Beat the Heat

Summer is officially here in Manila. And it is hot! Not everyone welcomes this news with open arms (I'm one of them) but instead of being hot-headed about it (pun intended), I try to cool down with these:

1. Chowking's Halo-Halo (Regular w/ 1 scoop ice cream)

The more affordable and easily accessible choice to quench that summer heat. Shaved ice topped with pinipig (rice crispies), sago, gulaman (jelly), banana, leche flan, and ube ice cream.

Price: ₱ 76

2. Flavours of China's Buco Pandan Sherbet

Smooth buco pandan sherbet, gulaman, and pinipig. Simple ingredients but oh-so-flavorful treat! 

Price: ₱ 90






3. Icebergs' Super Halo-Halo

Their super finely shaved ice is topped with banana, sago, gulaman, corn flakes, leche flan, ube jam, macapuno balls, and two scoops of ice cream. Tell me your mouth is not watering.

Price: ₱ 108

4. Icebergs' Super Mais Con Hielo

Yellow sweet corn, corn flakes, and two scoops of vanilla ice cream swimming gloriously on top of their shaved ice. Yum, yum, yum!

Price: ₱ 118 

5. Icebergs' Caramel Flan Con Hielo

The best I've tasted this summer. Shaved ice embedded under ripe mangoes, creamy banana, soft macapuno balls, luscious leche flan, a scoop of their vanilla ice cream in the middle, and caramel sauce. 'Nuff said!

Price: ₱ 128

Summer has just begun so I have a feeling this blog entry may have a part 2 coming up. ;p

-Faye 


Location:
Chowking - MCU, Caloocan City
Flavours of China - 2/F The Block, SM North EDSA, Quezon City
Icebergs - 5 Timog Ave., South Triangle, Quezon City

What's Your Flavour?

Last week, after an afternoon of prayers and solemn vigil with my family, we head to Flavours of China to chatter merrily while dining. A perfect day, if you ask me.

Sure bet, Sherbet!

Oh Miki, you're so fine.

Like most Chinese restos, the interior of Flavours of China (in SM The Block) is warmly lit and cozily furnished with woods and reds. We were served complimentary shrimp crackers which we munched on while waiting for our orders.

Oddly, our desserts were served first. Perhaps it's because of the scorching hot weather (Hello summer!). We didn't mind though since we couldn't resist their best-seller Buco Pandan Sherbet (₱90). Mouth-watering buco sherbet with pandan jelly and rice crispies. Who knew these simple ingredients would be to-die-for? Daddy had Chicken Lauriat (₱209) consisting of lechon macau, pansit, fried chicken, rice, and buchi. Across, Mommy and Tita Baby slurped on their Siomai Noodle Soup (₱120) and Sharksfin Noodle Soup (₱130), respectively. These are thin noodles with dumplings, greens, and savory soup.

As for Ate Faye and I, we chose something new from their menu: Miki Bihon with Lechon Macau (₱240). 'Twas a good thing we shared because of the humongous serving! The miki bihon is tasty and generously topped with seafood, lechon macau, and bok choy. Delish!

Everything we had was palatable. My dining experience was A+ because I was in good company. We were spiritually and physically full. Time is always well spent with family. Again, a perfect day if you ask me. :)

Rating: 4.25/5

-Martha