Kuppa Roastery & Café: The Family That Knows Coffee

Everyone loves a good cup of coffee. Despite being quite acidic, I still can't say no to my needed dose of caffeine. That's why when I was invited to try the new homegrown Kuppa Roastery & Café in The Fort, I simply can't say no despite the inconveniences I had to go through to get to Taguig. However, I'm happy I made the right choice.
Kuppa The Fort Kuppa Counter

Pronounced as cup-pa and not koopa, this quaint and laid-back café is a new addition to the line of coffee shops inside Fort Bonifacio. However, this homegrown coffee destination is not so new in the business. In fact, Kuppa Roastery & Café has been popular in Bacolod City where it first opened its doors back in 2006. And if you're thinking "Another coffee shop, eh?" then think again. Owned by Eugene and Karen Lo-Tsai who came from a family that knows coffee, you can be sure that you're in good hands.

The Food

Although Kuppa Roastery & Café specializes in coffee and tea, they also have a wide selection of food offerings. And although I was only expecting a coffee and tea tasting with snacks on the side, I was pleased as I was surprised that a feast awaited our trip.

Insalata Kuppa P240

For a light start, we first had a hearty plate of Insalata Kuppa (P240), a bountiful salad with mixed greens, arugula, walnuts and blue cheese drenched in reduced balsamic dressing, which had a lovely blend of sweet and tangy, leafy and crunchy.

Prosciuttio and Pumpkin P265

We also had a Prosciuttio and Pumpkin Sandwich (P265) which had smoky and salty prosciutto, honey-roasted pumpkin and pesto in ciabatta bread. This beautifully-grilled sandwich served with potato wedges is one flavorful ensemble perfect for a filling afternoon snack both for the tummy and for a discerning palate.

Frutti di Mare Pasta P240

For some carbs, we were served with Frutti di Mare Pasta (P240), a beautiful seafood pasta with flavorful cream sauce. Although I have seafood allergies, I wasn't able to help myself after seeing the generous portion of succulent seafood meat on the plate.

Prosciutto e Arugula P360

Since we've already gone Italian, they followed the pasta up with an order of the very enticing Prosciutto e Arugula Pizza (P360). Sitting atop the crisp and thin crust of the pizza is an ensemble of tomato sauce, cheese, prosciutto and arugula dressed with olive oil. And although I appreciate assorted toppings, this seemingly simple pizza flavor is one of the greatest ones I've had -- sweet, salty, savory, slightly bitter, chewy and crispy.

Cristina Pizza P360

Named after the chef's wife, the Cristina Pizza (P360) is a signature dish and house favorite when dining in the café. Although I've already had my fair share of pizzas, this is the first time I had one with a combination of mozzarella, balsamic gorgonzola, grapes and figs. And although this ensemble sounds unusual, it was definitely an explosion of great flavors -- sweet, tangy, savory and fruity.

Crispy Pata P580 medium P720 large

It may look like we've already eaten a lot, but I realized we're just starting when they served us Crispy Pata (P580 Medium; P720 Large). Being a PETA (People Eating Tasty Animals) member, this fall-off-the-bone treat made me one happy gal. And with three kinds of sauces on the side -- home-made liver sauce, soy sauce and chili, and apple chutney, I found myself digging in relentlessly. (So much for my tweetums image.)

Lamb Caldereta P320 single P580 sharing

We also had an order of savory Lamb Caldereta (P320 Single; P580 Sharing) which is the café's take on this classic Spanish dish. Although I've had lamb quite often, this is the first time I've tried it in a caldereta. Some might think that lamb's quite gamey for this viand, but trust me, it was so succulent, flavorful and not gamey at all.

Pan-Seared Snapper P280

We were also served with a plate of Pan-Seared Snapper (P280). I generally don't love eating fish, but this dish was one of the highlights for the café visit. The snapper was moist and cooked to a perfect tender, and the creamy mushroom sauce was orgasmicly good! It was savory, salty and just delicious that I can eat this every single day!

Salpicao P395

To end our main course, we were served with Salpicao (P395) -- an ensemble of U.S. beef tenderloin with extra virgin olive oil-sautéed mushrooms and generous bits of garlic. Although it wasn't as head-turning as the snapper dish, this salpicao is one of the best ones I've had. The beef was so succulent and tender with really savory flavors.

The Teas

Bountiful is an understatement of what we've just had for lunch. And to help with digestion, lighten up our system and ease our bloatedness, our group was introduced to three of Kuppa Roastery & Café's special whole-leaf loose teas.

Gyokuro P140 Gyokuro Tea Leaves
Gyokuro Japanese Green Tea
We first sampled Gyokuro (P140), a fine and expensive green tea from Japan. Being a tea lover, I instantly fell in love with the light, smooth, clean, slightly sweet and vegetal flavor of this Japanese shaded green tea. It's the kind of tea you'd drink after a hearty meal, or just to relax and unwind in a chilly, lazy afternoon.

Jasmin Dragon Pearl Tea Leaves Jasmin Dragon Pearl P95
Jasmine Dragon Pearl
After a light-flavored tea, we moved on to Jasmine Dragon Pearl (P95), a Chinese tea made from high-grade tea leaves rolled into small balls and scented with jasmine flowers. Although I love jasmine-scented teas, this one was a bit overwhelming for my senses. This cup is smooth and very fragrant, but the flavor was rich and quite heavy for my liking. However, those who are into rich jasmine taste will definitely enjoy this.

