Cheesecake Challenge 2: Sweet Inspirations

Sweet Inspirations makes cheesecake so cheap, my previous P100 Cheesecake Challenge @ Parvati has been put to shame. At P71 per slice for the New York Cheesecake and P81 for the Blueberry Cheesecake, why there’s enough change to even get myself a drink (or give out as alms to the Bieber-haired beggars outside)!

Amazing what economical treats this Katipunan joint harbors amidst serving the Blue Eagle market.

Sweet Inspirations also serves cakes (memorable are Cookies and Cream, Strawberry Shortcake, Tiramisu, Chocolate Cake), silvanas and sans rival that fall below the cheesecake price range. The Cookies and Cream, in particular, fetches P53 per slice—what a steal!

I’ve been raving like a diner girl, proud of this frugal find, but that’s not enough to bring home a box. Time to start sampling the goods.

[caption id="attachment_1499" align="aligncenter" width="614" caption="New York Cheesecake"][/caption]

The New York Cheesecake was served crumbly and dry, as if hard cheese was used to create that cheesy center, to our disappointment. The top layer glistened with what seemed to be a thin slab of caramel, while its crust composition had this araro-like texture that’s best described as, well, araro. Since the crust was white, thin and powdery, best to leave it as is. A cup of joe might complement and bring more life to this parched slice, as well as water down the dehydrated quality.

[caption id="attachment_1500" align="aligncenter" width="614" caption="Blueberry Cheesecake"][/caption]

Adding P10 more provided the luxury of the purple topping, better known as the Blueberry Cheesecake. Topped with blueberry and whipped cream, and sitting on top of the traditional graham crust, this cheesecake was beginning to taste more like home. The cheesecake itself wasn’t as crumbly as its New York counterpart, and was gifted with moist and comfort food goodness. While it wasn’t the kind that would make one scream “Hands down, best cheesecake ever!” it was still a good value (and taste) for its price. The cheesecake wasn’t watered down or overly creamy, making it a bargain cheesecake for those with a diner girl’s budget.

Just beware of the golden edge—it’s not toasted cheesecake. It’s cake! Brace yourself for what I found weird.

Other than that, everything else was just frugal, frazzled, with cherry on top. If that didn’t make sense, you might as well pay a visit to Sweet Inspirations. Not on a school day, unless you prefer the Katipunan traffic challenge.

 

 

 

 

 

Sweet Inspirations and the Mongol Empire

It was the Mongol Empire that welcomed us to their little hideout called Sweet Inspirations, along Katipunan. We came in peace, just for another round of their Mongolian Buffet, but eventually learned the art of warfare involving chopsticks and ceramic bowls in our quest to eat.

In an attempt at my preserving life, it was hard to stay put so I apologize if most photos appear fuzzy and war stricken.

[caption id="attachment_1475" align="aligncenter" width="368" caption="You and whose army?"][/caption]

While force was not deemed necessary, tactics and formation were - particularly in the queueing system, as we learned the hard way. The Mongol Empire is quite adept at this department, rushing in when the buffet lines were empty and clawing all the noodles and cabbage at the point of refill.

[caption id="attachment_1479" align="aligncenter" width="368" caption="Food Fight"][/caption]

If Gengis Khan were around, he'd probably be enjoying this food frenzy and hollering, "Welcome to Saturday Fight Night at Sweet Inspirations! Fight!" More of Saturday Night Fever.

No need to fight over food or bowls though, as waiters rushed, served, refilled food, drinks and emptied tables as if they were high on Red Bull. Don't bother ordering for an energy drink because only softdrinks and iced tea are on the menu.

Lined with vegetables, noodles, rice, viands and sauce choices, the buffet provides a gratifying assortment to the hungry and cooking-deficient. Choose between sotanghon and rice, then top them with chinese cabbage, tofu, carrots, bean sprouts,  peppers, leeks, onions, tomatoes, sesame seeds, garlic, ginger, among others. There's chili (sili) for those wanting to spice up their bowls (hopefully not your heads) and peanuts for those who want to enjoy every bite with a crunch (though my dentist would hate that).

[caption id="attachment_1480" align="aligncenter" width="614" caption="All About Chemistry"][/caption]

Next came the tricky part, especially if you hated chemistry: sauce making! The instructional recipes were posted, too hard to miss, but involved lots of numbers and fractions which could be detrimental to the math averse. For the impatient and lazy (me and maybe half of the Mongol Empire), the recipes were ignored. Well, I read part of it then stopped when I saw "1 scoop brown sugar". No thank you.

I made my own mix: Teriyaki Soy. 

Not to be ignored, the meat section was another sprawling niche - with beef, pork, chicken, fish balls, squid and fish. Last time we dined there, there was no fish (fillet), so bells were ringing when I saw the fish from afar. Maybe because it's Lent, and fish was a major request by the Mongol Empire.

My bowl was complete, and while the waiting time was long, stories were abound and thoughts on dessert swam in my head.

[caption id="attachment_1486" align="aligncenter" width="614" caption="Pescatorian's Catch in Teriyaki Soy"][/caption]

Finally my bowl came, I named it: Pescatorian's Catch  (mainly noodles, cabbage, tofu, onions, fish, sesame seeds, garlic, chili). I had the right to name it; I made everything from scratch. From a heaping pile, it was reduced to a steaming three-quarters of a bowl. That's how much cabbage I placed!

My cousin looked at my Pescatorian's Catch as if it was a bowl from Hades, and I likewise stared at her bowl in disdain: Bowl of all Trades. Well, she did dump everything on it.

[caption id="attachment_1489" align="aligncenter" width="430" caption="Prepare for battle!"][/caption]

In front of me was the Beefy Boo-yah, since I spied this kid's bowl brimming with beef, beef and only beef. Beside me was Blue Eagle Risotto - ah yes, aka growing up-I-need-rice boy. I could go on forever but then again, my "empire" occupied four tables so this might take all day.

All in all, I downed bowls and enjoyed this mighty meal. It was a triumphant battle, with no leftovers that pleased the Red Bull men. In case we are called back for duty, we have learned to be at the battle site as early as 6pm. The Mongol Empire would be so proud of us.

As for dessert, that's another battle to contend with - in another post. The Pescatorian's Catch got me all hungry, so I have to rush to the Battle of the Fridge first.