Sunday, January 6, 2019

Chocolate review: Vanini latte finissimo cacao 49%

We had this Vanini bar among the last ones that the wife brought from her trip to Italy. This one also was pushed to the back of the refrigerator's top shelf where we keep our chocolates. I've mentioned before that we were more into dark chocolates but the wife made an exception here because of the Sicilian sea salt in the chocolate.

This Vanini bar also contains Sicilian sea salt
Details of the chocolate at the back of the box
Interesting information on the product includes sustainable trade, single origin cocoa, fairly traded cocoa beans, vegetarian diet and GMO free.
Nutrition and ingredients information

The sea salt blended well with the milk chocolate. And this reminded us of others like it that combined sea salt and chocolate only that the other bars were dark chocolate. That's probably because this milk chocolate was very refined and didn't taste like the mass produced variety. This one's definitely something we should pick up when we see the chocolate in a shop somewhere.
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Saturday, January 5, 2019

Eggs for Breakfast, Antipolo City

The wife had been telling me about this restaurant/cafe in Antipolo that she wanted to try eating at. One time she was able to do so and with our daughter as the opportunity presented itself after doing some errands a couple of months ago. Eggs for Breakfast is located at the Velada Estate in the Villa Cecilia Subdivision along Sumulong Highway. The junction where you turn right is immediately after the Caltex Station a short distance from the Masinag Junction. 

I finally was able to eat there after an appointment in Marikina. This time, I was with my wife and kid and my in-laws. Here are a few photos I took.

The path from the parking area to the restaurant was a very pleasant one as a nice garden suddenly appears before you.
The restaurant/cafe is found inside a compound or estate, which is also an events venue.
Eggs Benedict - this was among their signature dishes and it did not disappoint
Caesar's Salad - the greens were fresh and crispy while the dressing was just right and, I thought, was lighter than the usual dressing.
Tapsilog - their take on this popular item on Filipino breakfasts
Carbonara - the shiitake and truffle gave this version a thumbs up from me.

The food was good and the service was also good. It is a good choice for those wanting to have breakfast, brunch or lunch. I thought that their selection of items featuring their "eggs" theme suits them well. I have yet to try their French toast but I hear it was also good. Price-wise, the items won't certainly put a proverbial hole in your pocket. I look forward to eating here again sometime soon to try other items on their menu. I think I am not alone in this regard for the restaurant as they sure had a steady stream of diners there. Perhaps they should consider having a bigger area to accommodate more people?
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Thursday, January 3, 2019

Orator vintage watch

This is a late post as I have already given the watch away as a Christmas/New Year's gift to a friend who is also into collecting watches. This is a nice vintage piece that is in great condition and another example of a product of a small company that was among the casualties of the quartz 'revolution' of the 1970s.

Simple dial without any complications of a date or day feature
The red second hand is the most prominent feature of this watch
The case back showing the watch to be anti-magnetic, water resistant, and with incabloc shock resistance
Hallmark showing this watch to be 20 microns gold-plated
I have yet to open the watch and have it serviced but its running well with this movement that was posted by the seller.
This is not a large watch and the 16mm lugs would likely be a turnoff. But instead of finding slim/narrow straps, I opt for 18mm natos like this one I use for other watches.

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