New Hazelnut Macchiato & Caramel Crunch Cake at Starbucks

I have been in and out of Tagaytay since Holy Week and now, Labor Day weekend. It is scorching hot in other parts of the Philippines this summer but Tagaytay manages to remain breezy in the afternoon and still Christmas-like cold in the evening.



Walking distance from our second home is Starbucks, Robinsons Summit Ridge. They have a nice alfresco area which begs a hot handcrafted beverage like this:



Hazelnut Machiatto (ma-ki-a-to)

The delicious, multi-layered Macchiato begins with milk steamed until it's stretched and smooth to bring out its natural sweetness and is topped by a dense, creamy foam. Then rich espresso is poured over and through the foam, where it mixes with the milk and creates a brown mark on top. Finally, the barista signs their work of art with a sweet drizzle made with a mix of brown sugar, butter, Madagascar Bourbon vanilla and a slight hint of salt.

It's not my usual drink (Green tea latte) but I wanted to try something new. Plus, instagram posts about it intrigued me, add the machiatto banners inside Starbucks.

For me, the machiatto is like a dessert and coffee in one. The "crosshatch" caramel on top of the foam is delightful. Especially when it gives you a foamy mustache!



Iced Hazelnut Macchiato

The drink below the foam is still serious in giving you a kick in the afternoon. It is challenging to find a dessert to match this already sweet & tasty beverage.

I also tried the Iced Hazelnut Macchiato and I prefer this over the hot version.

Suggestion to Starbucks: I hope they serve hot Machiatto in glass as seen on their posters. I asked for this from the barista but my machiatto ended in a mug.


This looks so much better! :)


For my Labor Day weekend Starbucks visit in Tagaytay, I discovered their new Salted Caramel Crunch Cake. Every hardworking person deserves a slice of this!




A sweet and crunchy meringue sandwiched between moist vanilla sponge cakes. Finished with salted almond butter cream and topped with a dollop of cream.



I happily asked for a slice to go, but my son ate most of it. All I can remember is it's similar to Sans Rival but so much better. So today, I returned for another serving which I'll happily enjoy after this blog post :)



Until the next long weekend!

Why you should get a Starbucks Card

I finally got my Starbucks Card! And as an avid fan of TV shows like Extreme Couponing, I am thrilled that Starbucks is allowing their patrons to earn points, freebies, and rewards from purchases.



Here's what you need to know: The Starbucks Rewards card is free. The minimum load is Php 300 and is consumable. The card does not cost anything at all. In fact, when you register your card online (and you should), you automatically get a FREE Grande handcrafted beverage plus a free slice of cake every year during your birthday!

So save-a-holics and freebie-holics, step one is to get the card and register it at http://www.starbucks.ph/card



The card was just launched today and as an additional promo, when you load Php 1,500 you get Php 300 instantly. This promo is only valid  until Friday, so load up when you can and earn Php 300.

How to earn points:

1 beverage star for every purchase of any handcrafted beverage
1 whole bean star for every purchase of 250g of whole bean coffee
1 VIA star for every purchase of 12 pack Starbucks VIA Ready Brew


How to redeem rewards:

12 beverage stars = any Grande handcrafted beverage
10 whole bean stars = any 250g whole bean coffee
10 VIA stars = any 12 pack Starbucks VIA  Ready Brew

Don't forget that holiday season is coming up fast and having a Starbucks Card is the best way to get the most out of your visits, plus while collecting stamps for your Starbuck organizer! Makes perfect sense?

When you get your Starbucks Card, I suggest putting it in your wallet right away and bring it everywhere you go. You can't tell when you are visiting 1 of over 210 Starbucks Stores.



If you're a mom like me, you're probably guilty of escaping home and going to the nearby Starbucks to read your favorite magazines. Now you can turn your guilt into pleasurable rewards, ha! :D

Remember, your Starbucks Card is as good as cash. But with the online account, you are secured for when you leave your card somewhere or if somebody else takes it. All you have to do is to deactivate the card. You can load up to Php 10,000 and have as many cards as you want - they will all be synced into 1 account.

For more information and to rave about your Starbucks Card, visit https://www.facebook.com/StarbucksPhilippines

There's Taho in my Starbucks!

