X

People’s Festive, Traditional Fare

Columns Jus' Desserts

February 24, 2013

Story By: Nicole Monton | Photos by: Nathalie Walker

Homemade desserts that comfort and warm the soul are hard to come by, but at People’s Cafe on Pali Highway there’s no shortage of sweets made by Araceli Urbina.

“She makes all of the desserts herself,” says head chef Tomas Ventura. “Everyday, every morning.”

Urbina’s dedication to creating desserts stems from the fact that she has always enjoyed baking. So, it’s good news for all, that she has taken her talents to People’s Cafe, where patrons can enjoy homemade Filipino desserts throughout the day.

There is an array to choose from, and Dining Out is here to tell you about a few that will really get your mouth watering.

Ube Mochi Rice ($3.75) is a Filipino favorite, also known as Petche-Petche, made with ube potato, mochi rice and shredded coconut.

“That’s a Filipino tradition that we make during holidays,” Urbina explains.

Tupig ($5) is wrapped in banana leaves and is made of mochi flour, brown sugar, shredded coconut and coconut milk. It comes in Tupig Cassava and Tupig Mochi, both $5.

This dish is another favorite during holidays, especially Christmas; but dessert-lovers don’t have to wait until Christmas to try this Filipino specialty.

“People are really thrilled with the banana leaf because when you use the banana leaf and when you bake it or roast it, the banana leaf aroma comes out,” Urbina says.

Royal Bibingka ($3.75) is a homemade delight definitely fit for royalty. This treat is made with mochi flour and is a type of butter mochi made with Urbina’s secret recipe she created years ago.

“All of these are my own recipe,” she says. “I have been making this for about 10 years now.”

And that decade of expertise and passion for making delicious desserts shines through in each piece that goes home with happy customers.

People’s Cafe

1310 Pali Hwy., Honolulu
521-5552
Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Honolulu, HI 96813

Ilima Awards
Hawaii's Best