The Travelling Feet

The photo below may not give justice to the beautiful cupcake that you are seeing right now as I only have a point and shoot camera and I’m not good at taking photos of food. Or perhaps it could also be because my friend and I were too excited to taste the cupcakes we bought when we went on a food trip after a tiring yoga class that I failed to take a decent photo of the cupcakes we ordered; then again it could be because the cupcakes were not that photogenic. But there’s only one thing I have to say about these sinful goodies. Yummy!!!

cappuccino, red velvet and a favorite – the mudpie cupcake

Have you ever tried eating a cupcake before? I’m sure you do. But have you tried eating one only to convince yourself what’s there to like on the cupcake that you just consumed? I did that a couple of days before I decided to pay Sweet Little Things a visit. And I didn’t like the fact that I had to decide whether I like what I ate or not on that other cupcake store.

But with the cupcakes from Sweet Little Things, the moment the cake landed on my mouth, it instantly hit all the right spots. To me, it’s a no fuss cupcake. They just sit on the shelf waiting for their next victim. And when they see you and you willingly try them, you will be captivated not only by how good the cupcakes taste but something deep inside will prompt you to ponder on those sweet little things.

Dislaimer: Nope. This is NOT a sponsored post.

Sweet Little Things
J Block, Apitong St. Cor. Escario (beside taiwan shabu-shabu)
6000 Cebu City
Website: http://www.sweetlittlethings.net/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SLTCakes/

When travelling to a new place, one of the things that you must do is enjoy the local food in the area. You should never be afraid to try local delicacies. And when you do decide to go on a food trip, be sure to do some research and check out the best places to eat in a particular city.

Growing up in the wonderful city of Cebu gave me the opportunity to identify the best restuarants in Cebu that you won’t find elsewhere. And that’s where you should start your dining experience – to unique and authentic Cebu-based restaurants and East, West cafe is one of them.

A few years back, I remember dining at East West and the moment I tasted their signature crepes, I fell in love with that small cafe. What I didn’t know is that East, West Cafe would prove to be one of those few restaurants in the city that would become successful and survive the harsh and picky taste buds of the Cebuano crowd.

You see, putting up a business in Cebu is not that easy. With the Cebuanos’ frugal nature, one would opt to spend their money wisely. And setting up a food business is even tougher. You have to win over the hearts of millions of Cebuanos if you want to survive in the food industry. In fact, many huge retail chains have tried but only a few succeeded. And I’m happy to say that my favorite dessert restaurant in Cebu is still alive and kicking. Oh yeah!

During the past, whenever I dine at East, West Cafe, I always order my favorite mango sushi crepe. The crepe tastes so good that you will forget your name for a second. That’s why even if new crepe stores or stalls invaded the malls of Cebu, I’d still follow my heart’s desire and my taste bud’s yearning to devour on those yummy crepes at East West Cafe.

my all-time favorite Mango Sushi Crepe

What I didn’t expect was that I would get the chance to personally meet the owner of my favorite dessert place in Cebu through a random travel adventure at Moalboal. It would be on our second meet-up (at the Cebu Blog Camp3) that I would discover that one of my free diving companions during that Moalboal trip would be the guy behind East, West Cafe – Hendri Go. Being a travel buff, Hendri lights up at the slightest mention of travel adventures and he couldn’t wait to share his own stories during his travels around the world.

East West Cafe is located at the The Walk in IT Park, Cebu City. It currently re-opened and added more food choices on its menu after getting a new face lift, opening more seats on its mezzanine area. I also got the chance to ask Hendri about the history behind east, west and here’s what he had to say…

Doi: What’s the story behind East, West?
Hendri:  Back in 2000, we had just imported a lot of stuff from Italy, that included coffee machines, crepe machines, and Panini grills and I wanted to use/showcase that. That’s the family business kasi, Hug Marketing Inc. We sell food processing, restaurant and bakery equipment; and weighing scales.

