Chapters - A Book Café, Dipolog City Boulevard

"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly. What is essential is invisible to the eye." That is one of the best quotes from the book, The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry which happens to be the concept of a newly-opened coffee shop located at Dipolog City Boulevard. Chapters - A Book Cafe is the first of its kind in the orchid city of Dipolog.

The place is highly noticeable because of its colorful facade but don't get intimidated to get inside because it is a place for everyone especially those who love to read books. Yes, this is a place full of books and take note, wifi is intentionally not one of their services being offered like most of the coffee shops do. According to their staff, the owner wants to encourage everyone to read books because looking at the world today, everyone is dependent with technology even the kids are already hooked with those high-tech gadgets and they no longer read books.

The interior is really amazing. It is well-planned and brilliantly-designed. It has paintings and quotes on the walls and tables derived from the favorite book of the owner, The Little Prince. One of the unique features inside is their ceiling wherein books are drilled to make that ambiance more inviting.

Also, you will notice their cute furnitures in a form of cups that made it more unique.

My visit is not complete without checking the menu of this coffee shop. I was expecting something unique on the list especially for the food but I was surprised when the staff showed me this...

But it didn't stopped me in asking for what else can they offer. Then the staff offered me some delectable desserts but those desserts are not really made by the owner. The owner has friends who bake cupcakes and will deliver their pastries to be sold in this shop but for the drinks and other beverages, it is a signature and uniquely made in the shop. So, here's what I ordered...

The Apple Cinnamon with Butter Cream Frosting is a personal favorite. The cupcake itself is soft and friendly to the palate.

The Mango Cheese with Butter Cream Frosting is not really a game changer. It's so sweet for me but it has real mangoes in the middle.

Praises to the Chocolate Strawberry in a Jar. This is simply a joy inside a jar because of its luscious chocolate cake mixed with strawberry frosting and cream. I want more! 

The Lemon Muringa is also a favorite. Aside from its colorful presentation, it tastes so good that you can really taste the lemon and malunggay flavor and this is also mixed with nata de coco. So healthy.

Thumbs up to the owner of this cafe of coming up with something like this in the heart of Dipolog City. This is one of the ways to change the perception of the people in Dipolog City about coffee shops. Not all coffee shops are expensive and intimidating. I promise to visit this place when I go home soon.Try to visit this place and see for yourself. Also, you can  check them out through the following social media sites...

Chapters - A Book Café

Dipolog City Boulevard

Cucina Italiana, Dipolog City

It's been awhile since my last visit in my hometown, Dipolog City. One of the things that I usually do is to cruise for a new food spot if there's any or a coffee shop maybe where I can also chill with my family and friends and I am glad to know that Dipolog City is in progress.

One new restaurant that really ignite my curiosity is Cucina Italiana, another restaurant under the management of the people behind the most popular and prestigious D'Hotel and Suites located at the heart of the Orchid City of Dipolog.

The place is cozy and it has a homy ambiance. It is never intimidating instead inviting plus the staff and crew are perfectly friendly and accomodating.

Here's what we gobbled up...

The Puttanesca (Php220.00) is delicious. It has garlic, anchovies, black olives, capers and a hint of chili. The sauce really compliments everything but my friends and I haven't tasted the hint of chili on it. I guess if consumers will ask for it, they can add some chili flakes to make it more spicy. Overall, it's perfect for me.

The Bavaria Pizza (Php330.00) is a 12" oven-baked pizza loaded with mozzarella, assorted sausages, bellpeppers, onions, oyster mushroom and ham. The crust is baked to its perfection plus the ingredients were generously provided on the bed of crust. It is deliciously superb.

Cucina Italiana is a must-go Italian restaurant located in the heart of the city. They also serve sandwiches, rice meals and even wines. I hope they will also serve different kinds of cheeses to be paired with their wines. Take a look at some of their recipes from the menu.

To rate, I will give this resto 8/10 because there's more to improve on for a starter but it's fair enough because of the good food plus the staff and crew and most of all the ambiance.

Have you been to this place? If not, what are you waiting for? Go now and let me hear your thoughts.

Cucina Italiana

Osmeña Street, Dipolog City

(065) 212-1261

Orange Karenderia, Lahug-Cebu City

Aside from the growing list of pizza parlors, baby back ribs restos and milk tea shops in the metro, there's a fuss about this local eatery selling viands that are so affordable and delicious.

Orange Karenderia catches a lot of attention and that made us curious too. The color orange is warm, vibrant and a flamboyant color. It is full of fun, radiates warmth and happiness and it relates to social communication. These might be one of the reasons why the owner came up with such name.

                       

The moment you get inside, it will surely stimulate your appetite and it invites enthusiasm. In short, it is never intimidating.

                              

                                 

What's good about this eatery is that you will get to see how the chefs prepare the food with the freshest ingredients.

                                  

                              

Looking at the prices, they are really affordable but of course we have to try it first before I can say my overall assessment. So, here are our orders...

                               

We started with Itlog Maalat (Php35.00) served with chopped onions and tomatoes. As always, one of the best appetizers.

