Khayil's started out as a bakeshop where customers ordered custom cakes. They added meals to the…read moremenu due to customer demand. We also met Khayil, the owner Anna's 12-year old daughter, whom the restaurant is named after. It's a family business with 3 generations working there - grandmother, mother and daughters. THE FOOD We started with the Crispy Pata (P550) - the skin was thin and crisp! It was really thin compared to other crispy patas I have tried. My piece of crispy pata skin reminded me of a dorito chip! Beef Kaldereta - this was slightly spicy, with a thick sauce that only had a hint of liver and cheese. Best eaten with rice! Khayil's uses creamy dinorado rice, and paired with the beef caldereta, resisting eating more is just impossible. We were also served some Pinaputok na Bangus, deboned bangus stuffed with onions and tomatoes, wrapped in banana leaves and grilled. We could really taste the freshness of the bangus. Why does food always tastes fresher when in the province?! They also have a Sizzling Bulalo which was done ala pobre style with fried garlic and mushroom sauce. As for dessert, I like their light & fluffy Red Velvet cupcake and their Mango cupcake. Cupcakes are P65 each. IMPRESSIONS I loved the quirky and cute design of the restaurant. It is simple, but the personal design touches like the pastel framed quotes and the printed placemats just made me feel like they make an extra effort to welcome their customers. The food is delicious - I liked everything I tried. It tastes like wonderful home cooking, like true home cooking you'd expect to find in the provinces where they have time to make everything from scratch and to cook it for a long time. Khayil's Bakeshop is a very homey place, it feels like being a guest at a friend's ancestral house in the province, and being stuffed with good, local dishes.

Php 40.00 moist cupcake as good (or even better) as Sonja's (as it is considered as one of the best…read morein the market) apparently exists! Where else, but in UP. UP Shopping Center is not just a haven of cheap printing and photo copying services but of inexpensive and quality food and drinks as well. Visit Stall #3 and you will notice Amelie's cute cupcakes displayed in a glass shelf just right behind its stall's glass windows; it's the only stall that sells cupcake in SC's hallway so it's quite difficult to miss. Amelie's cupcakes and bakeshop is not shouting for costumers, it doesn't have any tarpaulin or signage posted against its windows much like its neighbours. I actually underestimated their cupcakes at first and thought it were just some cheap tasting cupcakes found in local bakeries because the store didn't looked like most of the delectable cupcake stores in the market. It was because of its affordable price of 40 pesos per piece that I gave it a try. After giving my lemon cupcake a bite, I felt ashamed of myself, judging this bakeshop by its facade. IT TASTES SO GOOD I CANNOT HELP BUT TYPE IN ALL CAPS! We all know that the usual price of a cupcake nowadays really goes beyond the typical food budget of most Filipino citizens, and I practically think I am one of those, so I was so happy being able to find an inexpensive QUALITY cupcake in UP. You'll know that every cupcake in Amelie's is baked with love because the owner Amelie herself is always in the shop, baking the cupcakes herself. Her cupcakes and other pastries (crinkles, brownies, and chocolate chip and oatmeal cookies) are not made in bulks so you can expect quality over quantity here. It's apparent by the look of how Amelie manages her store that she's baking not for the profit but because it's her passion and she's no question good at it. Amelie usually bakes cupcakes of Red Velvet, Carrot, Rainbow and moist chocolate flavors. She also has blue berry cheesecake squares, egg pies and other pastries mentioned above at very affordable prices. You can definitely order in boxes without having to worry it will go beyond your budget.

You know the feeling when you discover something really good and it's the same item you bring to…read moreall your potluck parties and give as gifts to your next door neighbors during Christmas? Well, that's Everyday Mom's for us. We've introduced this brand to so many people and there is not one person who didn't like the cupcakes of Everyday Mom's. We discovered this extremely humble cupcake shop a few years ago when their store was still located near the Original Max Restaurant near Scout Tuazon. Unfortunately, the shop moved to a more inconvenient location along Scout Castor. I say inconvenient because somehow, it's so hard to pass by that street due to congestion. Nevertheless, we still remain loyal to our Café Mocha cupcakes that remain the epitome of the perfect cupcake to me. While they do offer other flavors such as Carrot Cake, Black and White and quite recently added a few more options, Café Mocha remains my ultimate favorite. The yrecently increased their prices. But for the taste and quality they offer, the cupcakes are still a winner.

