Every since the family has tried Kumori Japanese Bakery, we've been a fan!  Their Signature Hanjuku Cheesecake has been our first choice for pasalubong whenever in SM Makati or Landmark.  Recently, I discovered that Kumori has an equally awesome product which is their Toyohashi Pudding.

Toyohashi Pudding Chocolate (98 php), Toyohashi Pudding Matcha (98 php) and Toyohashi Pudding Original (98 php)

As much as we Filipinos love Leche Flan, the Japanese love their Purin, their version of egg custard.  In Japan, you can buy them at convenient stores, supermarkets and train stations.  When we were kids, we used to buy them at Japanese grocery stores in Little Tokyo and Cartimar too.  But, after trying many brands, we can't seem to find one that satisfies us to buy again.  

Toyohashi Pudding Matcha (98 php), Toyohashi Pudding Chocolate (98 php) and Toyohashi Pudding Original (98 php)

As the name implies, I guess this pudding receipe is from Toyohashi in Japan.  Kumori's secret in making these delicious Toyohashi Pudding is baking them precisely making use of farm fresh eggs and premium buttermilk cream.

Toyohashi Pudding Matcha (98 php), Toyohashi Pudding Chocolate (98 php) and Toyohashi Pudding Original (98 php)

Each of the different flavors has a distinct feature.  The Toyohashi Pudding Matcha has a bold matcha flavor.  It was not sweet at all.  It's not flawlessly smooth as you can feel the fine matcha powder subtly which was added a sensational pleasure to the tongue.  The Toyohashi Pudding Chocolate is so good!  It was so dark and rich and melts in your mouth.  I really can't decide which is of the two is the best for me.  I'm completely torn. LOL!

Toyohashi Pudding Matcha (98 php), Toyohashi Pudding Chocolate (98 php) and Toyohashi Pudding Original (98 php)

My little sister loves the Toyohashi Pudding Original.  This is the best for her.  If you like the classic sweet caramel sauce, then the Toyohashi Pudding Original.  Plus, it has a perfect smooth, silky, creamy and melts in your mouth texture that beats the others.

Kumori Japanese Bakery
Business Address	SM Makati Basement Makati Metro Manila Landmark Makati Basement Makati Metro Manila
Business Hours	10am-9pm (mall hours)
Payment Options	Cash
Product Price Range	30-800

Last month, I was invited by Mrs. Fields Cafe to experience their new concept in SM Makati.

Mrs. Fields has been around for so long that my siblings and I had them occasionally for milk and cookies after snacks when we were kids.

Mrs. Fields has always been known as a drop by and take out concept.  And, now they want to offer more than that.

With the Mrs. Fields Cafe in SM Makati, you can chill out with their cozy interiors and enjoy their free and reliable WiFi.  If you want privacy (like me especially when I'm studying seriously), there's a couple of tables behind the counter.

Food

Perfect Pair (Sandwiches/Panini/Waffle/Sliders + Cookies + Twinning Iced Tea)

Garden Pesto Panini (240 php)

Their Perfect Pair is an affordable and wholesome combo meal.  I chose the Garden Pesto Panini meal which is composed of the Garden Pesto Panini, potato chips (love these!), Milk Chocolate Chip Cookie and Twinning Iced Tea (I chose the Four Red Fruits Tea - really good!)

Indulgent Creations

Hershey S'mores Cookie, Kisses Toasted Mashmallow Cookie and Reese's Peanut Butter Cookie

Sweet and Savory Cookies

Chunky Macadamia Bacon Cookie, Pesto Cookie Twist and Coco Medley Cookie

I enjoyed the Chunky Macadamia Bacon Cookie is my choice among these.  

Drinks

Brownie Mocha Chiller 12 oz (95 php)

Menu


Mrs. Fields Gift Shop
Mrs. Fields Gift Shop has a lot of gift selections for all occasions

Mrs. Fields Mothers Day Bear (650 php) and Celebration Gift Box Large (695 php)

Disclosure: Everything I've featured have been sponsored by Mrs. Fields Cafe.

A few weeks ago, I received a gift box from Kumori Japanese Bakery.  It came with a nice brochure and an assortment of pastries for sampling.