                               

Next on the list is the Larang Endong (Php80.00). I am not a fan of larang, a soup-based viand with spices and a good choice of fish meat, but it changes my perception. It was seriously good because of the soup itself. It has garlic, onions and I don't know if it's their secret spices that made it so good.

                                

My officemate said that we must try their Chopsuey (Php135.00). It's a stir-fry vegetable dish consist of carrots, string beans, cabbage, squid balls and pork strips bound in starch-thickened sauce. It is good but not really a game changer. It's just like any Chopsuey dish from any other restaurant.

                                 

This might not look good but surprisingly, I can say the best dish so far. This is Betsy's Garlic Chicken (Php130.00). It is made of boneless chicken thigh cut into pieces with teriyaki sauce and sesame seeds. Truly, one of the highlights!

                                 

Looks weird, huh? This is the Crispy Tuna Buntot (price varies by weight). It's the deep-fried yellowfin tail that is also good and it is best paired with soy sauce, vinegar with onions and chili. Yum!

                                  

Lastly, the most controversial dish that we've all been waiting for. It's the Chicharon Bulaklak (Php95.00) or the deep-fried pork intestines. This is not good if you eat too much but the moment this dish landed on my mouth, oh my...it melts in the mouth. Heaven! It is mouthwatering and I must admit, I almost finished the entire serving. Goodness.

My experience with Orange Karenderia is really worth it. The staff and crew are nice, friendly and accommodating. The service is fast and the place is clean. I will definitely go back and try their other dishes.

Take a look at us before leaving the place...

                                     

How about you? Have you already visited this place? Let me hear your thoughts.

Orange Karenderia 

La Guardia St., Salinas Drive,

Lahug, Cebu City

(0917) 721-0923

Opens from Mon-Fri, 9am to 8pm

Dahil Sa Iyo Fastfood, Tacloban City

Sounds familiar? Yes, you're right. It's the famous classic Filipino love song and one of the most popular and favorite songs of the Filipinos. In fact, the original Filipino lyrics has been translated into different languages.

So, what's the connection of the song to this featured fastfood in Tacloban City? The fastfood was named after this song because of the honorable Imelda Romualdez Marcos, the wife of the late President and strongman Ferdinand Marcos who loves to sing the song Dahil Sa'Yo in public gatherings. Mrs. Marcos and her family is very famous in Tacloban City and she is even known to be the "Rose of Tacloban". The admiration of the fastfood owner towards Mrs. Marcos leads them to naming the establishment after her favorite song.

This fastfood offers different viands that you get to choose from.

And it specializes Pakdol, Tacloban's own version of Nilagang Baka (Beef Stew). Almost every place in the Philippines has its own version of this dish just like the song mentioned earlier. 

Pakdol - Php160.00 (good for 2 persons)

I was expecting that it has bone marrows and corn on the cob just like any delicious beef stew but sad to say, there wasn't. What was good about it was the hot, tasty soup with pechay that's good for a cold weather but overall, I wasn't really impressed. My mom's Nilagang Baka is better than this but it could be different for you.

When you get to Tacloban City, visit this fastfood and see for yourself.

Thanks to ph.openrice.com for this photo

Any thoughts? Share it.


Dahil Sa Iyo Fastfood
Brgy. 34, Real Street,
Tacloban City, Leyte

Duz Grill, San Antonio Village, Cebu City

I can't recall when was the last time I had dinner in a peaceful and romantic place until a friend introduced me to this nice and quiet place in one of the subdivisions in Apas, Lahug.

We already went there late at night to make sure that we would be able to appreciate the place and that no one was there except the two of us...romantic huh? But we were wrong, there were a lot of dining customers and I asked myself why I haven't discovered Duz Grill before.

Credits to duzgrill.com for this particular photo

It is a quiet, residential property when Alduz Aizon, the man behind everything and his family was able to come up with a unique and great idea to showcase their creativity when it comes to delicious recipes just right at their place by putting up small areas for dining.

 



Certainly, a very romantic and relaxing place. This place doesn't offer a wide array of food choices. They only have limited options such as ribs and burgers yet with a promise to fill our hungry tummies. This is definitely a place of meat lovers. We ordered...

The Pork Tenderloin Kebabs (Php150.00) is so tender and well-marinated that makes it flavorful. I wasn't pleased though with the serving size for myself. Perhaps, they could either lower the price or put more meat on it. However, it's perfect for a light weeknight dinner, in fairness.

The Spicy Pork Ribs (Php180.00) is simply the best. Its spicy sauce compliments with the tenderness of the meat plus the chopped chilis made it so lovable and unforgettable. Definitely one of the best ribs in town served with veggies and fries plus the price is worth it.

If you want to go there and experience their best-tasting burgers and ribs, check out the sketch below.

Or for reservations, you can contact...

...or visit their website HERE.


Duz Grill
33A Fourth St.,
San Antonio Village,
Apas, Lahug, Cebu City
(0939) 936-9103 / 401-9012