Woodfire Brick Oven Pizza - Amare La Cucina

As my days of "freedom" are finally coming to an end, I asked a week vacation (surprisingly granted request) to the place I consider as my second home - Baguio!

There have been a lot of new establishments that sprung up since I left the city four years ago. (I took my college there) That's why I made a list of the new ones I wanted to check out, together with the old places I used to go to for that trip-down-memory-lane feels.

On my first night, my elder sister took me out to dinner at this new pizza place that has  been featured  frequently on blogs, food reviews and on facebook pages. A pizza place whose method of baking goes back to the old conventional woodfire brick-oven - Amare La Cucina.

When at a new place, we always go for the bestsellers and the Foie Gras with truffle oil was highly recommended. Oh, I also learned that foie gras is French term for liver. This made me hesitant in making the order because it is one of the few foods I don't eat (yep, just a few. it's on the list sitting before spaghetti and after anything exotic like frog, goat and dogs! haha) But my sister was very convincing and so I took a bite. The crust was thin (but not so thin), soft with a little crunch, topped with a combination of flavors that is just extraordinary - just the way I like it! Taking that bite maybe is one of the best food decisions I made in life. Haha

Foie Gras with truffle oil pizza

Aside from the pizza though, they also serve a variety of pasta, salad, skewers, ribs and of course, dessert! For pasta, we tried Fruti di Mare, a mixed seafood pasta which was also perfect!

Speculoos cookie butter gelato

The dessert selection was also a difficult one. It was battle between Nutella pizza topped with creamy vanilla ice cream and a Speculoos cookie butter gelato. Too difficult, but a decision should be made. So after a debate, we came up to a final decision of choosing the latter. Why, you ask? Because we planned on having another round of dessert (chocolate, this time) at another place. Guys, don't judge please. The night was still young. :) The gelato was full of flavor and very creamy, it also has the right amount of sweetness thus you don't easily get tired of it but even want more. 

Amare La Cucina is located inside Albergo Hotel just across Wright Park. This, to me, is the only disappointment when you go visit the place. It's vintage and unique thus I absolutely think it deserves it's own spotlight. We don't always see a pizza place going back to basics, do we? Overall, I say it's a must-visit when in Baguio and a 5 out of 5 for me!

I'll blog about the rest of my vacation on my succeeding posts! Till then. 😊

- aPinchof Carina

Baguio, we meet again!

Baguio, we meet again! <3 So, I had to leave the event because my family and I went to Baguio. My sister, Ate Aprylle, had a mild breakdown due to her Medicine clerkship, and also it’s been a while since we last visited her, so we decided to spend a night there.

We arrived in Baguio late in the afternoon. Ate Aprylle wasn’t at the dorm then so we had to wait, which was fine, because we also needed the time to rest. I’ve been traveling to Baguio since I was little and even more back in college because we went home almost every weekend but still I didn’t get use to it. I always feel light-headed and really tired though it’s only a 2-hour drive.

My brother’s girlfriend also dropped by before she headed home for the weekend. She’s a very sweet gal. I really like her.

my brother and his hunny!

When Ate Aprylle arrived she suggested that all of us have dinner out. It was unexpected of her to invite because we all know she had to review for her oral exams that week and, also unusual because she didn’t mind skipping review night to spend the night with us. Maybe she missed us really much. I know I did. And still do. I miss my Ate! <3

while on our way, I saw this new building and got surprised when I saw the name. GREAT TASTE! It serves very yummy and affordable food. And now, the serve it in a nice place!

We went to Camp John Hay for dinner and saw that there are new shops that opened. When I left Baguio there were only tarps of the store. I feel like I just left but a lot has seemed to change. Time really flies so fast, eh? Sometimes (just sometimes) I wish I was back in Baguio. HAHA (in time, I will.) Anyways, my Mama learned about a promo at one of the stores and she just can’t say NO to it. Well, the promo was -BUY 3 AND GET A 30% DISCOUNT – it’s like getting the third item for free! Who can say NO to that? Well, not my Mama. That’s for sure!

Sorry for the poor quality!

My Ate Aprylle and I

We all wanted to try the new seafood restaurant but unfortunately it wasn’t open. So we had to think of another place to eat. Joseph, my brother, suggested Mario’s. My first experience in Mario’s is unforgettable. It was on my second year of college to attend a debut lunch party of a friend. It was on my Favorite Restaurant Listsince then. ;D

Upon entering, the first thing you’ll see is their dessert display. Canonigo is a must try! Here, they also serve the best Paella! Well, maybe because it’s the only place I ever had Paella, but even so, I still think it’ll be one of the best! It’s an ultimate favorite of us siblings. <3 When we arrived, the place was full but lucky us there was still a table at the far end corner. Better than waiting. Yay!

Mario s, Baguio City

while waiting for our orders, we had bread and butter.

Caesar s Salad.

Beef Salpicao

Baby Back Ribs

Tuscany Platter - A trio of medium well steak, fish and prawn.

It was pretty late (for mama) and getting cold already, so we headed straight home after dinner. My sister, who repeatedly promised herself to review upon arriving went straight to bed. As always! The others followed one by one. I, on the other hand, sat in the balcony and enjoyed the cold breeze of Baguio until sleep finally gave me a visit. oh how I missed Baguio!

Baguio Cathedral

The next day, we went up early for mass. Unfortunately, the mass we attended to was in Ilocano. Boo. But we still stayed and prayed.

Bought coffee and food for the trip home.

SM was the last place we went to before leaving. It was sad leaving Ate Aprylle alone again. And also sad leaving Baguio. It’s really a place filled with happy memories for me. It’s my happy place next to home. Until me meet again, Baguio! <3

Toodles! <3

Army Navy

When I left Baguio, a part of Session Road was being renovated. Now there are new restaurants that stand at the heart of Baguio. One of them is Army Navy, where my friends and I had our lunch on Monday.

Army Navy Counter

My order - Chicken Quesadillas

Freedom Fries - Thin sliced fries! Love this to death! Perfect!

Onion Rings - Thinly coated rings. They re crispy and just gives that crunchy sound in every bite!

LiberTEA. Freshly brewed iced tea, the Army Navy way!

Classic Burger - Prepare yourselves coz with the size of this burger eating it can get pretty messy =D

L-R Bea, Grei, Arvic and Moi

It’s my second time at AN and I always get stuffed and satisfied. Good thing I was wearing a dress somehow loose, ‘coz if not, my tummy would be popping! Haha I shall come back for the fries soooon! =D

PS. More details of my visit to Baguio on my next post! =D