According to my siblings who know a bit of the Japanese language, Kumori means "cloudy".  You can also imply that from their scribbled cloud logo.

Soft Matcha Bun (48 php), Fuwa-Fuwa Cream Bun (58 php), Salmon Bonito (65 php), Croissant (55 php), Signature Hanjuku Cheesecake (240 php/box)

Kumori is BIG in Japan.  I'm so glad it's now here in the Philippines for us to try.  Kumori offers natural, fresh and quality cakes and pastries.


The family loved it so much that we actually visited it as much as we could.  They currently have a stall in SM Makati and Landmark.

Aside from cakes and pastries, there also have puddings.

While we found some selection to be affordable, there are also expensive ones.

Soft Matcha Bun (48 php), Fuwa-Fuwa Cream Bun (58 php), Salmon Bonito (65 php), Croissant (55 php), Signature Hanjuku Cheesecake (240 php/box)

Evey thing we tried was good.  My brother liked the Fuwa-Fuwa Cream Bun.  He said "fuwa-fuwa" is kind of a bouncy sound effect in Japanese and that's really what you can expect from this fluffy bun.  All of us loved the Salmon Bonito because of the rich coating and the delicious salmon filling.
 

Signature Hanjuku Cheesecake (240 php/box)

But, what really blew us away was the Signature Hanjuku Cheesecake which comes in original and chocolate.  As you can see the packaging for take out is superb.  It even has a cool pack beneath.  

Signature Hanjuku Cheesecake Original (48 php)

The Signature Hanjuku Cheesecake Original is a half-baked Japanese style cheesecake that is perfectly in harmony with different textures and consistency: light, fluffy and cream.  Seriously this is a MUST TRY!  You haven't lived your life if you haven't tried this.  I can't have enough of this and want more of it! =p

Signature Hanjuku Cheesecake Chocolate (48 php)

The Signature Hanjuku Cheesecake Chocolate is just as good.  The chocolate is not sweet but bitter sweet - just the way I like it.

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
I'm so glad Kumori Japanese Bakery is here.  I now know where I can go when I have a Japanese Cheesecake craving.  I hope they offers discounts, frequency cards or bread sales though as some items can be a bit pricey and I still want to try them.  We'll surely try their cakes for our future occasions.

Whenever I take MRT Ayala and pass by SM Makati and the first thing I notice is Bono Artisanal Gelato.  I've been meaning to try it but always find myself short for time.  So last month while waiting for my friends, I finally answered my curiosity and tried it. 

It's a simple gelato bar with white shiny tables and cushions seats.  The bar is bright with soft yellow-white light emanating from the balls right above it. 

As I browsed over its menu, I had a sense of gluttony wanting to try them all.  I had difficulty in deciding. 

They even offer flavors seasoned for the summer.  Some of them are mixed in with alcohol too.

Seeing my puzzled look, the friendly staff offered me to sample of their best-seller Movie Night.  It had tiny potato chip bits that was quite salty and caramel.  It reminded me of a lightened version of the currently trending Salted Caramel flavor.   Since I was looking for something unique, I settled for the Malted Cookie Dough. 

♥ Malted Cookie Dough in Cup (200 php/Double Scoop)

My Malted Cookie Dough in Cup had a rough waffle cookie on it.  I really love the smooth and creamy texture of their gelato.  They don't scrimp on the ingredients too.

The Malted Cookie Dough had sweet and chewy malted milk cubes, mini chocolate chips, cookie dough bits and walnuts.  I had a lot of fun with the playful mix of textures and flavors.  The sweet taste could get a bit overwhelming though so you'll enjoy it better if you alternate a spoonful with a bite at the waffle biscuit.


It's really delicious!  I finished my cup clean see. =)


Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Bono Artisanal Gelato offers creatively delicious frozen treats that will surely win you over.  I like their concept.   Making new flavors regularly will surely entice people like me to try them.  In terms of price, I find it a bit expensive but it's worth paying for since what they make can't be found elsewhere.  Their place may not be as cozy as coffee shops but their have a speedy and reliable WiFi makes it a great hang out option.