My latest Starbucks journey was at Wan Chai in Hong Kong, but nothing really beats home. I feel like our local Starbucks knows me (and you) like the back of their hands. The beverages, food, service, and overall coffee experience is a clear reflection of what we locals want. And what do you know, they've even added taho in their frapuccino!




Starting tomorrow, 16 July - you'll experience this new and innovative twist on your favorite Starbucks drinks. Ask your barista for a tall Dark Mocha White Chocolate Pudding Frappuccino or, if you are a green tea lover like I am - ask for a Green Tea White Chocolate Pudding Frappuccino.

I had the pleasure of trying out these beverages before launch. They had the combined texture of chocolate chips, silky white pudding, and offered a very good mouth feel. Statistics are split, 50-50 between the two flavors.


I lean towards the Green Tea pudding frappe for it's Asian and healthy flavors. Most of all, it's cheaper by Php 10 compared to the Dark Mocha variant ;)



I wonder what Manong Taho would say! But I am guessing he'll give it a thumbs up. Our local vendor already invented chocolate taho that he sells in the afternoon. It's a fact, people can't get enough of it and how lucky are we that ther's a Starbucks version of our local favorite!

P.S. Starbucks doesn't call the secret ingredient taho, but  pudding which is more understandable for most people. 

By the way, don't be fooled at how the pudding appears as only 1/3 of your beverage. Once you slurp, everything mixes up in a perfect harmony, including the foamy whipped cream. For the benefit of serious pudding lovers, I hope our friendly braistas can soon allow us to customize the amount of pudding in our drinks : D

Starbucks Cup Magic - Reveal augmented reality with your smart phones!

Check this out Starbucks fans: This year let's bring the season to life with the Starbucks Cup Magic app. Use the app to find and scan all five Starbucks Holiday Characters - on Red Cups, Christmas Blend bags, in-store and more - and watch as they magically come to life through augmented reality on your mobile device. Who knows what holiday magic you'll discover...

I am going to try download the app later and sprinkle some merry magic to my next Starbucks experience ;)

'Tis the Season to Indulge in Starbucks Christmas Food Items

Starting today you can experience these exclusive Starbucks Christmas food items at your favorite Starbucks store. I've picked out the four most delicious items from an entire bunch - so gather your friends and celebrate Christmas with these perfect treats!

Collection of stamps to earn your planner also starts today ;)



Sun-dried Tomato and Basil Roll (served with butter and jam)

For just P50 - you can delight in crispy, crunchy crust with a slightly chewy and soft center. It is made more flavorful by adding sun-dried tomatoes and basil. Best served warm with butter and jam on the side according to Starbucks, but according to me, I like it just as it is with a cup of Starbucks Christmas Blend (it's back too!)

This is also an excellent choice for the Christmas morning breakfast with the entire family. I'll definitely buy it by the box so I can have that Starbucks Christmas experience at home :)



Chicken Alfredo Turnover

Is the excellent light, buttery and flaky snack filled with moist and juicy chicken breast cubes marinated in Italian seasoning then sautéed in Alfredo sauce. For just P90 this will surely fill you up without breaking your Christmas shopping budget.



Pair it with the newest addition to the Christmas beverage family: Cranberry White Chocolate Mocha. It's not as sweet as you will imagine and gives a delightful tang, very Christmassy indeed.



Texas Chicken BBQ Wrap

This savory treat is super sulit at P140. You will love the sweet, spicy and smoky flavor of strips of chicken breast fillet fried to perfection tossed in barbeque sauce with Texas style salsa, grated cheese and drizzled with sour cream wrapped in soft to chewy flour tortilla.

It's a pleasant gift to anyone who's hungry and on the go.



Warm Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake

Get cozy during silent nights with this giant chocolate chip cookie made into a cake then topped with thick and chocolaty dark chocolate mousse filled with mini chocolate chip cookies. Aahhhh Best served warm from the oven topped with whipped cream and drizzled with the Starbucks caramel drizzle.



Pair it with none other than the Starbucks Christmas Blend (available in VIA) that seems to go with all the Christmas treats! :)

Merry Christmas!

Starbuck Planner 2012: First Look!

The only planner you'll need this coming 2012 is the most eco-friendly Starbucks Planner. This year's theme is Shared Planet that celebrates shared stewardship. I dearly hope this planner will remind everyone to think and act green.