Bananas and  Salted Caramel Crepe

Doi: How did crepes got in the picture?
Hendri: I like crepes and I thought it would be a good compliment to the coffee. Also, my goal really is to have a good place for crepes and casual dining in Cebu, infused with a bit of world music, loungey, and travel inspiration.

Bananas, Peanut Butter and Jelly Pocket Crepe

Teriyaki Chicken

Doi: Why the name East West?
Hendri: East, West (note the comma) is from a Salman Rushdie book of short stories that I like. It’s a good way to describe what our food is, what we serve and who we are as Cebuanos/Filipinos. That we are the most western country in Asia and the confluence of two cultures is most prevalent and noticeable here. That we are a mix of east and west and I like to infuse what I like. So once in a while you’ll find shirts for sale, posters of theater shows that I produce, and sayings on the wall that I like.

Spaghetti Meat Sauce Pasta

Doi: Don’t you have plans of branching out?
Hendri: No. It’s a very personal business. I guess that’s why its never really ‘grown’ but I like it that way. It’s more manageable and less corporate.

Bacon Breakfast with egg and rice

Doi: Where was the first east west cafe located?
Hendri: East, West’s  first branch was across the Emergency Room of Cebu Doc back in 2000. We started with just coffee then added food over the years.

Garlic Cream and Sausage Pasta

Doi: I’m seeing that you just renovated the place and added new interesting items in your menu. Can you tell me more about them?
Hendri: We have new crepes, new pasta, and new main meals! Our new crepes include the Bananas and Salted Caramel (my new favorite), Red Velvet and Green Tea & Mango. As for the pasta, we added the Chili Lime Cream and Chicken pasta. For the meals, our latest offerings include the Pepper Pork Steak and the Korean Fried Chicken Wings.

Green Tea and Mango Crepe

Red Velvet Crepe; photo credit: kurtzky

Doi: Sounds yummy! Can you tell me what are your top picks on your menu?
Hendri: It’s really difficult since all of the food we have are delicious. But if I were to pick, my favorites would be the Garlic Cream and Sausage Pasta, Mango Strawberry Slush and of course, the timeless Mango Sushi crepe.

And true to Hendri’s top picks, those are also my favorites at East West Cafe. In fact, I fell in love with crepes because of that heavenly mango sushi. It’s a must-try when you visit Cebu! I also like the garlic cream and sausage pasta. The sweet taste of the sausage compliments the garlic cream pasta and I simply love it.

Bananas and Hazelnut Crepe; photo credit: kurtzky

So if you are first-timers in Cebu and wanted to know the best place to eat dessert in Cebu or if you are looking for restaurants in Cebu, I highly recommend you visit East, West Cafe. And if you are dining as a group, you can reserve the mezzanine level for a more private dining experience.

Travel Bloggers enjoying the food at East, West Café

Do you have your own East, West story? Do share them as I’d love to hear them too!

East, West
The Walk, IT Park, Cebu City
+63 032 4158058
Facebook: east, west
Twitter: @cebueastwest

East West Cafe hours of operation:
Mon – Sat: 11:00 am – 2:00 am
Sun: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm

For more East West Cafe in Cebu stories from friends, check this out:
http://www.thetravelingnomad.com/2011/12/day-4-where-to-eat-at-it-park-cebu-city.html
http://www.looneyplanet.net/2013/01/home-of-savory-crepe-in-town-east-west.html
http://www.kurtzky.com/of-pasta-and-crepes-eastwest-cafe-in-cebu-city/
http://thebisdakexplorer.blogspot.com/2013/01/eastwest-cafe.html

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Iloilo City is a good place to get lost when you are going out on a foodtrip. There are numerous establishments within and outside the city where you can enjoy sumptuous meals. The best part is that they are quite affordable. So when I went on an overnight trip to Iloilo last year, I included Madge Café in my must-try dining experiences in Iloilo. Madge Café is one of those famous old food establishments in the city that serves traditional coffee.

What I didn’t expect was that I’d meet an instant coffee buddy courtesy of the ever gracious and friendly Ms. Soc Romano of DB’s Hometel.

