Tricks and Treats Halloween Festival at Crimson Hotel

We were lucky enough to have been given literally the last three tickets to this sold out event. Ticket price was Php950 per person but we got ours at 30% off (Php665) because of the hotel's promo with ANC. We dropped by the hotel two days before the event to claim our tickets.

On the day of the event, the venue looked super fun and everything was well-organized. 

panoramic shot of the Crimson Ballroom, where most of the event was held

even grown ups dressed for the occasion

Activities and entertainment included trick or treat stations, looming workshop, arts and crafts, face painting and glitter tattoos, a haunted playhouse, an inflatable slide, a puppet and magic show, a fashion show featuring Rajito and a silent auction for the benefit of Move.org Foundation and Starlight Training School for Special Youth.

ref magnet painting

magic show

parade of children wearing costumes

silent auction featuring arts, hotel accommodations and gift certificates, among others

Event sponsors set up stations to provide free samples and services, as well as showcase items for sale.

The snack boxes were provided by Crimson Hotel.

spaghetti, mini burger and brownie

Among all the sponsors, Scarsdale Artisanal Delights was our absolute favorite.

everything at their display looked sooo good!

free treats

Even with all the free sweets, we couldn't resist trying their cronuts: The Elvis and Carlo's Favorite (Php 100 each)

Note to self: pay Scarsdale a visit as soon as we recover from all these sugar

We surely got more than our money's worth at this event. For the price we paid, I seriously doubt there could have been a better choice.

happy to take all of these home

Bluebay Walk is a lifestyle hub along Macapagal Avenue that caters to all leisurely needs of all budget ranges. Since the beginning of its operation in early 2014, a number of food, beauty and shopping outlets have continually opened along the commercial strip. EJ, Amara and I frequent this complex and we love walking along the open-air promenade.

Every now and then, Bluebay Walk holds a family day. Activities during the one held Oct. 18 included a kite making and kite flying workshop, a bubble show and an outdoor movie. A lot of families attended the event and it was pretty successful.

kite making workshop - kits were provided for free to those who pre-registered for the event

kid-friendly attractions were all over the open space

kite flying

makeshift bubble wands and bottles of bubble solution were sold for P110/set

famous cartoon characters joined the fun

outdoor big screen for the viewing of "Shrek Forever After"

we brought our own mats, pillows, blankets and snacks to fully enjoy the experience

Even with all the buzz in this day and age, there will never be a substitute for spending quality time with the kids. We believe that meaningful parent-child interactions will last in a child's heart far longer than the thrill and joy of a brand new toy. We surely hope that more commercial places will start offering family-oriented activities such as this one. Good job Bluebay Walk!

Yamato Bakery Cafe Blue Bay Walk

Having been LITERALLY born and raised inside a bakery, the love for bread is inherent in me. I couldn't be more excited when I found out that Yamato Bakery Cafe is opening within the area.

Yamato Bakery Cafe is a Japanese style bakery that came from the operators of UCC and Mitsuyado Sei-Men, hence the same opening date for all three.

A wave of nostalgia swept over me upon the greeting of that ever familiar smell of freshly baked bread.

cafe interior

cake display

sweet and savory breads and pastries

more breads

ready made sandwiches and drinks

at the back of the cafe is an open kitchen where all their bread are baked

My bread expertise, almost like a sixth sense, told me that the croissants should be good. Since the ambiance at UCC Clockwork is more conducive for hanging out, I requested that my orders be sent over to my table next door.

mini croissants: maple (Php 18), chocolate (Php 23) and green tea (Php 28)

I also got a choux cream pastry for EJ and a chocolate mousse cup for Amara.

choux cream pastry (Php 80)

chocolate mousse cup (Php 120)

I wasn't surprised to find out that everything was good. The choux pastry and cream filling were light and airy, just the way they should be. The croissants were buttery, flaky and light, not at all oily. Raves on the green tea croissant, simply the best out of all that I've tasted. I'm not a fan of chocolate mousse, but this one wasn't bad either.

Other items worth noting are:

okonomiyaki (Php 60)

nori sushi (Php 80)

wafu hamburger (Php 75)

Yamato breads have passed the incredibly high standards I set when it comes to breads and pastries. As early as now, I am already planning what to try on my next visit :)

Ambiance: 4/5
Service: 5/5
Taste: 5/5
Price: 4/5

Yamato Bakery Cafe

Blue Bay Walk

Diosdado Macapagal Avenue

Pasay City

opening hours:

Monday through Sunday: 7 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

22 Jupiter St.
Bel Air, Makati
Tel: (02) 5511390

opening hours:
Monday through Sunday: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

D.I.Y. Pancakes at Slappy Cakes

Amara's fave...

Slappy Cakes, an all-day breakfast place, offers an innovative dining experience with their built-in table top non-stick griddles that let people of all ages and cooking skill levels enjoy DIYing their own pancakes right at the table. Eating here is definitely fun and creative. We've been here several times before and we are back upon Amara's request.

table top non-stick griddle

For the nth time, Amara ordered buttermilk pancakes. The batter has the right consistency and has good flavor. You can't go wrong with this one. One bottle makes about six regular-sized pancakes. Amara likes hers plain and simple so we don't order fixins and toppings anymore. Maple and mango syrups are available at the table. Butter is not served (totally unnecessary) but is available upon request.

buttermilk batter (Php 225)

mango syrup (left) and maple syrup (right)

kids having fun

EJ and I ordered Pop's Pot Roast, which is roasted pork served with mashed potatoes and vegetables. The serving is good enough for two so we just ordered two servings of rice and shared. We've had this several times in the past and it was always good. This time around, the pork was dry and the vegetables were bland. The mashed potatoes was still good though, creamy and flavorful.

Pop's Pot Roast (Php 390)

steamed white rice (Php 60)

In all honestly, I wouldn't mind not returning to Slappy Cakes anymore. Food is average and price is a bit on the steeper side. But as much as EJ and I want to eat somewhere new every time, Amara likes it here and we have to let her win every now and then. I'm pretty sure this won't be our last.

Ambiance: 3/5
Service: 3/5
Taste: 3/5
Price: 3/5

Slappy Cakes
G/F SM Jazz Mall Residences
Nicanor Garcia St. cor. Jupiter St.
Makati

Tel: (02) 9093501 (Main: Eastwood Branch)
Email: info@slappycakes.com.ph