As part of our makeshift food crawl in Marikina’s Lamp Quarters over the holiday break, my friends and I proceeded to its newest coffee shop after our lunch at Chives Bistro.
Celsius has been cited as the place to be for students who want to a place of peace and quiet where they can study or regroup with their pals over cups of artisanal coffee.
It has also been hailed as part of the third wave coffee movement in Marikina. It certainly does its share in featuring high-quality coffee with beans sourced from coffee countries such as Ethiopia, Costa Rica, Brazil, Colombia and Indonesia, as well as our home-grown beans from Benguet Atok and Mount Apo Sablan.
These beans are brewed fresh upon order, bringing the aroma and flavors of premium coffee to a new generation of would-be coffee connoisseurs.
Well, the titas and titos our group joined the young ones in their coffee hangout where we enjoyed our orders of of:
Foamless Latte (Php145).
Lounge Latte (Php160).
Lounge Fine Chocolate (Php150).
Cappuccino Frozen Cheesecake (Php150).
The coffee and chocolate drinks were full-flavored and served steaming hot while the coffee-based frozen dessert will surely appeal to lovers of sweets. These treats fueled a lively round of good-natured ribbing and gossiping among the titos and titas present.
Word of advice, though: try not to sit on the triangular stools. They’re bad for your posture and posterior. (Trust your tita on this!)
I’m so looking forward to coming back here and enjoying a round of coffee mocktails with the titas.
Celsius is located at Lamp Quarters, Gil Fernando Avenue, Santo Nino, Marikina City, open daily from 11am to 11pm.
Sourdough bread is a new food trend that gaining traction in the metro. It is made by fermenting dough using naturally occurring lactobacilli and yeast producing a sour taste compared to breads made with baker’s yeast. It also keeps longer, owing to the lactic acid produced by the lactobacilli.
For the health-conscious, sourdough may be used to improve the quality of gluten-free breads by enhancing their texture, aroma and shelf-life. Its glycemic index is lower than other types of bread which is good news for people watching their sugar intake.
It’s a good thing, then, that a cafe specializing in sourdough recently opened near my workplace.
With such an exciting item in its menu (in fact, the central item in it!) as well poshly designed yet comfy interiors ideal for quiet lunches or intimate dinners tucked away in an office building along Tomas Morato, Sourdough held an irresistible appeal to titas like me.
This is why during one of our lunchbreaks prior to the Christmas break, my co-titas in the office and I decided to have our meal at Sourdough Cafe + Deli.
This tita meal consisted of:
Complimentary Flatbread Slices. Dipped in olive oil and balsamic vinegar with some parmesan cheese, these gave our tastebuds a good preview of Sourdough’s offerings.
Prosciutto Arugula Flatbread (Php345). Sourdough flatbread topped with marinara sauce, mozarella, arugula leaves and bits of prosciutto.
Pasta Carbonara (Php395). Al dente noodles tossed in a creamy sauce made with eggs, pecorino cheese, parmegianno reggiano, guanciale (Italian cured meat made from pork jowl) and pancetta (Italian salt-cured pork belly).
Grilled Cheese Sandwich (Php295). Four cheeses – gouda, yellow cheddar, mozzarella and granapadano – sandwiched between sourdough bread slices lightly spread with mayo.
Basque Burnt Cheesecake (Php195). Also a trending food item, this cheesecake is an offshoot of Spain’s tartadequeso. Its top appears toasted but the center has a soft custard-y texture. Combined the top’s buttery taste to the tanginess of the cheesecake filling, and you have a winning dessert you would want to taste again and again.
After lunch, we also treated ourselves to Sourdough Cafe’s handcrafted coffee.
Not bad for a bunch of titas out for lunch.
By the way, since wine and titas go together so well, you might want to check out Sourdough Cafe’s unli wine at Php599 per person.
Sourdough Cafe + Deli is located at Ground Floor, JSB Building, 104 Tomas Morato Avenue corner Scout Delagado Street, Tomas Morato, Quezon City, open daily from 11am to 11pm. For reservations and inquiries, call +63 2 85259463 or +64 917 1889463.
