What Neil Writes About: Pasig

Showing posts with label Pasig. Show all posts

August 21, 2016

Kapitolyo as grown its reputation to be one of the foodie centers of the Pasig City. Located in between the Ortigas Business District and the Bonifacio Global City, it serves as nearby sanctuary from the work focused skyscrappers of the two business capitals. It only makes sense that eventually a specialty coffee shop would take root in Kapitolyo.

The Ambiance

The design theme of United Coffee is a cut above most establishments yet it doesn't stand out too much; However, it has this X-factor that makes the place unbelievably cozy. We could never point out what exactly, but it's there and you will only notice this when you sit down and slow down while waiting for your order.

Simple but Elegant Ambiance!

They even have shelves for books to read. In fact, we would always see patrons who always borrow books to read while enjoying their cup of coffee. We believe to have seen a complete Harry Potter Collection for patrons to read too.

It's a cup you won't regret!

The Coffee, The Beverages and The Service

In our several visits to United Coffee, they carried EDSA Beverage Design Groups Beans. So the flavor profiles would depend on which blend they would use. We particularly love the characteristics of their Single Origins and their Dark Matter Theory for it's unique flavors.

The noteworthy thing about their baristas is that each time we come back, you will notice a small improvement in their brewing specifically the hand brewed preparation. I couldn't explain it but I would always notice the slight difference may it be from the texture or the sensation of the body in my mouth.

One of the Better Matcha Latte's in the Metro right now!

Matcha has really taken over the world by storm and United has their own version of the Matcha Latte and it is one of the better Matcha lattes I've had. It has a more refined but concentrated flavor that hits your tongue as soon as you take that first sip. It's quite noticeable because most Matcha lattes had this blunt punch that hits you but this is different. It starts with small smooth sting then gradually increases in strength in an elegant way. It's a nice treat.

They also serve their drinks iced for those hot summers in Manila

They also serve their drinks Iced for those hot Manila days. To serve as a partner for your drinks they offer a wide variety of cakes, confections, pastas and finger foods! The s'more they offer I believe is homemade. The marshmallow has sweeten from having its sugar caramelised and the hot chocolate inside is able to counter it with its own complex mix of sweetness and bitterness.

Another dish to try when you just need to sit down, relaxing and catching up to your reading is their spinach artichoke that surprisingly goes well with their Dark Matter Theory Beans! I was just surprised at how well they mixed in my mouth. Try it!

A must try with their Dark Matter Theory!

The Price

Espresso starts at Php 100 while the Iced Latte will set you back Php 140. A mocha is Php 160 while the Matcha Latte is Php 130. Their drinks are priced in between the Php 100 to Php 160 range. The Sandwiches ranges from Php 195 to Php 215 while their Pasta ranges from Php 195 to Php 225.00 All are reasonably priced and you won't find anything here that will hurt your pockets.

Overall I love their lattes especially the espresso latte and the matcha latte. I couldn't find any other coffee spot in the area that could give me this satisfaction. Not Yet anyway! See you guys on the next one!

Do you want to Contact 'United Coffee PH?'

Address: 16 United Street, Kapitolyo, Pasig City Philippines
Telephone number: (02) 738 - 7177

Instagram: @UnitedCoffeePH

Operating Hours: Mon-Th, Sun: 11:30AM to 11PM; Fri-Sat: 11.30 AM to 12MN

June 30, 2015

After having my first specialty coffee at Department of Coffee, I felt that I could never come back but unfortunately DOC had to move so I had to find another Third-wave coffee establishment located nearby.

In my search, I found several establishments within a couple of miles of DOC. One of which is EPIC Coffee at Kapitolyo, Pasig. One would think that after 2011, the word epic would lose its efficacy because of over use. So I aim to answer whether this place lives up to its name.

EPIC sits on the ground floor of a building along East Capitol Drive with two big round signages that you can not miss. Parking like in most establishments in Kapitolyo is very hard to come by so remember that patience is a virtue. Usually the security guard will let assist you with this should you have difficulty.

It feels like you've stepped into a cozy log cabin.

The Ambiance

From the outside is a slender facade that may give an impression of a tight space, but you'll be surprised at how long the space is. Once inside, you feel like you've stepped inside a cozy log cabin of a bicycle enthusiast that has been remodelled with modern touches.

As I took my seat, I felt the warmth of this place, and it made me feel like I was coming home. Thoughts on how my parents are flood my mind with the last thing being 'I should get some work done and give them a call.'

A long counter with all their utensils and their offerings on display.

The counter is long with most of their utensils and offerings on display. The different beans and different teas are on on top for you to take your pick. They also display the different cakes they offer and you'd better be careful because all of them can break your diets.

The Toasted Marshmallow Flavoured Latte

The Coffee

They offer beans from the usual bean sourced countries with the EPIC bean blend their home blend. What is unique to EPIC is their take on the Sea Salt Caramel, Toasted Marshmallow, Affogato and Frappes.

The sea salt caramel is straight forward. I wasn't really a big fan of the hype it had but when I had it with their Coffee it was way beyond my expectation. The sea salt perfectly clashed with the sweetness of the caramel, and the bitterness of the coffee. The flavors then danced in unison as they balance each other out in your mouth, but the flavors never dissolves the other. You taste all of them distinctively, and together. It is fine hot, cold or frappe. Pick your poison.

The toasted marshmallow is a little different. Toasting the marshmallow brings its sweetness out, and on its own it would overload your tastebuds. It did serve as the perfect contrast to the flavours of the beans from the coffee. I found it a good alternative to caramel when you want to have that hint of fluffiness from the marshmallow.

