Ice cream is my all-time favorite dessert because it's perfect for beating the Philippine heat and…read moreit isn't as heavy as other desserts. I've always been vocal about Lilac Street's lack of dessert places, so I was extremely excited when I first saw Frozen Break - finally, an ice cream bar along Lilac! On my first visit, my friend and I tried their churro cup with salted caramel ice cream and butterscotch topped with green tea ice cream. The former was so good, we finished it in just 2 minutes or so! Haha! The churro cup had a nice soft & chewy texture and wasn't too sweet nor overly cinnamon-y. The salted caramel ice cream perfectly complemented the churro cup!!! As for the butterscotch, it had a much tougher texture, but its inside was chewy and nutty, which went well with the smooth green tea ice cream. On my second visit, I went with another friend and my boyfriend; both of them tried Frozen Break's sundaes - avocado for my friend, while my boyfriend had mantecado ice cream. Man, the avocado ice cream was clearly the winner!!! As for me, I had another churro cup, but this time, I opted for some blueberry cheesecake ice cream, which had a great color, but the taste was just ordinary; I wouldn't be able to identify the flavor if I didn't look at the menu. We were also given a taste of their carrot cake, which was too sweet, especially since they also partnered it with some pale-looking pistachio ice cream. Frozen Break's ice cream supplier is Arce Dairy. They also have a variety of savory dishes, which I am looking forward to try. While waiting for your orders, you can also play some boardgames and even play with your pets! The last bit can be taken both positively & negatively as pets are family, too, BUT they since the place is enclosed & air-conditioned, their smell kind of lingers.

If you're in the area of Lilac St. in Marikina, pay Frozen Break Ice Cream Bar a visit and order…read morethe salted caramel ice cream in a churros cup. After a hefty lunch at a nearby grill, I hardly had any room for dessert. But this was too hard to resist. A light pastry that is neither too sweet nor cinnamon-ey, with a crisp exterior, the churros cup didn't need anything else. Not the dusting of sugar. Not the caramel drizzle. Not even the ice cream. Frozen Break's churros would do very well on its own.

Was here for a quick snack while walking around eastwood. This is a korean owned establishment and…read moreat the time wasent busy. I ordered the strawberry cheese bingsu. But they have about 14 other bingsus to choose from. They really follow the mantra of do a few things exceptionally instead of a lot of things but just average. It was cold, it was delicious and it really hit that sweet spot. It wasent overly sweet but u knew for sure it was a dessert. The strawberries were fresh and quite delicious. The pieces of cream cheese was good as well. And the strawberry drizzle or jam was throughout the bingsu. We got the regular size which was quite enough for one person. It was an excellent treat while walking the hot streets of manila!!

This bakery became my go to place for sweets. The ensaymada and cheese rolls were my late mom's…read morefavorite and mine as well. i recently tried cinnamon rolls it was good as well. The sourdough bread was light and great for sandwiches. I have yet to try the brownies and lemon bars. I will though the next time i am home. i highly recommend.

Love this bakery and for the quality you get, it's completely worth the price. Nothing tastes like…read morethey skimped on ingredients or used any substitutes for the real thing. This branch is in a really convenient location and is maintained well. The people who work here are also super nice! I bought my birthday cake (the Purple Carousel chocolate cake) here, and they gave me an extra bag of sweets! My favorites are their: *Lemon bars - really great lemon flavor and have a tart, refreshing sweetness *Chocolate revel bars - probably the best I've had *Chocolate Campfire cake - very rich, but in this amazing way where you don't get tired of eating it! I've also had their: *Purple Carousel chocolate cake - classic chocolate cake with these chocolate wafers on top *Mini Pecan Pie - not the consistency I prefer in a pecan pie but the flavor was still very good *Mini Chocnut Pie - light, could use a stronger chocnut flavor, I really liked the crust though *Cookies - I love cookies so I usually get 1 or 2 with whatever else I'm buying that day, theirs are crispy on the edges and chewy on the inside *Quiche Tinapa - Liked this a lot and just ate mine chilled, but I think it would be better to warm it a little at home

Rocha's puto is really special and delicious. Actually it is one of my favorite places to get puto…read morein the world. The puto is chewy and cheesy. I could probably eat a whole box in one sitting. If you are in Marikina, I highly recommend buying a box or two! Next time I'm in Marikina this is a must visit for me.