Coffee culture is steadily gaining ground in the metro, with cafes and coffee shops offering high quality and specialty brews. Coffee has evolved from being just another beverage to a social lubricant.
In the foodie-friendly Tomas Morato area in QC, for instance, a new coffee establishment has sprung up, ready to elevate the coffee experience of local foodies while paving the way for friends and family to get together over their favorite coffee blends.
Crema & Cream Bistro + Coffee Lab started as a specialty coffee roaster not just supplying aficionados with coffee beans especially roasted to highlight their unique flavors, but also providing training and consultations to budding coffee experts.
Early this year, it opened its flagship store along Timog Avenue where it not only serves its quality brews but also a well-curated menu of dishes that will appeal to the metro’s epicures. It also features an inviting space for coffee lovers to work or hang out in solitude or dine together with like-minded companions.
Together with my officemates, I ventured out to Crema and Cream to experience it first-hand. Our lunch repast included:
Asian Chicken Salad (Php325). Honey-soy-and-garlic glazed fried chicken cutlets tossed into seasonal greens doused with wasabi mayo dressing and topped with fried wonton, mango, toasted almonds, corn, red radish, pickled red onion, edamame, nori, bonito flakes and toasted sesame seeds.
Mushroom Trio Toast (Php225). Mushroom jam served over arugula, tomato, feta cheese and topped with a poached egg over a slice of sourdough toast.
Chicken Waffle (Php325). Fried chicken cutlet served with a rosemary and cheese waffle topped with a fried egg and drizzled with a honey brown butter sauce.
Sausage and Egg Toast (Php255). Diced sausage and scrambled eggs served with caramelized onions, tomatoes and cheese on sourdough toast.
Pan-seared Salmon (Php565). Pan-seared salmon fillet served with French beans, cherry tomatoes, diced vegetables, herb pesto mashed potato with lemon butter cream sauce.
We also enjoyed some of Crema & Cream’s signature brews together with our meal. This included:
Hot Chocolate (Php140).
Mango and Peach Black Tea (Php120).
Flat White (Php150).
Cappuccino (Php140).
While the viands are not as hearty as we would like our lunch meal to be, the flavors presented are new and exciting. I wouldn’t mind returning to taste more of Crema & Cream’s offerings.
Crema and Cream Cafe Bistro + Coffee Lab is located at 116-B Timog Avenue corner 11th Jamboree Street, Bgy. Sacred Heart, Quezon City, open Tuesdays to Thursdays and Sundays from 8am to 11pm, and Fridays to Saturdays from 8am to 12 midnight. For inquiries or reservations, call +63 2 7130662.
It seems that no matter the weather, frozen treats are a sure bet. Whether your find yourself in the midst of a sweltering summer or wet monsoon season, you can always take comfort in something cold and sweet.
Take gelato, for example.
This dessert which originated from Italy has become a mainstay in the Pinoy dessert scene. And why shouldn’t it? Made with a base of milk, gelato uses a lot less cream than ice cream, resulting in a denser and creamier dessert.
Premium gelato brand Cara Mia (“my dear” in Italian) got its start when Fr. Gianluigi Colombo, the Salesian Priest who started Amici di Don Bosco in Makati started selling gelato in one of the sections of the cafeteria style restaurant when it opened in 2001, in effect making it among the first to offer this kind of dessert to Pinoys.
Years later, Cara Mia was spun off into a separate brand with its own stores all over the metro, such as the kiosk in Robinsons Galleria that my son and I visited when we were in the mood for dessert after our steak lunch.
We gave up trying to walk off the calories and just opted to sit down at the kiosk and relax with our chosen cup of gelato.
I got myself a Coffee Mudslide (Php95), a sweet treat fortified by espresso shots incorporated in the gelato.
My son got a cup of Cookies and Cream (Php95), rich vanilla gelato interspersed with Oreo crumbs, definitely one of his favorites!
What a lovely end to meal and a way for mom-and-son to spend some quiet time together!
This Cara Mia branch is located at Level 2 Robinsons Galleria, Ortigas Center, Quezon City.
