Candiez Café: A Sweet Gastronomical Escape

     Sweet and comfy, Candiez Café will blend happiness in your tummy and in your heart. Their wide array of foods and beverages mostly familiar to the Cebuano tongue will make you think of your sweetest memories.
     Named after its passionate owner Candy whose love for cooking inspired her to embark on opening her own restaurant, Candiez Café exists to share a warm comfort brought about by homemade meals. Its vibrant and cheerful interiors, substantial amount of inspiring decors, and Christian songs that waft through the air inside the cafe will uplift anyone's spirit as soon as one enters Candiez. 

Ms. Candy Dacanay welcoming Candiez customers

    Their staff welcomes and treats their customers, and if you're extra lucky, Ms. Candy, hands-on as she is, would take your orders and make you feel at ease. The cafe is open for collaborations and exclusive events, so feel free to bring over your family and friends and they are always ready to take your requests and answer your questions. 

Candiez' Home Made Beef Tapa (170php) is a great choice for breakfast. It is paired with their signature vinegar-based sauce with pickles which is a bomb!

      Their menu which includes a variety of all-day breakfast choices practically covers what one's appetite might need. From savory homemade tapa to yummy waffle delights, there will always be something to satisfy everyone palate. That's just one of the café’s strengths. Though located in the bustling city of Mandaue, its location is accessible and spacious. Think about group studies or a regular brunch date with your besties. Whether you’re with your SO, family, or going solo as a tita/tito of Cebu, Candiez will always be a sweet haven for you.  As a good bonus, their all-day breakfast menu has a free house blend coffee. 

One of the inspirational quote decors in the walls of Candiez. 

Candiez prides itself in crafting the best foods made to comfort their customers. One of their tastiest dishes is the Alexei's Pesto Pork Chop (150php) which has the right meaty and pesto flavor. Anything with pesto tastes great for me which makes their pork chop my favorite meal from them.

     Their pasta items are some of the tastiest dishes I've ever tried. Candiez's best-selling Salted Egg Pasta (on the left: 179php)puts a different spin on the typical salted egg we usually have. Its perfect blend of saltiness and creaminess makes it a one-of-a-kind food item on their menu.

     Another hot ticket on their sleeve is the Spicy Spanish Sardines Pasta (on the right:169php) which has the amazing kick of spice and hearty aroma. It goes perfectly with pasta, another must-try dish from them. 

Another must have item from Candiez which is perfect for an afternoon snack is their Hungarian Sandwich (149php) which has an interesting blend of spices all thanks to its sauces. Together with its adorable and tasty fried smiley tomatoes, both are a match made in heaven. 

    Homemade baked goods from cakes to bread are also up for grabs at Candiez. All of which are great ingredients for a chill afternoon with a cup of joe. 

White Chocolate Mocha (155,170php)

Dragon Fruit Smoothie(170php)

Sweet Mango Smoothie  (140php) 

  When eating at Candiez's Café, it’s imperative to leave room for their thirst-quenching drinks. The White Chocolate Mocha is a dense chocolate drink topped with whipped cream and caramel sauce. They do have the all-time Pinoy favorite Mango Smoothie made only by the sweetest mangoes of Cebu and the most-prized and a personal favourite, Dragon Fruit Smoothie. 

    Prior to visiting the place, I have never tasted a dragon fruit nor have I tried a dragon fruit smoothie. It was my first time tasting the fruit at Candiez and it didn't disappoint my taste buds. Knowing its health benefits also made me feel more than comfortable in enjoying my drink. Curious how it tastes like? You got to visit the place! 

If you're still racking your brains for the perfect place to get that sweet treat, consider Candiez Café among your top choices.

Candiez Café is located at Northpark Building,, U.N. Avenue, Mandaue City, Cebu. That's behind Maayo Hotel. Don't worry about parking because they do have a space available at the same complex as Maayo. The café is open from 9am to 10pm.
For inquiries and reservations, call them at (032) 238 2197 or message them on their official Facebook account.

