My Fave Frap

Just a note...I love the Christmas Dark Cherry Mocha Frap* of Starbucks! It's my favorite frappuccino now -- too bad it won't last. I hope I get another taste before it finally says goodbye. Oh, I do miss their Peppermint Mocha from the previous years.

*Photo courtesy of absolutecousins.com

I scream for Ice Cream!!!

Though we have been experiencing 18-21 degrees lately, summer is almost upon us and temperatures will rise by the second week of February. So what better way to prepare for the heat than by searching for the best ice cream brands in town!

I find myself craving for ice cream more now that I'm hitting my 40s --hmmm...the sweet tooth villain has come! So hubby and I have been trying out several brands the past months. And our top picks?

1. Blue Bunny Ice Cream - this one is available only at S&R, and through membership. Although the yearly rate could kill you at P700 for a gold member card, the ice cream alone is worth it! Of course, we also get cheap but good dog food there.

Their ice cream is super creamy and costs only P65 for 2 scoops! Now that's a bargain, considering that the Blue Bunny brand is not local. We love mint chocolate chip, blueberry cheesecake and caramel. We can't wait to try the other flavors!

2. Dairy Queen Blizzard - if it's served upside down, it must be good! We recently tried their new mint chocolate at their branch in Megamall and it is just divine! There were lots of crushed mint candies and choco chips that I just had a ball chewing. It was just soooo good and I can't wait to have it again. At P75 for the 9 0z cup, it's pretty much worth it.


3. Pagliacci, The Podium* - Just before you enter the Italian Restaurant, you will encounter their freezer containing one of the creamiest ice creams (oops! gelato!) in town. At P100 per scoop, you'd better be adventurous enough to try out their very Italian flavors like Mascarpone and Ferrero. We have so far tried their mint chocolate (yes, this flavor is a favorite, obviously), Ferrero and berry. But so far, my hands down fave is their After 8. It's rich chocolate ice cream with a hint of mint. Oooh, just the thought makes my mouth water!

4. Nestle Heaven - Upon a fellow foodie's exuberant recommendation, we had to try Nestle's newest creamy offering. We tried their Belgian Bliss flavor at P195/L. Wow! Our friend was right! It's so much creamier (60% more) than your regular local ice cream, and is filled with chopped Belgian chocolate. If you don't mind encountering several chewy, chunky and gooey stuff in your rich chocolate ice cream, then this is for you.

So, get ready for summer and start enjoying these decadent delights! I know I am!

*Pagliacci photo courtesy of Gimikainan

Kimono Ken-Afford!

Finally, Japanese food at an affordable price! For the longest time, it seems, the words "Japanese food" and "affordable" could not share the same sentence. We tried out Kimono Ken at the Podium in Ortigas a couple of months ago and we have gone back.

The ambiance is modern-classy and not typically Japanese. Mind you, when you reach a certain age (like 40-ish), you place a high priority on the ambiance of a food place. My hubby is known for looking for well-lit restaurants with waiters who are fluent in English and wearing clean, crisp uniforms. Okay, that is whenever he is stressed out.

We loved their food, especially the Gyoza, as well as their rice toppings. Try it out some time! promise it won't bust your budget.

Photo courtesy of foodtriptayo.com.