Other branches include: Ayala Malls Feliz, Greenhills, Don Bosco, Tomas Morato, Ayala Triangle, Alabang Town Center, Robinsons Manila, Estancia Mall, Trinoma, Fairview Terraces, SM Megamall, SM Fairview, Lucky Chinatown Mall, Greenhills Promenade, Festival Mall, Gateway Mall, Venice Grand Mall and Uptown Bonifacio
Cara Mia products can also be enjoyed inside Amici stores such as UP Ayala Technohub, SM Mega Atrium, SM North EDSA The Block and Katipunan Avenue.
Salamangka translates to “sleight of hand” in Tagalog. It is a word wrapped in magic and mystery, calling to mind enchantment and wonder.
The restaurant and bar in Eastwood Citywalk that bears that name lives up to it by offering coffee, cocktails and craft beer, as well as its own reimagining of Filipino food, against a welcoming backdrop laden with a hefty dose of mystical appeal.
Together with my foodie friends from #WeLoveToEatPH and #SaanSaPH, I stepped inside Salamangka’s doors for a taste of magic.
In the late morning, Salamangka is awash with light, the black murals of mythical creatures and the balete tree on the wall wonderfully offset by the clean white background. Furniture made with native materials and a huge table and bench set made from solid pieces of wood provide ample seating for the diners.
Salamangka’s menu consists of its own take of classic Filipino dishes, such as:
Kamote Chips (Php199). Crispy deep-fried slices of of sweet potatoes that go so well with its dip of condensed milk reduction.
Piknik (Php199). Crispy hand-cut potato slivers served with three different sauces (but they’re ok without the sauce as evidenced by the way I keep popping them into my mouth, hehehe!)
Coca Cola Wings (Php259). Fried chicken wings simmered in a Coca Cola reduction and served with piknik.
Itlog na Maalat Wings (Php349). Fried chicken wings covered in a sauce of salted eggs and served with piknik.
Vegan Nachos (Php199). Toasted pita chips topped with ground tofu and drizzled with a mixture of Yummza pesto hummus, lemon and oil. Live a little and add Php20 for additional topping of grated cheese.
Tinapa (Php189). A bowl of smokey tinapa flakes on top of garlic rice and paired with salted egg, a side of tomatoes and burong mangga.
Bawang na Bangus (Php189). Fried bangus marinated in garlic served on top of garlic rice with salted egg and atsara.
Sinigang sa Manggang Hilaw (Php279). Beef sinigang with a sour sauce instead of broth on top of steamed rice and served with sour mango and bagoong.
Once you’ve eaten your fill, how about lettin’ loose and sampling Salamangka’s much celebrated alcholic concoctions? Impress your friends with your knowledge of native folklore when you identify the entities that give their name to these intense spirits.
Wakwak (Php99 per glass | Php349 per pitcher). Named after a vampiric bird-like creature that makes the noise “wak-wak” as it flaps its wings, this cocktail is mixture of rum, lime juice, mango puree and mint leaves.
Mambabarang(Php99 per glass | Php349 per pitcher). Made with gin, lime juice, cucumber slices and mint leaves, this cocktail got its name from the warlock or sorceress that cast malevolent hexes on people
Ibong Adarna (Php99 per glass | Php349 per pitcher). Named after the mythical bird whose song has healing qualities, this drink is made with tequila, pineapple, calamansi and chili placed in a salt-rimmed glass. A sip of this drink is multi-layered: you get the citrus flavor from the calamansi, the spiciness from the chili, the saltiness from the rimmed glass and the fire of the tequila as it travels down your throat.
What really got me excited was Pitong Elemento (Php350). A flight of seven intense native infusions inspired by legendary elementals, this consists of seven shot glasses of flavored spirits that pack quite a punch.
