The Healing Bread in Naga City

Naga City - It's almost one year since The Healing Bread (THB) opened here in our city. Offering healthy bread, buns, wine, cakes, burgers, pasta, pizza but with all organic ingredients. It's only yesterday that I had the chance to stop by THB. Even though Panganiban Drive is a daily route where THB is located, the idea that it's just there made me delay my visit, which I now regret haha.

Probably the only organic garden bakery in Bicol Region to date and Naga City is indeed blessed and lucky to have this kind of place. THB offers artisan breads meaning, distinctively made in small quantities traditionally by hand, making sure that the bread is of high quality and guaranteed fresh. 

This is one place that is totally guilt-free but not sacrificing good taste and flavor. 

They have this Blue Ternate Veggie Pizza which I want to try the next time I visit. The crust is made from the goodness of moringa, oat whole wheat course and watered with guyabano tea. Sounds really really healthy. They have lots of cake too.

Since it was early in the morning, I ordered for take out, Pandesal (3 pcs for P10) and currently my favorite the Moringa Basil Wheat Bread which is perfect for sharing for only P50.

Hoping to come back sooner next time. The mushroom burger, veggie pizza and cakes are on my list!

Let's live healthier, patronize local bakeshops like The Healing Bread. 

The Healing Bread

Door 8 Duplex 3 Panganiban Drive, Naga City

(Near Naga City Subdivision entrance)

Email: thehealingbread@yahoo.com

Contact No.0917-807-5004 or 0918-663-0534

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Bratanella Patisserie

COMING SOON!

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Avenue Plaza Hotel's Afternoon Tea

Avenue Plaza Hotel is lauded as the most awarded hotel in Bicol. This is undeniably true as they continue to innovate their products and services in a way they can accommodate each and every Bicolano and guests to Experience The Good Life. Last September 16, the famous Afternoon Tea was re-launched. It was the first Chef's Table exclusive event for the Luxe Club Members. Key personalities in Naga and bloggers also graced the event.

How did the Afternoon Tea get so famous? It was also of the same month last year when the first ever Afternoon Tea was introduced to us Bicolanos with only one set which is the Classic (read about it HERE). The Afternoon Tea became very popular and in demand.  There were even days when the three-tier trays gets all out in one afternoon. 

Then there were three. After two months and just in time for Christmas, two new sets were added, the Signature and Exquisite set. The new lovely sets added more to the curiosity of the people. (Read more about it HERE). The Afternoon Tea became like a culture especially to many Nagueños. With this re-launching of the Afternoon Tea, one could expect more from the former three sets. 

Avenue Plaza Hotel invests in people. Isn't it amazing when companies really invests in remarkable people? With the new sets of Afternoon Tea, comes the new Chefs of Avenue Plaza Hotel. They may be new here but the decade-old experiences of these two people will very much suffice as to why the pastries are close to perfection. 

I believe we will be expecting more from the new Executive Chef. His expertise will surely blow as away.

 I need not say more about these two remarkable chefs.  Just look at their experiences and achievements.

This guy was connected to Starbucks Philippines, take note of that. 

From Left-Right: The new Classic, Exquisite, Signature

My first plate of pastries during the event.

Now let's head on to the new sets of Afternoon Tea. Remember, each set is even good for four (or more) persons depending upon your appetite and your companion's too. For group gatherings and get-togethers, I have always reiterated that this is a good option rather than having coffee especially from international brands plus a slice of cake or any other pastry. The ambiance at the Avenue Plaza Hotel is always for the win, it is like a fundamental gesture of the hotel for you to feel at home. This you won't get in a crowded coffee shop.

Afternoon Tea is available daily at the Cafe Plazuela of Avenue Plaza Hotel from 2PM to 6PM. Each set is served with a hot pot of your favorite Twinnings tea. For inquiries and reservations call (054)4739999.