Grateful: Weekend Wonders

          People don't thank God for Fridays for nothing. It's the official start of any weekend which is why we all repine for Fridays to come even before Monday hasn't started yet. Every weekend is a wonderful chance to explore new landscapes, try new experiences, and to simply relax and unwind. Whether we admit it or not, savoring our weekends are necessary. As we say hello to another week, here's a gratitude blog post for the wonderful weekends that came.

🍃💅ExtraordiNail by Abhyangga Indian-Inspired Spa💅🍃

A couple of weeks ago, I got to try the amazing Abhyangga Indian-Inspired Spa which I have featured last year for their one-of-a-kind Indian-inspired spa. While their spa did so well, I have recently discovered that they are now offering manicure, pedicure, and foot scrub services earlier this month. I couldn't be any happier when I got the chance to try their latest services.  It exceeded my expectations with their superb service. Just as the last time, their staff were skilled and accommodating.

I was beyond satisfied with the outcome of their services, and so I highly recommend them.

To accommodate their customers much better, Abhyangga offers a special service package which consists of foot scrub, manicure, and pedicure - all for 400php, which is a really good deal.

Here is a price list of their individual services:

💅Pedicure 120

💅Manicure 100

💅600 gel manicure for the hands

💅700 gel manicure for the feet

Remind me because I am taking my friends with me and my mom when I visit the spa once again.

Did I mention? They only use organic made nail polishes for their manicure services. From my experience, it doesn't have that strong chemical smell from the usual nail polish available. The color also doesn't come off easily.

If you love pampering with your friends, do contact them because they also cater to a spa party package depending on your wants and needs.

Inside Abhyangga's clean and relaxing place. 

Overall, I had a superb experience in Abhyangga made possible by their friendly staff, great service, and relaxing place. Should you want to unwind on the weekends, best do it with Abhyangga. The spa is located at # 106-107 J&J Building, E. Sabellano Street, Punta Princesa, 6000 Cebu City.

🏛️📚🇵🇭 60th Public Library Day🇵🇭📚🏛️

I've witnessed a historical celebration of Cebu's very own public library. March 9, 2019, marks its first anniversary for its 24/7 services - the first and the only library in the Philippines that caters to its clients 24/7. It was also the 60th public library day in the Philippines. The public library produced successful passers and help transform the public's attitude towards public libraries. I'm just super glad that our local government supports literacy and tries its best to give us, Cebuanos, what we need. 💞

🍵👫🎤AMatcha-mazing Day with Friends🎤👫🍵

I wrapped up my weekend by having a long chit-chat with my college buddies Jong and Hagie. The two were fabulous as ever.  I always feel great spending time with them. We explored a cozy cafè called Cardinal Coffea and because we were a little crazy when we're together, we end up recording a podcast which we entitled CARDINAL TALKS because we'll, we recorded it at the cafe. You can access our talks via Soundcloud if you're bored. Teehee

How about you guys? What are the things that you have experienced on your previous weekends that you are #grateful for? I would love to know in the comments section!

love lots,

Tin

Revel in a Filipino and Southeast Asian Feast at Azia Suites and Residences

       Azia Suites and Residences recognizes the significance of diving into a gastronomical adventure worth discovering which is why it offers an array of savory dishes in its hidden gem - Café Lazat. Made with high-quality ingredients, the café relaunched a brand new feast of Filipino fare and Southeast Asian favorites which are certain to satisfy anyone's appetite. 

       Staying true to its goal in delivering enticing and delectable dishes, Café Lazat presents only the best which incorporates local taste first-timers can take on their palettes. The familiar home-style flavor is set to conjure good memories of family dinners and friendly get-together. Feel like finding out about them? Best do it with your family and friends over their to-share entrees starting from the tender mouthwatering Crispy Pata down to the sinful and spicy Sisig.

