Conti's Bakeshop and Restaurant

The first time I dined in Conti's was almost 6 years ago, when it is not as popular as it is now.  It was in their Serendra branch and I remember not having a hard time getting a seat, still full but not as over crowded as it can get nowadays.  At present, they encourage customers to book a reservation first before going because I heard that you'll have to wait for hours if you're a walk-in customer.

The Conti's that I used to know has a simple interior.  I remember it to be busy with servers walking to and from the kitchen.  Nothing special, just a normal dining place.  The food is something that I don't remember anymore :)

Anyway, I had the chance to dine in Conti's again with my usual companion, my mom and brother.  This time it is in their Katipunan branch.

THE AMBIANCE

I was impressed with their interior.   It isn't the simple Conti's that I used to know.  The interior looks elegant and cozy at the same time.  You wouldn't think that this branch can be as big as it is looking from the outside.   I liked that they were able to maximize their space by having 2 floors for dining guests: one on the basement (?) area and one on the mezzanine (?) area.  I'm sorry I'm not really familiar with the terms.

The photo above is what you'll see on your right once you enter their door.  Those are their baked cookies and other delicious stuff.  The area facing it are comfortable seating area where to go customers can stay while waiting. Behind it is their cashier.  When you pass by the 'cookie station' and turn to your right, you'll see a number of glass door refrigerators. If I'm not mistaken, they have 4 of it.

Mango Bravo overload, yum!

The photo above is what their glass door refs look like--filled with visually appetizing cakes. Of course each have different flavored cakes in them.  Imagine that?! Heaven, right?

THE FOOD

Chicken Ala Kiev (P285.00)

Mom ordered Chicken Ala Kiev.  I'm sorry I'm really bad at taking photos :) It came with garlic rice and mixed veggies.  According to mom, she like how creamy its sauce is.  The chicken is soft that she didn't need to use a knife.

Grilled Pork Chop (P315.00)

Brother ordered their grilled pork chop.  It consists of two pieces of pork chops grilled to perfection. It came with mixed vegetables and java rice. Brother liked it a lot that he had to order another serving of rice to go with it.

American Grilled Spareribs (P295.00)

I, on the other hand, ordered their American Grilled Spareribs.  Like the usual, it came with rice and  a huge serving of mixed veggies.  I like that their mixed veggies are cooked very well.  It didn't seem like it was cooked straight from the fridge. In short, it tasted fresh.  Just the same, what I have for the American Grilled Spareribs are all compliments. Aside from its big serving, it didn't tasted like just any other grilled spareribs that I tried. Yes, the sweet-sour taste is present but it still has a taste of something aside from it. And also, it is so soft that I didn't feel the need to use a knife like mom.

Uhmmm you might be wondering why we don't have any slice of cake after our meal.  We actually had a cake, but we're unsure if a slice for each will satisfy us.  That's why we ordered for a whole serving of Mango Bravo to go and ate it all at home :) No more pictures, I always tend to forget when I get excited about food :)

THE VERDICT

Everything were delicious! None did disappoint.  We're actually going back two weeks from now with a bigger group :)

Conti's Pastry Shop and Restaurant

224 Katipunan Ave. Extn.,

Brgy. Blue Ridge,

Quezon City

Tel. No.: (+632) 682.0812 / (+632) 646.3306

Cafe France

One of Cafe France's branch is located inside the Philippine Heart Center's compound.  My sister-in-law's dad was confined here and since children are not allowed inside, my mom and I volunteered to be the ones to watch over my almost 2-year-old niece instead.  We decided to spend our waiting time in Cafe France.  Being first timers, the very jolly attendant by the counter helped us to decide what to order.  She didn't had an irritated face even if it took us a while to view their menu and order.  She had a very genuine and infectious smile that left me feel lighthearted all through out our stay.

Anyhow, here's what we ordered:

Seafood Marinara (P279.00)
comes with your choice of juice drink

The seafood marinara tastes great! The pasta is cooked al dente.  They didn't scrimped on the seafoods and the cheese as well, which I sooo love!  The pasta came with 2 slices of garlic bread that are not too crispy on the outside and very soft on the inside.  Just the right consistency that I want in garlic breads.  I chose to have an orange juice with it.  I didn't liked how it tasted, though. Can't exactly pin point what it tastes like but it just doesn't taste like an orange juice at all.