Starbucks' 2012 planner was produced in a facility that is FSC certified. FSC stands for Forest Stewardship Council which is an independent, non-governmental, non- profit organization established to promote that the world’s forests are responsibly managed. The inner planner pages are made from 70% recycled paper. For every planner redeemed, a donation will be made to SparkHope- Starbucks Philippines flagship program for early childhood care and development in partnership with UNICEF.

Green Tip: Order your favorite Starbucks hot drinks in a for here mug or bring your Starbucks tumblers along daily. Only get planners as you need them (don't ruin the holiday fun by putting your extra planners up for sale!) and don't waste the pages! You can also re-use last year's planner for your to-do or grocery lists.



Your planner comes with a mesh cloth sleeve that is re-usable any time of the year.

How to earn stamps for the 2012 planner

Option 1: nine (9) Christmas beverages plus eight (8) core beverages except bottled drinks = 17 stickers

Option 2: 23 core beverages except bottled drinks = 23 stickers

You can start collecting stamps starting November 3!

Starbucks Lunch Sandwiches are the latest lunchbox office hit

You may be too old for a lunch box but not for a sandwich :) I had the pleasure of being introduced to the newcomers of Starbucks and one of them is as classy as a Gossip Girl.


Meet the IT girl of sandwiches, Tuna Waldorf.

Hot outside and cold on the inside, can't get any more dramatic than that. Starbucks are now using convection ovens instead of microwaves in warming up the sandwiches. During the launch people were agog about this so may I tell you that convection ovens are simply like the oven toaster you have at home. This makes the outer layer warm/crusty whilst maintaining the cold filling.

Echevoreche aside, let's dig into my top three favorites from all 7 Starbucks lunch sandwiches!

1. Roasted vegetables on flat bread - tastes like pizza that is made of carrots, zucchini, eggplant, and mushrooms. I also find this most easy to eat because the flat breads retain their softness on the inside while offering a little exciting pang of crunch on the surface.



When to eat it: when you're not that hungry
With what: Green Tea Frappuccino

2. Roasted chicken pesto and shiitake mushrooms on flat bread- is an old timer but an all-time favorite in Starbucks. I have a love-hate thing with pesto but when subtly used it offers the perfect zing.



When to eat it: when you're really hungry
With what: a hot cup of French pressed Tanzania coffee

3. Ultimate Grilled Cheese-gooey goodness with six types of cheese and in between are slices of hungarian sausage. If you like the combo of garlic, cheese, and pepper - you'll have a happy time eating this comfort food.



When to eat it: when hungry and needy for comfort
With what: a hot mug of green tea

That leaves you with four Starbucks lunch sandwiches to try and judge for yourselves. The Beef Brisket, Clubhouse, Tuna melt (only available in provincial branches), and the Tuna Waldorf sandwich. All sandwiches will be available at P140 in all Starbucks branches come August 9. I recommend for you to check out the newest and first-ever drive-thru branch in Global City, right in front of Home Depot near S&R.



This branch is the most eco-chic of them all and used recycled windows, tables, and LED lights to save energy.

5 Ways to recharge at Bonifacio High Street Global City

Rarely do I get out these days and when I do, I like to maximize it and have the most enjoyable time ever. So Bonifacio High Street may not be something new and exciting but for people who have cocooned like me, this is the perfect place to unwind and relax in peace sans the crowd. The open air setup is lovely at night, so follow my lead on an evening say 6PM onwards.



1. Grab a grub at Italianni's - I am not a blogger endorser of this diner but I love how the place always have space for me. Lets me cross out waiting for a table on my hassle's list. Plus, the atmosphere takes me to Italy (I know). I am a sucker for interior design and the framed photos of great Italian places sends me a romantic vibe.



What to order: Their spinach and artichoke formaggio is good stuff but when on a budget, I love their free focaccia bread dipped in E-V-O-O and balsamic vinegar while waiting for my roast pork. Did I mention they have both Perrier and San Pellegrino?

2. Enjoy The Spa - remember to walk-in The Spa before you go for dinner but don't slip on that robe just yet. Simply make a quick reservation for when after you have enjoyed your food. This way you don't have to, you guessed it, wait for your turn once you are ready.



What to get: A full body massage at The Spa starts at Php 800 and you can already enjoy both a sauna and a dip in the jacuzzi. Perfect for burning the calories from dinner.