CLASSIC (P580)

Coffee Panna Cotta, Mudcake, Baba Au Rhum with Pistacchio, Boston Cream Cake

Double Chocolate Cookies, Oatmeal Dates Cookies, Avenue Minie Ensaimada, Apricot Dreams

Quiche Lorraine, Chicken Mango Crepes, Bacon, Lettuce & Tomato Sandwich

Compare it with the old Classic set HERE

Please don't ask me anymore if they taste good because basically I love pastries and they all tasted good for me. But if I were to describe the sweets and pastries, they are all heavenly with unique textures and taste that will be complemented by your choice of tea. Highlighted pastries are my personal favorites. 

EXQUISITE (P620)

Carrot Wallnut Muffin, Mini Brioche Filled with Ube, Mango Yoghurt Terrine, Macapuno Pie

Revel Bars, Mocca Paris Brest, Ube Almond Macaroons, Fruit Tart

Swan Liver Mousse, Croque Monsieur, Smoked Salmon Sandwich 

Compare it with the old Exquisite set HERE

SIGNATURE (P680)


Silvanas, Macademia Cranberry Tart, Double Chocolate Pudding, Cream Cheese Brownies



Butter Scotch, Cinnamon Swirl, Profiteroles, Scones



Ham, Cheese and Salami Sandwich, Chicken Empanada, Quiche Florentine

Compare it with the old Signature set HERE

The QUICHE FLORENTINE is probably the pastry that I got so intrigued in. I tried guessing the main ingredient but I failed after asking Chef Paul about it. The main ingredient is SPINACH. To be honest, I have never tasted anything like it and I just love it!

PRICING. If you were able to compare the new sets of Afternoon Tea from the old ones, there's a significant increase in number of pastries and sweets per plate. The experience of Chef Paul is incomparable, his creations will amaze you. There is a slight increase in the prices of the Afternoon Tea. Let me tell you why. The prices of the previous sets of Afternoon Tea was a PROMO RATE, meaning, discounts can't be availed by anyone. This time, Luxe Club members can avail of the discount as well as senior citizens. Now better start convincing your parents/seniors to visit the Cafe Plazuela for an Afternoon Tea. 

A closer look

SHARING THE "EXPERIENCE THE GOOD LIFE". It was already the Penafrancia holidays and we had relatives from Ilocos Norte and Cavite  who traveled a long way to celebrate with us. Three days after the launching, we surprised them to Avenue for an Afternoon Tea. We ordered the Classic and Signature set. Since the Luxe Club card is a blessing, I did not hesitate to use it for the Afternoon Tea to avail of the discount. We were at the Umbria-Poolside of the hotel and catching up with my relatives has gone really interesting and sweet as we indulge in the heavenly pastries. Extending the "Experience of the Good Life" to your loved ones who you only see once in a blue moon is really heartwarming.

This is the other kind of tray of the Afternoon Tea

Here are some of the photos they took while enjoying the poolside of the hotel.

My cousin, Febie.

Avenue now has additional fans from Ilocos Norte and Cavite. 

For the nth time, THANK YOU BIG TIME Avenue Plaza Hotel, Sir Allan Cu, the General Manager, Sir Jerome, the Marketing Manager and Ms. Apple of SoleSearchingSoul.com and the rest of the staff of Avenue. You all played a big part in nagacitydeck's growth in the social media from the beginning up until today and for that I am always grateful. More power and God bless!!

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Bratanella Cupcake

Being a frustrated baker, the next option that I can be at the moment is to love cakes and pastries. More often than not I have to do extra errands for myself just to satisfy my sweet tooth. I had a special weekend last Saturday all because of a special box. 

**VALENTINE's 2015 SPECIAL
Say I LOVE YOU to your special someone and paint oh-so-good memories with them over these flavors: Red Velvet, Carrot and BanaChoco. Comes in 6 pieces in a box with 3 flavors. For order/s or reservation vibe 09176550132 **

The special box with cupcakes came in reds, Red Velvet (Brat's Best Seller) to be specific making me more ecstatic because red is my favorite color. 

