own ways to attend to different things... but that would be another story to tell... And that concluded my day current day(s) off. Shout out to Cindy! I miss you! Didn't get to see you.

All I can say is... When you're given a day off enjoy it. Spend it wisely! Go out and have fun! :D

My Nanay aka my lola bake cakes since... as long as my memory could recall. My favorite among her cakes is the mango cake! So good. I drool as I type. Lol. I used to spend my summer times at Tacloban when I was a little kid and I enjoy watching her bake. She used to do it a lot more before because the commercial cakes weren't very accessible and available that time. On my latest visit last summer she baked me a mango cake! Wasn't able to document that one but I documented this one instead. Quite interesting eh? Besides the fact that it's violet... It's justifiably yummy!

So let me share to you the experience of baking ube cake with my one and only nanay! :D

First up, of course, is the preparation of ingredients. I don't think I'm allowed to spill anything. Haha. Nanay underwent lessons for baking when she was 40 or something, if my memory serves me right. She says its her passion. Way to go on following your dreams Nay! Age doesn't matter.

She did a lot of mixing which looked awfully tiresome. Horay for the invention of mixers that make things a whole lot easier. I can tell because when I tried to make a cheesecake without one my arms felt like arms of men who went through a load of work.

After the baking and all... She sliced it lengthwise and added a jam in between.

And of course the icing!

Nanay made two cakes. One for a customer and one for our own consumption. She made me do the icing for the latter. Haha. Just to be safe! I did fairly well. Thumbs up! After all the icing stuff we topped it with purple chocolate :D

Looks promising! It tasted great! Especially after refrigerating it. Looking forward to my next visit and I'll make sure to have another baking experience with her!

I really want to bake. What triggered me most was when we made red velvet cupcakes with my friends. It tasted so good and I could say I want people to experience the joy of eating tasty food. Although we followed a recipe from a famous person we did add some twists to it that I think sets it apart form others. So, I think I'm gonna add that to the menu of my future coffee shop slash bistro. Haha! Let's see if my dreams will come true.

A glimpse of the place...

[Photos above are from their facebook page]

On our 4th month together we decided to go back to Bistro La Camille since we had a pleasant experience the last time we went there. We also like it there because of the serene environment. Not so much noise so you don't have to raise your voices when you talk. Though it's a little bit far from the city proper it was worth the time.

I like how they serve their food because it's neat and has a very nice plating. Plus, unlike other restaurants, you don't have to ask for water anymore because they serve it immediately as soon as you call for an order.

We had teriyaki and bistro fried chicken for dinner... and because our tummies are bottomless we had to order some more. A New York Cheesecake plus ham & cheese penne. I didn't get to finish the penne so it ended up for take out. I was so full with everything that I ate. I'll give a two thumbs up for everything. They all taste so good. Especially the cheesecake. I think I really like eating cheesecakes nowadays. Always craving for it.

I'm looking forward on trying all of what they can offer but let's just take this one step at a time. I think my tummy can wait. *winks*

Location: Old Barracks Suites, Sudapin, 9400 Kidapawan City, North Cotabato

Phone: (064) 288 1299

Facebook Page: Bistro La Camille

Café Sebastian

My first time at this place was during our 3^rd month together with my boyfriend. We were pretty curios about the place because it looked nice. Since we almost tried every restaurant in the city we always get excited whenever we see a new café or restaurant in town.

Their menu seems very promising. Since it was our first time there we decided to go for the best seller for the rice meals and it was the chicken teriyaki. I’d say we made the right choice.  We even ordered for extra rice. Since it was raining cats and dogs that night we had to drink hot coffee. We went for the caramel macchiato. 

Another thumbs up for that but I added a little sugar for my sweet tooth. I love the heart shaped presentation. I guess they had a hint *winks.* Their prices are pretty reasonable. Cheaper compared to others but you don’t get compensated with the quality. Everytime I visit their place I see to it that I order something different. I've tried their bacon cheeseburger and it's tasty! Although the size doesn't seem to satisfy my appetite because I tend to eat a lot. I think I'll need two orders of this. Haha. Carbonara is also good. I never really tried any of their frappes or shakes because I'm training myself to drink a lot of water, 

The staff and crew are accommodating and neat! I like their place even if it’s small because it’s well kept. From the counters, tables, chairs, floor, and even the comfort rooms are clean and everything smells nice. That’s a plus factor!

Music played is fine but it needs a little improvement because it’s not so… should I say relaxing? Too loud. I like it better when they play soft music that makes me feel comfortable and groovy at the same time. Maybe a little bossa nova will do the trick? Or I maybe a little too particular. Haha.

