Espressamente illy: A Taste of Italian Coffee

Saturday, February 18, 2012
Although SM Mall of Asia is one of my go-to malls, there are a lot of restaurants and cafés I haven't tried yet. One of the coffee shops I've always seen but had ignored is Espressamente illy, an Italian café in the main mall's second floor, just beside Haagen Dazs.

While strolling in the mall last week, this interesting café caught the attention of my date. Feeling the need for a hot beverage, I also thought of giving it a shot.

Espressamente Illy

Espressamente illy in SM Mall of Asia may not be as quaint as one would expect from an Italian owned café. However, being situated just above the mall's atrium, it shares the wide modern-looking space with Haagen Dazs. Its area is lined with a faux plant divider and pimped with blacks, reds and creams. And although the café doesn't have a ceiling of its own, my date and I just love how it utilizes the mall's high ceilings, giving its customers a sense of space.

Espressamente Illy Counter Espressamente Illy Seats

The café had a decent selection of hot and cold beverages, majority of which are infused with their signature illy espresso. And from their menu, I've decided to order the Marocchino Caldo (P135) -- a blend of the illy espresso, hot emulsionated milk and hot sugared chocolate. My date on the other hand, got the Cioccolato Caldo (P110) -- a combination of liquid chocolate and milk.

Marocchino Caldo P135 Cioccolato Caldo P110

My Marocchino Caldo which came with a cookie, had a light but bittersweet taste. It was very smooth too, and I like how it tasted more like coffee than hot chocolate. My date's Cioccolato Caldo on the other hand, was more on the sweet side. It was quite light and frothy than most hot chocolates we've tried, but my date really liked it.

Tuna Pesto Pasta P145

We also got a single order of the cold Tuna Pesto Pasta (P145) -- a fusilli pasta dish with black olives, capers, tuna and some greens in pesto sauce. Although my date and I are both unused to pasta salads, this dish got our nods of approval. The fusilli pasta was cooked just right for a salad, and the slightly zesty flavor of the pesto went really well with the tuna flakes.

Espressamente Illy Napkin

THE VERDICT

We've only sampled a few items from Espressamente illy, but we can already see it becoming a potential go-to coffee shop when we just want to lounge around. The espresso-infused drink I got may not be as strong as some coffee drinkers would want, but I can definitely recommend it to coffee lovers who fancy lighter and smoother blends. We also commend the servers for being really courteous and extra helpful which made our stay in this café more comfortable. Overall, we were very pleased so Espressamente illy can definitely expect us again soon.

Taste - 4/5
Ambiance - 4/5
Service - 4/5
Price - 4/5
Overall Value - 4/5


Espressamente illy, SM Mall of Asia
2/F Main Bldg., SM Mall of Asia,
Pasay City, Metro Manila
Philippines
Official Website
Facebook Page

49 comments:

  1. Just had my shot of hot beverage. . will surely check this place :)

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  2. Mukang maganda talaga siya Suim and the food and coffee look delectable pero the waterloo - the name of the cafe isn't easy to remember to build a famous brand - just my 2cents :))

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  3. @Edmaration etc: Actually, that's true! :D It's hard to remember, even to just pronounce.. ^^ But I think it's quite a popular brand in other countries especially in Europe?

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  4. A very organized website you got here,and a great post. Oh, and I use Browndoll as a name in some of my sites, just sayin' :)

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  5. It looks interesting but I want my coffee strong. I don't even like sugar =(

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  6. the presentation looks so nice! the place looks cozy pero i think i'd still settle for the homey type of ambiance.

    cool review. :3

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  7. These coffee aren't familiar to me at all. I'd like to try Marrochino Caldo and that Tuna Presto Pasta looks inviting. I'll try them as soon as I get home.

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  8. kopi adik ako, pero di ko pa to nasusubukan. siguro sa mga susunod na araw, titikman ko to n_n

    dapat pala bukas ko na lang to binasa, nakakagutom -____-

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  9. Illy for me is one of the best tasting coffee around. Tasted it back when Cantinetta opened their firsts branch in Pasong Tamo extension back in 2003.

    It is a bit expensive, though, but I love the rich-chocolatey taste with that dark berry hint in the aroma :D

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  10. will include on my to-dine list...i have to taste their coffee!

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  11. This coffee shop sound interesting but the location is quite far from my place. But we will visit Espressamente illy in SM Mall of Asia if there is time. I love to try the cold Tuna Pesto Pasta.

