Breakfast with the parents at Almusal Cafe, Katipunan

With all the restrictions from the lockdown since last year, my folks may have been nursing a case of cabin fever. Stuck at home for months, with only a few short trips out to break the monotony, I suspect they may have been feeling blue.

So with my daughter #ExhibitA as my co-conspirator, I set out to find a way to cheer up the parental units.

We decided to treat them to breakfast at a new breakfast joint I chanced upon on Instagram: Almusal Cafe.

The name says it all doesn’t it?

Almusal Cafe has has been serving comforting Filipino breakfasts – albeit with a New York or Aussie twist every once in a while because of its expat owners. It opened its doors just as the metro was loosening its restrictions on dining out and mobility and was transitioning to a general community quarantine. To me, this restaurant serves breakfast food that act as reminders of better days past and better days to come.

What better place to bring my parents for some breakfast and bonding, right?

For one thing, Almusal Cafe boasts of lots of greenery at its outdoor seating area that will surely excite, not just plantitos or plantitas, but also any suburbanite longing for a break from quarantine.

Its interiors are also well-appointed, sporting couches where you can lounge while having your coffee and dining areas where you can eat your breakfast in comfort.

Our group enjoyed Pinoy breakfast classics with a few welcome touches of the unusual. Check them out:

Kesong Puti Grilled Cheese Sandwich (Php370). The soft and un-aged white cheese made from carabao’s milk is partnered with sundried tomato pesto on sourdough bread and served with potato crisps on the side.

Beef Belly Tapa (Php380). Beef belly slow-cooked for a day then served chimichurri sauce on top of mixed red and white rice.

Ultimate Fried Chicken (Php450). Two fried chicken fillets served with elote, country-style gravy and hot honey.

Shrimp & Arugula Croissant (Php580). Fresh shrimp is tossed with arugula and cherry tomatoes in a light and creamy aioli and served in a toasted croissant with potato crisps on the side.

Long Black Coffee (Php100).

Strawberry Mint Iced Tea (Php120). Freshly picked strawberries blended with mint leaves and tea.

Peach Basil Iced Tea (Php130). Iced tea made with peaches, fresh basil and lime.

Cold Mocha (Php170). Malagos chocolate mixed with a double shot of espresso.

With great food, great surroundings and great conversations over our meal, I had a memorable breakfast experience with my folks; one, I hope, that ushered in some good cheer in their hearts.

Well, it certainly made for a brighter start of the day for me!

Almusal Cafe is located at The Pop Up Katipunan, Xavierville Corner Katipunan Avenue, Loyola Heights, Quezon City, open Tuesdays to Sundays from 9am to 4pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 917 1371510.

To know about its latest promos and updates, follow Almusal Cafe on Facebook and Instagram.

Check out my posts on other breakfast places in the metro:

• Denny’s, Trinoma
• Katherine’s Cafe, Ayala Vertis North
• Prologue, Tomas Morato
• Crema & Cream, Tomas Morato
• Peach Boy, Mandaluyong
• Cafe Mary Grace, Eastwood Mall

• Dean & DeLuca, Tomas Morato
• Celsius, Lamp Quarters
• Sourdough Cafe + Deli, Tomas Morato
• Prologue Neighborhood Kitchen, Tomas Morato
• Press by Fully Booked, Powerplant Mall
• Cafe Shibuya, Trinoma

• Cafe Shibuya, Glorietta
• The Fat Seed Cafe + Roastery, UP Town Center
• Chef Jessie, Rockwell Club
• ALTA by Relik, San Juan
• Santiago’s Cafe, Mandaluyong
• Over Easy, Marikina
• Hustle Cafe, Tomas Morato
• Sammy’s, Cainta
• Artesa Deli + Coffee, Kapitolyo
• Burrow Cafe, Antipolo
• Pookaberry Cafe, Tomas Morato
• Cafe Tribu, Victoria de Morato
• Cafe Tribu, Kamuning
• Cafe Tribu, Gloria Diaz
• Bluesmith Coffee & Kitchen, Greenbelt
• Little Owl Cafe, New Manila
• Starbucks, Tomas Morato
• Starbucks, SM East Ortigas
• The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Tomas Morato
• The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Venice Piazza
• The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, SM East Ortigas
• White Camp Coffee, Tomas Morato