The efficient planning and design of Salakot Alfresco Dining and Café as a nipa hut village, with more than adequate physical distance between the well-designed and architectured small, big and two-storey huts surrounded by beautiful flowers and greeneries that naturally promotes air circulation and coolness, is what makes it the ideal pandemic dining venue near Metro Manila. 

 

 

Aside from the wide and spacious walk-ways, its also has sufficient parking spaces and waiting areas to accommodate a long queue.

 

Salakot Main Hall

There is a concrete hall, which is equipped with a stage and multiple dining tables, that can cater to a large number of guests in case of special events and occasion.

 

While waiting for an available hut, we took our chance to take our photos by this beautiful stage and backdrop.

 

Salakot Café

The family has been eager to escape the city and find solace in an al fresco cafe after a whole year of being locked at home.   Antipolo being one of the nearest provinces outside Metro Manila was an easy choice for us and apparently, for many others too as most cafes were crowded for the weekend.  

Fortunately for us,  Cafe Agusta was able to accommodate us for a quick lunch. 

 

Cafe Agusta is very spacious.  It has an air-conditioned indoor cafe area which most guests preferred. 

Our visit was just barely after Christmas so decor were still there.  

While the coziness and coolness of the cafe was inviting, we stuck with our preference and chose the indoor al fresco area instead.

The Bar by Cafe Agusta

There's also an air-conditioned bar with an al fresco area.

I can imagine this place to be livelier at night....

especially, the al fresco area which was now under the intense heat of the afternoon sun.

The cafe overlooks Antipolo which was still full of greens. 

Food

The food took almost an hour to arrive so we were able to explore all areas and realized that the best time to dine there for the santorini al-fresco area with overlooking view would be around sunset to night time so it wouldn't be so hot.

There were a lot of unavailable items in the menu so we weren't explore as much as we hoped and ordered several of the same items. 

 

Salad

Insalata Agusta (325 php)

For starters, we had the Insalata Agusta.   The price was very reasonable for this good-for-sharing  bowlful of mixed fresh greens, green beans, corn kernels, tomato, cheese, grilled chicken drizzled with its homemade orange dressing.  

 

P.S. For those who have a bit of an OCD for cleanliness, the tableclothes in the indoor al fresco area are noticeably stained and don't seem to be replaced regularly. 

 

Pasta

 

Creamy Pesto with Grilled Chicken (350 php)

The Creamy Pesto with Grilled Chicken is a delicious plateful of cream pesto pasta with generous strips of chicken breast. 

Main

♥ Salpicao Di Manzo (460 php)

The Salpicao Di Manzo is the priciest selection in the menu and also a must try! It was served hot with fragant garlic aroma.  The beef tenderloin cubes were so tender and juicy that every bite was so pleasurable.  It is also comes with vegetables and steamed rice.

♥ Chicken Parmigiana (325 php)

The Chicken Parmigiana is our favorite amongst our orders. The light tangy homemade creamy tomato sauce together with the cheezinesss (of mozzarella and parmesan cheese) perfectly complements the crunchy breaded chicken breast.  The chicken breast was also soft and juiyc to bite and not dry or tough at all.   

 

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict

The food and ambiance made our trip to Cafe Agusta worth it.  But, the service could be improved more.  Honestly, the patience of my companions was really tested while dining here.  

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® (CBTL) has sprouted a new leaf with its open kitchen concept - Kitchen by The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf®.  The Kitchen by The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® was pioneered in High Street South amidst the pandemic - October 2020, serving all-day breakfast, gourmet dishes, specialty coffee and teas and pastries for dine-in, take-out and food delivery.

Followings its success, the Kitchen by The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® will be rolled out on more CBTL stores soon!  In fact, the Kitchen by The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® just opened in SM Megamall B.  Can you see its minimalist signage?

We really liked the bright, clean and spacious dining atmosphere of Kitchen.

With this concept, the mainstay of CBTL - a place for coffees, tea and pastries is still there.  Yes, its passion for coffee and tea since 1963 lives on.    You can order drinks and displayed pastries from its typical counter. 

In addition, after your drink or on a separate occasion, you may opt to explore its expansive food menu that offers a wide range of dishes served hot and fresh from its open kitchen.

Food

If you've tried 26th St. Bistro by CBTL before like we did, you'd notice that your old favorites with the same generous sharing portions are offered here at a lower price point.  

 

Salads

California Cobb (395 php)

We had the California Cobb is a large salad plate with fresh romaine lettuce, grilled chicken breast cubes, sliced hard-boiled eggs, corn kernels, diced tomatoes, mozzarela strips, avocado cubes, almond slices and ranch dressing.

♥ Shrimp & Pomelo (395 php)

The Shrimp & Pomelo is a Vietnamese inspired salad with romaine lettuce, cilantro, mint leaves, poached shrimp, pomelo, roasted peanuts, dessicated coconut and coconut lime dressing.

 

Mains

♥ Steak Chimichurri (675 php)

We especially enjoyed the Steak Chimichurri with extremely tender slices of top blade steak with chimichurri served w/ chiptotle rice and fried potato basket. 

Pastas

Carbonara (365 php)

The Carbonara is the classic and homey kind of pasta you miss once in awhile.  The rich and creamy carbonara sauce is complemented by the savory bacon slices and creamy umami-rich poached egg yolk.

Sandwiches

♥ CBTL Burger (455 php)

The  CBTL Burger is worthy holder of its namesake. Biting into the tender and juicy double USDA beef patties, romaine lettuce, sliced tomatoes, cheese & caramelized onions is simply heavenly!  This burger meal is a wholesome and filling one with the soft and thick oatmeal buns, double patty and french fries on the side.

Pizzas

♥ Proscuitto (595 php)

The Proscuitto is a thin crispy crusted pizza topped with the finest ingredients - proscuitto, argula, tomatoes and mozarella.  

Desserts

♥ Tostones with Vanilla Ice Cream (195 php)

 

The Tostones with Vanilla Ice Cream which is a double-fried thinly sliced flower-shaped bananas served with vanilla ice cream drizzled with caramel sauce was such a pleasant meal ender.  The precision in the cutting and frying process which gave each tostones a crispy coating and chewy banana filling is commendable!

Coffee & Espresso

 

♥ Matcha Macchiato and Caramel Macchiato (215php)

 As previously mentioned, the best part is you can enjoy your favorite CBTL along with your food.

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict

Dining at Kitchen by The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® reminded us of what we missed during the pandemic: 1.) premium quality and well-presented dishes (for sharing) served hot and fresh from the kitchen, 2.) bright, spacious, safe and clean ambiance, 3.) friendly and accommodating service staffs and 4.) a wide selection of drinks and dishes to mix and match.  With its reasonable price point considering the generous portion of fresh and premium quality ingredients in its dishes, good service and the cozy CBTL ambiance, we highly recommend this place!