Slice of my heart, slice of my cheesecake

I do not exactly know when and how this addiction for cheesecake started but perhaps, it's because i love cheese.

Last night, Deb, Dax and I went to UNO in Tomas Morato to taste their famous cheesecake. It ranks 3rd in SPOT’s Top 10 Cheesecakes in Manila (along with Miss Desserts, Chelsea, Mamou, Opus, Robot, Lu, Starbucks, Burough, and Cake Club). Among the 10, I was pleased most with what UNO has to offer. No add-ons, no glaze, no whipped cream on top, no fruit bits, no shavings. I like my cheesecake plain and simple. Exactly what UNO has to offer. So when I learned that UNO was near my work area, I planned a visit. Last night, I have finally tasted it.

Simply said, UNO’s cheesecake was heavenly. The description was true: Deceptively simple but oh-so sinful. Although it was slightly dusted with powdered sugar it wasn’t too sweet so you’ll crave for more. A forkful of its feathery layers melts inside your mouth that you’ll want to savor and keep on eating and craving for more slice.

For P65 you’ll get this heavenly slice and P650 for the whole cake. I will come back for more. =)

--------

[Random Thoughts]

I do not understand why some people would not commit or if they do they could hardly sustain what they have promised.

I have always promised to be better but life has a way of testing me.

Sabi niya: “Miss ko na sila!” (meaning: hindi ako kasama)

My love affair with cheesecake

For a week, I have been craving for cheesecake. I asked some friends to recommend me a cake shop or a resto that I could go to. I have no time to survey places as I barely have time these days. I could not even afford to watch a movie. Tet and MB recommended the same store: Cheesecake Etc. I was told that they have it in Megamall so I rushed there with Miks last Friday hoping to finally end this craving. The guard said, “Mam, nag-close na po yung branch nila dito!” Sad. There’s another one at Podium but we have no time to go there as we have an appointment. So the craving had to be postponed.

Today, Sunday…I went to Podium and bought a slice for P150. The cheesecake was melting in my mouth. Heavenly!

It’s funny how everything and anything reminds me of you...

...including a 16 oz. of Figaro’s piping hot brewed coffee.

---------

[postscript]

random...

...been out the past few days. 3 weeks of overtime is no joke. every bit of me is aching (physically). i've been having this cough and colds for two weeks now and i am growing sick and tired of it. people must have gotten used to hearing me "bark!" geesuz.

...yesterday, i went out to have a date with myself. i wanted to spend the whole Sunday visiting bookstores, watching a great film and enter a coffee shop doing nothing but watching the people passing by. that's the old me. i enjoy doing these things. i did and it was nice. i visited powerbooks (they have a new outlet at the other building of megamall, a smaller one, i like their old place though). i planned on buying a really nice book but opted not to because i am afraid that i wouldn't be able to read the other books in my shelves which are begging to be read. i also went to see Ben Affleck's The Town which was surprisingly good. I wanted to watch Eat, Pray, Love but the time wasn't conducive. I did stay inside a coffee shop, just watching people's shoes. I sipped and I watched them passed by. shoes. all kinds.

...tomorrow i have to be in Pampanga for another mind-numbing meeting on biotechnology. i had to fill in for my boss. i miss my cube. i wish i am just in my cube for the next few days. i miss travelling. never on official business.

...i miss being on top of a mountain. i miss the cold air there.

... i dread christmas.

Smile though your heart is aching

Smile even though its breaking.

-------

Welcome to the world of chaos: My first try at food photography

The weather was unpredictable so we (a colleague and I) decided to set up everything inside the Home Economics (H.E.) classroom of the Food Technologist who developed the 25 recipes.

All the dishes were sweet sorghum-based ranging from the traditional Filipino merienda to the very simple porridge/soups. Although I was hungry all time, I could not make myself eat those dishes. Imagine a soup made from sweet sorghum mixed with moringa leaves or burger patties with sweet sorghum in it instead of beef or pork. But they had to look good and delectable on photos, that was the challenge. Also, the recipe book has to land the printing press barely two weeks from now.

We were given one whole day to shoot everything using a very limited tableware items and manpower to design and fix every dish. How do one make a creative/artful looking dish with just grains and leaves? I felt like giving up. We started at 8 in the morning and finished everything at 11:15 in the evening. At that time, I felt that my astigmatism heightened. Everything in me spelled “pain” that day.

---------

Tinapay na walang palaman (Bread without the spread)

I wonder if the essence of a bread comes with the spread that goes with it?

Isn’t the taste of the bread enough?

I know of a person who cannot eat bread without cheese in it. In the same manner that I know someone who could eat a whole chunk of cheese without bread.

What am I?

I guess either way, I can be both.

---------

Trying my knack at food photography

I was at Reyes Barbecue (Trinoma) some days ago taking photos of my food. I’ve been trying my knack at food photography due to an upcoming assignment that my boss has recently assigned to me (I actually volunteered, hehehe). And I am excited.

Aside from some heavy dose of Ferdz’ and Oggie’s happyfoodies, I frequent to food blogs and read techniques and tips on food photography. It’s fun learning new things everyday. One crucial thing that stuck inside my head is the importance of lighting to maintain the texture and color of the food. A low light height usually enhances the texture in the food.

I would like to one day do a whole set-up (complete with all the light, mirror and white board, etc.) and try experimenting on different angles and arrangements but for now, I need to learn and read more.

This is my run-of-the-mill attempt at food photography. I hope Ferdz, Oggie, Pao and the others could spare me a few tips. :-)

Sotanghon soup with lotsa garlic

Grilled Bangus Belly

-------

A good food photo will fool you for the real thing so much so that immediately, all you wanted was to put it in your mouth.