From Php 420 to 570 you can choose from a lot of varieties of flavors and designs that can surely delight you or your loved ones. Designs can also be personalized according to your preference and occasion. Cupcakes can be topped with frosting, fondant or also with fillings. These cupcakes will surely add color and sweetness to your events or just make your ordinary day extra special. 

The cupcakes are not only visually appealing but most importantly they taste good. Personally I like pastries that are not too sweet and Bratanella Cupcakes are for the win in that aspect. This can actually mean another piece of cupcake in just one sitting.  BUT, don't get me wrong, when I say not too sweet it may already mean too sweet for others that's because I have "high tolerance for sugar". Honestly, hindi sya "nakakaumay", my mom for example do not eat too much cupcakes or even other kinds sweets, but this time, she ate two cupcakes. Now that's impressive.

 

Bratanella Cupcake is an Online Cupcake Shop owned / managed by Angelica Peña , 4th year Student of Ateneo de Naga University. Since 2012, Bratanella Cupcake has been providing low-cost high-quality home-made pastry products with the best possible service around Naga City. Though majority of their customers are students, they also attend to young professionals and cater during special events such as weddings, proposals, birthday celebrations and many more.  

Not only do they make high-quality cupcakes but they also do charity work named “Brat on a mission”. Through this, they are able to help our brothers and sisters who are disabled, homeless and less fortunate through medical missions and also giving away their finest pastries for free. 

The varieties of Brat's cupcakes are personally “handpicked” so that they could meet the wants and needs of their customers and to provide them with a uniquely exquisite experience from their pastries at the same rtime showcasing the richness of the Bikolano Culture. 

Ms. Alec (the owner) is obviously passionate in her hobby-turned-business. She is one good example of today's youth who nurtured her talent not only for income but also for  the society as a whole. Her "Brat on a mission" is really something to be admired of because not all kids get to enjoy special cupcakes. There's a saying that you can actually tell if the baker baked the pastry out of happiness and Bratanella Cupcakes are honest to goodness happy cupcakes based on my experience. Thank you Alec and Kevin for sharing this lovely and yummy goodies to nagacitydeck.com. More blessings for Bratanelle Cupcake!

So there, even if you are not here in Naga and you need a gift for someone, order your cupcakes at Bratanella Cupcake online cupcake shop and they will deliver it to your loved ones. Your special days and not so ordinary days will be extra sweet and fun because of Brat's cupcakes.

Contact Details:

Viber or SMS: 0917-655-0132 

E-Mail : brattcake@gmail.com 

Payment Details : Bank Deposit – BDO / BPI 

Don't forget to LIKE and Follow Brat on Facebook, Ingstagram and Pinterest

https://www.facebook.com/BratanellaCupcake 

http://instagram.com/bratanellacupcake 

http://www.pinterest.com/brattcake/bratanella-cupcake/ 

Other designs of Bratanella Cupcake

 Image Courtesy of Bratanella Cupcake Facebook Page

 Image Courtesy of Bratanella Cupcake Facebook Page

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Afternoon Tea: Two New Lovely Sets

Cafe Plazuela of Avenue Plaza Hotel I believe, is one of the many reasons why they have been receiving a lot of awards both from the local and international tourism scene. The Afternoon Tea  as part of what Cafe Plazuela offers, has been a common past time and leisure to a lot of Naguenos and guests after it was introduced a few months ago.

*UPDATE* September 16, 2014 - Avenue Plaza Hotel re-launches the famous Avenue Plaza Hotel. CLICK HERE

While most of us Filipinos are fond of eating the usual baduya or simply pugon with butter alongside softdrinks or coffee, Avenue Plaza Hotel introduced us to a whole lot of "experiencing the good life" through different perspectives. From fun filled activities to skill building sessions, musical presentations across genres to food adventures from around the world. The Avenue has been always providing us not only an alternative but a journey of experiencing the good life right in the comfort of our city.

