It’s that time again… time to list down my favorite things of the month! August found me back in Manila and back in the thick of many exciting new developments in the city.

I’m talking about new restaurants and new food offerings (I’ve had a very happy tummy as of late), as well as the visit of a crazy cool author. And when I’m home, I make use of the time I have with my kids… and I have a new favorite toy that I’m sure all you mummies and daddies will also enjoy!

Paper Moon Cafe

It’s like my Japan treat didn’t really end when I got back to Manila — as Tokyo’s famous dessert shop Paper Moon Cafe, made its debut in the local food scene the day after I arrived! So as soon as I was back and had settled in, I made my way to Paper Moon Cafe in Glorietta to enjoy its signature Mille Crepe, the cake known to be THE ORIGINAL Mille Crepe. This gorgeous and delicious cake has 20 layers of paper-thin crepes piled one on top of the other, with light pastry cream in between the layers! The topmost part is torched to have a golden sugar crust, similar to what we see in a creme brulee.

Here’s a side story : The woman behind Paper Moon Cafe, Madame Emy Wada, is actually the same woman behind the acclaimed Lady M Boutique in New York. (I wrote about this cake when I was in NY just last June. Click here).

Paper Moon Cafe
Glorietta 3
(02) 625-8744
Facebook page

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Maisen

And here’s more Japanese food for us : Tokyo’s famous Tonkatsu place, Maisen has just opened shop in Greenbelt 5, giving us food lovers in Manila more dining options to enjoy!

Maisen’s tonkatsu is well-known because it is THAT tender. Even if this is deep fried pork, it is something you can cut even with just your chopsticks! (This goes to show how delicate and tender the tonkatsu is.) So here’s my tip : order the Kurobota Pork Set, the specialty of the house. This is the best of the best Japanese pork tonkatsu you’ll get in the city!

Maisen
Ground Floor, Greenbelt 5
(02) 239 0390
Facebook MaisenPH / Instagram @maisenph

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Abuela’s Kitchen Manila

Now if you’re the type to order in and eat at home, or you love throwing parties in your kitchen, but can’t cook for a big group or, you’re already planning for the upcoming deluge of Christmas parties you’re going to go to, then here’s my spoiled mummy tip for you : give yourself a break and order Abuela’s Kitchen Manila’s Prime Grade Rib Eye Roast Beef instead!

This Angus Roast Beef from Abuela’s Kitchen Manila is gigantic and can feed 15-20 people. It comes with grilled veggies and homemade gravy sauce, and is delivered on a pretty platter which is yours to keep (how generous of them!) So it’s really ready to serve!  Of course we couldn’t finish the entire thing in one go and had lots of leftover the next day.  I then turned them into “Reuben” sandwiches, that were just perfect for the family’s Sunday brunch!

Abuela’s Kitchen Manila
Email abuelaskitchenmanila@gmail.com or Call them at 0916-4753547.
Find them on Instagram: @abuelaskitchenmanila

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Le Petit Soufflé

Left to right, top to bottom:

1) Thick, rich Valrhona Hot Chocolate, served with freshly baked Madeleines. This is the hot chocolate I’ve been looking for!

2) Dark Chocolate Matcha Millefeuille – super thin, crisp layers of puff pastry filled with Guanaja dark chocolate and matcha mousseline.  This has the perfect combination of dark chocolate and matcha in one pastry!

3) Dark Chocolate Valhrona Soufflé – made of 76% Guanaja dark chocolate baked to perfection so the rich, dark, velvety smooth chocolate just melts in your mouth.  Take my word for it: this is the BEST Chocolate Souffle in the metro!

And the genius behind Le Petit Souffle’s delectable desserts? Chef Miko Aspiras. (You’ve read about him here on the blog many times… I’ve ordered from him from way back – even when he was just baking desserts from his home.)

Le Petit Soufflé
3rd Level Century City Mall
(02) 718-5681
Instagram @lepetitsouffleph

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Magformers

Sundays are for family and for quality time with the kiddos. It’s also a chance for me to be a kid again and play! We spent a lot of time playing with these magnet-based, 3-dimensional construction toys called Magformers. It’s an award-winning line of toys commended for fostering brain development, creativity, and imagination! It’s the kind of toy that every parent likes: challenging while being fun, and promises endless possibilities for play. I’m all for toys with a sense and purpose, toys that bring out the kids’ creativity and develop their mathematical and scientific skills. Toys that boost brain power? Why not!

Magformers Philippines
Instagram @magformersph

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Kevin Kwan

I really enjoyed reading Kevin Kwan‘s depiction of the rich Asians in his books! His series that starts with Crazy Rich Asians and followed by China Rich Girlfriend are both familiar and over-the-top funny! His details, which are teeming with indulgences and all sorts of “crazy rich” behavior, will not let you put the book down… So when Fully Booked invited me to meet the author, I made it a point to show up! Oh yes, I was a real fan girl, I waited in line to have him sign my copy!

All I can say is that, his humor that night was definitely in top form!

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To see the previous month’s  TSM FAVORITE THINGS, click here.