      On days with cuddle weather, you may begin your meal with a bowl of warm hearty tomato soup to the healthiest and greenest salad. Indeed, their variety of offerings brings you the most popular dishes in the Philippines and jet sets your choices from the beaches of Cebu to the villages of Asia. If you're fond of fresh seafood, Azia's Platela Grill has what you are craving for. 

       Here are some of their plethora of divine dishes which I got to try during their launch party on the 1st of March.

The excellent hand behind Café Lazat's all-time favorites is Chef Dennis Uy who graced us with a demonstration on how to cook and prepare the tangy Pad Thai. 

    I had my first bite of the classic Southeast Asian Pad Thai and it was a sure love at first bite. The bursting flavor was unlike any other. You'll love the minty after taste bought by coriander and the savory sauce made with love bringing back gastronomic memories from our mothers and grandmothers.

       Accompany your dishes with a glass of good wine and finish it with one of their sweet delights like the classic Buko Pandan and their very own innovative Turon Halo-Halo.

       Azia Suites and Residences is located at the heart of Cebu City which is at 8 Rahmann Extension. With a big A depicting the glorious sun, it is an amazing place during the day and cozy and relaxing at night. You can eat at Azia whether or not you're staying as a hotel guest and, to book you have the option of calling (032) 260 1111 or via visiting their website or official Facebook account. 

Does this post make you hungry? Don’t hesitate any longer: come and try their recently launched menu and let it surprise you!

My Self-Care Practices

     From racing with countless workloads and deadlines, I know exactly how it felt not to be able to cross off tasks from one’s to-do lists. I also recognize that regardless of how much caffeine we welcome into our system, there will be days when we just want to take a flight from everything. Not to mention, there are days where everything just felt so wrong. Those are just some of the things that I have to fully accept and work on should I want to keep myself sane from all stressors. 

     Practicing self-care helps me a lot in keeping things, including my mental and physical health in equilibrium. It would be hypocritical for me to say that I have all things in control right now, but at least, the act helped me maintained some areas of my life in order. I know you’ve heard a lot about self-care trends, I did, and I would say that it’s probably one of the most “millennial” words people used nowadays. Regardless, it’s not a bad thing and I must say that it is necessary not just for the burnout generation, but for every human being. 

     If there’s something that I’d like to be clear about any self-care practices is that it doesn’t have to be costly. Taking care of one’s self doesn’t need one to spend more than he or she ought to which could lead the person more stressed than ever. I do have a demanding job and though it helps me pay the bills, it definitely doesn’t allow me to indulge and spend like an Arabian princess. lol I wish! If we’re on the same page, here are some of my time-tested personal self-care practices which you can also integrate into refreshing your mind. Pardon me; this does not include salt baths, scented candles, and over-the-top facials. 

👨 👩 👧 👧Small Talks with a Big Friend 👨 👩 👧 👧

This is one of the things that I skip doing because of “busy” work life, and I often forget how amazing it is to catch up with a good friend. Even though this is such a challenge for me because my very close friends work in different places, I know that spending time with them would make me feel a whole lot better. There are some things that you can’t easily share with your family or your SO, and with that, our friends are to the rescue. Having a meaningful conversation with your friend will not only give you an update about his/her life, but it also shows how much they mean to you. Thus, strengthening your relationship.

🍛 🥙 🥘 🥗Sunday Cooking with the Fam 🍛 🥙 🥘 🥗

Cooking isn’t always a relaxing activity, it’s one that has given me so much peace. The joy of knowing that I am making something to feed my beloved people just feels great. I came across an adage last month that making something with your heart is poetry. Therefore, every time I cook for my family makes me think that I am serving them poetry – on a plate. Note that what you are cooking doesn’t have to be all grand and fancy. As long as you do it with love, it’s going to work. You’ll see, even once a week, (I like doing it on Sundays.) cooking will allow you to show how much you care for your family and yourself in the process. 

