Sylvanas aren't really my favorite thing to have as dessert, but seeing Pane e Dolci's sponsored posts in my Facebook news feed really made me crave some sylvanas. Since Nazareth is actually on our way home, we passed by there to try Pane e Dolci's specialty.

Their shop is actually quite small though it's right on a corner so it's easy to find as long as you follow the map they provide on their Facebook page. The map is really essential if you're not from Cagayan de Oro like us. Upon going in, I immediately saw their refrigerator! It was full of sylvanas and cakes!

Normally, I really don't like chiffon-type cakes. I'm more of a fudgy brownie and chewy cookie person. But their cakes looked really good and were quite cheap per slice, so I tried most of the ones they had available that day.

(Clockwise from Top Left) Sylvanas packaging, Sylvanas, Chocolate Mudpie,
Leche Flan, Blueberry Cheesecake, Opera Cake

My ranking of the 5 things I tried:

1. Chocolate Mud Cake (PHP 85/slice) - This was not too sweet so it was really perfect!
2. Sylvanas (PHP 160/pack) - This is their specialty and most popular product - and for good reason since it was really good. Must try now their flavored sylvanas (chocolate, nutella, etc.)
3. Opera Cake (PHP 130/slice) - The coffee taste was just the right strength for me.
4. Walnut Brittle Leche Flan (PHP 95/loaf) - Found this too sweet, but I liked the top layer which has crunchy walnut bits.
5. Blueberry Cheesecake (PHP 95/slice) - A bit too dry for me and there weren't any whole blueberries.

Also, I suggest ordering the cake slices to go since they're better enjoyed at home than inside Pane e Dolci's shop, which is a bit small and hot. The top 3 desserts in my list above are really worth coming back for, so I've now tried them twice and they're still as good as the first time. I also recommend the Sylvanas as pasalubong if you're just visiting CDO since they are packaged quite nicely.

Pane e Dolci
Corner 12th and 21st Streets,
Nazareth Village,
Cagayan de Oro City
09177086272 / 09177086271

Thursday, October 02, 2014

2 response

Read More

It's been a few months since I've last posted in this blog. I just became busier than usual and felt a little too lazy to post something. But here I am now and I'll try to post more before 2014 ends. For my comeback post, I'll be reviewing one of my family's most frequented restaurants in Cagayan de Oro City --- Tadakuma!

Tadakuma is just in front of the future site of Ayala's Alveo Aspira Condominum at Ramon Chavez St. It's just a small place with around 10 tables and is rarely full on weeknights, but weekends might be more busy. The most eye-catching part of the place is this big and modern Yoko Ono print on the wall. Other than that, it's the cleanliness of the place that I really appreciate a lot.

(Clockwise from Upper Left) Mixed Sushi Set, Seafood Ramen,
Green Tea, California Maki and Tuna Sashimi

Since we eat here almost weekly, we already have our favorite dishes that we order again and again. These are their Seafood Ramen, Tuna Sashimi, California Maki, and a pot of hot Green Tea. Their Salmon Sashimi and Mixed Sushi Set are also good but are a bit expensive for normal everyday meals (you can find cheaper Salmon Sashimi in CDO at Tokyo Bubble Tea in Centrio). Their Omurice was just okay and was a bit too sour for me. Their Gyudon was also quite tasty though they could use better meat.

Those from Metro Manila would really appreciate Tadakuma's pricing as it's much cheaper than Manila restaurants that are of the same quality. Also, their Ramen serving is quite big and we make them split it into 3 bowls, and that's really filling for 3 persons especially if you also order 2 other dishes.

Tadakuma - Japanese Restaurant
Ramon Chavez Street, Cagayan de Oro City
0932 284 7799 / (088) 852 0427
https://www.facebook.com/TadakumaCdo

Thursday, September 25, 2014

2 response

Read More

Since moving to Cagayan de Oro last January 2014, I can't even count how many times we've eaten in Istanbul Grill. We eat here so often that the Turkish cook/part-owner gives us discounts and other freebies. This is my favorite restaurant in CDO because I really like Middle-Eastern/Mediterranean/Indian Food, and Istanbul Grill is really cheap for the quality and quantity of food that they serve. Plus, the cook is an actual Turkish person so you can't get more authentic than that, right?