Duwende (dried mango rhum – named after the mischievous house spirit)
Sigbin (orange vodka – named after the mythical creature that suck its victims’ blood from the shadows)
Kibaan (raisin gin – named after the mythical creature that lead travelers astray with its backward feet)
Tiyanak (Thai chili tequila – named after the creature that takes the form of a crying baby to attack folks who pick it up)
Undin (roasted bell pepper vodka – named after the water sprite that drown people who disturb it)
Santelmo (lemon vodka – named after St. Elmo’s Fire, balls of fire that appear as portents of doom)
Nuno sa Punso (spearmint chocolate vodka – named after the dwarf-like creature that dwell in mounds of earth).
You can also opt to get these infusions individually by the shot glass at Php50 each, except for Nuno sa Punso which is at Php99.
(Note: I only attempted to try Nuno sa Punso and, really, a few sips were more than enough for a lightweight like me.)
Fans of the local craft beer Engkanto would really go for a Beer Flight (Php249) a four variant sampler consisting of lager, pale ale, IPA and double IPA.
Salamangka also prides itself on its Single Origin local coffees at Php99/cup such as those from Bukidnon and Batangas. These are freshly ground upon order and then brewed using pour over cups. Until August 31, get a Buy 1 Get 1 deal on these local coffees from 7am to 10am, thanks to Salamangka’s ongoing Hiwaga ng Umaga promo.
Salamangka’s Bulletproof Coffee (Php190), which is made with brewed coffee, coconut oil and unsalted butter, would probably be great for chasing away a hangover given the coffee’s touted properties for enhancing alertness. I would just prefer the residual flavor from the coconut oil to be tempered down a little bit more so that the creaminess and the slight sweetness from the butter would be more pronounced.
So if you want a great time with your friends tinged with magic and mystery, head on to Salamangka.
Thanks to Darryl, Issa, Veni and Kevin of Salamangka for having us!
Join Salamangka’s Hocus Focus Facebook contest by posting a picture of you posing in one of Salamanka’s Kreature Kutouts. Make sure your post is public, tag @salamangkamnl, use the hashtags #IsangTaongHiwaga and #TasteMagic, for a chance to get a freebie.
Feel like pitting your knowledge against other Salamangka guests? Join the Gabi ng Pagsusulit, a quiz night held at Salamangka every second and fourth Thursday of the month.
Salamangka is located at Eastwood Citywalk 1, Libis, Quezon City, open daily from 7am to 3am. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 5518557.
Did you know you can buy two drinks and get the same two drinks for free at Salamangka through Zomato Gold? Zomato Gold provides members with 1+1 deals on food or 2+2 deals on drinks.
Disclosure: Together with my fellow foodies, I was invited to join a foodie meetup held at this restaurant. Food items mentioned here were served to allow us to sample the fare and were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.
Just when you thought that the milk tea business has reached its peak, here comes a new player in the market that has something quite novel to introduce: healthy beverage options.
That is not something most people go to milk tea joints for but for John and Anna Pelino, who are both on keto diets, having sugar-free and keto-friendly choices available in their milk tea bar is essential.
Found in a residential area along South Zuzuaregui Street in Old Balara, UltraKappu was borne out of the couple’s trip to Taiwan (originally to take their young toddler to see the pandas) into a week-long milk tea party. Finding a particular taste in Taiwanese milk tea that they wanted to bring back home, they soon set up shop in Quezon City with the help of Anna’s brother Mark, further fueling the milk tea craze in the metro.
Together with my foodie friends from #WeLoveToEatPH and #SaanSaPH, I visited UltraKappu’s flagship store to discover what sets it apart from other milk tea establishments.
One: The brand has Japanese-inspired origins
Unlike most milk tea places in the country that translate their Taiwan origins to their local operations, UltraKappu got its (very loose) inspiration from Japanese superheroes. UltraKappu (or “urutorakappu”), in fact, translates to “ultra cup” in Japanese.
Even the store is marked with Japanese-style minimalism. Two sets of cafe-style tables and chair and bar stools provide seating adequate for around ten people. The store logo is boldly emblazoned in orange against the dark grey background, while the TV plays the store’s music video starring cosplayers dressed as Japanese-style anime girls enjoying their favorite drinks.
However, all the milk tea ingredients are imported from the motherland of milk tea, Taiwan.
Two: A milk tea place for the health conscious?
