Cebu’s Silvanas by Mrs. U. - Wickedly Good!!!
There was such a tremendous response to my post a few days ago, asking readers what they sell from home or on a small-scale basis, that well over 50 different “vendors” left their contact numbers for a mouthwatering array of goodies… We will probably only get to taste a fraction of what is on offer, but Mrs. MM and I decided to start with a couple of vendors in Cebu City. So a few days ago, we placed our orders, to be picked up or delivered just hours before boarding a fllight for Manila. First up are these stunningly good Silvanas by Mrs. U. I was never a huge sans rival fan (though I am fonder of it now) and when I tried to make the blasted dessert, it was a visual disaster but a taste home run… but silvanas are more like mini-sans rivals, easier to manage and eat, a smaller dose of richness and if well done, simply sublime. These ones are among the best silvanas I have had in recent memory. They arrived in a snazzy colored foil wrapper and they held up rather well to being transported, I must say…
The silvanas are oval shaped, large cookie sized desserts, with a thin meringue on either side of a buttercream filling and dusted with crumbed cookies. Not overly sweet, they are rich, crisp, chewy, and buttery all at the same time. Delicious. With 16 pieces at a cost of PHP200 in Cebu (PHP12.50 per piece), these are very well-priced. I would much rather have four of these desserts than a mediocre cupcake or several doughnuts for the same price. They come in an attractive foil wrapped cylindrical shape and should be popped into the freezer until eaten. They would make a perfect Christmas present, particularly if you tend to give those out by the dozen or more… A close friend from Cebu sent these silvana’s to us last Christmas, but we wolfed them down so fast that we threw away the wrapper before we even thought to take down the name and contact numbers of the makers, thank goodness they left their name and contact numbers on this site. If you are a fan of sans rival or silvanas, you must try these…they are really good!
Cebu’s Silvanas by Mrs. U
Cebu (032) 233-4348
Manila (02) 828-8296
mrsufoods@yahoo.com
Hi MM,
wow, favorite ko yan… I will surely try that… thanks MM..
anyway, would you know if there are 7D dried mangoes outlet here in manila? can I get the number please..
thanks again,
October 30th, 2007arlene
I’ve tried making sans rival too and I swear, no one can pay me enough to make them ever again. The sylvanas look good and definitely reasonably priced. It’s very hard to try to keep my resolve of eating “healthier” or “less” at any rate. First the coffee mangosteen cake, now this one. Haay. Christmas feels early! Foodwise, that is. =)
October 30th, 2007There is also a great version of Silvanas, sold by Arielle’s (not sure now of the spelling) based in Munoz, Nueva Ecija. Much like the way MM described Mrs U’s, chewy, crispy, not too sweet, heavenly :) It does travel well too.
…I have to try Mrs. U’s.
October 30th, 2007hi mm! i’ve been on the lookout for silvanas here in dubai and couldn’t find any. i terribly miss the ones from house of silvanas. would you know if mrs u’s exporting them?
October 30th, 2007Hi MM,
Does Mrs. U have a house on a one-way street just a stone’s throw away from Alabang Town Center in Cebu?
October 30th, 2007Wow, talk about psychic, I was just thinking of silvanas just last night (until this morning actually).. SUGAR RUSH..
October 30th, 2007I love silvanas. Country Bake Shop in Isaac Peral used to make them. There are silvanas in San Lorenzo — made by Zagarbarria. I think they have a store in Pasay Road. Some members of their family are in Los Angeles (Torrance area) and they sell them there too for MM fans who are in the United States.
October 30th, 2007Mrs. U’s Silvanas are really good. A must try! I usually eat 2 to 3 pieces in one seating:)) It’s that good and to think I’m also not so fond of sansrival and silvanas:)
October 30th, 2007owh-em-gee.just like what blaise said,i’ve been thinking of silvanas for days now.hmmm..thanx for this post.i thought i could only get it in dumaguete.do they have a store in the malls here in cebu?