*  *  *

I still had not gotten over the trauma from the sorry state of the bathrooms at one of the inns that my friends and I rented during our visit the year before. So when I went looking for an affordable place to stay in Iloilo City, my main requirement was to find an affordable room where I can sleep soundly for a night.

After searching online for affordable inns in Iloilo City, I found DB’s Hometel. This simple yet chic guesthouse is situated near SM City. It’s a few meters off the main road of Ledesma St. at Jaro, Iloilo City. The inn is perfect. It’s homey and I found that it’s the best place to stay in Iloilo where you don’t have to worry about your safety.

You will find that their staff are one of their best assets. In fact, Ms. Soc Romano, the manager of the DB’s Hometel, is the most kind and friendliest person I have ever met. She was very helpful in providing me information on places to visit in Iloilo, where to go, what jeepney to ride and where to eat in Iloilo too.

* * *

Before I left the city the next day, I planned to explore the San Joaquin Cemetery then visit Madge Café after. Ms. Soc has never heard of the coffee house, which you can find at the center of Iloilo’s Lapaz Public Market. So the moment she found out that I was going there to try that uniquely cheap coffee experience, she volunteered to join in on my little food expedition. We agreed to meet up at the dry market after I got back from the cemetery.

It was late in the afternoon when we arrived at the coffee shop. An old woman greeted us. We ordered two cups of coffee. We were asked to choose from strong or mild; and with or without milk. We ordered the milder version with milk in it. We also ordered pan de ciosa – toasted bread that’s spread with butter and sugar. For 2 cups of their homegrown brewed coffee and bread, I only spent P56, which is roughly less than $2. So cheap!

What’s special about Madge Café is that this unassuming coffee shop has been around for generations. This place is not like any regular coffee shops where you enjoy a classy ambience with posh interiors and air conditioning. In fact, the shop screams vintage all over.

The café brews homegrown beans the traditional way by using a cloth-like net, like those I’ve seen on one of my breakfasts in Chiang Mai. The shop’s one-of-a-kind coffee experience easily caught the Ilonggo’s attention. And soon enough, they’ve acquired regular patrons through the years. In fact, they stashed personalized mugs with names of their regular customers in their shelves, which they use to serve coffee to their patrons.

This kapihan in Ioilo City is a favourite among locals. One can simply while the time away reading the local news or if you are a traveller, finding information on cheap flights for your next travel destination as you sip coffee. The coffee’s dirt cheap price kinda sounds like a joke to new customers but it is in here were most Ilonggos spend their early morning or late afternoon kapihans to get the latest buzz or gossips in town.

While enjoying my coffee, I got the chance to know Ma’am Soc. I realized that she is also an avid traveller. She won’t hesitate to give you the best tips on getting where you want to go or what you needed to see in Iloilo. When I told her some of my foodtrip plans the day before, she gladly helped me check the venue of the places I wanted to go. She even called one of the famous restaurants in the city to find out if they still accept reservations on such short notice. She then volunteered to join me on my food trip and I was too happy to know that someone was willing to accompany me around. And true to her word, she joined me on my visit at Madge Café.

I’ve never met anyone who would go out of their way to make their clients feel at home in their city. What Ms. Soc Romano did was beyond her duty and I truly appreciated her gesture. Not only did she make me feel welcome in her city but I also got the chance to experience the genuine hospitality that Ilonggos are known for. And because of this, I found my second home in Iloilo City right at DB’s Hometel.

Ma’am Soc, I am but a mere stranger to you but during my stay in your guesthouse, I never felt that way due to your warmth and hospitality. I may have travelled solo to Iloilo City but I went home gaining a friend in return.

Thank you so much for your kindness, Ma’am Soc.

Stranger on the Road: Ma’am Soc Romano
Meeting Place: DB’s Hometel
Date: December 2011

Strangers on the Road is my mini project where I feature random strangers I met and will meet as my travelling feet trot my country, the Philippines, and the rest of the globe. This project aims to overcome my anxiety and shyness as I try to become
more outgoing and forget what anti-social means.

Disclaimer: Cake Addicts, Be Warned!