On the other hand, their affogato is different. It is a scoop of Ice cream served with a shot of espresso which they serve separately. You will notice that when you pour the espresso that it can't hold the scoop of ice cream and the whole pitcher of espresso which adds a different dynamic to the usual affogato where they are served together. By doing this, they let you add more coffee as you eat the ice cream bit by bit. It is also mesmerising to see the hot coffee collide with the cold ice cream. The way the ice cream melts so gracefully is quite appetising.

Enjoying the affogato is a balancing act. It exists as both liquid and solid. Drinking too much of the coffee will make it taste more like the ice cream. Eating too much ice cream will lead to a sweetened coffee mixture. The latter is less likely to occur since there is mire ice cream than coffee.
Overall the affogato is a sweet treat where it is more dessert than beverage, and more indulgent than energising.

The Service and the Price

The Baristas are kind, and are open to your requests. They welcome you warmly as you come in and patiently take your order and questions.

Coffee prices starts Php 80.00 with an espresso and can get up to Php 260.00 for the COLD Affogato. (the hot affogato is Php 160.00) while the cakes start at Php 125.00. They also serve sandwiches like turkey ham, smoked salmon and vegan sandwiches that start at Php 130.00. Prices are reasonable and well worth your time and taste buds. I just find the premium offerings to be a little pricey. I hope to see you there.

The Verdict

Overall Verdict: A-

Beverage Quality: A

Service Quality: A

Bang for your Buck: A-

Do you want to Contact 'Epic Coffee'

Address: 102 East Capitol Drive, Kapitolyo, Pasig, Metro Manila, Philippines
Telephone number: (+63) 916-355-4129
Facebook: www.facebook.com/epiccafeofficial
Instagram: @epiccafeofficial
Operating Hours: 8AM to 10PM

March 29, 2015

Silantro Fil-Mex Cantina Kapitolyo Pasig City Metro Manila Philippines Review Experience

Being former colonies of Spain, Mexico and the Philippines have a long list of similarities. So, it makes sense to fuse these two culturally rich and culturally compatible cuisines; And, we get 'Silantro' Fil-Mex Cantina (insert Mos Eisley Cantina music) in Kapitolyo.

One of my better friends from college who I share the same preference in taste, recommended it to me in a convincing manner. Apparently, he and his colleagues developed a craving for this place that during some lunch breaks they would risk timing back-in at 2PM just to have some 'Fil-Mex.' Now being a good friend I publicly condemn this behaviour, but it did peak my interest to the point of being tempted of the same thing. (If I had a Job that required timing-in and timing-out)

The Rib-eye is moist and tender. I just can't get enough.

We got to Kapitolyo at around 7PM. It was my first time navigating the farther parts of East Capitol Drive. I asked the wheel-man to drive cautiously. Surprisingly, the driver also was new here. It was like seeing a teenager taking the practical exams for the driver's license for the first time. It was kind of nerve racking because we went past so many small intersections with the thought of 'Did we pass it or not?' I just kept telling myself 'Tiwala kay Google.' It got to he point where in even I couldn't contain my nervousness. The funny thing is when I was about to open the window to ask directions, low and behold we were right infront of 'Silantro.' (The restaurant can be found near the edge of East Capitol Drive.) Phew! It was slightly obscured because of the cars parked parallel to its entrance. Add the fact that there was a line of young people in their early twenties to early thirties all lined up to get their 'Fil-Mex' fix.

This burrito is best eaten on its own or best taken to-go!

The Ambiance

Silantro is one of those concrete rectangular box with both indoor and outdoor dining areas. It isn't like 'NIU by Vikings' (link) where an interior designer went crazy but simpler. It has picnic tables for you to sit and dine on.

The air-conditioner is enough to cool the corners where we were seating.

My only gripe with the place is when you eat inside a concrete rectangular box that gets packed with people (which according to the waiters is all the time), it gets noisy. Noisy, amplified with the echoes of stories, jokes and laughter. What is worse is that it keeps bouncing back between the walls. It got so bad that we just made fun of it by making our own noise albeit with plenty of 'sarcasm.'

Some fancy 'Dinamita'

The Food

We ordered quite a bit but our favorites are the: Beef Nachos, Silantro Quesadillas, Mexican Rib-Eye, Lamb Chops, Silantro's Burrito and the Lucha Tachos.

There is just something about their beef that you can not get enough of. It is moist, tender with a hint of sweetness that drives you to drive your fork back for more. In fact the nachos will go fast like a category five storm hitting a city leaving nothing in its wake.

In fact it is so good that aside from the meat all the other ingredients were fighting to be noticed. The cheeses in the nachos and the quesadillas were just blending so well that you'd wish they'd melt slower in your mouth so you could savour the flavour even more.

In fact my college friend just sat there just taking all the goodness in. He then continued his story of when they timed back-in at 2PM where he found one of his co-workers just so amazed by the food that all he could do was stare blankly in space. You know, the look where you just had a life changing revelation that food can be this good.

Calliente Wings!

The Service

Service is something the Silantro staff is very particular in. It is obvious that they are experienced with long waiting lines because they smile, they ask actively and they respond to your request as soon as possible. The food came with in ten minutes from when our orders were taken. In fact, the staff is so good at team work that I barely see this kind of fluidity in other establishments. I personally want to thank Rhon, Ben and Neil for their wonderful service on the day of this writing.