First day of school. You will expect the students to talk about academic issues. But, surprise,…read moreRocha's Puto at Kutsinta made its way into the conversation. My classmate asked me where I was from and I answered Marikina. Quickly, she remarked: "I've been there. Dumayo kami to try Rocha's Puto and Kutsinta. You're famous for that, di ba?" And all the while I was thinking Marikina was famous for shoes! But, maybe, the palate makes a greater impact on the memory than the feet. Oh well, this is one time I am happy to be wrong. The puto of Rocha's is really quite good. Flavorful but not overly sweet. Soft and fluffy and never buhaghag. This rice cake from Rocha's is becoming a staple at meals served for family celebrations. So, next time, if you are going to a potluck party, you now have more options than just spaghetti, pancit or pizza. Visit Marikina and buy Rocha's Puto and Kutsinta. Marikina, the puto and kutsinta capital of the Philippines? Not bad.

The Pastry Cart. Perhaps not many people are familiar with this name... but I'm guessing these same…read morepeople have heard of the Manila-famous San Marcos cake. If not, oh man, I guess you've just been missing out on half of your life until this moment. I'm an absolute sweet tooth... I could be throwing up because I overate but leave room for dessert anyway. Having said that, I know what I'm talking about when it comes to good cakes because I've tried so many of them. Camille Ocampo's The Pastry Cart is a business that is pure genius. More than being a business, it's all about good dessert. The San Marcos is also known as the creme brûlée cake. Text Camille for an order and for the complete list of her offerings. Sugar-free San Marcos is also available.

If you're looking for one of the best cakes in town, then The Pastry Cart has got you covered. This…read morehas got to be one of the best cakes I've ever tasted and worth every single peso in my wallet. Numerous posts of their Crème Brulee cake has scattered online especially in foodie social media accounts. Ms. Camille Ocampo is the brainchild of this heavenly invention and you can place your order anytime and pick it up in their Valle Verde branch. Originally called the San Marcos cake that has evolved to Crème Brulee cake, it is just how you imagine a Crème Brulee getting an oversized treatment. Soft and moist chiffon cake topped with caramelized sugar is just perfect. It comes in a big box similar to Tiffany and Co's color scheme called Tiffany Blue so it's definitely a stand out. For the price of 900 pesos, this cake is worth every calorie.

It's not Japanese at all, believe me! This restaurant offers American, Italian and some Asian…read moredishes that you'll be longing for after taking in your last bite. Starting from their Newspaper style menu, you'll know that you're in for a great time in dining here. I suggest that you go for Chicken Teriyaki Casserole, Chicken Parmigiana and their Pork Chop dishes! Definitely worth every Peso. Their desserts are also very much calling out to your sweet teeth, as they offer a la mode French toasts, mini cakes and some chocolate treats. Their staff is very welcoming and warm, they'll assist you in each way they can.

Signature salad is good, didn't like the truffle mushroom soup,preferred Mary grace mush room…read moresoup,tebasaki chicken is good, strawberry almond salad is also good

For her birthday, my friend decided to buy a pint of Salted Caramel ice cream worth PhP 400+ at…read moreCarmen's Best, which was located in the next barangay. Yes, you read it right: She did not only choose to drive to the next barangay to get her ice cream. It was really just a pint of ice cream that she was thinking of buying and it already would cost her PhP 400! This ice cream must be really good, I said to myself. For making us visit another barangay for just a pint, it had to be. The circumstances really made me curious about this ice cream. Jokingly, I told my friend that I wouldn't leave her place without having tasted even just a spoonful. And, like a good friend indeed, when I told her I were to leave in a few minutes, she gave me a cup of Carmen's Salted Caramel Ice Cream. Just one taste and my leaving was stalled for awhile. That Salted Caramel was sooo delicous. Very sweet, rich and creamy. I could tell the makers really did not skimp on the ingredients. Sinful, I felt sinful. Not because of partaking of this heavenly ice cream, but for judging it before even tasting it. Forgive me, Carmen, whoever you are. Not again will I be skeptical about your creation. When they say your ice cream is the best, they really mean it. Even just one pint is worth a drive to the next barangay.

