Miren. Satisfies Your Sweet Tooth

As I mentioned, I was shocked to discover that there are lots of new restaurants and cafes in Bacolod since my last visit in June. Throughout the duration of my holiday vacation in my hometown, I try to discover as much of these new establishments as I can. 

One of the new establishments that really caught my attention is a new cafe located in the area where the old The Gypsy Tea Room used to be. The new cafe, Miren., features delicious cakes, pastries, sundaes, paninis and pastas. 

Apart from the delicious dishes, the cafe is full of white decors and a mural of a pinkish hibiscus plant on one corner, a dragonfly on the other. 

Since they were celebrating Christmas, the centerpieces on each table was a ceramic Santa Claus figurine. I'm curious to know what they will be substituting them with after the holiday season. 

This makes me think Santa was held up by the tooth fairy :)

Upon arrival, Mimi, Cristel, and I headed straight to the displayed cakes. We couldn't decide what to order because everything looked so delicious! We wanted to try everything but that was bad for our pockets and our diets tummy too! In the end, we settled for different things...

the cakes on display

even the cupcakes looked delicious!

Cristel ordered the Vanilla Sundae which came on a hearty bowl topped with almonds, whipped cream, chocolate syrup, a cherry and a Stik-o stick. 

Vanilla Sundae, Miren.
(P60)

Mimi's order was a slice of the Strawberries and Cream cake which reminded me of Strawberry Shortcake. It was a chiffon cake sandwiched with a thin layer of strawberry sauce and topped with more strawberry goodness.

Strawberries and Cream, Miren.
(P70)

My order came last... a slice of Red Velvet Cake. I don't like chiffon cakes but this particular cake blew me away. I really liked it because it was not too sweet. My two other friends also liked my order so we decided to share.

Red Velvet Cake, Miren.
(P70)

All in all, I would return to Miren. and I would definitely recommend it to those who have a sweet tooth. Unlike the other pastry shops in Bacolod, the cakes here are good and not too sweet. Plus, they are reasonably priced!

Miren. is located at the Ground Floor of Lopue's Mandalagan Annex Building, Mandalagan St., Bacolod City. It is in the vicinity of Chicken House Mandalagan, Orange Gallery, and Cafe Joint. 

Greetings from Bacolod!

Hey guys! I'm sending you all my holiday greetings from my hometown, Bacolod City. Sorry if I haven't blogged for a while, I've been busy with work + deadlines and settling in. I promise when I've got content, I'll post them right away!

But for now, here's a Christmas photo of me and my dog :)

Gastro Chef's 2010 Christmas Promo Starts Today!

I remember last year, I got to join Gastro Chef's Christmas Promo and was awarded a toque hat. But since I wasn't in culinary anymore, I gave the hat to someone who wishes she was studying culinary. 

Well, anyway. Gastro Chef's 2010 Christmas Promo starts... TODAY. Yes, the much awaited and ever successful promo of this famed establishment is launching today.

If you're a fan of answering trivia questions and culinary topics, just go to their website: GASTRO CHEF and answer their daily secret question. 

This promo will take place during all weekdays of the month starting December 1 until the 24th! So hurry, join if you like free stuff!!! ^,^

The End of November...

Okay, so another month's just a few minutes from ending. And I'm getting closer and closer to the date of my scheduled flight which is on December 14. The problem is, I'm still debating whether or not I should go. One of the biggest reasons why I don't want to go home anymore is because I might not get to spend Christmas with my dad. After several emergencies this year, I don't want to think what might go wrong or even if it's the last. Scratch that...

On the other hand, I'm really looking forward to going home so I can have interesting posts for my blog. But again, this is something I'm not 100% sure of accomplishing.

Sigh..... Decisions. Decisions. Should I go home?

Joyeux Noël Diary: Delifrance Joyeux Noël

During one of my early arrivals in Makati, I was able to see the Joyeux Noël menu prepared by Delifrance. I was so interested by how well they twisted each traditional Christmas dish which is why I decided to make this franchise as the first of my Joyeux Noël Diary entry, where I give tips on what to give for Christmas.

Joyeux Noël by Delifrance

Joyeux Noël by Delifrance 

Since I decided to skip the occasion last year, I plan to make the most out of this year's festivities (minus the holiday weight gain, of course). For those who are looking for good presents to give as corporate giveaways or just friendly gifts, check out Delifrance's lineup of delicacies:

House Red Wine

Fantasy Fudge, P285
312g

Almond Toffee Bark, P195
200g

Premium English Fruitcake

Yule Hamper, P1550
House Red Wine, Choco Chip Almond Biscotti, Coffee Beans,
Coffee Cinnamon Cookie, Assorted Bars, Limited Edition Coffee Cup

Chocolates: Fantasy Fudge, Almond Toffee Bark

French Espresso Fruitcake Petit, P130

Premium English Fruitcake Petit, P130

Tarts, made to order

Fruitcakes, made to order

Chocolates and Cookies, made to order

Aside from the ones captured above, there are a number of Party Trays filled with canapes, croissants and mini tarts that you can serve for your party. 

Now I know what to give my friends. For me, I've got my eyes on the Fantasy Fudge. ^,^


* good news to every Delifrance fan, they are not closing down. They will undergo company change on January 1. They will become Cafe France on that date. ^,^ 

Going Home For A Break

stressed out

After a few months of non-stop writing/working, my body suddenly decided to give up. Ever since the incident happened last November, I have focused all of my energy on working. Even during Christmas Eve and New Year, I was working my butt off. It was the only way I could stop thinking about the crap I went through.

Well, anyway. That's until I experienced total body malfunction. Since December 24, I have been experiencing a weird bowel movement. It would go on and on for several days and even came to a point I couldn't eat anything 'cause I would run to the comfort room in the middle of the meal. I thought it was finally over last January 2. But it came back a few days later.

My friends are getting worried and they keep telling me to go to the Doctor. I'm just too lazy to go to the doctor instead of waiting when I could get some work done. And besides, whenever I think of going to the doctor, the symptoms stop. So it really leaves me confused. I have lost weight ever since December (I hope I have). But even if I'm not so sure of this, I can feel it.

One of my closest friends, Cristel, mentioned that I might be stressed out already. Working for me right now is an addiction. Whether if I'm home or if I go out, I always have my laptop with me and be in Coffee Bean so I can use unlimited WiFi. But for these past two days, I have not brought my trusted companion out. I have to take a break.

After several hours and days of deciding whether or not I should go home (to Bacolod), I finally agreed to go because my dad offered to buy me my plane ticket. While I will be doing a "little" work in my 4 days stay at home, I will also be going out a lot with my friends.

One of the scheduled trips I have with my friends is the USLS Sportsfest which we will be watching with Mimi, a Korean dinner, a mini-reunion with my College friends, and some hanging out with guy friends. I hope by the time I get back to Manila, I have already recovered and I can revert back to the old me who can write 50 articles a day without feeling sick.

Wish me luck guys... And Bacolod friends, see you tomorrow Jan. 18-22!