Istanbul Grill serves simple dishes like biryanis, kebabs, and shawarmas plus some other things like their Wet Burger and Shepherd Salad, so don't expect more complex dishes. But the simplicity of their menu doesn't mean the taste is simplified - you still get all the different spices that are staples in Middle Eastern cuisine.

(top) Beef Kebab, (bottom) Chicken Curry Saute

Sunday, April 13, 2014

0 response

Read More

The Bistro Group opened another restaurant in Centrio and it's Tonkatsu by Terazawa. It occupies half of the original Italianni's space so it only has like 12 tables I think, and it's only separated by a mirrored screen from the dining space of Italianni's. It's grand opening was last Tuesday, April 8, 2014, and we went there around 7 p.m. It was quite full when we arrived but we still got a table since we had a reservation. They were also taking photos of each table with the manager since it was their grand opening. And one of the chefs or cooks came to our table and explained some stuff and recommended some starters.

This is our first time to eat in a Tonkatsu by Terazawa restaurant since whenever we're in Manila, Yabu is our default tonkatsu place. It's concept and pricing is similar to that of Yabu. Different types of pork, unlimited cabbage, rice and miso soup. But I really like that they have fish, oyster and prawn tonkatsu here in Terazawa since I don't think Yabu has that (correct me if I'm wrong).

So we ordered a Chasoba Salad (225 php), Rosu Miso Tonkatsu set (395 php), a Seafood Combination Katsu set (490 php) and a Chicken Katsudon set (385 php). They have a 10% service charge on top of the total bill. Out of the three, I liked the Seafood Katsu set the best.

(clockwise from upper left) Rosu Miso Tonkatsu, Seafood Set,
Chicken Katsudon Set, Signage

Sunday, April 13, 2014

0 response

Read More

Frankees just opened last year in May and the restaurant still has that new-ish feel. Or maybe they just keep the place really clean, which is definitely a good thing.

If you're asked what kind of food Frankees serves, you'll definitely be lost for words since there isn't really one word or specific cuisine that describes it like Chinese, Filipino, Seafood, Fast food, etc. The nearest thing I could think of is "comfort food" as Frankees menu is a combination of usual favorite's and other unhealthy but delicious meaty dishes. Apparently, they're also proud of their Molten Lava Cake though we weren't able to try it when we were there. Next time, we'll definitely try it.

(Top) Baby Back Ribs, (L) Oriental Sesame Salad,
(R) Grilled Tuna in Lemon Butter Sauce

Monday, March 17, 2014

0 response

Read More

I've been to this restaurant twice and I would gladly come back if it weren't for one problem: their cooking takes waaaay too long. But if you're willing to wait for more than an hour during peak times, then you'll be satisfied by their tasty Chinese/Filipino food and the affordable prices that they charge. You can also call them in advance so that they could cook your food ahead of time. We did this but we still had to wait for around 10-15 minutes for our food.

The waiters there could benefit from more training since they're not too attentive. They don't serve water automatically and calling their attention takes so much time and effort. We actually saw some other diners get fed up calling waiters and decided to just stand up and go to the counter to order. Be prepared of this difficulty especially if you chose a table in the airconditioned section at the back of the restaurant.

Despite those two major cons regarding their service, we visited this place a second time because they offer tasty and affordable food. From what I know about the restaurants here in CDO, Tsinoy's is the only Chinese/Fil restaurant at this price level. So there's no mystery why it's always full (too full actually since they really can't handle all the orders). I really hope they improve their service since my family and I would love to eat here more frequently. Also, they should really start accepting credit card as payment method soon as that's really basic for a restaurant this size to have.

(L) Scallops in Black Bean Sauce, (R) Steamed Lapu-Lapu
and Yang Chow, (B) Ripe Mango Shake

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

0 response

Read More