Gigi Coffee and Cupcakes

I was invited to try GIGI Coffee and Cupcakes one weekend and didn't have second thoughts since I well know my range when it comes to sweets and desserts. I often go to Eastwood City to meet former colleagues and friends, but this place has gone unnoticed until that weekend. Their shop is located at the Ground Floor of Felina Bldg. which is nearly few steps away from Citibank Bldg. and Watson's Store. I used to work in this area seven years ago and this shop is exactly where Gloria Jeans was formerly located.

Just a bit of store background, GIGI Coffee and Cupcakes is a partnership formed by Gigi Gaerlan, Joey Luna, Dondi Gaite, and Cynthia & Ivy Almario in July 2012. I'm so happy to meet Gigi herself and her husband Patrick with unica hija Erika. Gigi Gaerlan's first business is Gigi's Custaroon, which practically gave her the expertise in this line of business. I haven't tried custaroons yet but they describe it as a combination of smooth and creamy flan topped with a chewy, buttery crust. How I wish they include them in the menu some time soon. 

The Interior:

First thing you will notice is the combination of green, black and white interior which was by the way done by Cynthia & Ivy Almario. I would describe it as simple and elegant. Their objective is to give an outdoor feel but without the heat and the pollution, thus the grass-like carpet and indoor plants. If I'm not mistaken, they used rattan chairs. The entire place is just so relaxing.

The shop is WiFi enabled and look, they also accept credit and debit cards for your purchases!

The shop is somewhat part of the building lobby so tenants and employees regularly pass by. To maximize the allotted space, they also placed coffee tables and chairs on the side. The entire place is quite spacious whereas other common cupcake shops are stand-alone shops or for take out orders only.

The Menu:

They have a good selection of hot and cold coffee blends by Iberica Coffee. Notice that they offer Lemongrass tea and Organic tea bag too. Best of all, one cupcake costs Php40 only and bulk orders entitles you discounts. That is really affordable!

The Food:

They got sandwiches and fruit juices, ideal for employees who take breakfast at work. You may consider this option if you're monitoring carbo intake and not wanting to eat a heavy meal.

Chewy fruit candies

They offer between 15 to 20 different cupcake flavors and they change the variety everyday. That afternoon, available flavors were Sea Salt Chocolate, Raspberry, Green Tea and Chocolate Chip. 

There's also Peppermint and Chocolate.

And the ever bestselling Red Velvet. 

Cheese squares

I tried four different flavors namely Green Tea, Raspberry, Sea Salt Chocolate and Red Velvet and paired it with White Mocha frap. My frap was perfect for a scorching afternoon - so refreshing, with right amount of sweetness and very creamy up to my last sip. I noticed that their cupcakes come in a smaller size which is good because that gives you enough space to try more flavors. I also find it slightly sweet (sugar level probably intensified because of my mocha frap), and their cupcakes have a consistent moist in each flavor. In fact, the cake itself is already delicious even without the frosting. The cupcake's shelf life is roughly 4 to 5 days and best stored in room temperature. 

So far, my top two favorites were Sea Salt and Green Tea. I love cupcakes with distinct flavors in each, one serves as a neutralizer to the sweetness. If you're not much into drinking green tea then I suggest you choose another flavor because the leafy aftertaste might be a bit strong for you. Sea salt, on the other hand, reminds me of tuyo and champorado. If you understand how well they go together then Sea Salt cupcake is a must-try.

Overall, I am impressed with their cupcakes and how they put effort from baking to packaging. As early as now, I'm considering them for a friend's baby shower later next month. GIGI Coffee and Cupcakes has one branch at the moment and is planning to expand soon in Shangri La Mall and Fort BGC. To get the latest updates and promotions, visit their official Facebook page.

GIGI Coffee and Cupcakes
Felina Corporate Plaza Lobby, Eastwood City,
1110 Quezon City, Philippines
(02) 234 2842

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Thank you so much for inviting us and for sharing the success story of your business.

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Here's My Take..

Have you ever thought if there's no such thing called "Mother" in this world? Perhaps, a grade school, a teenager or even a young professional might answer that it's OKAY because no one's going bug them to review class lectures every schools days, no one's going to force them to finish their food or to eat veggies, no ones going to call them baby in front of their friends, no one's going to sms them from time to time when they're out clubbing or no one's going to contradict when you're in a relationship with someone she didn't like. As selfish as it sounds, we may, at some point in our lives, have experienced these and we will never know how painful it is to endure unless tables have turned.

