Foodie Love at Iloilo Business Park : Dulgies Desserts Cafe

DULGIES. Cakes, pasta and sandwiches, among others made their way to our table and we had a hard time choosing which one to try first. I have been always partial to the D' Club Sandwich and Limoncello cake as both almost always form part of my order. But I think I might change my default orders after some discoveries.

It's been around 10 years when I first set foot inside Dulgies' quaint shop in Downtown Iloilo. It was the place to go to when you want a sugar rush or just having to satisfy your tummy. And it started this cakes and desserts cafe trend in Iloilo City almost a decade ago. Now, it has found a new home...  

Megaworld Corporation's PhP35-billion Iloilo Business Park, built on the former Iloilo airport, is not only home to hotels, condominiums, BPO offices and convention facilities, but it is also a food haven! The 1.1 kilometer Festive Walk Parade is set to be come the longest dining and shopping strip in this part of the country. Adjacent to BPO offices and the soon to open Festive Walk Mall, it is a gastronomic showcase of local and homegrown food joints as well as big players in the food service industry.

Reminiscent of the Santana Row in California, it also has touches of art noveau and art deco that also pays homage to Iloilo City's very own Calle Real. The row of restaurants and retail shops is complemented with wide arcades and landscaped walkways making the stroll of the entire Festive Walk Parade one captivating and lively experience.

The Flourless Chocolate Cookie really caught my attention when I entered the cafe. The display with all the chocolate cookies marred with cracks gave me an instant gastronomic curiosity of its texture and taste. And when it finally touched my lips - it was more than curiosity satisfied. Yum yum! 

The Chocolate Chip Cookie was also good even though it was overshadowed by another cookie in my case.

On the pasta menu, we got to taste three of their specialties - Carbonara, Creamy Penne and Puttanesca. The thick sauces gave the two white pasta a rich creamy taste as well as savory.

And the Puttanesca delighted my palate with a burst of flavors for every forkful.

Now need for introductions for me as D' Club Sandwich has always been a favorite. It's a clubhouse sandwich - bacon, ham, egg, tomatoes, lettuce, mayo, etc; fills up between the slices of Dulgies' signature black rice bread. Now that's my kind of sandwich!

But another sandwich came and I love the explosion of flavors from this Spicy Italian Sub sandwich. Savory and spicy cold cuts, sweet-tangy dressing, salty-umami cheese and crisp veggies on a toasted yet soft bread. How I wish I could eat this photo to have that delicious feeling once again!

And now the sweet things in life at Dulgies starting with Tres Leches. One their most popular ,  the sponge/butter cake based dessert uses three milks (tres leches) - evaporated milk, condensed milk and cream (heavy) to give it a not so sweet yet enough to give you a sugar rush. Their version now comes in a cup topped with whipped cream (?) and nuts (?).

No contest. The Rainbow Confetti Cake is the most colorful and eye-catching with its brilliantly hued 6-layers filled with icing (forgot the flavor).

Chocoholics rejoice! Here's one for you - Double Chocolate Cheesecake. It starts with a chocolate crust then with a chocolate-infused cream cheese layer then topped with a rich chocolate icing then finally sprinkled with cocoa powder. Now, that's quardruple the chocolate fun!

Summertime in the Philippines ended a few months back but there are days that bring the "summer feel". That is why Dulgies' summer special, Halo-Halo Creme, is still on the menu. And lucky we were as we tasted an indulgent version of this Pinoy favorite summer cooler with the usual lechan flan, ube ice cream and other ingredients in a creamy and tasty frozen milk-like ice shavings.

Finally, don't run away from this "dinosaur", it won't eat you! In fact, it'll be you who will devour this delicious chocolate cake that is all MILO all-over. The MILO Dinosaur Cake takes "eating" Milo to the next level than just spooning the chocolate drink powder and eating it. 

Inspired the Singaporean/Malaysian drink, this cake served with cold milk, surely beats any energy gap you may have to start your day the champion way - did you sing it? 

It was indeed an afternoon of gastronomic discoveries and rediscoveries having indulged in some of our favorites as well as new items that certainly will be part of our new favorite list. Now, it's your time to check these out at Dulgies at the Festive Walk Parade at the Iloilo Business Park.