October 30th, 2007wow! silvanas!!! everytime i visit a new bake shop or cafe, i always make it a point to ask if they have silvanas and almost, always get disappointed. thank you so much for posting this…i am looking forward to “blige” myself with a few pieces this Christmas season. few? yeah, right!
October 30th, 2007“oblige” is the word i meant to use…sorry about that. too much excitement going on.
October 30th, 2007Silvanas have much more to offer to us than French macarons: a lot less sugar for one, infinitely less capricious to pull off, can be baked and stored well ahead of use, lends itself to easy assembly before serving. With such urbane manners, why would they call it Silvanas which means rustic.
Mangaranon, Isaac Peral really? What’s up next, Azcarraga?
October 30th, 2007I love silvanas when frozen, and love it more than sans rival…I’m anxious to try mrs. u’s silvanas(i hope she won’t jack-up the prices after reading this..:) ) and the one posted by solraya…
October 30th, 2007I’ve tasted Mrs U’s silvanas. Very easy to eat one more, and then another, then one last, isa pa… Sarap!
Arlene, I bought 7D dried mango at SM North Avenue supermarket the other week. Maybe the other SMs sell it, too.
October 30th, 2007Hi MM! I’m the one who posted about Mrs. U’s silvanas… Thank you SO MUCH for the great reviews! You really made my mom’s day! More power and God Bless! :)
October 30th, 2007Right now, we don’t have an outlet for the Silvanas. We’re just selling them at our house in Banilad (Cebu) and at my aunt’s house in Paranaque. They’re always in stock but it would be better if you could give us a call ahead of time just to make sure. So if you’re interested, you can contact us at the numbers mentioned above or send us a message through mrsufoods@yahoo.com. Thank you again! :)
October 30th, 2007Apicio — this was a long time ago. When Isaac Peral was Isaac Peral with Acme Supermarket etc. Not the present United Nations Avenue.
There was a Country Bake Shop there.
My grandmother had a house around the corner on Florida Street. It was nice then. We had aratiles tree. And then the Magnolia ice cream cart would come around and we would buy ice cream, Magnolia pie, pinipig crunch, popsicle.
We will never have those wonderful days anymore.
October 30th, 2007Oh Silvanas you are so good. You satisfy my hankering for something sweet with your rich buttery filling in crispy layers dusted with crumbs that you made it easy for me to pick you no plate or fork involved for four or five bites then ready for another one then another one then —-
October 31st, 2007For California based folks, there are sylvanas in the Bay Area (San Bruno) and in L.A.(Torrance) as Mangaranon said. It is as good as I remember it from San Lorenzo. I just don’t know the phone number, but if anyone is desperate, let me know. I can probably find the number for you.
October 31st, 2007I’ve also tried the sansrival from Munoz, Nueva Ecija. They’re so good!!! When i first received them, they came in a box (the packaging was the same as ones used for flowers..hehe) Super good sansrival from Munoz, Nueva Ecija!!!!
Mr. MM,
Where can I send some goodies for you & your family. I would like you to taste some good uraro cookies from Pampanga.
=)
October 31st, 2007Love sylvanas! Will definitely try Mrs. U’s when I go home next month.
acmr, I’m desperate. If you can find their phone number for me (the one by Torrance), it’d be most appreciated. Thanks.
October 31st, 2007I have been told that there is a branch of House of Silvanas in Daly City.
Marketman, just looking at the top picture makes my mouth water. I used to get my silvanas fix from Blue Kitchen several years ago. The girls there said their silvanas came from Cebu, so I wonder if those came from Mrs. U?
October 31st, 20074btiddy, yes there is one in Daly City here’s their address:
October 31st, 20072055 Gellert Blvd. Ste. 3 • Daly City, CA 94015
(650) 878-8700 • DalyCity@HouseOfSilvanas.com
ang sarap! i can’t find those here in chicago.