Once upon a time, I was a brat who demands to live according to what I want. What I believe is that I'm always alone and no one understands. I know, it's something no one can be proud of and how I truly wish to erase all the chaos in the past. Maybe not just erase but reformat everything, totally. But regret is just a waste of time and all we need is to move forward positively. 

So if you think you were like me years ago, here's my two cents. I encourage you to be thankful for all the good things around you and life will surely be kind. I've learned that if you deal things with a lighter heart, loving back those people who cares for you, especially the one who took all the risk to bring you on Earth, is not even an ounce impossible. Find time to reflect, start at your own pace and  take a gradual leap. You'll realize (or even be ashamed) why you wasted time to take the maze when your Moms clearly led you to a straight path even from the start. There is certainly a good life with your future family awaiting for you.

Happy Mother's Day to you and your lovely Moms!

From the woman behind this blog who has experienced life's greatest miracle.

 

Bizu Patisserie

After a week-long of catching up with crazy deadlines at work, I finally gave in for a short afternoon me-time at Bizu Patisserie. Originally, the plan is to pick from their tasteful bestselling selection of Macarons de Paris and pair it with hot tea. The idea is just so relaxing - sipping a cupful of one of the finest teas, indulging delicious macarons and not minding anything but these. I was ushered by their staff and excitedly (but thoroughly) did a run through of their menu. From breakfast meals to afternoon tea set or choose from beef/pork/lamb meat to desserts ala minute, you name it and they got it!

 

So here's what I had for my lovely afternoon. While waiting for my food, I was served with a complimentary basket of toasted wheat and butter. I recall the exact taste from the bread service we had in The Sweetest Thing event we attended not so long ago. 

{ Earl Grey Supereur Loose Leaf Tea from France Php185/pot }

I was torn between Rose Petal and Earl Grey tea but settled for the latter because I somehow missed its distinct aroma and citrus-y taste. Earl Grey Supereur, according to their website, is a non-smoked black tea with hints of bergamot, lime, bitter orange, lemon peels and cornflower.

{ Blueberry French Toast Php325 }

It took me a while to order my Blueberry French Toast because I'm more of a pancake and waffle person. What helped me decide was this cooking show I've seen last weekend which prepared homemade toasts with  fresh fruit toppings. This is my first time to order French toast and it exceeded my expectations having it first tried at Bizu. I relished each bite of my toast, thinking how much time it took them to soak it with beaten eggs. And the luscious blueberries, how I wish we can grow them here in our country. Blueberry French toast is part of their breakfast meal, but honestly, it can also pass as a dessert for me. 

What a lovely afternoon view in this feminine slash Victorian inspired interior. It can get a bit noisy inside though. Tables are really close from each other so there's no chance for discreet conversations. I also find the menu a bit pricey but since my blueberries were definitely authentic, then perhaps that gives justice to the added VAT and service charge on top of my bill. Should you wish to grab your Mom and girl friends once in a while for a sort of  "virtual" tea party in Paris, then this is the perfect spot you must visit. 

Bizu Patisserie & Bistro

Greenhills Shopping Center,

Promenade, Service Rd.

San Juan, Metro Manila

(02) 724-2498

Moms’ Day Serenades at the Power Plant Mall

Treat that special woman in your life – Mom, of course – on Sunday evening, this May 12 on Mother’s Day with classy and sweet Mother’s Day concerts at the Rockwell Power Plant Mall.

The renowned and innovative ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra, under the baton of Maestro Gerard Salonga, will perform their “Feel Harmonic” concert at the Concourse level at 7pm. Besides songs paying tribute to Mom on her special day, creative symphonies and renditions of classical music will delight her as well, as you treat her to dinner at any of the dining establishments at the Concourse level.

You can also choose an outdoor setting by dining along Lopez Drive. The Manila String Machine Quartet will treat shoppers to sweet ballads and love songs from A-Z, also at 7pm. You’ll be thrilled with the sweet versions of pop, jazz and rock & roll favorites played on violin, viola and cello.

The heart of fashionable Manila shows its big heart for Mom this Mother's Day. Catch these concerts at the Power Plant Mall and make Mom smile. For more information, visit  www.facebook.com/PowerPlantMall or call 898-1702.

This is an advertorial post. 

Wham! Burgers

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We all remember how we raved about different burger joints few years ago. In fact, Wham! Burgers was one of them. I first tried Wham! Burgers in their Katipunan branch. However, no matter how much I liked their burger patties, if there's no enough tables and chairs for a group of hungry customers, might as well check another place to eat within the vicinity, right?