Do you love to eat cakes? I do.

Whenever I see a gorgeous cake, it seems that my eyes would suddenly have a life of its own. I can’t seem to control it from exploding in delight upon seeing those ravishing beauties. Good thing they didn’t pop out when my friends and I paid Sokha Hotel a visit last April and June (2012).

Kuya Ariel and Ate Ann, kababayans I met in Siem Reap, mentioned that Sokha Hotel sells all of their cakes at 50% off after 6pm. When my friend, Audrey, came with me to Siem Reap after my trip to Pai, we decided to visit the hotel to find any cake we’d fancy.

Huge doors with high ceilings greeted us at Sokha Hotel. As we entered the spacious and posh lobby, we immediately spotted their pastry area right at the center. When we came closer to the pastry shelf, our eyes started feasting on those attractive cakes while our mouths drooled, enjoying the sight that greeted us. Hello there…

all those cakes at 50% off after 6pm

Cake addicts who won’t fall for any of those heavenly treats must probably need serious help (just kidding. ehehehe). But my friend and I only had one thing in mind at that time – to definitely buy one of those damn good-looking cakes.

It was really hard to decide what to buy. If only I had all the money in the world, I’d buy each one of them to sample all the flavors and decide which one’s best. But due to our limited budget, we decided to get a medium-sized Tiramisu Cake instead. Originally priced at $10.90, we paid $6.29 for the cake, which included an add-on of 10% VAT and 5% service charge after taking off 50% from its retail price. It was a great deal, buying that yummy cake, if I may say so. The Tiramisu Cake was truly gratifying!

When another good friend, Angel, visited Ed and I in Siem Reap last June, we only had one fixed itinerary for him – to go binge eating. lol. Before we brought him to one of our favourite restaurants in Siem Reap after our sunset biking adventure at the Angkor Wat grounds, we made a detour at Sokha Hotel to buy a discounted cake. It was their first time at Sokha. They wanted to buy the baked cheese cake but since they were doubtful of it’s taste, we went with the safer choice – a chocolate cake. We asked them to add letterings to the cake, which was free. The price tag in the shelf said $22.90. My friends thought that it was the final price after the discount. So when they were paying, the cashier gave back half of their money as they gave too many. Upon clarifying that we only had to pay around $13 for the big cake, Ed and Angel wanted to buy more. In the end, we bought another one – a small slice of the baked cheese cake for less than $2 to sample it. After the taste-test, we promised ourselves we’d go back the next day to buy the bigger one.

Ed and Angel, before the baked cheese cake assault

To you cake-lovers out there, in case you’ll visit Siem Reap, Cambodia, do not forget to visit Sokha Hotel after 6pm to sample a taste of the delightfully sweet yet affordable cakes in Siem Reap. Be sure to arrive there early as their discounted cakes tend to sell out fast.

Chocolate Cake, Baked Cheese Cake and Tiramisu Cake all from Sokha Hotel – super YUMMY!

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Sokha Angkor Resort is located at
National Road No. 6 cor. Sivatha Street Junction
Phoum Taphoul, Svay Dangkoum
Siem Reap, Kindom of Cambodia

For more of those yummy and affordable cakes, check my FB Page

When you plan to go on a food trip in the historic town of Angkor temples and have no idea where to hang out in Siem Reap, you should consider going to the ever famous Pub Street for different food choices. In there, you’ll get a taste of authentic Khmer cuisine among other international food cuisines. However, there’s also one restaurant in Siem Reap that you shouldn’t miss – that’s if you are into buffet meals and unlimited ice cream all rolled into one affordable eat-all-you-can meal.

Just when you make that right to turn to Sivatha Road when travelling from the National Highway in Siem Reap, you’ll probably notice Lucky Mall, a 3-story building on the right side of the road. Hidden on its third floor is a restaurant called Lucky Shabu House, which serves Japanese, Thai and Khmer cuisine among others.

What’s so special about this place is that for $6.50 you get to dine buffet style and get access to the unlimited supply of all the food and drinks in the restaurant, not including bottled drinks you’ll see in the fridge though.

