Top Pick Choco Dipped Mangoes

Chocolate Dipped Dried Mangoes.  How many are out there?

Cebu, known for it's world class Dried Mangoes.

And about two years ago, a brilliant manufacturer thought of coming out with Chocolate Dipped Dried Mangoes.

Now the craze is on, with other variants coming out of the shelves --- choco dipped dried pineapples, and choco dipped banana chips.

But as far the trendsetting dried mangoes is concerned, here are a few selections out there in the market.

Philippine's Best

A box of 12 costs about P260.

The Philippine's Best version has chocolate at the center only.  The chocolate portion seems a bit lacking.  But for some who don't like chocolate too much, this might be a better variant for them.  My comment though is that you don't really get the feel of eating a Choco dipped Dried Mango unless you get to the center.  And there are pieces of mangoes that are a bit sour.

Cebu's Best

A box of 12 costs about P420.

Now this brand is more expensive, obviously, because the whole mango strip is covered with Dark Belgian Chocolate.  I would say, that among the Cebu based brands out there, this is probably the best.  The mangoes are consistently sweet, and you get the treat of a Belgian Choco Dipped Dried Mango all the way.  The only drawback is that the chocolate can overpower the taste of the dried mango.  It's almost not tasting the mango after having taken several bites or pieces of it.

R&M Preserves

A box of 12 costs about P299.

Like Cebu's Best, their whole mango strips are covered with Dark Chocolate, but R&M's is a lot cheaper since they do not use Belgian choco.  But despite that, this brand will still satisfy your craving.  I just noticed that some mango pieces I took from a box are a little sour.

Park Avenue Desserts

A pack of 6 pieces cost P150.

Now what has Park Avenue Desserts got to do with dried mangoes?  Nothing.  But it has everything to do with Chocolate.  The expert chocolatier, Chef Buddy, took the perfect solution to this up and coming popular dessert snack.  Dark and white chocolate combined to strip the sides of a good dried mango.  In my opinion, this is the best Choco Dipped Dried Mango I have tasted.  The chocolate is not lacking nor overpowering.  And the dried mango quality is consistent.  Every bite would make you crave for more.

PAD does not produce this by bulk in their store in Paseo de Magallanes, so you would be very lucky if you chance to get some on your surprise visit.

There are more brands coming out with this well loved dessert snack.  But whatever kind, sort, or variety you try, do not worry because it will surely not dissatisy.

Fruit only angers my need for chocolate. ~Jason Love

The Best Things I Love About Park Avenue Desserts

Desserts is Stressed Spelled Backwards

This is my favorite amongst the many sayings nicely written on the wall and on the side of the counter inside Park Avenue Desserts, simply known as PAD.

I've been a regular here for four years, and I will say that PAD never fails to give comfort, not just in terms of sugar fix, but also when you're craving for a good meal.

So what are the best things I love in PAD?

The oddest, in my opinion, is their Chocolate Dipped Dried Mangoes. 

Well, come to think of it, it's not really that odd.  PAD is an expert Chocolatier.  So by combining his best dessert ingredient to a good quality mango, voila...

I previously said "odd" in a sense that Choco dipped mangoes originated in Cebu since about two years ago, and generally, the original sets claim to be the best.  But I dare say, that PAD's is the one I like most.  You can check out my blog on Choco Dipped Mangoes to see my comparison.

A single serve pack costs P150 for 6 pieces.  And you can get a box of 12 for P300.

Interestingly, they also have ice cream.

The Caramilk.  It's ice cream made from carabaos' milk.  As a child, I grew up drinking carabao's milk.  I even took it on my rice.  Studies show that carabao's milk has better nutrients to offer than cow's milk.  And that, for me, is comforting to know.

Caramilk has many flavors.  The most recent I tried is the Green Tea Oreo, green tea ice cream being one of my favorites.

The most tried flavor in my family is Strawberry Love.  My daughter loves pink, and my husband loves strawberries.

The Belgian Chocolate is to die for.  It is one of the creamiest ice cream ever.

Take a look at their exciting flavors.

Here are photos of their desserts display.  They have macaroons and truffle chocolates in different shapes.

They have a variety of single serve cakes, and party cakes as well.  I love their bread pudding... reminds me of the traditional recipe our Manang used to make so perfectly.

They have camote chips, ensaymada, brownie barks.  And let me just say that I tried their Last Brownie, and indeed, I scraped the plate to the last of what's left of the cake.

The Last Brownie

The Brownie Ala Mode

Roca is a bestseller!

Penaut butter... a favorite variant.

Apple Pie... my husband's comfort dessert.

We also like the strawberry cheesecake in crunchy crust.

PAD is not only good with their desserts.  We also come here to dine.  What we regularly order are the following:

Grilled Rosamary Chicken in Tabbouleh

Mushroom Tarragon Pasta

Trufle Egg Salad Sandwhich

... and the Citrus Blast

Now Citrus Blast is literally a blast!!! We never go to PAD without ordering this.  A very refreshing drink to cap off the end of any meal.

Par Avenue Desserts is founded by Chef Buddy Trinidad who has worked in several popular restaurants in the United States as the pastry chef --- Michael's, Noa Noa Tryst, Morton's and Stars-- to name a few.

PAD is also a supplier of desserts for many hotels in the Philippines.

Desserts is Stressed spelled backwards.  And yes, once you have tried Park Avenue Desserts, your stresses for the day really goes away.

PARK AVENUE DESSERTS 

#7 G/F MagaCenter,
Paseo de Magallanes Commercial Center, 
1232 Makati, Philippines

Phone (02) 852 6141

You are What You Eat...

Experiencing Costales Nature Farms

We didn't really have plans for the long weekend, until a good friend called last August 22, 2014, and asked if we want to go out with them for an overnight stay at the Costales Farms, August 24 to 25.  "Sure,"  I said.

Not knowing what it is, I googled:  Costales Nature Farms

Uhhhmmmm.... interesting.  I'm an alien to farming, and so I thought, this is an opportunity to introduce my daughter to farm life.

Here are the things we saw and did.....

Arrival at the 5 hectare Farm

Reception

Accommodation

Orientation

View of a portion of the farm

My friend's daughter in front of our hut

In the sleeping area...

 Tour of the Farm

Seedling green house

Tower planting suitable for urban farming

My friend posing at the Fish Pond

Hi Babe!

Organic Fed Pigs

The biggest boar is Bogart, the owner's pet.

Some lettuce patch

The dining area

Where next?

At the Organic Fish Pond

Let's go fishing.

I caught a fish....  small... I put it back in the pond.

My daughter caught this big fish in 3 minutes.  Daddy just held it for the photo ops.

Let's Harvest

At the nearby Mahayhay Falls 

All aboard kids!

Let's go near the falls.

Let's go again.

Don't get off yet.

Yipee!  I'm back by the falls.

Highlights

Activities  

The tour, the fishing, and the harvesting not only provided knowledge and interest, but these also gave us memorable bonding experiences between family and friends.

Food

Everything we ate was organic.  From farm to table the authentic way.  Dishes are simple and familial so do not expect a culinary experience.  The salad was great, organic and unlimited.

Accommodation

Small and simple.  Unfortunately, three of us had trouble with bed bugs.

Service

Topnotch.  A dedicated tour guide will be assigned to you.  He will look after all your needs during the stay.

Cost

P2500 per pax for an overnight experience.

You will pay for all the vegetables you harvest.  The rate is P250/ kilo.  

The Mahayhay falls is a must see & experience.

You are what you eat.  Yes.  If we want to stay healthy, let's eat healthy.