Who love cookies? Me! 😁

I remember way back in my elementary days, the first thing I ever baked was a chocolate chip cookies. It has been ages! A lot of time has passed, and I have the same level of excitement when I see different variants of cookie.

I was invited to attend a Concert For Cause event and one of their participants for their food bazaar is COOKIEPHILE. I was hesitant to try their cookies at first. Why? Because the cookies they have is different from the cookies I've baked, the classic cookie flavor.

A little background about cookie, it means "little cake". The first batch of cookies was put in the oven as 'small portions' of the cake batter. 

I got to meet the owner of the Cookiephile, Ms. Marie Gabrielle Melendrez.

I tried one of her cookies display, the Chocolate Chunk for PHp35. And it is super yummy! 😋🍪

I bought 6pcs of her STANDARD SIZE cookies, which is PHp195. But that day it was discounted, so, I only pay PHp180 only. 

What's inside my Cookiephile Box:

1. S'mores

2. Chocolate Chunk

3. Nutella Double Chocolate

4. Nutella Chocolate Chip

5. Nutella Matcha, and 

6. Nutella Red Velvet

STANDARD SIZE P35 per piece PHp195 (6pcs) PHp390 (12pcs)

Standard Size

Large Size

1. Blueberry Cheesecake

2. Oreo Stuffed

3. Nutella Bomb

LARGE SIZE P65 per piece PHp 365 (6pcs) PHp719 (12pcs)

• But, if you want Mix of Sizes (3 large and 9 standard) 12pcs, PHp429 only. 

The freshly baked cookies always drives me crazy.

Now, that I'm in my late 40's, I'm not fan of buying ingredients for baking. I'm glad to know that there is a cookie shop that cater my fave cookies. ❤️😍

COOKIEPHILE is available at Food Panda and Grab. You can also visit their booth at SM Lanang Premier Start-Up Market, Ground Floor, near Cotton On. Or direct message them via Facebook Messenger.

Watch my Cookie Tasting video here:

The Mergrande Ocean Resort was established July 2000,  formerly known as Villa Victoria. Amidst pandemic, it reopened again last May 1, 2022 and launched their added attraction — Mergrande Eco Park.

The word MER is actually a combination of the owner's name, Mercy and Ernie Evangelista.

A little bit of a trivia, MER is a French word that means the sea and GRANDE is a Spanish word that means great or grand, thus MERGRANDE means great sea.

The resorts sit on an 8.8 hectare piece of beach front and land. It has 48 overnight cottages, 6 function rooms, a dome suited for weddings and debut, a pool, an open hut for picnics and day tours, their newest attractions – the Mergrande Eco Park. But, aside from all of these, when you talk about vacation and relaxation, food cannot be opted out! That's why, their restaurant is one of the attractions in the resort. Though food, lechon and drinks don't have corkage, but if you don't feel bringing, no problem at all.

MERGRANDE RESTAURANT MENU

The second largest convenience store retail chain in the world is finally now in Davao City. First branch opened its door last year located at Matina. We're so lucky to be invited to witness the Grand Opening & Blessing of the 2nd branch at Buhangin, Davao City last Friday, April 8.

Attended by the Franchise owners Mr. Carlo and Mrs. Tetet GP Fernandez, Phoenix Petroleum Admin & Team, Fernandez friends, relatives and colleagues.

The program started with a blessing, officiated by Fr. Roland Ong. 

Fernandez Family with Fr. Roland Ong

There are 7 Variants of Onigiri: Kani Mayo, Chicken Teriyaki, Grilled Salmon, Umami Spicy Chicken, Spam, Tuna Mayo, and Beef Yakiniku

Super Fave - Chicken Teriyaki

Iced Creamy Matcha

Davao Social Media & Content Creators with Ms. Apple Cabatingan-Adora

When you say "port" – right on the water – outstanding location, with great views. But, this port I'm going to review is just inside a mall of Davao City.

When port cafe opened at the 2nd floor at Gaisano Mall of Davao way back my college years, the place is huge packed with customers: both professionals and students. The Port Cafe that time is a bit dark and noisy, but I super love their food. We always make "tambay" while waiting for our class schedule because it's near to our university. Though sometimes some students, in their view it's not cheap, but, in my view,  it is worth it. Consider that the place is just near the heart of the city and that many food stores or restaurants do not have stellar food. What I like with the previous port cafe is that they have excellent food with generous portions and the staff even if they're so busy they still are very hospitable who CARES about their customers.

After rebranding from Port Cafe to Port Food Cafe last August 2016, we visited the place again during pandemic 2021. Now, together with my children, we have our lunch and it was a very pleasant experience. I'm amazed with the changes they made, the atmosphere sets the stage. It's very instagrammable, warm and cool. Factors such as music,  lighting, artwork and spacing combine to create comfort, intimacy and even romance are perfect!

Photo credit to Port Food Cafe FB Page

Artwork also plays a part. The color use to project the restaurant in to a port: 

Walls Color Palette is BLUE -sea, ocean, water

The HANGING PADDLE - representing a partner for a boat.

Chairs & Tables - as if you are typically eating by the beach.

Though the port cafe is inside a mall, incorporating the idea of a beach really takes advantage of its location in Davao. Just to make it more appealing to their customers who loves to go to the beach,  but has no time, why not visit Port Food Cafe and enjoy the beach atmosphere (though there's no sea!) 😆😉👍

Photo credit to Port Food Cafe FB Page

The spacious layout and the Instagrammable look of the restaurant allows a relaxed ambiance to customers to dine in. You got a lot of space on the table and between each table. And customers will really enjoy their own intimacy.

The menu is pretty similar to most cafes I've visited. Serving like carbonara, corned beef, sandwiches, drinks, pasta, cakes, and the like. They have a NEW MENU added, so we order:

Port Chao Fan with glass of ice tea

Port Food Cafe Cornsilog Meal - corner beef, sunny side-up egg and garlic fried rice with chips and free glass of ice tea

Port Carbonara with bread and a glass of ice tea

Though their food menu have changed (comparing to the old menu of the Port Cafe), but turned out to be great! Dishes were quite tasty including the local bread. 😆😊🙂

The service was also very average.

PORT FOOD CAFE has a steady clientele,  old customers still visited this place (I guess) plus new customers the Gen Z, as it well located inside a mall and now it has two branches, one in Tagum and Digos.

So, I recommend this cafe for simple, average and "good enough" meals. I can say that this establishment is winner primarily for ambiance! All in all, reasonable value for money, average food and drink. The next time you visit Gaisano Mall of Davao, don't forget to hangout in this place called Port Food Cafe which is located at the 2nd Floor.