I was a fur babysitter for a week, so naturally I went grocery shopping for provisions. When I told my daughter that I found frozen Tortelli Ricotta and Spinach at one of the food stores, she was surprised. She asked where I found the pasta, making a mental note to get a pack upon their return. 

Luckily for her, she lives around the vicinity of Robinsons Magnolia where there are a number of food stores to keep any pantry well stocked. Realizing that she didn’t even know where to find frozen pasta, I went on a grocery crawl to map out food finds for her. 

Robinsons Magnolia stands on the site of the once popular Magnolia Ice Cream factory and Magnolia Ice Cream House. When the mall first opened, one of its attractions was the return of the Magnolia Ice Cream House, giving old farts like me the chance to once again have a Chocolate Parfait and a Banana Split. While it eventually closed, many other equally exciting establishments have opened through the years. 

For today though, we’re skipping restaurants and doing food stores.

Robinsons Supermarket

This is where you get your pantry staples, from rice, beans, and breakfast cereals to soap, shampoo, and detergent. We won’t get into price comparisons here, but in general, expect to spend a bit more than you would at Puregold or SM Supermarket.

I especially like the produce section for its good selection of herbs and greens as well as its imported frozen goods aisle. You’ll have a difficult time choosing between a pistachio mochi or a Biscoff ice cream stick.

Here’s a tip for busy working parents or solo condo dwellers with little time to cook dinner: the supermarket offers a good selection of ready-to-eat meals, including Chicken Curry, Bistek Tagalog, and Beef Garlic Teriyaki. There are also single serving packs of sushi, sashimi, and salad wraps for takeout. 

The Marketplace

The Marketplace still has a bit of the old Rustan’s vibe, but you know that it’s now run by the Robinsons Group the moment you spot the GoTyme kiosk out front. This is where you shop for the little luxuries. You will have a fun time glossing over imported cheeses, premium charcuterie, and specialty ingredients. 

One of my favorite sections: a freezer full of salmon pre-marinated in different flavors, from Cajun and Chili to Garlic and Tandoori. Heaven!

I also like their selection of soups and salad that you can take home to eat. On any given day, you might find Broccoli and Slab Bacon, Moroccan Spinach Soup, and Curried Pumpkin Soup, alongside Greek Salad, German Potato Salad, and Russian Salad. The ready-to-eat meals are global in character as well—Miso Glazed Salmon, Cha Gio Spring Rolls, and Chicken Parmigiana. 

There are many unexpected finds here. On one visit, I was looking for biscuits and ended up buying a bottle of pasta sauce. I don’t know how that happened!

Santis Delicatessen

This is where I found the Tortelli Ricotta and Spinach, flown all the way from Liechtenstein. I honestly do not have any idea where Liechtenstein is, but I do know it is one of the smallest countries in the world. The tortelli was one of the first things I cooked during my week as a fur babysitter. I simply boiled the tortelli, sauteed some mushrooms, and stirred in a little white sauce. Yum! Good job, Liechtenstein. I want to try the Tortellini Tricolore Carne next. 

I have a soft spot for Santis as it was one of my father’s favorite places. He’d stock up on his cheeses and cold cuts here, asking for just a couple of grams of each so he’d have a reason to come back. A trip to Tagaytay was never complete without a stop at the Santis in Silang, where he’d always order some mussels.   

More than this sentimental affinity, I love that there’s always something new at Santis–whether it’s fresh produce, a different food preparation, or a brand of dark chocolate I haven’t tried before. 

Konbini Store

Konbini is a pleasant discovery. We stumbled upon it one day when we  were craving Japanese food. We ordered some gyoza and gindara, and strolled the aisles while waiting for our food. By the time our order was ready, I had bought a couple of bottles of herb blends and several packs of fun Japanese desserts.

Whenever I visit my daughter, I go to Konbini because it reminds me of our nightly trips to 7-Eleven in Tokyo after a full day of walking around the city. You will find the Japanese snacks and sauces here, but also ready-to-eat servings of sashimi and sushi. You can choose to eat here, too, as there are several tables and menu specials that are begging to be tried. Enjoy!