3. Window shop - at night it is more breezy to walk along the different shops Bonifacio High Street has to offer. I like spending some minutes in Make Room and Havaianas to try on the latest flip flops. Muji also recently opened which could also fancy you for 30 minutes or so.



4. Bookworms crawl to Fully Booked - a book lover can stay for hours inside's Fully Booked's 6 storey worth of books. My latest guilty purchase was of Sophie Kinsella's Shopaholic and Mini Shopaholic. Further your enthusiasm for reading by browsing in areas you wouldn't normally read on.

For the next item, you may wish to purchase the latest issue of your favorite magazine. Mine currently are Working Mom and Smart Parenting. Go figure.



5. Cap this perfect night at Starbucks - and you don't have to leave Fully Booked's building because Starbucks is on the fourth floor. For a more interesting time here, make it a frappucino happy hour. Order something different like the new Soy Green Tea Frappucino or for a warm mug, try their hot Chai Tea Latte.

And if you are not ready to go home yet, Serendra is just right across the High Street. You can find pastry shops in there and one must-try for takeaways is Conti's and Mary Grace.

Lady Gaga, Frappucino, and Starbucks

Lady Gaga is taking over Starbucks in the US, meanwhile in Manila - YOU can take over your own Frappuccino.

Starbucks Philippines launches the new However-You-Want-It Frappuccino® blended beverage, allowing customers to create a blended beverage that is uniquely their own. Customers can tailor their Frappuccino® beverage with a variety of fresh milks or soy, choose the intensity of their coffee and pick any combination of syrups or toppings – the same way they customize their favorite Starbucks® espresso beverage.

Among the thousands of new combinations, Frappuccino® blended beverage creations includes my dream come true!



Soy Green Tea Cream Frappuccino® blended beverage

A delightful treat, this beverage is made with matcha powder and soy milk, blended with ice and topped with whipped cream. I've been looking for matcha powder drinks and eversince Matcha Cafe was gone, I wished that a bigger player would take on the flavor. Starbucks did! :D

From soy combinations to those that limit the number of calories, customers can now select their favorite ingredients to find a Frappuccino® blended beverage to meet their dietary needs. By choosing nonfat milk with sugar-free syrup, a Tall (12 fl. oz) blended beverage has only 100 calories, while doubling the Starbucks® Frappuccino® roast coffee and skipping the syrup will intensify the taste, without increasing the sugar.



Customers can connect with Starbucks about their new, However-You-Want-It Frappuccino® blended beverage at Frappuccino.com.ph.

Starbucks Cheer Party - Stories are Gifts, Share!

Every year, I know it's Christmas time whenever I get my invitation for the Starbucks Cheer Party. It's always the first Christmas party I attend and last year, they also celebrated on November 3 - same date I found out I was preggers :)

Now like Starbucks, I have more things to be grateful for - including this Starbucks 2011 Planner *evil grin*


And these newly baked holiday ginger based cookies and pastries you can enjoy this yuletide season with your favorite houseblend.



At every Starbucks Cheer Party, patrons and guests are offered unlimited tastes of Starbucks pastries. Among all the things I ate, I highly recommend this:



White Chocolate Berry Cookie



Because these polar bear ginger bread cookies are too cute to eat

I enjoyed taste-testing the pastries with a hot Toffe Nut drink which is only available during Christmas Tree season. It tastes like coffee blended with chocolate bars. It's already sweet so you may want to choose a not-so sugary pastry with this.



Other holiday drinks that are now brewing include: Praline Mocha and Peppermint Mocha

Choose your weapon to deal with this heavenly Almond Roca cake. My sister and I used to fight over bars of Almond Roca, if she was here I'll give her a box of this. A whole cake costs aroun Php 1,100 ++. Give this to your female boss *wink*


Almond Roca Cheesecake



Would you believe this? Cookie dough + Cheesecake!

The Starbucks Cheer Party was even better than last year just because of this:



Wacky photo wall complete with accessories by Pose and Print. Here's me with bloggers Fran and Rowena.



Last year, Azrael won a blue Bearista for the little boy. This year, I won a kiddie tumbler! Perfect as his school jug once he goes to prep. heehee :)

There will be more Starbucks Cheer Party! This was just the first, held at Ayala 6750. I will post the upcoming cheer parties and which branch they will happen here. Stay tuned!