At last, Cold Stone Creamery opened it's first store in the Philippines!  With the emergence of US-based restaurants here (i.e. IHOP, PF Changs) in the last year, I was kinda hoping somebody would also bring this here.  Voila! Wish granted!  

I've actually known of this last March when they put in the announcement in the location that it was coming soon.  But there's no mention of the estimated date (or even month) of the opening.  And so, I followed their Facebook page for updates.

Store Location:
G/F Serendra Piazza (in front of Market! Market!)
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig

The store's location (taken last March)

Cold Stone is now open daily (taken June)

The store opened to the public almost a week after their soft launch (a by invitation event last May 23).  Based on what's on their door, they're open 10:00AM and closes 10:00PM from Mondays-Fridays, and an hour later (11:00PM) on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.  However, as of this writing, it was announced in their Facebook page that they're open Sun-Thu 10:00AM-11:00PM and Fri-Sat 10:00AM-12:00MN.

Store Hours

Not a lot of people were in line yet so we were able to chat with the staff for a bit.  While in line, they would give you the menu to help you choose which one you want.  They have their Signature Creations, which is the same in Cold Stone branches in other countries.

The menu

How to Order:

1. Choose your favorite Signature Creation from the menu or Create Your Own.
2. Choose your size: Lick It, Like It, Love It, Gotta Have It, Mine, Ours, Everybody's
3. Add a waffle cone or bowl.

Prices range from PhP95 to PhP1288 for the ice cream.  A plain waffle cone/bowl is an additional PhP35, PhP45 for the coated ones.  Additional mix-ins cost PhP35/each.

Price List

Signature Creations

Company History

Ice Cream selection

Their mix-ins have a Filipino touch in it.  If I remember it correctly, they have Hany (a variation of ChocNut) and dried mangoes.  I forgot what the others were.

And so, what's the first Cold Stone creation I tried here in the Philippines?  Of course, it's the Mint Mint Chocolate Chocolate Chip (Like It size) on a candy-sprinkled chocolate-coated cone!

Oh, and before I forget, for those who've been to other Cold Stone branches, they're also doing their stunts with the ice cream.  They just need to do more practice.  But, come on, they're just new so that's acceptable, I came here for the ice cream anyway.
Update: As of June 23, 2013, the store hours are: 11AM-10PM Sunday-Thursday and 11AM-11PM Friday-Saturday.

Wrong Ramen, according to their FB page, is a "tiny, locally-developed ramen house" located at Burgos Circle, Forbes Town, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.  They opened first quarter of 2013 (I believe around late January/early February).  When going there, be sure to be early to get seats as they only have limited seating.

Menu.  They make it easy for you to choose as they only have a small lineup to choose from.  They have 6 kinds of ramen, some appetizers, dessert, drinks and some add-ons.  The image below shows everything they serve.

The Menu

Salt and Pepper in battery-shaped shakers

We were supposed to order Chashu Rice Rolls but they don't have it at that time.  We just ordered the Bacon & Cheese Katsu (PhP265; deep-fried bacon and cheese with sweet wasabi) and Tofu Katsu (PhP125; golden brown and crispy silken tofu).

Bacon and Cheese Katsu & Tofu Katsu

For ramen, we got Tantanmen (PhP395; a bold sesame broth with ground pork and shredded chashu), Sea Men (PhP345; clams, squid and shrimp in a light garlicky clam broth) and FU Ramen (PhP425; the breakfast in liquid form: spam, bacon, cheese and fried egg in garlic pepper broth).

Sea Men Ramen

FU Ramen

We loved everything that we ordered.  I think you can never go wrong at Wrong Ramen.

It was Wednesday night when my brother asked me to tag along their family outing. He wanted to go to Subic instead of Laguna. My role would be companion a.k.a. alternate driver when he gets tired. I agreed when he said he would shoulder the expenses (and we'll be eating at Meat Plus).  And so, I went with them.  It was a working road trip for me since I have work to finish.

We left early in the morning (5AM) to beat the morning weekday traffic in EDSA. We stopped at NLEX to get some breakfast.  Then, we proceeded to Clark first since it's still early. My brother and I opted to  just stay outside while the others go inside Nayong Pilipino.  Entrance fee is PhP100 for adults and PhP50 for students.

Sunrise at around 5:30 AM

Early morning view of Mt. Arayat

We were on the road again after about an hour.

Working while on the road

Lunch break: Meat Plus Cafe :)

Sirloin Steak

Pleasure Mountain for sharing

After lunch, we went to Baloy Beach in Barretto to look for accommodation.  There is a PhP30/person entrance fee for those who would be staying/taking a dip at the area.  It is refundable if you decided not to stay there.  My brother chose Lagoon Resort due to cost and amenities (it has a swimming pool and has access to the beach via Treasure Island resort). I spent most of the time in the room working as I'm not in the mood to swim.  But I went to the beach area (early morning) just to get a feel of the sun and sand, and to take some pictures.

Baloy Long Beach on the map

Baloy Beach

Baloy Beach

Lagoon Resort

Toll fees from Manila to Subic and vice-versa:
NLEX                    PhP218.00
SCTEX                  PhP168.00
Subic-Tipo            PhP  22.00

* For NLEX North-bound, you have to pay PhP45.00 at Balintawak toll plaza.  The remaining PhP173.00 will have to be paid at Dau toll plaza.