🖋🎨🖌✂️Get Creative with a Journal 🖋🎨🖌✂️

I have been journaling for half and decade already and keeping my journal doesn’t only help me organize my ideas; it also helps me mentally every time I jot down my thoughts and emotions on a sheet of paper. This year, my journal is a bit different. I created my own journal out of a blank notepad. That's because last year, I used one which has notes all over it and I just find it uninspiring as days go by - same as the year 2018. lol Now, I am having so much fun using my journal. I chose to use something with blank pages so that I have enough room to write what I want. I paint in it, I write in it, I make a collage in it and fill it with washi tapes and stickers which are now an obsession!

Personally, I feel that keeping a journal enhances my self-awareness and progress. It also allows me to release my daily stress - which, as we all know is one of the triggers of negative feelings. Journaling is also found to be beneficial if you deal with anxiety. Note that your journal is yours which means that you can have it any way you want it. Wander in it. Create in and with it. Let it help you on your journey.

🙅📲💻Doing a Digital Detox 🙅📲💻
My phone died last December and it was both a terrible and a fantastic thing. It has been difficult at first. I thought I’d lost my mind, but as time moves forward, it made me realized that I don’t really need it to be able to function as a fully-grown working adult. If anything, I was able to accomplish more than I used to. It’s terrible considering that I’m used to having it to accomplish some of my daily routines, yes, including my “social networking needs”, however, it is also a bliss as it made me live more at the moment and appreciate what life serves on my plate. Not having a phone also made me comprehend how much time I used to spend scrolling on its screen instead of enjoying where I currently am and being truly present with the people I am with.

Okay, I’m not saying that you shouldn’t have a phone in order to appreciate life. You certainly don’t have to experience what I went through to do a digital detox. You simply have to allocate several hours a day where you can focus on what you are actually doing without your phone. For instance, if you are catching up that long-anticipated brunch date, you may turn off your mobile phone. Of course, right after you took that #Foodgram of the day. haha If that doesn’t work well with you, you may turn off your phone a few hours before you sleep. Let’s say while you’re doing your nighttime routine. Digital detox wouldn’t only give you more focus in caring for yourself, it is also beneficial to one’s health as it can help us master the art of mindfulness.

 🗾👌🚘🌇Visiting New Places Alone  🗾👌🚘🌇

It's no wonder why more and more millennials consider traveling over other things such as purchasing a  new house. Traveling gives us so many moments worth keeping. Plus, it helps us understand people from walks of life and gives us a new perspective on how we see things such as an Instagrammable landmark. Traveling definitely puts us in a cloud nine-state, but we have to make sure that it's not going to put us in a situation where the only thing left for us to dine in is a can of tuna. lol Not that a can of tuna is bad, but you get the idea. hehe In my case, when my time and my bank account don't allow me to go outside the city, I explore what's within it. On days when I don't feel 100%, I often visit a new cafe and if not, I visit museums and art galleries alone. Not that I'm a loner, but I want to take time reflecting on an artwork or a historical object. Somehow, wandering in a place all by myself gives me a peace of mind where I can gather my thoughts into choosing the right decisions that could lead to taking care of myself.

😂👀📹Watching Feel-Good Short Reels📹👀😂
I am a big fan of the cinema. I am fond of watching films that make me think and could possibly change my perspective over something that has occupied my mind. However, I don't have the luxury of time watching films whenever I want to. Fortunately, Youtube exists. These days I only watch tv on Sundays when my favorite magazine show is on air. Other than that, I spend much of my time watching short documentaries and some other random feel-good videos. I love watching 73 Questions by the American Vogue, Vice Documentaries, Great Big Story, VOX videos, TED-Ed, and just recently, Naomi Campbell's Youtube channel. Yes, she got one. Watching videos from these channels helps me relieve my daily stress and learn something new.

How about you guys? What are some of your personal self-care practices? I would be more than happy to know (and copy) them. haha!

love lots,
Tin