So me and my friends were walking along Tomas Morato to find some place to eat and we found this…read more It's a small place and it's best take out/to go orders. They have a homey ambience tho. They don't have a lot of various flavors, which sucks, most are either made of chocolate or vanilla and there's one with coffee. I chose the Dark Velvet one just to try it at home. But it melted when I got home. Maybe it was partly my fault cause I didn't get home until after 3 hours. I think the price is just right though you need to add about PhP10.00 for the box. Each cupcake will have it's own box if doesn't go by dozens or half dozens. So about the taste, I can't justify the taste cause mine melted already BUT I still found it very good even tho the icing melted. It was just the right kind of sweet. The texture is very fine and firm unlike other cupcakes that are crumbly. I'd give this a 4 if it didn't melt that fast and if it wasn't messy to eat. I won't give them a 5 cause the place is not good for dining in if you're with friends (it's better if you're alone or with one friend), and because they don't have a lot of flavors to choose from. Will drop by when I crave for a cupcake tho. I just wish they had more flavors.

Ever since I opened a small home baking business, I've always taken the opportunity to patronize…read moreother bakeries and dessert stops as part of "research and development" (I know: excuses, excuses!). Baby Cakes, hidden in the basement of Evia Lifestyle Center, and seemingly out of place beside a hardware, a pet shop, a salon, ATMs, and the restrooms. But it can't be denied that it's a pretty little store. True to its name, it displays the daintiest of cupcakes, cakes, cookies, and other desserts. My sister and I sampled the classic Red Velvet Cupcake, and it did not disappoint. I hate crumbly (as opposed to moist) cupcakes, and this one was moist, with a balanced frosting to cake ratio. It was not too sweet, too! The next time you find yourself at Evia and you want a little something to satisfy your sweet tooth or to bring home to your loved ones, look for this tiny sweet shop and discover its treasures.

Remember that Cocina Juan review where I said that they're back and they brought cupcakes? That is…read moreactually literal as this is the cupcake place inside Cocina Juan. We had a cupcake boom in Manila maybe during the late 2013 and into early 2014. Naturally, we have reached our satiety point and became dismissive of those countless cupcake joints. But Cupcakes by Gremlins is another story, with its legitimately delicious and fresh offerings. PROS: Cheaper than the other cupcakes in the vicinity; Serving size is satisfying; The cupcakes themselves are rich in cream and really moist on the inside - just how I like them; They sell those little thingies you stick on top of the cupcakes, which is helpful when you're bringing some for a person's birthday or other celebrations; Packaging is attractive and adorable. CONS: They don't offer the cupcakes cheaper by the dozen, although the ones inside the jar has a bulk order discount; The options are typical, none unique to their brand. TL;DR: Rich and creamy. Perfect for dessert. Not bad as your contribution for Jessica's birthday.

I got to visit Cupcakes by Gremlins just last Friday night when I attended one of my good friends'…read moreevents at Moonleaf Maginhawa. As I waited for the crowd to die down a bit (there were a bunch of highly emotional college kids inside listening intently to every open mic participant), my friends and I decided to check in at Cocina Juan and the adjoining cupcake shop. Now one thing you should know about me is that I love cupcakes. Even before it became the go-to dessert for hipsters (I AM NOT A HIPSTER!), I've been in love with these babies. A personal favorite flavor is red velvet but I've come to like other flavors as well. When we visited this quaint little cupcake shop in Maginhawa, I was pleasantly surprised to find relatively cheap cupcakes pack in a punch! I tried out their caramel cupcake, priced at only 55 pesos, and was delightfully surprised with an assault of yummy flavors. To be honest, I wasn't expecting a lot but I must say that the caramel frosting had just the right amount of sugar. The actual cake wasn't as moist as I wanted it but it wasn't dry either. Too bad I was too full to grab more flavors. Although when we went, the only other flavor available was their Brownie and Strawberry cupcake. I'll check back on this place again when I get to swing by Maginhawa.