October 31st, 2007arlene,
7D dried mangoes are available in sm and rustan’s supermarket =)
October 31st, 2007I remember Country Bakeshop. Our first house in Manila was on Merced Street, in Paco, in front of the public school. My Mom used to buy a lot of desserts from Country Bakeshop on Issac Peral, that was nearly 50 years ago…
October 31st, 2007Not quite fifty years ago but I too lived for a time around that genteel area and went to church in San Pancracio inside the now Paco Park and walked to Acke’s Delicatessen at the Swiss Inn and in the other direction to Bungalow restaurant. Now we have to wait for Silly Lolo’s tales of Calle Anluague or may be even Gardenia.
October 31st, 2007House of Silvanas
1585 W. Sepulveda Blvd
Suite K. Torrance, CA 90501
310-325-5181
21822 S.Main St.
Carson, CA 90745
310-522-4509
houseofsilvanas.com
October 31st, 2007this is it!! thanks, marketman. i’ve been thinking of what to make for friends this christmas. good thing is that i can get organised early because these store well.
October 31st, 2007wow.. looks yummy!!!!
October 31st, 2007Ooohhh I wish I found out about this sooner! My Dad was in Cebu last week for business & he couldn’t find anything to bring home. I hope my Cebuano relatives are coming to Manila for the holidays hahaha
October 31st, 2007Has anyone tried the silvanas by Sans Rival in Dumaguete City? They’re pretty good. Is it anything like Mrs U’s? Also, there used to be great silvanas From San Lorenzo village (was it Mary Ann’s?). I wonder if its still there…
October 31st, 2007wow, i love silvanas! i’m still on a quest for finding one around here. i think the only silvanas i tasted when i was in manila was from red ribbon’s and i was pretty satisfied. i’d love to try one of these.
October 31st, 2007I’m a huge silvana/brazo de mercedes/leche flan and sans rival fan. I’m wondering if they’ll express deliver them to Shanghai…that’d make not going home for Christmas bearable.
October 31st, 2007the last time i went to manila, House of Silvanas has a small outlet in Alabang Town Center (Food Choices Area). although i haven’t tried Mrs. U’s, the silvanas of HS are just perfect!
November 1st, 2007house of silvanas in Dumaguete would me my top choice for silvanas.
November 1st, 2007The silvanas in Cebu was originally made by the Ilano family but it was oblong shape. The round cookie shape was introduced in Cebu by Mrs.Maria Luisa (”Nena”) Montenegro and she is the one thats lives near the Ayala Center in Cebu.You can call her at tel.# (032) 2322902 or drop by her residence at # 20 Dr. Tojong St..Lahug, Cebu City…..if you need to bring the silvanas to Manila or anywhere outside of Cebu pls let her know as she will pack it properly for you….her silvanas are really crisp and yummy..try them!
November 1st, 2007My lola used to make such fantastic silvanas. It was years of silvana deprivation before I read about the House of Silvanas in Torrance from another food blog (Gypsy Soul I think). It’s a small almost kiosk-sized place manned by I believe the daughter. Unfortunately, her demeanor was so bland it was practically uninviting, and her silvanas were just as she was - bland and uninteresting. I guess there is some truth in the adage “as the baker go, so does his dough.” I am back to silvana deprivation, at least until I find Mrs. U in Cebu.
November 1st, 2007oh yes!!! Ilano silvanas is what is imbedded in my memory bank as what silvanas should taste like. I remember finishing by myself one entire box in one sitting!!! I’ve also tried the Montenegro silvanas and still have to try Mrs. U’s. I’m sure it will bring back memories!!!
November 4th, 2007back in college, someone from cebu would also bring “black sambo or samba” (not sure of the name). This is the chocolate/mocca version of the silvanas! That was totally divine!
November 6th, 2007ooooh……i remember buying those silvanas from mrs. montenegro. Brought them all the way to Manila. They were very good, crispy but on the sweet side though. It is worth a try! Has anyone tried bth Mrs U’s and Mrs. Montenegro’s? Which one is better?
November 6th, 2007Micht,
I had to go by Munoz and bought 4boxes :)
I still have to try Mrs U’s, but Eriel’s is very crispy, thin, not sweet, after a second in your mouth….starts to melt. sarap :)
November 7th, 2007i am doing a project in cebu and i have yet to discover its many wonders. food wouldn’t be a bad place to start. will try mrs. u’s silvanas when i go there next week. yhanks for the tip!
