(Guyzzzzz, I found the pesto pasta that hits my tastebud in all the right places!!!) My hunt for breakfast places has certainly introduced new coffee shops and breakfast nooks, and one of them is the Read and Brew Cafe, located at the SkyZone, the rooftop of Porta Vaga Mall in Session Road, Baguio City. Read on to find out what I thought of the place.
(This is yet another one of my #wheretoeatinbaguio posts. Check out the video at the end of the clip, showing when I visited RnB Cafe.)
R&B or RnB stands for Read and Brew (you’ll see why later) Cafe. I first heard about it from an officemate, who happens to know the owners. It also happened to be located adjacent to Zen Tea, which we sometimes swing by for some teas, and I once spotted it from next door.
On a rainy Sunday morning, while waiting for the mall to open, I looked for a place to have breakfast in. Spotted this place, and decided to give it a try.
The Location
Read & Brew Cafe is located at Skyzone of Porta Vaga Mall at Upper Session Road, Baguio City. It is basically on the rooftop of the mall, but on the second level. Get what I mean?
It is overlooking the parking area and the area where concessionaires selling souvenirs and various wares are set up. And directly above the store selling organic produce and similar health products.
Climb the stairs in front of a laundromat, and you’ll surface to a semi-open coffeeshop slash bistro.
The place is not overly huge or wide, but it is spacious enough, with several tables dotting the main area, and more tables on a veranda of sorts. No artificial lighting on this one, because the walls are mostly glass, letting the natural light inside!
The View
This is definitely a bonus.
From inside the cafe, as well as from the veranda, you have a view of the Baguio Cathedral. Mass was going on when I first went there, and it was raining, so if you are confused by the photos, because some are sunny while some are gloomy/rainy, well that’s because these photos were taken on various visits to this place.
This is definitely a good place to visit after Mass, or after you’ve gone to the Cathedral for a visit.
Funny how some people who come here frequently for mass are not aware of this cafe. I guess they aren’t lifting their gazes high enough. 🙂
The Place
I’m really not the type to have very high expectations about restaurants’ aesthetics (I’m low-maintenance like that), but I do know how to appreciate a good concept when I see one, especially if they pulled it off nicely.
And I was so appreciative of this one.
I am all for cozy and warm atmosphere in coffee shops, but I also liked the airy and wide feel that this place exuded. I walked in from the rain and cold, and it was still somehow welcoming. Maybe it was the smell of coffee? The simple arrangement of the tables and the centerpiece sofa set? The staff were not profuse in their welcome; in fact, they were quite spare with it, which I did not mind, because I’m not really comfortable with strangers overly fussing over me.
But yes, I definitely felt welcomed. And that’s saying a lot from me, because I don’t usually go dining out alone in various places, because it just somehow feels uncomfortable. This visit brought me zero discomfort at all, despite me being solo on my first time.
The place was clean, well-kept and, most importantly, well-ventilated. And I’m talking about natural ventilation here. I definitely prefer choosing their tables outside, except that one time we had to move inside because the wind was too strong, haha!
This place is also perfect for groups. One time we went there with my officemates after a work program, the sofa set was occupied by a group of college students noisily discussing a school project, with their notes and laptops strewn all over the table, and even on the floor.
Families also seem to gravitate toward this cafe, because I’ve seen whole families share a meal here.
And we come to the Read part of the name.
This place is owned by a Korean and his Filipina wife. Which made me go, “oh, so that is why!”. Koreans’ coffee culture is quite impressive, and even a short walk along a street in Seoul is bound to reveal more than a few coffee shops with unique and interesting concepts.
This cafe combined customers’ love for reading and love for coffee in one place.
One side of the cafe had shelves with books – both fiction and non-fiction – that customers can just pull out and read. I thought they were for sale, but I was told they are strictly for reading, inside the cafe. I saw some books left with bookmarks, and some folds, presumably for the person who read it to be able to pick up where he left off the next time he visits.
And the variety of reading material is quite… well, varied. Romance, thrillers, young adult to contemporary, fantasy, classics…. there were even mangas and manhwas, and a few written in foreign languages.
There was a sign saying that if customers want to read a specific book, they can write it on a piece of paper as a request, and they will try to procure that book and it will be added on their shelves. Pretty cool.
The Food
Now you’re probably wondering, how is the food?
I really, really like it. Really.
At least the ones I tried.
My first encounter with their food is via their Creamy Pesto (Php145.00) and I fell in love at first taste!
I did say before that pesto pasta is usually a hit or miss for me. Some do it right, some don’t. Dismally so. This one definitely hit my tastebuds on all the right places. Just the right amount of creaminess without being oily, and I appreciate that they used real basil leaves, instead of using prepackaged pesto dressing. Props for effort!
I’m not much of a coffee drinker, but when I do get a caffeine fix, it’s either a strong Americano or a milder Latte. I don’t discriminate, because I’m not really picky with coffee. As long as it’s not sugary sweet, I’m good. This is their Cafe Latte (Php115/Php130)
They have a selection of beverages for you to choose from. Aside from hot or cold coffee drinks, they also have coffee frappes, non-coffee options, milk shakes and smoothies, as well as special hot and iced teas. I heard their iced Rose Tea (Php110/Php125) was more than ok.
The matcha lover in me cannot pass this chance of tasting their Matcha Latte (Php115/Php130). Lately I’ve had disappointments in a couple of other cafes prior to this because either their matcha was not matcha enough, or it was too watery it’s more apt to be called as “sweet juice with a green color and a bit of that green tea aftertaste but not really matcha”.
This one? Again, it hit me just right. Jusssssst riiiiight. And I am soooo happy.
That explains why it’s now my default beverage setting whenever I come here.
This is their Beef Bulgogi Sandwich (Php148), which made use of ciabatta instead of usual buns. The bulgogi was so tasty, and it should (because a Korean owns this, duh).
I liked how the chips on the side are unsalted, but sprinkled with the red spice that Koreans use. 🙂 I don’t know what it’s called, but it’s used in lieu of salt.
This is the A La Cubano (Php130) which is basically their Grilled Cheese Sandwich (Php100) with an upgrade, because it has ham and more cheese.
D’you see all that melted cheese???? Cheese lovers won’t definitely feel shortchanged at all.
They also have a selection of All-day breakfast options. This is their Beef Bulgogi Rice (Php150), which I think is quite generous. I like how they used red/brown rice instead of the usual white ones. It kinda gave the meal a touch of the highlands.
This is another hit for me, their Mackerel Daing (Php140) So flavorful!
Oh, and yeah, they include two eggs for every breakfast meal. Dairy lovers will definitely love that. Gotta watch your cholesterol levels, though.
And this, right here, is their Pancakes & Bacon (Php150). Pretty self-explanatory, don’t you think? That melted butter, tho…… Yum.
They also have some cakes for you to choose from, but I think these cakes are supplied by a different baker/cake-maker, not from the actual cafe itself. They all look so yummy!
And prices range from Php80 to Php150 per slice, depending on the type of cake.
This was the first cake I tasted, the Tiramisu one. I think it was maybe Php110 or Php120, not sure.
Not spectacular, but I appreciate how it was not saccharine-sweet.
And behold their other cakes! I loved the ChocoMint one in particular.
All in all, it’s always a satisfying visit whenever I come to R&B Cafe. So do not be surprised when you see me mentioning and talking about this place in my upcoming monthly foodventures post. 🙂
I leave you with the Vlog where I visited R&B cafe.
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