We saw them grow

Conti’s Bakeshop and Restaurant has opened its 19th outlet in Metro Manila, in Westgate Center in Filinvest, Alabang. The chain includes a branch in the food hub in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. At the helm are three sisters, Cecile, Carol and Angie, who, more than a decade ago decided to go on their own and start a bakeshop in BF Homes, Parañaque City. We have frequented the place from its beginnings and have followed them, in various areas, each time marvelling at how they have successfully grown into a massive undertaking, developing the brand as well as keeping their clientele. Every time we make a visit to any of their outlets, we see long lines leading to the bakeshop counter. The dining area is often very full.

As we see the chain grow, we wonder what the secret of their success is. People put a premium on quality and customers want impeccable service. Sukis look for these in any establishment that they patronize. Conti’s has, aside from the big hotels, pioneered in innovative cakes and pastries, while maintaining competitive prices. Remember their unusually tall tortes like the Mango Bravo and Bananalicious Pie? They are as much conversation pieces as they are delicious.

The flaky crusted pies, generously filled with ham, tuna, embutido or chicken, are perfect for snacks or even a meal. They concocted the Oreo cheesecake, an instant hit even when our apo was only two years old. Now four, it remains as one of her favorites. Our favorites are the brownies and the ensaymaditas.

After a while, Conti’s started operating full-service restaurants and catering services. They offer typical Filipino as well as continental breakfast and Filipino dishes for lunch and dinner. The extensive menu includes pasta dishes like lasagna and our favorite, baked salmon and salmon salpicao. Our Filipino palette is never wanting with the offerings of sinigang na salmon head sa miso, sotanghon in garlic and barbecued spareribs with atsara.

Then came a line of frozen, ready-to-heat selections for those with hardly any time to prepare food from scratch. Among these offerings are chicken fingers and turkey ham bites. The healthy salads were also introduced, like mango royale and apple potato. Orders are accepted for take out or for catering, the latter popular among nearby residents. Call 0932-8826687.

We must commend the Mercury branches in South and Makati Supermarkets for their quick response and action on an incident that recently involved their staff. That is good customer relations.

Price watch – We have been buying sayote which we use for tinola (either chicken or pork) and as ginisang gulay without realizing how its price has gone up. Our recent purchase cost us P62 a kilo. It used to be one of the cheapest veggies we could get. Cabbage sells from P90 a kilo and potatoes from P68, depending on where you are buying them.

To relieve homemakers from the tedious cooking chores, Barrio Fiesta has introduced caldereta and menudo mixes. In the past, Mama Sita’s mixes have served us well. Purefoods has added spicy corned beef to their line.

The new Nescafe Chocolatte complete mix has pleased our coffee-drinking housemates. This is actually a good blend, which was introduced to us sometime in the past by our second daughter Mina. Alaska, on the other hand, has come up with powdered chocolate milk.

Here is an innovation on the fruit salad – adding cubes of cheese. You need a big can of fruit salad (either Del Monte or Dole). Drain, then mix with half a tetra pack of all-purpose cream and one can of condensada, plus about 50 gms of cubed cheese. Mix well, chill and serve.

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