I am really not a cupcake kind of person but I just sometimes crave for these and likes to give it…read moreas a gift for someone. So I found this store in Trinoma and, boy, they have a lot of flavors to choose from! They all look good! It was too hard for me to choose. They have two kinds- premium and regular flavors. Premium flavors are more expensive (like Php80-95). I think their prices are bit high for a cupcake. They don't charge for the packaging, and oh their packaging is sooo cute (cupcake shaped domes) and they also give sporks to go with it (spoon and fork in one haha) I got the blueberry creamcheese and the chocolate strawberry cupcakes. I kind of liked the latter cause the blueberry one tastes more of milk than blueberry, and I'm not a fan of milk. The icing was at first not sweet but the sweetness attaches to the throat and you'll need water. The composition was crumbly and I didn't like it that way, it was too messy to eat. In the middle of it is a surprise filling! The filling really tasted good but warning, sugar overload! It lasts longer than the one in Everyday Mom's, but well I wasn't out as long. They offer mini cupcakes too and letters to go with it, which is a happy thing to buy for a friend or friends. I only gave 2 cause of the cupcake itself, no dine ins, and a bit pricey (like you'd rather enjoy a slice of cake than just a cupcake). It's not overly good. The cuteness is deceiving. Haha.

I've seen Manila's food trends come and go. Like when the first Zagu opened up and when tonkatsu…read morewas suddenly a thing and when people were lining up for JCo (hang on, I think that's still a thing). One of the short lived, quieter fads though seemed to be the cupcake. Independent cupcake places started popping up everywhere and then it was over. I've seen fancier places but Frostings is definitely probably one of the humbler spots. Most of these cafes charge around 100php upward for a cupcake and I can't really justify paying that much. If I wanted to spend that much to begin with, I'd just go and find a full slice of cake. Much better bargain in my opinion. Frostings caps at around 65php for their more premium flavors and 50php for their regular flavors. (As of this writing. I've been told there's a price increase of 10php by the weekend. If you're reading this review, chances are they've already gone with the price increase. ANYWAY.) I can say you certainly get what you pay for. The cake isn't anything out of the ordinary. It isn't that dry either nor is it thick and dense. It's just... okay. The frosting however is a bit on the grainy side. Not your smooth, silky buttercream frosting, definitely. Cudos to them having a leche flan cupcake though. That caught my attention. And I did like the fact that they put it in an individual plastic dome. All in all, I'd certainly buy a few for a friend or two if I wanted to give them something special but it's nothing I'd actively seek out for myself. Cupcakes make nice presents but I prefer my desserts a bit more robust.

When it came time to make a birthday cake for my girlfriend's birthday party I really wanted to…read morepull out all the stops. However, I was unable to personally bake it myself as I was arriving the day I was to deliver it and traveling with such a cake I had in mind would be impossible. Marta's to the rescue! These confectionery pâtisseries are no dough punchers, oh no. I don't know what kind of sorcery they practice down at Marta's but the wizards working there know what's up when they conjure up magic in the form of a cake...and how... I had an idea in my mind of what I wanted the cake to look like and I detailed my description in an email to them. Three hours later I got a detailed computer generated 3D graphic of what was inside my brain. WTF? Sold! I don't know what they did to read my mind but it was pretty much smooth sailing from there. The quote came and shortly after I was assigned Diane as my point person throughout the ordering process. Diane was professional, communicates timely, and made sure exactly what I wanted was on the cake. The cake came out perfectly. Quality was world class, and the designs left no stone unturned; impeccably detailed. The cake was sweet and flavorful and all the toppings were completely edible. I recommend Marta's for custom cakes any day of the week and for any excuse to have something sweet. Customers should take note they don't accept credit cards, so make sure you are able to pay in cash or other means. I'll stop here and let my cake photos speak for themselves.