You would think that “milk tea” and “healthy” are two mutually exclusive concepts but John and Anna are adamant that their store be able to offer, not only supercharged versions of beverages already available in the local food scene, but also guilt-free and ultimately healthier drink choices.
How exactly?
For one thing, they offer sugar-free drinks, suitable for those on keto diets, such as Bulletproof Black, Bulletproof White, Bulletproof Mocha and Almond Milk Tea.
Bulletproof coffee is a drink consisting of brewed coffee, grass-fed unsalted butter and medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) coconut oil, all healthy ingredients that are low in sugar but high in good energy.
Diners can even request to see the macros of these drinks such as the amount of calories, fat, carbs and protein they contain to make sure these fall within their daily intake levels.
Also, instead of just adjusting sugar levels of their other drinks, the staff can take out sugar altogether. For additional Php10 to the price of your kappu order, they will use a sugar substitute with zero net carbs and zero sugar.
Lastly, UltraKappu has an Ala Carte Menu that allows diners to build their own healthy milk tea from scratch. With a base of either assam black tea or jasmine tea, diners can pick and choose toppings they can add to their drink which include, pearls, salty cream, cloud (a cream foam that adds texture to the drink), Oreo crumbs, egg pudding, grass jelly, popping boba (with yogurt inside), nata, konnyaku (low-carb blocks of jelly-like extract from a type of root crop), MCT oil and butter.
Standout drinks for me include:
Bulletproof Mocha (Php130 small | Php140 medium). I didn’t expect to find this so creamy! While it’s not as sweet as my regular coffee drinks, I can definitely taste a certain milky richness.
Super Soy (Php115 medium | Php125 large). Imagine your favorite taho drink supercharged with boba pearls and caramel.
Brown Sugar Boba Milk (Php100 medium | Php110 large). Ooh, that intense toasty brown sugar caramel distributed in creamy milk tea!
Oreo Matcha (Php130 medium | Php140 large). I’m not so into matcha drinks so I was surprised that this one appealed to me. It’s really because its taste is not as intensely herby as other matcha drinks I’ve tasted, and the Oreo crumbs serve to add sweetness and texture to the drink.
Salty Cream Pudding (Php130 medium | Php140 large). The creamy milk tea with an added dimension of the sweet-salty taste of salty cream and the mild sweetness of egg pudding.
Now, aren’t you glad you have more (and healthier) choices for your milk tea fix? Drop by UltraKappu to get your own ultimate cup of milk tea goodness today!
UltraKappu is located at 2nd Floor, Bali Garden Residences, Zuzuarregui Street, Matandang Balara, Quezon City, open daily from 11am to 10pm.
No time to drop by the store? Have your drink delivered by Lalamove! Contact UltraKappu through its Facebook or Instagram pages to order.
I would scour food halls, parks, malls and shopping centers in search for sugary treats. And sometimes, I would find something that the mere thought of which gives me a sugar high.
How about sweet confections at par with those you can find in a Parisienne cafe or New York hotel, but easily accessible and affordably priced? Think it’s good to be true?
Well, as I’ve discovered together with my East-based foodie friends, Coffee Time Cakes and Pastries, is the place to be in Pasig if you want to indulge in delectable desserts masterfully whipped up by a Paris-trained pastry chef.
Upon her retirement, Chef Amy Carr decided to bring her extensive experience in cakes and pastries by helping her daughter Lucelle and son-in-law Martin Tan set up a cafe along Amang Rodriguez Avenue in Santolan, Pasig.
Enter its doors and you will be ensconced in a cozy haven with a cosmopolitan feel. Comfortable chairs and low tables make for seating that encourages intimate conversations or restful solitude. Tasteful wall and shelf decor give the space an posh yet welcoming atmosphere. And for those who need to be always online, whether for work, study or social media, the place provides many power outlets for gadget charging as well as free WiFi.
For me and my foodie buddies, Coffee Time’s raison d’etre is its well-curated selection of cakes and baked goodies, all made from scratch by Chef Amy using premium ingredients. Check out a sampling of sweets that we were treated to when we visited the cafe:
Blueberry Cheesecake (Php160/slice | Php1,300/whole). New York-style cheesecake topped with sweetened blueberries.
