Churros is known to be a fried dough pastry based snack. I thought it was like pretzel but personally, it tastes yummier than the latter. Originated from Spain, it also became commercialized in countries like France and even here in the Philippines. I remember trying it out of my friend's suggestion when we were talking about food in a cafe elsewhere.
Churros served in Barrio Fiesta is far different from the one offered in SM Malls. Its taste is like a crunchy pancake, which is best combined with tsokolate ah, a bitter sweet tablea drink. There are other tablea based drinks Barrio Fiesta offers but I chose the one their staff had suggested (and it didn't fail me).
Since the said restaurant is already a known one in the market, anticipate that price of the food they serve is quite expensive. As the cliche goes, "it's no longer the food...it's the brand or the name" that you're already paying for.
For the price: Chocolate drink ranges from Php160 to Php220 while the pancake churros is Php220. Both dishes are already good for 2 heads so if you are just a typical person with a typical stomach or if i may say, cravings, just opt for a single order.
Tsokalateria Eh is located within the vicinity of Pamana Restaurant at Igorot Stairs, Upper Session Road, Baguio City. They are open Mondays to Sundays from 10AM to 10PM.
You may also check their website for further details: http://www.pamanarestaurant.com/ of their other branches
Sweet Bites Cafe
If you happen to be within the area of San Fernando City in the province of La Union, I highly suggest to try our two of the most favorite restaurants and coffee shops there. The first one would be the Taipan Chinese Restaurant, which I will be having a separate article soon; and for the dessert, I then recommend the Sweet Bites Cafe which is located at the back of the town's municipal fire department. You know you're already on the said cafe once you see a beautiful bike displayed in front of its establishment; many tourists and even I myself can not resist to have a picture taken on it.
Sweet Bites is known for their varieties of huge frappes - some are caffeine based, others are not. Aside from the latter, they do offer different coffee blends, as well as cakes, sandwiches and rice meals. Though we have been going there for quite some time already, there are only two particular sweets they offer that we always order every time we go there. One is the banana split, which is already good for two and their very own cheesecakes placed in a jar which has 3 flavors, namely, the oreo, blueberry and strawberrycheesecakes.
The food, coffee and dessert price ranges from Php 79 up to as much as Php250 for the overloaded frappes; which we do not find reasonable that's why despite of returning back for their desserts from time to time, we do not want to give it a try. After all, their banana split and cheesecakes for us, is enough :)
This cafe also has a doll house set up which is also one of the things the locals there i guess, are buying too. Just don't mind how the service crew treats their guests - especially if you are not from the north. For what I have observed, they are not as accommodating as the cafe staff in Manila or even in a known coffeeshops like SB, CBTL, Seattles - to name a few.
But in case you will be within the area of San Fernando City in the province of La Union, do drop by in Sweet Bites for their Banana Split is really worth a try :)
You may also check their Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/SweetbiteLU/ for further info :)
The Coffee Library
I had the chance to drop by in one of my favorite study place in Baguio City before.A cafe nearby the Baguio Cathedral which is very conducive to both guests as well as students who would like to sip a cup of coffee while studying. The name of the said cafe is The Coffee Library. Ambiance wise, the place is so relaxing which primarily the reason why I have considered it as one of my favorite cafe in the City of Pines. However, due to the unexpected bad customer service I encountered this evening, I opted to put it on a blog to inform others why you shouldn't try this place.
1. SETTING OF A TIME FRAME IS A PROPER THING TO DO. I placed an order for a buffalo wings that took roughly half an hour before it was served. The staff, whom I asked where my order was, responded: "Ma'am, dami po kasi naming order dun sa mga Koreans na lumabas kaya natagalan po order nyo". Alright, preparing BULK of orders to your customers is understandable but don't you think it's only proper to set an expectation outright? Maybe if this sarcastic lady did, I had an option to leave and find another place to eat instead!
2. LACK OF CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENT. Dear Management, you should train your staff to be as engaging as possible with your customers - regardless of status, race, color and physical appearance! What is the sense of running your business if you will loose customers out of bad feedback! Besides, not all your customers are based in Baguio City; as a matter of fact, the group of medical practitioners I met prior to this bad experience are all based in Manila just attending a conference in a nearby hotel. Yes, I give credit how your food is prepared but customer service wise, I will give zero to that - due to poor customer service. Another thing, not all customers know the type of coffee you are serving. Even how to manage the cups you are presenting. Isn't it too much too ask for you guys to explain "voluntarily" a little of on how these cups are to be used? After all, we Filipinos are used into disposable cups or mugs and only few coffee shops in Baguio actually using those coffee cups with dispenser that you are serving with your customers. 3. A BIT PRICEY. As compared with other coffee shops in town, your price is a bit expensive; again with a combination of a bad customer service.
All in all, I'd rather eat in Jollibee or Mcdonald's with a customer oriented staff than with a cozy cafe like the Coffee Library who has a very sarcastic staff! It's not only the price. It's the SERVICE!
These are some of the foods I have tried in The Coffee Library. I'll upload soon the pasta and sandwiches I have tasted as well which are all a bit pricey (If you will compare it with other coffee shops in Baguio City). Added on each pictures are my feedback on each food. You may try to dine it and assess yourself if these are worth the prices. I give credit to their Kapangan coffee. Its price is reasonable (Php60) as compared with their Vietnam coffee,