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  12. We frequently go to MOA but I haven't tried Espressamente yet. However, the place seems so cozy. Gotta try to go there sometime. Thanks for sharing. :)

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  13. illy is definitely an Italian taste. I love illy. Real coffee, taste like coffee too Hhahaha. Their coffee and hot chocolate is 10x better than Starbucks.

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  14. i always look up to those cafes colored in white. Perhaps because they look neat and all. I haven't tried any other cafe aside from starbucks in MOA. coz, we are always in a hurry when we are in Manila. Hopefully soon, I can have a sip of the coffee of this one.

    LiLPiNK
    LiLPiNK
    LiLPiNK

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  15. Thanks for this info. I never drink coffee, though I know it that it has some good effects for the body well-being. Anyway, I do appreciate those who go with this drink. They've their own benefits gained from drinking coffee.

    Feeling sorry about drinking coffee is RandomThoughts!

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  16. Will check this coffee shop next week.

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  17. we always pass by this coffee shop in Moa but never really tried their coffee. D isn't a coffee drinker but I think he'll love the pasta :)

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  18. I've notice this shop coz I am mostly at Haagen Dazs. I will definitely give it a try next time, thanks for your review! :)

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  19. I'm not really on coffee but looking at them are inviting so i guess i need to try it.

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  20. the Tuna Pesto Pasta looks yummy and healthy pa!

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  21. I agree with Edmaration that it's a name that's difficult to remember especially since it's not a part of our language XD My Marketing professor (sir Chochit! Haha) in La Salle would be spouting curses when he sees this. LOL

    Anyway, this looks like a nice place.

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  22. I've been seeing this place everytime I visit MOA for the longest time. I'll try to visit there sometime soon with a good book to read. I just hope they have refillable coffee there. ^_^

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  23. Uggggh. I just love coffee >.< Can you tell me how to make espressos?

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  24. Will drop-by tomorrow. :)

    http://iifatree.blogspot.com/

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  25. We don't really pa much attention to this place when we are in MOA coz it doesn't look inviting, I mean not as cozy or homey as we prefer cafes to be or hang out places. But then, it wouldn't hurt to give it a try.:)

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  26. both of you must have enjoyed your cups of coffee there plus the ambiance making your moments perfect.

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  27. Coffee lover here.....

    it is my first time here and I hope to keep coming back for more.

    I usually check on local bloggers review on restos before trying it with my family...I am not as adventurous as others. Thanks to bloggers like you

    Been here from FBW FB group

    its me,
    cielo of Brown Pinay

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  28. nice photos... I can almost taste them just by looking, ehe

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  29. I'm a coffee lover but I haven't tried that coffee shop yet. Will be trying that out one of these days.

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  30. wow ganda ng name nya, sosyal ang dating! kaso name palang parang mamahalin na!Been to europe but never had the chance to taste their coffee! they always drink fruit juice for breakfast!

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  31. Naman. Lagi nalang food. Haha. Joke. Happy weekend Sumi!

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  32. interesting 4/5.. will want to check it out pag bakasyon namin.. dami na sa list! :)

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  33. You should have tried the apple pie too. =)

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  34. The shop looks cozy, the booth looks like you're in Friday's or Johnny Rockets. I am not much of a coffee drinker so I hope they have tea lattes or chocolate drinks. Yihii! Date! :D

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  35. I tried this one out back in 2002 pa when I was still single haha. Loved the coffee there ... they have a branch in GB3 e.

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  36. I am very much a coffee person. I was just at MOA, yesterday. Too bad I only read this post today, di ko tuloy na try. Next weekend I'll be going to MOA ulet. Drop bay ako dito.

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  37. hhhmmm i also saw that, but like you, also ignored.. well seems its good then, will try next time. Thanks for your review!

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  38. all 4/5??? wow!
    and this may have been instantaneous.

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  39. Ah, illy is my husband's fave. :) I understand your verdict.

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  40. See. Your talent is awesome. I truly believe in your skills in photography. You made the foods so classy and yummy. Great job!

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  41. Hmmm, me too. I am mostly into strong coffee, like UCC :) But I still wanna try this coffee shop sometime!

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  42. i will try this when i visit MOA.. ;D


    ~gagay~

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  43. food is one essential need which we can live without and having a variety of indulgence make us more fortunate to taste whatever we want even if they worth a luxury.

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  44. Hi Sumi!I'm so glad to have come across this post. It was just recently that I discovered that we've had our very own Espressamante for years. We went to their branch in Kuala Lumpur but I wasn't able to try out their coffee. I think I'll have what you just had. Thanks for the info!

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  45. Wow. Love to check this place!Will visit this place soo.Thanks for the review.

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  46. Been wanting to try this for a long time already! :)

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