Cefi & Me opens at Paseo de Paoay

Sunny, effervescent, refreshing — those three words enter my mind as soon as I step into Cefi & Me. The baker in Toni Carag has been unleashed and baby Cefi, the frosting to her cupcake, appears to be getting a thrill from the whirling scent of confections inside the patisserie.

Cefi & Me is situated at the corner of pristine Paseo de Paoay close by the painfully beautiful Paoay Church. (I live in Ilocos, but it feels like I am in a different world whenever I catch a glimpse of the church’s striking architecture.)

Kristine Manuel and Kit Mandac had the honors to cut the ribbon.

Reishan Paredes and Joanna Jimenez light up the room.

How time flies, Toni and her cousin Tina’s babies! Our godson, MJ (in black), is all grown up. But I love it that Toni always calls me “manang”. The other baby in the photo below is Cooper, the cute son of Carlos and Janina Fariñas. Hihih, and Nerisa might just have given birth.

I made sure I had a photo with photographer Glenn Tumaneng because he had to take my photo (at the bottom of the post). Of course, you shouldn’t believe me ‘coz the vibes of the afternoon was cheery.

Radiant Kristine Manuel. I saw the light and I had to pressure her for this photo.

Check out the interesting menu. We had gyros, penne, fresh dragonfruit and I bought cheese cupcakes. Yum! If I were not too full, I would have ordered kesong puti bun d’ sal.

I want to congratulate and wish Toni all the best in her new endeavor.

Other photos by Kit, Glenn T and Joanna
Photographed by Blauearth © Blauearth™ All Rights Reserved 2009-2014

The new cupcakes in town

Just when I thought of giving food blogging a rest, Cefi and Me is hatched. Toni Carag, the young owner of Playa Tropical Resort Hotel in Currimao, gets bitten by the baking bug, or was she born a baker ‘coz her cupcakes have that high tone to it? If you read my recent post on Mallory’s first birthday party, she made the heavenly blue velvet cupcakes. The little cake’s just the right volume, not heavy, and not spongy either, so you never get that tiresome feeling. The cream cheese frosting is another level, says the hubby who is so picky when it comes to cakes. He just made me order a dozen blue velvet cupcakes for Thursday.

Cefi and Me is soon to open at the Paseo de Paoay. Cef is Toni’s angel. And Toni’s dad, Lito, has even joined her in baking — quite a formidable team because I know for a fact that the dad has exacting taste. I had the opportunity to try his banana loaf (in photos below), and it amazes me that you would think he’s been baking forever. In truth, I didn’t know that about Lito that he is so into the kitchen, developing sweet recipes. “It’s just a hobby. Daddy and I love to bake,” Toni says.

The banana loaf is more of a cake with moist, marbled texture. It is rich, without getting cloying, and it refrigerates well. If I’m not mistaken, chocolate chips were thrown in for that surprising twist.

Keep posted for the opening of Cefi and Me. In the meantime, Toni accepts orders through her FB account (here).

Top photo by Martine
Photographed by Blauearth © Blauearth™ All Rights Reserved 2009-2014

Now Open! Goldilocks Laoag

Finally! Laoag welcomes the long overdue arrival of a Filipino icon. Barely as old as me, the little bakeshop in a tiny apartment in Makati rose from humble beginnings to legendary stature, with stores scattered around the country, the US and Canada.

After snapping photos at the opening parade of the Laoag Pamulinawen Festival, I thought of celebrating the day at Goldilocks. You won’t believe what you’re seeing next! I don’t understand how all my favorites fit into the tummy.

– Dinuguan at puto and jumbo barbecue.

– Catching up with Toni Carag. We used to work together as provincial tourism officers at the kapitolyo.  Her family owns the franchise.

– Fresh lumpia with crunchy ubod (heart of palm) in peanut sauce.

– Talk about going mainstream — the new Goldilocks Chicken Miki Soup was inspired by Ilocos’ own specialty simply known as miki.  It’s not yet available though.

– Bought some chicken pies for the hubby. He has been craving for one for the longest time.

Binging and not splurging, it lessens the guilt.

Have a great weekend everyone! Happy Fiesta, Laoag!

Photographed by Blauearth © Blauearth™ All Rights Reserved 2009-2013