I say this without bias or compromise: Carmen's Best Ice Cream is the best ice cream in all of…read moreMetro Manila. And before you think about contesting this statement, know that this is coming from an ice cream aficionado. I have no ties with the owner of Carmen's Best. Also, if you're contesting this, I hope that you've actually tasted CB. The Malted Milk flavor I guarantee will bring you to your knees. It is UNPARALLELED in its taste, consistency and texture and I can tell that the ingredients used are the finest of their kind. Eating this ice cream is a luxury and an otherworldly experience. I'm not one to talk about food like this, but it's true.

I always get very excited whenever a new coffee shop opens in Maginhawa. My neighborhood has plenty…read moreof good restaurants where you can eat your fill, but sadly, there are only a handful of places where you can relax and sit down with a book while enjoying your coffee. Some of the places are always full, and some close rather early. I really loved it when Magpie opened in StrEAT, not only because they are very close to my house, but also, because they offer really good coffee and real espresso, which is always a plus. I am a big espresso machiatto person, and when a shop makes good espresso with a hearty layer of crema, I'm sold. Magpie is in the hopping and popping Maginhawa StrEAT Food Park, and when all of the other stalls are chaotic, loud and always filled with the hungry hordes, Magpie seems like an oasis of calm and relaxation. The air-conditioned premises are a far cry from the hot and humid outside seating areas. The glass walls create a sound barrier that isolates the coffee shop from the commotion of the food park. Here, you can pick a table and zone out. The smell of coffee fills the air, and the casual yet reserved coffee shop din is comforting, not distracting and overwhelming. Russel, the owner is always fun and quirky, and her baristas are friendly, knowledgeable and skilled at making the beverages. They told me that the source their coffees from the North, bringing to their store the best of Kalinga, Benguet and Sagada blends. What I also love about Magpie is its Korean pastries and ice desserts. The green tea bing soo is a refreshing treat when you want to stave off the summer heat. Local coffee and Korean desserts? A perfect marriage, if you'll ask me.

Magpie Cafe is one of the food trucks/food stalls found in Maginhawa strEAT Food Park Area…read more Definitely a coffee lover haven, they not only serve coffees and frappes, but they serve desserts as well. Mango madness had me crazy!! It's an ice shavings dessert with whipped cream, graham, chocolate drizzle and mangoes on top. Definitely a must-try! Affordable price, too!

Milk and cookies. Again, a winning combination. You can't really go wrong with milk and cookies…read more Then there's this place that pretty much marries the milk and the cookie. A cookie cup for your milk. Genius! For milk and cookies, I shall brave any measure of lactose intolerance. For... erm... science. Yes. Science. It's a cozy little cafe and the menu isn't anything special. Coffee, tea, smoothies... but we're here for the milk and cookies, aren't we? I suppose for what it's worth, it's worth the experience. A shotglass sized cookie and a nicely sized pot of milk. There's nothing really remarkable about the cookie or the milk either. It's a pretty typical cookie and pretty typical milk but again, it's an experience. Definitely worth a try at least once if only to say you've tried it. The ambiance is pretty good, too. It's a nice place to hang out with a small group or to kill some time by yourself.

I've been on the hunt for those cookie shot things for a while. Isn't it terribly amusing to have a…read morecookie, shaped like a little shot glass, that you can eat after a "shot" of milk? I have a super ridiculous visual of badass Rugrats-like toddlers enjoying "a round" hahahahahahahahahahaha. Thankfully, I learned about Cookie Mug and it finally satisfied my curiosity with the whole thing! The place is up on the second floor of this commercial building right past the bridge on Lilac Street. It calls itself a snack lounge so they have that whole cozy lounge interior and offer a bunch of cakes and cupcakes along with some coffee, tea, and smoothies. I went straight for the cookie shots though. They have it in 3 different sizes and you buy the milk separately- your choice of fresh milk, chocolate, caramel, or mocha. I got the small ones and had the regular fresh milk which came in this adorable little pot! Aaah!!! I was laughing to myself a bit as I poured the milk and took my first "shot." Then I ate the hell out of that cookie. Hee! I'm usually very nitpicky about stuff being value-for-money, but here, even if the cookie tasted just okay and the milk was just your regular supermarket fresh milk, I didn't mind at all. You're paying for cute here, and it really is the cutest thing! Already worth it on that level, hahaha. Go spare a few hundreds and treat yourself to a fun, kooky (ehe) afternoon!