Why I keep going back to Figaro

Figaro Coffee Company is one those places that not only serves a good cup of java but also healthy, mouthwatering food at reasonable prices, the reason it's one of my favorites. That's even with the opening of new coffee and milk tea shops nowadays. Well, I am just reminded that I haven't tried Figaro's milk tea drinks yet, 
which is another reason to visit again soon! 
My kids and I have visited their branches along Banawe St. in Quezon City (my preferred store because of the relaxing ambiance!) and at Robinsons 
Place Manila numerous times and I'm surprised to realize 
I haven't shared about it in my blog! 
What do we love at Figaro aside from coffee? The salads, pasta, sandwiches, rice 
meals and cakes! It would have been easier to say everything, I know! I don't 
remember ordering something that I didn't particularly like at 
Figaro, except for one (find out later!). 

What we've had so far:

Asian Chicken Salad, P219.
This is my top fave salad at Figaro. The medley of colors makes this healthy plate so yummy and appetizing. And the slices of chicken make this one pass as a complete meal in itself, especially if you're cutting down on carbs. It's filling! The sweet and tangy Asian sauce makes this salad a feast for the taste buds. 

Mexican Taco Salad, P225.
A hit among the kids and the kids at heart! It's ok to let the young ones enjoy 
the corn chips as long as they eat the veggies too. 😊

Greek Roka Salad, P219.
Reminds me of the waldorf salad at a fast food chain. I love 
candied walnuts with my greens! 

Pasta a la Carlo, P235.
I could say this is not the usual pasta you can order at restaurants. This dish has 
some unique flavors that go well together. It's sweetish, 
savory, a bit sour, and overall delicious. 

Italian Meatball Bolognese, P235.
The closest my big-little boy could get to spaghetti and he had no complaints! 

Gourmet Spanish Chorizo Pasta, P285.
Another pasta dish that's uniquely Figaro's. Loved this delish filling treat as well.

Five Cheese and Garlic Pizza, P225.
A simple yet tasty treat I would love to have anytime. I'm a huge fan of both 
cheese and garlic so this pizza is tops for me!

Gourmet Spanish Chorizo Cubana, P275.

This is an awesome plate with a really good meat dish and is offered as all-day breakfast. Who doesn't love fried bananas and egg? 

Lemon Butter Fish Fillet, P249.
A simple fish meal that's nevertheless a delight to the taste buds. This is an 
Executive Lunch Set that comes with lemonade and dessert. 

French Mushroom Omelette, P225.

A light meal if it's all you want. However, this was really light because there 
weren't a lot of mushrooms in my serving. And you may have noticed 
that the salad looks rather lonely. Boo-hoo! This was the only time 
I didn't get to enjoy my order at Figaro.

Figaro Club Croissant Sandwich, P225.
This was a huge, tasty and filling meal. With a side of potato chips to enjoy.

BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich, P280.
Flavorful pulled pork with healthy alfalfa and lettuce, sandwiched in between 
two slices of batard bread and served with potato chips. 
My daughter loved this one. 

Mango Cheesecake
Thumbs up to this one's flavor, texture and sweetness that's not overpowering. 
I thought, however, that some fresh mango slices on top would be wonderful. 

Mocha Cappuccino Cake
I ordered this in 2017 but it's currently not available anymore. This was 
as good as it sounds. Mocha? Cappuccino? Count me in! 

Cafe Latte, (small, P120.)
When you want an espresso-based cup of joe but want to pare down the strong kick, have it with some milk like this one has. 

Brewed Coffee, (small, P95.)

My poison, as always. Something to jolt me awake on a lazy aftie! 

Iced Matcha Green Tea Latte (medium, P165.)
One of my son's favorite cold drinks.

Matcha Green Tea Latte (small, P145.)

My daughter's choice. She loves
 Figaro's version for being creamy with just the right sweetness

Caramel Frappe (medium, P165.)
Kids love sweet things, don't they? My son once ordered 
this and said it was good.

