I've long been a fan of Chef Miko Aspiras.   I just couldn't believe it when he messaged me on instagram inviting me to launch of his new cakes with Yardstick's coffee at The Workshop Bespoke Bakery located inside Le Petite Souffle in SM Mega Fashion Hall.


This is my first time to visit both Le Petite Souffle and The Workshop so I was amazed by the interiors.

The display was awesome.
Who wouldn't be enticed to buy upon seeing these right?

Everyone was gathered for the highlight of the event...

When a young genius like Chef Miko Aspiras demonstrates about his pastry, he doesn't need a spotlight to draw the crowds attention.

Everyone was eager to see his creation.  Isn't his 17 Layer Chocolate Cake drool worthy?  The perfect match for this is Yardstick's Non-Dairy Mocha.  Believe me, the mocha is so smooth that you can't tell that it doesn't have dairy on it.

I really loved the light and subtle flavors of pistachio of the Pistachio Creme Roulade.  I knew the family would appreciate it so I  brought them home some one time.  Indeed, they had so much praise for it.  Chef Miko suggests this cake to be paired with Yardstick's Madagascar Vanilla Iced Latte.

The crowd favorite is the Basque Burnt Cheesecake.  This is indeed so good.  This is best when freshly baked or shall I say burnt?  It doesn't taste bitter and burnt at all.  The caramel isn't too sweet either.  The best coffee drink for this is Yardstick's Burnt Butterscotch Iced Latte with Salted Cream. It sounds intriguing right?  I want to try that on my next visit too.

So here they are: 17 Layer Chocolate Cake, Pistachio Creme Roulade and
Basque Burnt Cheesecake.  Try them all out.  I bet you'll find one (if not all) to be a total indulgence.

Thank you so much Chef Miko for inviting me to try this amazing desserts!
  
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After dining at Jun Jun's Bibingka and Barbecue, we were about to ride the car where we noticed A La Creme Cake Shop and Cafe just beside it.

I thought was just kidding when she asked if we wanted to try it.  But, when everyone said "Go! Go! Let's go!", we really headed our way over to A La Creme Cake Shop and Cafe.

It was a cozy cafe and diner in one.  The green and white motif is very appealing to the eyes.

Noticing the cake chiller by the end of the room, I quickly walked there to check it out.

Food
They have a full-blown menu but since we just had our lunch, we just focused on their cakes.

Cakes

♥ Blueberry Cheesecake (102 php)

The Blueberry Cheesecake is so good!  It has a nice light yet rich and creamy texture.  The tone of sweetness is just right.

♥ Sinful Chocolate Cake (132 php)

The Sinful Chocolate Cake was highly recommended by our server.  He said, this is a must try for all their customers.  It is partially iced so we can't take it home.  My mom is not fond of chocolate cakes and yet she just couldn't resist this!  This is definitely one-of-a-kind and a must try in ones lifetime. 

♥ Sinful Chocolate Cake (132 php)

We loved it so much!  Even the chocolate on the side was appreciated.

♥ Ube Macapuno with Walnut Cake (102 php)

I love Ube Cakes.  If you love them just like I do, make sure you try the Ube Macapuno with Walnut Cake.   It has a generous portion of macapuno and walnut bits which greatly complements the rich ube chiffon and icing.

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
A La Creme Cake Shop and Cafe is a must-try for their cakes.  When we were there, we noticed that many came in to take out a box of cake.  The only negative feedback I can give is on their service.  We came all the way from Manila with a lot planned for our Pampanga Food Trip so we were really turned off by the bad service and long waiting time (more than 30 minutes) just for our cakes to be served.

We had a jam-packed itinerary during our Puerto Princesa Palawan trip.  As we've researched, Baker's Hill is a popular recommendation as a tourist stop.

There were many pictorial spots in the area before reaching the actual bakeshop.

I initially thought these were real food.  But, these are just for display.  =(

Taiwanese Bread (10 php)

I could tell from the products that their pastries were had Taiwanese or Chinese influence.
 

Hopia Monggo (45 php)

Hopia Monggo (45 php)

We tried the Taiwanese Bread and Hopia Monggo as they were highly recommended by reviewers.  Since we were short of time, these was already our lunch.  We did not enjoy this despite our grumbling hungry tummies.  Although this may be the best in Puerto Princesa Palawan but this is far below the standards of Chinese Hopia sold in Binondo we've grown to eat.

Update: Just tried their Chocolate Crinkles.  Surprisingly, I'd prefer it more than the Hopia Monggo.

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Baker's Hill has really nice attractions.  Pastries are just okay.

Whenever the family would crave for affordable Asian comfort food in our neighbor Robinson's Place Mall, we all know that our destination would be Recipes.


Recipes now has 9 branches with this Greenhills 8 Missouri branch just newly opened.

What sets this Recipes branch apart from the rest, it that it has Specialties and Sweets.  Specialties and Sweets is their sister company that offers pastries.


The cakes are great desserts. 

Just looking at the chiller, you will surely find them enticing.

The cookies and cakes are also a good match to their teas and coffee. 



Food

Chicken

♥ General's Chicken (225 php)

For me the General's Chicken style is similar to the Korean Fried Chicken or Manang's Chicken.  What I like about this is that the thigh fillet are neatly cut into chunks so you don't need to grab them with your hands.  The sweet-spicy sauce is also not overwhelmingly strong so you can eat this along with other viands.  It also has eggplant slices that complement in terms of flavor and texture.


Vegetables

♥ Vegetable Kare Kare (175 php)

The Vegetable Kare Kare is my favorite.  I'm a huge fan of kare-kare and Recipes does it right.

♥ Gising Gising (190 php)

The Gising Gising is so good and crave-worthy!  Sometimes, I would dine at Recipes simply just for this.  The right amount of spiciness that goes well with the coconut milk, savory flavor from the pork meat and pleasurable crunchiness from the chopped baguio beans makes this Gising Gising dish so irresistibly good.

Seafood

Crispy Tilapia (225 php)

I'm very picky with the tilapia fish.  I can only count by hand the tilapia dishes I like.  And, this Crispy Tilapia is one of them.


Drinks

Fresh Fruit Juice: Ripe Mango (88 php)

Coffee

Cappuccino (100 php) with Complimentary Cran-Date Nut Squares (Christmas Promo)

 Specialties and Sweets

Calamansi Tart (140 php)

The Calamansi Tart is a really tangy.  Best to eat it with the sweet meringue top if you can't tolerate sourness. 

♥ Barako Brownie with Vanilla Sauce (160 php)

The Barako Brownie with Vanilla Sauce is to die for!  Perfect sweet meal-ender.  Bravo!!!

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Recipes and Specialties and Sweets is a great duo.  Now, you have a reason to drop by not just for the meals but for the sweet treats!