Hizon's Cakes and Pastries — Restaurant in Manila

Whenever I feel a longing for the good old days, I make a trek to Hizon's in Jorge Bocobo, Ermita, Manila. They have the old style of ensaimada which is more bready than cakey. Ensaimadas supposedly originated from Mallorca in Spain. This has gone through several iterations here but two of the more traditional makers are Pasteleria de Mallorca in the Scout area (Fuentebella) of the Gonzalezes (but you have to call first to place an order) and this one by the Hizons where ensaimadas, both Queso de Bola and Cheddar are readily available.

It's interesting that three of the well known bakeshops in Manila, Becky's Kitchen, Mary Grace and Hizon's have proprietresses who have a connection with St Scholastica. Becky was a former Home Economics teacher, Mary Grace was a ballerina and lead for many school ballet presentations and Hizon's is now headed by a 3rd generation 50 something Kulasa (St Scho alumna).

We were treated regally by Victor, the head server. As he jokingly stated, "Victor by day, Victoria by night." The ensaimadas were buttery with the right amount of Queso de Bola shavings to make your tastebuds tingle. Perfect with our black Americano. We were delighted when Victor gave us free Pañolones (Spanish for kerchief or scarf) that resembles a folded kerchief or probably a napkin that had custard filling. Really appreciated the gesture and the kindness. This is the reason why guests keep coming back. It is good the restaurant reopened last year after being closed for 4 years due to...

Rude owner or manager. We ate here back 2012 or 2013 with my sister and less than a year old son. Complaining about the baby making a mess in the table. Gosh...it is a baby and out of control crying because he is hungry. The food takes forver to serve so tried to calm him down but didnt work. He want to play with the utensils it makes a sound so it amazed him. The food finally serve, i ordered pancake for me and we split it. He drop some on the floor and on his chair. The owner or manager get pissed, she called the waiter and said " clean this right now, we haven't even finish our meal. My gosh so rude. She let us stand so the waiter can clean our table and the floor. My sister and i were not really happy. We pay our bills and walked away. Take note without a tip. Hope who ever is that old lady there. God...

With all due respect to this iconic place but allow me to express my feelings about Hizon's.

Yes, the pastries like the ensaimada as well as the raisin bread are staples that only deserve the best compliments. Dining here however needs the much needed upgrade. The place is too outdated and the infusion of Chinese inspired decor makes it look like a hollow mausoleum. And they don't accept credit cards...imagine!!!

The food choices are so, so dated....it seems that their choices have remained the same from the day Dolphy first entered here. Using the toilet is another story...Stephen King can be inspired to write his next horror novel.

Again, the place is iconic but still icons need enhancements to...