Choco Salted Caramel (Php150/slice | Php1,200/whole). Rich chocolate cake layered with salted caramel and covered with a luscious chocolate frosting.
Tiramisu (Php160/slice | Php1,300/whole). Did you know that the name Italian word tiramisu translates to “cheer me up?” Well, this confection made of espresso-dipped chiffon cake layered with mascarpone cheese-based mixture and topped with powdered cocoa is sure to give your day a boost.
Sans Rival (Php165/slice | Php1,500). A homegrown dessert, this confection made of buttercream, meringue and cashew nuts layered on top of each other really is without rival.
Strawberry Shortcake (Php160/slice | Php1,300/whole). Light sponge cake layered with strawberry and vanilla cream and topped with fresh strawberries, this cake blew us foodies away with its delicious taste and lovely mouthfeel.
French Macarons (Php65/piece | Php320/box). These dainty and colorful meringue-based confections are bigger than the ones you’ll find in other dessert shops. Buy a piece, a box or two, for yourself or to give as a gift.
Cheese Drops (Php45/piece). A kiss-shaped dollop of cheesecake coated with s thick layer of chocolate, it makes for a bite-sized enjoyment!
Ensaimada con Queso de Bola (Php70/piece). Our favorite merienda pastry is given more flavor by the incorporation of Pato queso de bola (Edam Cheese).
Oatmeal Walnut Chocolate Chip Cookies (Php60/piece). The classic chocolate chip cookie is made heartier by the addition of oatmeal and chopped walnuts.
Red Velvet Muffin (Php55/piece). Despite its bright red color, red velvet muffins are actually rich in chocolate flavor. Topped with buttercream icing, these are quite filling yet not too sweet, perfect for pairing with black coffee.
Choco Chip Muffin (Php60). Everyone’s favorite cookie now in muffin form.
Partner these sweets with coffee- or non-coffee-based drinks offered at the store such as:
Flavored Lattes: Salted Caramel Mocha (Php90/8 oz | Php100/12oz) and Red Velvet (Php115/8oz | Php125/12oz).
Coffee or Cream Frappes: Salted Caramel Popcorn (Php150/16oz), Matcha (Php150/16oz) and Strawberry Cream (Php170/16oz)
No time to drop by the cafe? If you live in nearby Pasig or Marikina areas, call +63 920 9490391 to have your sweets delivered.
We foodies had such a sweet time which was one big sugar high, thanks to Chef Amy, Lucelle, Martin and the sweet folks of Coffee Time Cakes and Pastries!
Coffee Time Cakes & Pastries is located at 50 Amang Rodriguez Avenue (across South Supermarket), Santolan, Pasig City, open daily from 7am to 9pm. For inquiries and delivery requests, call +63 920 9490391.
Disclosure: Together with other food bloggers, I attended a foodie meet-up held in this restaurant. All the food items mentioned here were served to allow us to sample the fare and were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.
“Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle.”
That quote, often mistakenly ascribed to legendary US President Abraham Lincoln, does have a point. Things are done and achieved by those who move.
Well, one of the hardest things to overcome is the state of inertia: just imagine, if your mind and body already think they are at rest, they tend to stay that way for the rest of the day. (Good luck getting over that mid-day slump!)
Fortunately for us working folks here in Quezon City’s South Triangle area, Hustle Cafe has moved its store from Cubao to the corner of Tomas Morato Avenue and Scout Rallos Street. In its new location, it continues to serve food and drink freshly prepared in the store to help people power through the day.
A friend and I dropped by during our lunch break to get our much needed mid-day sustenance, which included:
Pork Samgyupsal (Php250). Korean-style grilled pork and fried egg tops a bowl of fluffy steamed rice, sliced cucumber and kimchi-flavored shredded cabbage.
Grilled Cheese (Php180). Cheese and onion marmalade make up the filling of thick and buttery toasted bread with a side of marinara sauce for dipping.
Salted Caramel (Php140) and Coffee (Pbp120) Frappes. Our little bits of caffeine-laden treats to wake our brains up and lift out spirits to face the rest of our tasks for the day.
