Just Desserts: Cheesecakes at Vienna Kaffehaus

One of the best places in indulges sweet in Cagayan de Oro is Vienna Kaffeehaus on the corner of Chaves and Velez Streets in the city. It's been in the city for a while, it has a nice Bohemian ambiance. One could almost expect Maria to come out of the kitchen singing that the hills are alive with the sound of music.

Vienna Kaffeehaus has been around in the city for quite some time that most newer residents or visitors don't really know it is there, but it has been a fixture for almost two decades. Still, it seems that their furnishings are almost as old. The table we had was quite worn and its laminate flaking away.

They still have the best cheesecakes in the city, so naturally, my grad school classmate and I ordered two of them, their Chocolate and Blueberry cheesecakes.

From right, Bluberry Cheesecake, Chocolate Cheesecake
 and a cup of Schwarztee (German for black tea).
They also need to refurbish their furniture.

What I like about their cheesecake is the texture. Most commercially available cheesecakes rely too much on gelatin to smooth and fill it out. This one I could definitely taste and feel the cheese. It's a bit sweet, so to dial down the sweetness I paired it with some German black tea.

This is supposed to be a dessert post but ordered some Bruschettas too, as I was curious on how they would prepare their appetizer and it was glorious! It had the tomato salad in olive oil but it had real olive bits too and it was sprinkled with Parmesan cheese. I just love olives and that just became my favorite appetizer in this cafe.

Olives in my Bruschetta? Win!

So dessert and then an appetizer, I seem to have mixed up the order of my meal. I'll definitely be back to try some of their main courses. I've heard good things about their pasta and would definitely would want to see for myself if it makes my grade.

A closer look at the Blueberry Cheesecake.

Chocolate Cheesecake

Six out of seven of my students
love the desserts in Vienna Kaffehaus! 

Google Maps directions to Vienna Kaffehaus:

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Uptown Cravings: King's International Food and Wine Bar

The CDOmnivore blog has become lately my personal journal of my epicurean adventures around the city. I've even classified them with following headings: Snacking Around XU for my snack jaunts in and around my school and workplace; Food Adventures at Home is my commentary on my sister's culinary ambitions and experiments; and now Uptown Cravings chronicles my indulging of the various eateries that are mushrooming around my neighborhood.

Uptown pertains to the suburbs above Cagayan de Oro and known for the residential subdivisions along the soon to be misnamed Airport Road. The proper name for the road with subdivisions sprouting like mushrooms after a thunderstorm is Masterson Drive, named after the Jesuit who had the foresight to buy land which then was essentially wilderness for the future expansion of Xavier University. Now it has an SM Mall and other development that are rising one after the other. Along with the infrastructure growth, more than a few eateries and stalls are staking their claims as well. This is Uptown and this is the third phase of my epicurean adventures.

Bruschetta

I was looking for a quiet and cool place to read a new book and maybe have a light snack. I thought now would be the best time to finally try King's International Food and Wine. The eatery is located in Lorraine's Portico, just ahead of the SM Mall. I've actually wanted to try them for a while now. Their sandwiches are said to be quite tasty, but I was not in the mood for something heavy, so I had some Bruschetta instead.

Their version of the Italian antipasto is toasted bread topped with tomato salad in olive oil and basil. I loved the chewy crust of the bread. It made the appetizer something to try again on a future visit. They also have their own bakery and sell it freshly baked daily in their deli just next door of the food and wine bar. I downed all of five pieces with Strongbow cider. I got lucky with my choice of refreshments. I've been looking for quality apple cider ever since SM grocery stopped stocking cans of Schweppes from Hong Kong. It is a lot stronger than the cider I was accustomed but I liked the refreshingly bitter aftertaste of fermented apples. I guess I found my new comfort drink.

I just love the name Strongbow. Sounds like a man's man drink. 

I feel like I'd coming back here in the near future. I've yet to try their acclaimed sandwiches, and made with their freshly baked bread too. They have a nice selection of wine, beers and other drinks that it would be a crime not to come back and indulge my international cravings. It is a nice place to chill and relax.