The sad part is that their store hours end at 8 pm and that’s pretty early. I do hope they’d extend. Also, they share the same entrance with a supermarket which confuses the customers sometimes. If they do extend store hours it would be best to make a separate entrance. Over all, my experience was fine. They inspire me in my dreams of putting up my own café or bistro in the near future.

Well, like every good review I make I’d advise you to visit their place and I hope that you will have the same experience that I had with them. Cheers! Until the next food trip.

Address: Labastida Street, Kidapawan City

Telephone Number: 278 3809

Store Hours: Sundays-Saturdays from 9 AM to 8 PM

MENU

CAKES & PASTRIES

CUPCAKES

Choco Moist 20

Cheese Cupcakes 15

Coffee Cashew 15

Caramel Cappuccino 15

Special Cheese Mamon 18

Special Ube Mamon 18

Fruit cake slice 35

DRINKS

HOT COFFEE

Brewed Coffee 30

Café Latte 38

Caramel Macchiato 45

Mangosteen Ter 25

MILK SHAKES

Vanilla 45

Chocolate 45

Strawberry 45

Ube 45

Mudslide 65

CANNED SODA

Four seasons 28

Pineapple28

Mango Juice 30

Coke 28

CAKES

Choco Moist Cake 350

Brazo de Mercedes 350

Custard Cake 250

Chewy brownies 350

ICED COFFEE

Banoffee Frappe 45

Kori Coffee 45

Choco with rock salt and cheese 45

Housed iced tea25

SLUSHES

Mangosteen Slush 45

Mango Slush 45

Guyabano Slush 45

SMOOTHIE

Honey Mango33

Banana Mango 33

PANINI/BURGER

Bastis Burger35

Tuna Cheese Melt35

Sweet Ham & EggSandwich with Cheese 35

PASTA

Bolognese 37

Bacon Carbonara 37

Baked Macaroni 45

RICE MEALS

Beerdogs with rice toast49

Yakiniku Beef Tapa49

Butterflied  Tilapiawith honey bagoong dip75

Cheese Katsudon75

Chicken Teryiyaki75

Burger Steak with mushroom gravy75

DESSERT

Blueberry Cheesecake 45

Halo halo Regular50

Halo halo Special60

NEW!

Animal Style Potato Fries 55

Bastis Bacon Cheeseburger 49

We have been planning on baking for quite some time already... The waiting comes to a halt today. After registering at the Philippine Nurses Association we immediately went to JS Gaisano Mall to get some groceries for our ingredients!

Since Celine is already a baking type of person. She had ebooks about it and we followed this specific recipe by Martha Stewart :)

What we used:
 

This is buttermilk. I initially wanted to vlog about this baking experience but then I had a lot of epic fail moments while introducing the ingredients so I'd rather not and it has something to do with buttermilk. Well, I've learned that day that you can make buttermilk with evaporated milk and vinegar. Yes, I was that stupid. Is it just me? Am I alone on this one? Anyone? Haha





Our cupcakes are extra fluffy because we should have filled the lined cups only three quarters full but I... Yes, I take the blame... Filled it all the way up but no regrets just lessons learned. We also medled with the coloring. We added and added until we achieved our desired redness. We were bothered about tasting the dye if we put too much but our worries were proven null when we tasted the finished product ;)

For the frosting... We used these:


Celine taught us the techniques on how to do the thing... Pokie kept pestering me about being to slow. Haha!  I'm a beginner for heaven's sake. He's such a bully. He was having his OCness that day because he kept wiping off the dirt or anything that looks messy for him. So rest assured our cupcakes are clean... I guess. You have to make the cupcakes cool down a little bit before decorating it and stuff.


After frosting all the cupcakes I really wanted to put sprinkles on them but Celine only had this Christmas-y sprinkles which were a mixture of greens and reds but we only needed the reds so we ended up sorting the sprinkles. Budi did a great job with the sorting.
So what did we do with the greens? Well...

Pokie ate this. It's bread with the frosting topped with the green sprinkles. He's got one hell of a sweet tooth.

Let me share to you a closer look on our fabulous cupcakes. No bias, our cupcakes are simply delicious and  mouthwatering. Love your own! But really... it tastes awesome!

We have to give Martha Stewart the credits for the recipe and for making our lives easier :)
The set up courtesy by Celine Conanan. Thank you for welcoming us to your lovely home!
What do you think guys? Should we be open for business? Haha.
I'm pretty sure this won't be the last time we'll bake. We had so much fun. Watch out for more. Thank you for reading!