If there's a saying that "it's sweeter the second time around", the two new lovely sets of the Afternoon Tea is a testament to that. The first set is known as the Classic (3rd from left). You can read my previous post about that HERE. 

Feast your eyes! Everything is beautifully presented both in plating and how the cakes and pastries were made. The "looks" of the sets will not deceive you, for everything is really palatable and next to perfection. Everything you see on the plates are cooked / baked with passion by the Chefs of Avenue Plaza Hotel. The sets along with the its name, carries a different personality or taste that anyone of us will be able to appreciate. But if you have this "love for food", don't forget to try all the sets to satisfy your craving for food adventures. 

The Classic set consists of the following

From bottom to top layer:

Smoke Salmon Sandwich and Clubhouse Sanwich

Banana Chocochip Cupcake, Avenue Ensaymada, Walnut Muffins

Blueberry and Marble Cheese Cake, White Panacota Vanilla, Chocolate Cake, Tiramisu

More pics by layers on our previous post HERE

Only P342 good for 2 to 3 persons (or more).

The two new sets are just as lovely as the first set, only that they are more special this time.

The Exquisite set consists of:

From bottom to top layer:

Pork Barbecue Quesadillas with Tomato Salsa

Chocolate-Coffee Cupcake, Cinammon Twist, Cream Puffs

Chocolate Sponge Caramel Shot, Triple Rush Chocolate Cake, Orea Cheesecake, Lemon Cake

The Avenue Signature set consists of: 

From bottom to top layer:

Grilled Chicken Panini, Mini Beef Burger

Tomato and Cheese Scones, Apple Crumble, Nutella Eclairs, Fruit Tart

Truffle Chocolate Cheesecake, Pistachio Sansirval, Banana Cream Pie, Red Velvet Cake

Give your self, your friends or your family a treat once in a while. Price ranges from Php 580 to Php 480 down to Php 340. What you see is what you get, no other hidden charges once you get the bill. The alternatives are here and it's up to you to choose. I know, you along with your company have a certain taste for cakes or pastries, but I bet you'll find it hard to choose which set will you order first. But then again, you are always welcome to come back and enjoy the rest of the sets (over and over again) or until you have tried all three.

Now here's another favorite from Cafe Plazuela, the Avenue Ensaymada. This will be perfect for the holidays as gifts or for Noche Buena. Available in Box of 6 and 12. For bulk orders make sure you order a day before you intend to purchase. Freshness guaranteed! 

So if you are running out of gift ideas, why not give them a gift certificate of any of the Afternoon Tea Sets, the Business Lunch (a menu which we will also feature soon) or a box of the Avenue Ensaymada. Or perhaps a night stay at the hotel or Olympia Gym membership. By the way, we Bicolanos can avail of the 25% discount on published room rates with Avenue Plaza Hotel's Hometown Specials Promo. For more details about the gift certificates and Hometown Specials Promo just call (054) 473-9999.

I enjoyed the company of the other bloggers and social media 'influencers' last Friday the 13th. Just like what Ms. Sam Brown said that Friday the 13th was a lucky day for us. Thank you Sir Allan Cu for pampering us and Ms. Apple, for making us always feel so at home whenever we are at the Avenue. Hats off to the two amazing Chefs of Cafe Plazuela who we personally met and spared us a few minutes of their busy 'kitchen time'. (apologies, I forgot their names hehe)

Remember, afternoons are better with tea and company only at the Cafe Plazuela of Avenue Plaza Hotel. So come visit and enjoy the afternoon tea, the holidays are here to stay with your friends and loved ones. Cheers to Avenue! More power!

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Goldilocks Naga Centro

Goldilocks Naga Centro has transferred to Nagaland Hotel building, Elias Angeles St. Naga City (in front of Nagaland Emall)
Updated: December 2013

Former location was at Gen. Luna St. Naga City

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