Grape Frappe (P125.00)

Since my mom is fond of anything ice-y, she tried Cafe France's grape frappe.  This is what I liked.  It very well tasted like real grapes. The whipped cream on top tasted very good in itself already, what more if it is paired with the blended grapes and ice? So refreshing, I tell you.

racks of freshly baked breads

After realizing that she wasn't able to order anything to eat together with the frappe.  My mom looked by the racks of freshly baked breads displayed near the counter.  She's a pizza lover so it's not surprising for me to see her looking at one. The hawaiian pizza is packed by two slices inside a take out container (lower left corner of the photo above).  While I was about to pay for it, the jolly cashier diligently offered for the pizza to be heated.  I don't know if it's a must for them to do those kind of things for dine in customers but it was really something that I didn't expected.  I mean we're ready and 'cowboy' enough to eat it as is from its plastic packaging.  But we're glad she offered because they made a so-so looking meal be this:

Hawaiian Pizza (P109.00)

I'm sorry the photo above doesn't do any justice to the presentation that was made.  Let me just describe it then, aside from them heating it, they made it a point to add cheese and pineapple on top to make it more visually appetizing and of course yummy (because of the cheese, lol).  How I wish I took a before photo so that you'll be able to appreciate it too.

Overall, the dining experience was enjoyable.  The food was great and the service was superb! 'Will definitely visit if we happen to be within the area again.

Cafe France
Philippine Heart Center
East Avenue, Central,
Quezon City
Tel. No.: 927.9477

Yabu: House of Katsu

Just last week we were able to try out Yabu, the most talked about katsu restaurant in Manila for the past months.  We're actually settled on having lunch at a different restaurant beforehand but for some reason we ended up trying Yabu instead.  From the parking area, I remember walking inside the newly opened Robinson's Magnolia, passing by the food court, finding our way to the restaurant that we want to have lunch at, seeing Yabu from outside, looking from afar, was fascinated by the interior and lighting of the area, walked nearer, then before I knew it we're already seated inside and looking at their menu. Haha!

They have a wide selection of katsu dishes to choose from: pork, chicken, seafood, veggies, name it.  Being first timers, we didn't had a hard time choosing what we want.  Every detail about a particular dish is described in the menu that they give to guests. We ordered their chicken katsu set.  Every katsu set comes with a DIY katsu sauce:

"black and white sesame seeds that you have to crush  'til your hearts content"

The photo above is a cooler (and lighter) version of the mortar and pestle.  It comes with black and white sesame seeds that you have to crush 'til your hearts content.  After the seeds are crushed, it is now time to pour your desired amount of tonkatsu sauce.

I find it nice that they ask guests if it is their first time dining in their restaurant because they really give extra attention to you if you are.  Since it is our  first time, our food attendant familiarized us with the sauces and dressings on our table.  He informed us what each is used  for--which I already have forgotten.  Sorry :)

sauces,dressings and other condiments

Our food attendant, Jerry, is very accommodating to all our requests even if he had other guests to attend to.  Their manager took his time to go around and visit each table to ask if everything is okay as well.

After about 10-15 minutes our food arrived:

The visually appetizing Chicken Katsu Set

Each dish in their menu comes with miso soup, japanese pickles, shredded cabbage, and a  couple of fruit slices.  Their presentation is pretty nice that it made me not want to touch any of it.  But, hunger took over and before I knew it everything was gone! well, except for the plates :)

THE FOOD

I'm not really a fan of tonkatsu but I find their chicken katsu very good.  Its softness didn't gave me a  hard time biting into it.  The chewiness that I don't like in tonkatsus isn't present either.  Its melt in your mouth goodness is something that I want to go back for.

And did I mention that their rice and cabbage is unlimited? Yes, it is.  The moment I knew about it I actually thought of Mang Inasal and Chickboy in an instant.  They are the very sosy version, though :)

THE VERDICT

I'm actually planning to bring hubby here when he gets home. Robinson's Magnolia is too far from where we live but I hope that they have the same kind of service, and food for that matter, in their Megamall branch when we visit.

YABU: HOUSE OF KATSU

Lower Ground Floor, Robinson's Magnolia,

Aurora Blvd. cor. Dona M Hemady St.,

New Manila, Quezon City

Philippines