Salad and Sandwich Combo, P195.
This was my latest order at the new Figaro Sun Mall branch in Quezon City. I had the Chicken Waldorf sandwich and Asian Salad, washed down with cafe latte. The sandwich was awesome with really tasty filling. I was just a little sad that there 
was no latte art in my cup of joe. Sob, sob.. 

At the second level of my favorite Figaro branch along Banawe St. 
in Quezon City. Look how cozy and homey this nook is!

Love Figaro too? What are your favorites? But if you haven't been to any of its numerous branches (a total of 90, folks, worldwide), haul off yourself there 
soon, won't you, and enjoy good coffee and a myriad 
of delicious dishes and desserts. 
Happy eating! 

Note: Prices are from current menu posted on Zomato.

Kabigting's Halo-Halo: Try it before summer's gone!

It's mid-May and before you know it, rainy season's here. So enjoy summer while we can, won't we? And what better way is there to enjoy summer than to eat halo-halo - that favorite sweet cooler that could range from simple, with only three ingredients, to complex, with a dozen things on top of each other? During the summer months from March to May, halo-halo is sold in nearly every street corner. Some people including me, however, prefer to enjoy this summer goodness at "legitimate" restaurants (which also offer it all-year-round) just to make sure they're having it clean (the ice is what you watch out for), lest they end up with a bum tummy. Haha!

Recently, I found the No. 1 halo-halo in the metro, according to Spot.ph, for 2014  (I'm not sure if there's a 2015 edition already). It's at Kabigting's Halo-Halo - a dainty foodie place 
on Banawe St. in Quezon City. 
I was expecting to prove for myself whether this claim was true, but discovered another thing - durian coffee! Reading the menu, I found out Kabigting's offered food and drink coming as special products from different provinces around the Philippines. Durian coffee, for one, is from Davao. There's also Cebu liempo and lechon sisig, and longganisa from Tuguegarao,  Vigan, Calumpit, Lucban and Pampanga. Also available were "pasalubong treats" like silvanas from Dumaguete and frozen daing na bangus from Bonuan, Pangasinan. Needless to say, Kabigting's endeared itself to me at once. Haha! A few minutes after placing our orders, it was time to eat:

Halo-Halo, P90. 

Durian coffee, P90. 

Palabok, P90. 


Cebu Liempo, P115.

Tinapang Bangus, P125. 

Lumpiang Sariwa, P45.

The Tinapang Bangus was my order and I liked it very much. The smoked fish was delicious and meaty - the serving was big! Two thumbs up for this, which is my favorite all-day brekkie. I've eaten here at Kabigting's three times (after this first visit with my daughter, I went two more times with friends) 
and ordered the tinapang bangus twice. 
Anyway, my daughter ordered the Cebu Liempo which she liked as well. We shared the Palabok which was good, too, although I can't exactly recall the taste as I write this. The Halo-Halo, which is the "star" here, lived up to its reputation as the best in the metro. The pastillas made with carabao's milk, which is its crowning glory, was sinfully yummy! Too bad, I couldn't eat much of this as I couldn't let my blood sugar level shoot up. It was the durian coffee, which was, however, the one that's unforgettable for me. Imagine the taste of  brewed coffee blending so well with the distinct slightly sweet flavor of durian - that yellow, plump-fleshed fruit with a pungent smell - and your senses celebrate! What a taste and aroma! Truly, it was heavenly and awesome for me. I ordered durian coffee at each of my visits here at Kabigting's and now I look forward to having it again..soon, I hope!  As for the Lumpiang Sariwa, my friend ordered it on another visit and she said it was good - freshly prepared, saucy and delicious, and she was happy with it. 

A poster at the door 

Kabigting's Halo-Halo, by the way, is a Kapampangan original, having started in Arayat town in 1970. I have no information, however, how many and where are their branches here in Metro Manila. If you're on Banawe St. in Quezon City, drop by Kabigting's, folks, and stuff yourself silly 

with real good Pinoy food. Happy eating!