November 7th, 2007i tried mrs u’s silvanas the other night when we had a dinner party at their house and it was heavenly! i am not that fond of sweets but i actually finished off 1 whole piece (which i rarely do with desserts). it was just right. not too sweet nor crumbly. i raved about it to my other friends after ;) to think i almost missed it till we opened this site to see the comments on this page and her daughter went to the kitchen to get us 1 platterfull ;).
you should try one! mrs u also makes splendid fondant cakes, if i may add. ;)
November 10th, 2007Eriel’s silvanas are really famous here in Nueva Ecija, and yes Micht the packaging is kinda cheesy heehee! There’s also an equally good home made silvanas in Cabanatuan forgot the name though. Edna’s Cakeland in Cabanatuan is also famous here for their yummy cakes and pastries, its taisan was even featured in the blog Pinoy Cook…
November 14th, 2007Hi..
December 10th, 2007I’ve been trying to contact the manila number and email add of Mrs. U but both number and email can’t be reached. I’m planning to give the silvanas as Christmas gifts. Please inform me on how to reach them. Thanks very much! And keep it up! =)
Hello..
This is Chona Rodriguez of Mrs. U Silvanas. PLDT has recently upgraded the lines in our village and our telephone number was changed.
You may reach Mrs. U Silvanas at this new number:
828-8296
We welcome your orders!
December 20th, 2007Dear Market Man,
Thank you so much for featuring Mrs. U Silvanas in “the little brown book”. It is an honor for us to be included in such an illustrious list.
Anyhow, would just like to inform you and your readers that we had a recent change of numbers (PLDT upgrade in our village). Mrs. U Silvanas may now be reached at 828-8296.
Thanks very much and wishing everyone a blessed Christmas!
Chona Rodriguez
December 20th, 2007I’ve been a regular reader of Market Manila for quite sometime– and have been sharing your blog to my friends!!!
Your post on Mrs U’s silvanas rekindled very good memories about trips to Cebu and THESE silvanas! Just last week, my hubby brought home some packs.
I just wonder, how come the aluminum foil looks so crumpled?
January 14th, 2008To Arlene & Cumin,
SM do sell 7D Dried Mangoes but at a higher price…
January 18th, 2008We do have a store located near C.M. Recto & Binondo that sell different dried mangoes… Among them is 7D dried mango and 7D Mangorind (mango + tamarind) and the price we’re selling is definitely lower than the groceries and supermarkets…
Should there be anyone interested, please do call or text me at 0928-2131533…
I remember eating this when I was in the Philippines, I’m here in Florida and I don’t get this kind of dessert anymore. Aren’t they suppose to be frozen or cold when you buy it? If so how do they deliver it, I mean the packaging when they ship it? Any info? Thanks!
January 21st, 2008Mel, yes, they are served straight out of the freezer. You pick them up frozen and try to keep them that way. But they survive a plane trip to Manila from Cebu and just refreeze rather nicely… They don’t ship them as in Fedex or UPS, if you know what I mean. Eileen, you think they re-use the aluminum foil? No, I have no idea why the foil is so crumpled…
January 21st, 2008hi! i just recently discovered this site and it’s very, very interesting and helpful specially to food junkies like myself. may i know how the silvanas turn out perfectly round or oval? are they molded or cut by cookie cutters?
January 21st, 2008just curious…
mary joan, good question, I don’t know the answer, however. Perhaps the meringue is piped or srpead into the oval shapes before baking?
January 21st, 2008MM, I hope not! I just wonder because when I store food in aluminum foil, (regardless of brand)- the ‘crumpling’ is usually on the areas where you seal it, and it doesn’t come out that crumpled. How about you?
January 21st, 2008can i please get the silvana recipe…i have craving it for such a long time…there’s no filipino store in Canada that sells it the way i remembered it back home. please help. thanks.
March 23rd, 2008