Speaking of uplifting, did you know that proceeds from the sales Hustle Cafe’s food and drink help in the training of out-of-school youth in the food and beverage industry? The cafe exposes these kids, not just in the store’s back-end operations, but also in customer-facing roles to prepare them for larger responsibilities in their future F&B jobs.
With its wallet-friendly-priced drinks, Hustle Cafe also makes specialty brews and blends more accessible and less intimidating, thereby helping to create new coffee lovers and enthusiasts.
So if ever you’re in the Tomas Morato area, do drop by and check out Hustle Cafe’s offerings. They just make give you the energy to hustle your way through your day.
Hustle Cafe is located at the CKB Center, Tomas Morato Avenue corner Rallos Street, Laging Handa, Quezon City, open Mondays to Saturdays from 10am to 10pm. For inquiries and advanced orders, call +63 916 6557485.
For a coffee lover like me, that morning cuppa signals the start of a new day, and that mug in the afternoon is all I need to pick me up from the post-lunch slump.
I also look forward to trying out new brews and coffee concoctions. It’s actually amazing how coffee is versatile enough to be mixed and matched with new ingredients to come up with an exciting new beverage.
Last night, together with my fellow foodies, I trooped over to Caffe Freddo in Bonifacio High Street to find out what the cafe has been brewing as part of its Philippine Independence Day offering.
The new Ube Freddo (Php150) localizes Caffe Freddo’s coffee experience by adding the very Pinoy flavor of ube (purple yam) to the Freddo, the cafe’s signature iced coffee drink which contains a double shot of espresso and sweetened frothed milk. The resulting purple concoction makes for a pretty and Instagrammable drink. It joins the cafe’s roster of imaginative Freddo flavors which already include Mocha, Chai, Matcha and Coco starting June 12.
Along with the Ube Freddo, we also got a taste of the cafe’s carefully curated Modern European brunch menu which included:
Appetizers
Crunchy Calamari (Php240). Crispy battered squid rings served with basil and lime mayo.
Spring Rolls (Php260). Shrimp and corn-filled spring rolls served with coriander tomato dip.
Dried Figs Burrata Flat Bread (Php380). The dried figs add a sweet element that complements the savory flavors from burrata cheese, caramelized onions and the arugula in this flatbread.
Panzanella Salad (Php290). Fresh flavors abound in this mixture of kale, watermelon, cherry tomatoes and croutons tossed in a balsamic vinaigrette.
Mains.
Nasi Goreng (Php330). Chicken satay served with Indonesian spiced shrimp, vegetable fried rice and fried egg.
Beef Tagliatelle (Php350). Pasta tossed in beefy tomato ragu and basil.
Aglio Olio (Php350). Spaghetti tossed in virgin olive oil, garlic and spiced bacon.
Soy Grilled Salmon (Php480). Salmon topped with wabiko cream and served with wasabi mashed potato.
Fried Chicken Confit (Php320). Crispy fried chicken served with cole slaw.
Croque Madame (Php320). Smoked ham over a brioche toast and a layer of gruyere cheese, topped with a fried egg and mornay sauce.
Desserts.
Mango Granita (Php220). Succulent cubes of mango mixed in strips of fresh coconut, crumbled macaroons and coconut milk.
Greek Yogurt Panna Cotta (Php220). Light and tangy panna cotta served with blueberries in a pinot syrup.
Sans Rival (Php220). The classic Pinoy cake made of decadent layers of buttercream, meringue and chopped nuts.
Choco Paradise (Php190).This rich chocolatey confection is perfect for those craving for chocolate after a meal.
With its slew of dishes, coffee offerings and cozy atmosphere, it’s easy to see why Caffe Freddo has become a prime foodie destination.
Thanks to Pat of ThePatKidInside for extending the invitation!
