Tag: grilled cheese sandwich

Marites’ Day Out at Toby’s Estate and Pinks, BGC

Everyday is a good day for teams of Marites to come together and exchange some of those proverbial “tea.”

If the encounter happens in a posh area with lots of green spaces such as in the eateries in Bonifacio Global City, then so much the better. (Because Maritesses love them some nature!)

BGC - Toby’s Estate and Pink’s
BGC - Toby’s Estate and Pink’s
BGC - Toby’s Estate and Pink’s
BGC - Toby’s Estate and Pink’s

How do I know this?

Because I’m a Marites myself, and I recently swarmed together with my fellow Maritesses for some “tea” and company at BGC.

Toby’s Estate

Our first stop was in Toby’s Estate, home of beautiful coffee sustainably sourced from farmers around the globe. (Because we Maritesses care about sustainability!)

Here, we exchanged chikas over a filling and energizing brunch, which included:

BGC - Toby’s Estate and Pink’s
BGC - Toby’s Estate and Pink’s

Mocha (Php190). A hot latte made with a splash of rich chocolate syrup.

BGC - Toby’s Estate and Pink’s
BGC - Toby’s Estate and Pink’s

Hot Chocolate (Php170). A rich and comforting cocoa drink.

BGC - Toby’s Estate and Pink’s
BGC - Toby’s Estate and Pink’s

Grilled Cheese Sandwich (Php295). Oodles of melty cheese in crisp butter-toasted bread served with house-made potato chips and a tangy tomato compote.

BGC - Toby’s Estate and Pink’s
BGC - Toby’s Estate and Pink’s

Eggs Benedict (Php385). My breakfast of choice composed of sliced ham topped with poached eggs on over toasted English muffins, all drenched with house-made Hollandaise sauce.

BGC - Toby’s Estate and Pink’s
BGC - Toby’s Estate and Pink’s

This tita-ish brunch powered us for a day of lively conversations.

However, the fun didn’t stop here because we hopped over right next door to…

Pink’s Hotdogs and Burgers

At this local offshoot of Hollywood famous hotdog franchise, our group of Maritesses continued on our merry exchanges.

We didn’t see any Tinseltown celebrities but we did bond over some yummy snackables:

BGC - Toby’s Estate and Pink’s
BGC - Toby’s Estate and Pink’s

Milkshakes (Php322). Nothing feels like a childhood indulgence quite look a tall glass of milkshakes.

BGC - Toby’s Estate and Pink’s
Chocolate Milkshake
BGC - Toby’s Estate and Pink’s
Strawberry Milkshake

Hand-cut French Fries (Php190). Freshly deep-fried sticks of potatoes served with ketchup. Great for munching!

BGC - Toby’s Estate and Pink’s
BGC - Toby’s Estate and Pink’s

Sausage Sampler (Php620). Sausages served with pickles, mustard, ketchup and mayonnaise.

BGC - Toby’s Estate and Pink’s
BGC - Toby’s Estate and Pink’s

With such munchable treats, who would want this Maritess’ Day Out to end?

These branches of Toby’s Estate and Pink’s Hot Dogs are located at the the High Street Park, Shangri-la at the Fort, 30th Street corner 5th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

What’s your bet for your chika session snackables with your Maritess friends?

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.

Almusal Cafe, Katipunan

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.

Almusal Cafe, Katipunan
Almusal Cafe, Katipunan
Almusal Cafe, Katipunan

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.

Almusal Cafe, Katipunan
Almusal Cafe, Katipunan
Almusal Cafe, Katipunan

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.

Almusal Cafe, Katipunan
Almusal Cafe, Katipunan
Almusal Cafe, Katipunan

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.

Almusal Cafe, Katipunan
Almusal Cafe, Katipunan
Almusal Cafe, Katipunan

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

Almusal Cafe, Katipunan
Almusal Cafe, Katipunan
Almusal Cafe, Katipunan

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

Almusal Cafe, Katipunan
Almusal Cafe, Katipunan
Almusal Cafe, Katipunan

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.

Almusal Cafe, Katipunan
Almusal Cafe, Katipunan
Almusal Cafe, Katipunan

Long Black Coffee (Php100).

Almusal Cafe, Katipunan

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

Almusal Cafe, Katipunan

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

Almusal Cafe, Katipunan

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

Almusal Cafe, Katipunan

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.

Almusal Cafe, Katipunan

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

Almusal Cafe, Katipunan
Almusal Cafe, Katipunan
Almusal Cafe, Katipunan

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.