Purple Oven - Of Secrets and Sinful Desserts

"I was told that these are sought after cakes," my brother told me, as though he was revealing a much guarded trade secret. And that they're not easily available, he continued. That intrigued me so I had to read up to learn about Purple Oven. Where have I been all these years? I wasn't even aware of this bakeshop which serves some of the best desserts in the metropolis. They have a shop in Oranbo, Pasig; others in San Antonio and Legaspi Village and Quezon City. 

Their cakes run out fast and they allegedly don't accept credit cards. But here's the not-so-secret info that most internet articles whisper regarding this bakeshop: they supply the cakes and pastries of all Starbucks (those banoffees, etc.) and Pancake House outlets. They probably have legal obligation to deny this, but google them up and everyone talks about this secret. A box of these pastry bars has either 16 or 32 pieces of sweets - the former costs around P260 per box. My favorite is easily the lemon tortes I couldn't stop myself from consuming one piece after the next. Just sinful.

Their cakes are pricier, with a whole piece setting you back by P780 or thereabouts.

If you haven't tried, here's my two-thumb recommendation!

This is the Eye in the Sky!

Avoid Mary Grace Cafe at NAIA Terminal 3 - Great Cakes, Horrible Service!

We've covered every nook and cranny of NAIA Terminal 3, but with the opening of the Food Court in this terminal, there's so much more to cover and explore. A few weeks ago, we were there waiting for an arrival. We decided to get a snack and finally settled with Mary Grace Cafe, with its elegant interiors and homey feel. 

NO ONE CAME

We sat outside. After 10 minutes, no one came so we called a waitress, short and plump and joyless, who said she'd "call the server" - what was she, the Queen? Five minutes later, she was getting someone else's order inside. Anyway, 10 minutes passed. No one came. We decided to sit inside. What's wrong with these people? Are they blind? Brain challenged? Do they need to be called to offer us menu or take our orders? We've finally coaxed someone to do this. After giving our choices: Mango Bene and an Apple Pie, we asked for the bill ASAP because we were set back by these long waits already.

The cakes were great actually. Unfortunately, I cannot go on waiting for people who's supposed to do the "waiting". We paid - and the change was given. Guess what? They forgot the other "Mango Bene, we had to call them again. Are these people idiots? The cafe wasn't even full, there were only 3 tables occupied inside so what is taking them forever to do? This, if they need reminding, is an airport. People are in a hurry. They have to factor this is. Just before the last Mango Bene came, we got a text message from my mother who finally arrived. Maybe it's apropos delay: Mary Grace Cafe wants to be in sync with the terminal's frequent delays so everything is as messy in this restaurant as the influx of flights and people arriving belatedly.

Bill for 3 cakes and drinks (coke) - P800+ Now I wouldn't mind this bill if service was not horrible!

AVOID MARY GRACE CAFE

Horrible service! So to the thousands of people who follow our airport updates, take note! Avoid Mary Grace Cafe!

This is the Eye in the Sky! 

Mango Bene

Apple pie

Christmas Trees near Parking Entrance at the NAIA T3 2016.

NAIA Terminal 3 Covered Parking:
http://eye-in-the-blue-sky.blogspot.com/2014/09/naia-terminal-3-covered-parking.html

NAIA T3 Pre-departure Shops:
http://eye-in-the-blue-sky.blogspot.com/2011/02/naia-terminal-3-pre-departure-shops.html

NAIA T3 Shopping and Dining:
http://eye-in-the-blue-sky.blogspot.com/2011/02/naia-terminal-3-shopping-complex-dining.html

NAIA T3 Arrival Hall:
http://eye-in-the-blue-sky.blogspot.com/2011/02/naia-terminal-3-arrival-hall-2011-part.html

NAIA T3 Chapel, Left Luggage and Viewing Gallery:
http://eye-in-the-blue-sky.blogspot.com/2012/11/naia-terminal-3-part-6-blessed-john.html

NAIA T3 Accommodations and Capsule Rooms:
http://eye-in-the-blue-sky.blogspot.com/2014/10/naia-terminal-3-takes-in-some-color.html