Unquestionably my favorite cupcakes in Manila. Followed with a remarkably wide margin by Sonja's…read moreCupcakes, but I only ever get those when I don't have access to these. My golly. It's a shame because this branch used to be about thrice its current size, and I took little niece here several years ago to decorate cookies. Now that aspect of the store is gone but thank God, the cakes and cupcakes remain. They excel in all that they do -- Marta's specializes in baking honest-to-goodness delicious cupcakes (get butter and butter with marshmallow icing) as well as creating cakes for every occasion. No matter what design you have in mind, these guys can make it come to life.

I couldn't really care about how this particular store isn't as fancy as others of its kind. It may…read morenot have all the bells and whistles, but come on, the only reason why I would ever approach this sort of place is for the food. As its name implies, J. Cuppacakes sells cupcakes. They sell good cupcakes to be more precise. I always thought that any cupcake that's priced below a cupcake by Sonja's would be something that was mediocre. This one proved me wrong. Granted, it's not the first one to do so, but it is one of the few that has. In any case, my experience has taught me that once a store has sold me on one of their cupcakes, there's a very strong chance that everything else they have to offer is as good. Anyway, lemme know if you do give everything a try and if there are flavors that are better than the others.

I hate it how the J.Cuppacakes branch in SM Megamall is nothing like the one in SM Jazz Makati. It…read morehas been reduced to a small kiosk right outside the department store and it holds no resemblance whatsoever to the grandeur of its much greater counterpart. Once you see the branch in SM Jazz Makati, you'll immediately fall head over heels for the place's distinct and sophisticated atmosphere. Everything is decorated with bright pastel colors that can surely soften anyone's mood. There are also pink chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, while bouquets of flowers adorn every counter and table. It's like the perfect place for a tea party. Too bad the J.Cuppacakes in SM Megamall doesn't have any of this. However, they still sell the same kind of cupcakes and pastries that I truly enjoy. I often order the Red Velvet Cupcake and their zesty Lemon Squares. A single bite of these tasty treats will surely make you feel like you're in heaven. PS: I would have given this place a 5 out of 5 stars if it weren't for the shabby little kiosk they call a cupcake shop

As a child, I remember I always borrow my cousin's Barbie house because I am not allowed to have…read moreone of my own (I blame society). I was so fascinated with the Barbie house interior because everything was so pink and cute! The walls are always decorated with fun and bold colors, while the furniture looks so good and pretty that you just can't help yourself from wondering if it's all edible. The moment I walked inside the Vanilla Cupcake Bakery, I felt I was inside a real life-size Barbie house. The walls were decorated with colorful and lovely patterns, chandeliers that look like they're made from candies were hanging from the ceiling, little purple and pink figurines adorn the counter--I just can't help but feel like I am a character from a fairy tale when I am inside this place. This place has no ugly corners. Even the bathroom looks beautiful. I ordered their Red Velvet Cupcake with Cream Cheese Frosting and it tasted heavenly. Just a single bite of this masterpiece can make all of your problems go away.

If you've ever wondered what it's like to die and go to heaven- don't. You can come to Vanilla…read moreCupcake Bakery and see what the afterlife would look like if God was a woman. Fluffy and colorful cupcakes and cakes, fruity interiors and soft, plum chairs made so well, your derriere would never want to leave it. This place is sugarland personified and it was made to taunt, temp and tease you into buying cupcakes that would have you do backflips and cartwheels- it's just that good. And another thing about this bakery is that it's just not possible to be in a bad mood when you're here. Wife angry at you? Make them sit on of their pink thrones. Best friend broke up with her boyfriend? Get them a red velvet cupcake on a pretty plate.Sit and watch as their anger slowly dissipates.