Let us eat cake... and all other desserts, too

Ice cream is happiness condensed. — Jessi Lane Adams

I want to have a good body, but not as much as I want dessert.— Jason Love

For those with the sweet tooth, dessert is never just dessert. A scrumptious harmony of butter, cream, and sugar, these savory treats warrant reserved stomach space that no amount or limit can fulfill, especially when executed to perfection. To satisfy such cravings, one must seek an establishment that specializes in this, and the Cake Club by Diamond Hotel is the place for such an eye-opening, mouthwatering extravaganza. There it sat, front and center, an extravagant spread of desserts that will capture your attention and imagination, licking your lips in anticipation of what seems to be a wise decision. The promise of a soul-satisfying meal is always enticing, and the Cake Club’s various pastries and dishes will certainly leave an indelible mark on your taste buds.

The ambiance is comfortable yet elegant, the ideal space for a quiet weekday lunch with friends or a relaxed meal with clients. The nicely varied menu is a collection of soup, salad, and various signature dishes, neatly arranged for easy ordering. A quick leaf through the menu will showcase many exciting and unusual options, presenting the chef’s deft hand and fertile imagination. The GM’s salad is altogether delicious, delightfully tangy and crunchy with its great mixture of cheese, mushroom, vinaigrette, and lettuce. The braised veal cheek ravioli is full-bodied with its braised jus bursting with every spoonful, with shiitake mushroom and haricot verts providing a contrasting bite to this balanced dish. The robust-flavored and aromatic lamb burger is unique with its deep red-colored bread and fork-tender texture. As you begin to dig in, the strong, tantalizing aroma and interesting textural contrast of the moist, juicy meat filling and dark caramelized crunch of bread did not disappoint.

The Cecilia is a creative twist on the traditional Filipino coconut pie. It is named after Diamond Hotel president Cecilia Ang (left).

Of course the main attractions are the desserts fit for the everyday crowd seeking the ultimate dessert experience. Aiming to provide quality to everyone, the Cake Club made a name for itself for its various cake flavors, which have become household favorites in many homes. The Diamond Ensaymada is legendary and to this day is the most popular on the menu. The baked cheesecake is my personal favorite, and one of the top cheesecakes that I have tried in the world! Its luxuriously dense texture and not-so-sweet flavor is pure bliss and is worth all the fuss. The parfaits are crowd favorites because of the rich flavors, and will definitely make any dessert connoisseur smile.

New additions include Cecilia, a coconut mousse pie named after Cecilia Ang, the president of the Diamond Hotel — herself a master pastry chef. It is a creative twist on the traditional Filipino coconut pie. The Vanessa, named after the general manager of the hotel, is made from pistachio macaroons and fresh strawberries and will truly entice you for return visits. Danielle, a raspberry white chocolate cheesecake, which is, believe it or not, sugarless, makes this treat a healthier choice.

Many of the popular treats have been incorporated into the homemade ice cream, with versions of the cheesecake, apple pie, and super-moist chocolate cake now available in scoops, one pint, and half gallon. For the adventurous foodie the black sesame and Azuki (Japanese red bean) is worth a try. Whether you chitchat with friends, compare notes on the food, or just enjoy this relaxed spot in the fussy foodie locale of Bonifacio High Street, there is no shortage of reasons to go back to Cake Club for more.

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For more information on The Cake Club, call 621-3176 or Diamond Hotel Philippines at 528-3000. The Cake Club is located at Bonifacio High Street, 7th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City. For updates and special offerings, follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/diamondhotelphilippines and Twitter at http://twitter.com/DiamondHotelPh.

For recipes and a schedule of classes visit www.sylviareynosogala.com or www.facebook.com/Sylvia Reynoso Gala Culinary or call 671-4489 or 98.