About Caffe Freddo
Caffe Freddo prides itself in offering a very unique selection of coffee, not found anywhere else in the metro. The coffee selection is all specially brewed from premium coffee beans of Bluestone Lane from New York City. Strategically located in the busy commercial business district of Bonifacio High Street, Caffe Freddo has refreshingly inviting interiors, with its off-white distressed brick walls, ample seating good for 50 people, and columns with hand-painted coffee plants in vibrant hues of green and red. Caffe Freddo is cozy enough for group meet-ups and family dining.
Caffe Freddo is located at The Spa Building, 9th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, open Sundays to Thursdays from 7am to 11pm and Fridays to Saturdays from 7am to 12 midnight. For inquiries, call +63 9988479410.
Disclosure: Together with my fellow foodies, I was invited to join a foodie meetup held at this restaurant. Food items mentioned here were served to allow us to sample the fare and were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.
If you venture into one of the more out-of-the-way streets near the foodie-friendly haven Tomas Morato, you might chance upon this colorful little cafe.
Called Pookaberry Cafe, its facade and interiors are marked by whimsical depictions of a baby alien named – you guessed it – Pookaberry, who just happens to be the imaginary friend of Ollie the Octopus.
These drawings and characters are works by renowned New York-based pop artist Peter Marco, co-owner of the cafe along with his wife Jeanette.
While the cafe’s wall-to-wall artworks will stimulate you to flights of fancy, its menu, developed by Jeanette from the family’s own recipes and mirroring their cosmopolitan tastes and Pinoy roots, will comfort your tummy and spirit. Check them out:
Jams: Chili Mango and Chili Orange. Great to spread on buttered bread for that bit of extra sweetness that will put a smile on your face.
Paninis: Adobo (Php220), Bacon (Php240), Pork Loin (Php240) and Avocado (Php230). Grilled breads stuffed with flavorful filling, my fave was the savory avocado panini which veers away from my usual avocado fare which tend to be sweet.
Breakfast: Breakfast ni Juan (with beef tapa and scrambled egg – Php290), Uncle Sam’s Big Breakfast (with bacon, sausage and scrambled egg – Php310) and Vegetarian Option (with mushrooms – Php320). A hearty way to start the day is to have a bit of fried rice, a bit of vegetable salad and your preferred proteins to fuel you up. I was surprised to find that I actually love the Vegetarian Option: the sauteed mushrooms were flavorful, savory and went well with the rice.
Cakes: Very Pookaberry (Php130 slice | Php1,300 whole), Walnut Carrot (Php140 slice |Php1,400 whole), New York Cheesecake (Php140 slice | Php1,680 whole) and Matcha Green Tea (Php140 slice | Php1,400 whole). Delectable desserts to indulge the sweet tooth! My fave was the rich and creamy New York Cheesecake.
Cookie Shots (Php125). Cookie cups to hold your preferred shot among espresso, fresh milk or chocolate milk options. Cheers!
Cosmic Cookie (Php80). Cookies baked in fun cosmic-shaped muffin cups.
Choco Walnut (Php120). A humongous piece of chocolate chip and walnut cookie to give you your sugar fix for the day.
Ice Blended Drinks: Very Pookaberry Ube, Jurassic Milo, Strawberry Cream Cheese Oreo and Matcha Oreo. Refreshing icy drinks, perfect for a hot summer’s day!
Aside from its fun and whimsical ambiance and the yummy treats on its menu, Pookaberry Cafe also has its own advocacy project. Proceeds of the cafe go to the Basilia Women’s Foundation which helps women and children who are victims of domestic abuse.
Check out its gift shop for fun merchandise and bags of its locally sourced coffee beans.
So the next time you’re in the Tomas Morato area, drop by Pookaberry Cafe, for fun times and yummy treats.
Thanks to Aileen of AileenLFoodAdventures for extending the invite!
Pookaberry Cafe is located at 36-B Scout Ybardolaza corner Scout Rallos Streets, Bgy. Sacred Heart, Quezon City, open daily from 7am to 9pm. For reservations and inquiries, call +63 917 9685414.
Disclosure: Together with other foodies from #AileenLFoodieEventBuddies, I was invited to join a foodie meetup held at this restaurant. Food items mentioned here were served to allow us to sample the fare and were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.
Jellybeans in the City 