Once you get inside the Lucky Shabu House, you’d immediately see a a long stretch of moving plates like those you see in Japanese sushi restaurants with conveyor belts. Feel free to seat wherever you want. There’s a singles hot pot where you can mix your own shabu-shabu food. There are also tables good for 4 heads where you can share each other’s version of cooked shabu meals.

Angel & I showing off our shabu shabu ingredients; Ed getting a facial steam bath; us playing w/chopsticks

Shabu-shabu is a Japanese variant of hot pot. The name shabu-shabu is derived from the “swish swish” sound of cooking the meat in the pot. The dish is related to sukiyaki in style, in that both use thinly sliced meat and vegetables and are usually served with dipping sauces, but it is considered to be more savory and less sweet than sukiyaki. It is considered a winter dish, but is eaten year-round.

This Khmer style shabu shabu hot pot has a different taste from other shabu-shabu meals because of the presence of different spices and seasoning that you add on your hot pot. Once you reach your seats, the staff will immediately ask you what broth flavor you want. Bland, sweet and spicy are your options.

Once the broth arrives, you can start swish swishing your food ingredients into the pot, add flavoring, wait for a couple of minutes for the meat and veggies to get cooked and dig in. When the staff sees that you are almost out of broth, they won’t hesitate to refill your hot pot.

Lucky Shabu House also serves different kinds of maki, few sushi variants, some vegetable salads and appetizers. There’s also a few Thai looking Khmer cuisines but I never got the chance to ask what those were since my mouth got busy eating them all. hehehe. There’s also unlimited soda, iced tea and lemon/orange juice available.

Some cheapskates (like me) might find the $6.50 a little bit expensive for an eat-all-you-can shabu-shabu buffet but my friend, Ed, thinks otherwise. And he got me convinced on this one too all because of their ice cream.

Are you an ice cream addict? Well if you happen to travel to Siem Reap, a scoop of ice cream will cost you $1-$2. Buying a pint or those bigger ones will cost you more since ice cream is kinda expensive in this side of town. However, in this shabu shabu restaurant in Siem Reap, you’d get unlimited supply of ice cream! So when we crave for one, or when we feel the need to reward ourselves after a week-long fasting/diet, or perhaps when there’s something that needs celebrating, we dine at Lucky Shabu House. And when we do, we make sure we get to eat as much ice cream as the rest of the food available in there.

Ed, eating out his 15th scoop of ice cream; Angel enjoying his yummy chocolate flavored ice cream

Reminders when eating at Lucky Shabu House:

• You don’t have to dress fancy to eat there.
• You have to eat everything or else you’d be fined $1 (I think). But you can always hide/drop your leftovers in the hotpot. Just make sure it still has broth in it. hehe
• Taking photos is not allowed and there are signs plastered all over the wall to remind you of this but you can politely ask their staff to take your solo/group photo. As for souvenir shots of the place, you can always sneak out.
• There are 3 flavors of Nestle ice cream – chocolate, vanilla and taro.
• If you decide to dine eat-all-you-can style in there with ice cream as your number one priority, be sure to ask if they have stocks of ice cream first coz sometimes they ran out of it.
• On our last pig out there, we were reminded that we only had 20 minutes more to stay in the restaurant. I didn’t know they had that kind of policy after eating there a couple of times. I guess they got threatened by our countless trips to the ice cream fridge.

I could no longer count the number of times I dined at the Lucky Shabu Housem, which is located inside the Lucky Mall Plaza in Siem Reap. On our last food trip, our good friend Angel of Lakwatsero.com came to visit us. We really had a blast enjoying the shabu2x meal and all the good food Siem Reap had to offer including where to buy cakes at 50% off. Will tell you bout that next time.

As for the Shabu Shabu meal, try it out if you have all the time to explore Siem Reap and better go there with friends for an enjoybale dining experience.

Lucky Shabu House is not open all day long but I’m sure they open at 6pm to cater to their evening diners.

(click on map to enlarge)