Casablanca Mint P125 Casablanca Mint Tea Leaves
Casablanca Mint Tea
Last among the teas we got to sample is the Casablanca Mint (P125), an herbal tisane made from green tea, peppermint and lemongrass. This tea is definitely clean-tasting, light in flavor but very minty and refreshing. Upon taking a sip, one will definitely feel the cool sensation going up through the nose which makes it perfect for people with colds.

Coffee and Dessert Pairing

I know this post seems endless, but we also felt that way after enjoying course after course of food and drinks. However, if you're a die-hard coffee lover, I hope you'll stick with me as I share my experience with Kuppa Roastery & Café's coffee.

Sumatra Mandheling (P90) with Matt's Choco Cake P130 Hineleban P90 with Apple Tart P115
Sumatra Mandheling with Matt's Choco Cake and Hineleban with Apple Tart
First we had was a set of Sumatra Mandheling Coffee (P90) -- a smooth and heavy-bodied Indonesian coffee with low acidity, rich earthy aftertaste and hints of chocolate and brown sugar, and Matt's Choco Cake (P130) -- a moist chocolate lava cake oozing with rich and creamy chocolatey goodness.

We also had a set of local Hineleban Coffee (P90) -- a smooth, strong and fragrant Bukidnon-grown cup with a subtle fruity note that complemented the sweetness, caramel taste and crunchy apple slices of the Apple Tart (P115).

Ben's Cappuccino P80 and Strawberry Kiss P130 Espresso P75
Ben's Cappuccino with Strawberry Kiss and Espresso with Cookie
Before ending our 4-hour lunch, we had a set of Ben's Cappuccino (P80) -- a rich and creamy signature drink named after the owner's dad, and Strawberry Kiss (P130) -- a light, fluffy and fruity chiffon cake with cream and slices of fresh strawberries. We also got to try a shot of strong Espresso (P75) which I bravely downed with a chocolate chip cookie on one hand. (I really need to get the hang of the espresso's bitterness.)

Friendly Baristas at Kuppa

Good food and drinks become even better with a nice ambiance and friendly service. And on our very long and very filling lunch, we owe the wonderful experience not only to owners Eugene and Karen Lo-Tsai, but also to these courteous servers and baristas who made our stay more memorable.

THE VERDICT

I know this review is really long. I personally can't believe that we've eaten and drank so much in one sitting. However, I don't regret anything 'cause everything we tried, from the food, the teas and the coffees, were of superb quality. And with such a lovely experience at Kuppa Roastery & Café, I know I'll be back not just for a good cup of coffee or tea, but also for the unforgettable Pan-Seared Snapper that I oh-so-love!

Taste - 4.5/5
Ambiance - 4/5
Service - 4/5
Price - 4/5
Overall Value - 4/5


Kuppa Coffee & Roastery, Bonifacio Global City
Commercenter Bldg., 31st St. cor. 4th Ave.,
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
Metro Manila, Philippines
(02) 623-5120
Facebook Page

55 comments:

  1. I've been getting my cup of coffee from Kuppa for a while (heck, my workplace is just near anyway! Haha!) but I've also been invited to formally try their selections too but I haven't had the time :(

    Well at least, from this review of yours, I know what lunch fare I could order if we ever decide to grab some food here (aside from the usual coffee drink)> ;D

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  2. omg omg the pizza and the desserts! someone needs to cheat on diet!

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  3. Too bad I wasn't able to attend this. Will try this when I visit Bacolod this October. :)

    http://www.dekaphobe.com/

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  4. PASTA! My super weakness. T____T Now I'm craving. Your shots are very nice. :)

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  5. Awesome post, Sumi! It was great to finally meet you at Kuppa, too!

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  6. Sumi! This is afternoon tea at its finest! From the Christina Pizza to the Lamb Caldereta, everything is just so lux! I can't blame you for ditching your sweetums image! ahahahha :D Even the dessert looks so tempting. It's like something out of a French patisserie!

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  7. The salpicao looks yummy! :))

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  8. Oh my, pizzaaaaaaaaaaaa!!! And with prosciutto at that! :)

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  9. My favorite in kuppa is squid ink pasta

    https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/430506_10150602016387947_1061814532_n.jpg

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  10. kakagutom, I miss lamb and of course Phils.

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  11. Insalata Kuppa sounds/looks yum. The mere mention of arugula makes me tingle all over!

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  12. yum, yum... that pizza... aaaah... i want to try that one :)

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  13. yay another place to go in global city! thanks for sharing :)

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  14. pasta, pizza and crispy pata look yummy!!!

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  15. I love coffee and I'll try this out once I'm in the Fort area.

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  16. This is indeed more than just a cup of coffee! I so love the location with a great view outside.

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  17. Very nice. Good to see a lot of local coffe shops opening in PH. =)

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  18. a must-try again.. the salad looks good. i want crunchy greens! aside from starbucks, i also want to try other coffee shops such as this. :D

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  19. Your photos did the food great justice! I'm sold and I want to try this place the soonest. Thanks to you! =)

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  20. Oh no, you made me hungry... Love them all. I used to hate coffee... but now, my mornings not complete without a sip!

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  21. Looking forward to spend one of my 'cheat' days in this place. The food looks yummy and I'm looking forward to their tea :D

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  22. With all of the cafe's emerging and sprouting like mushrooms.. I'm actually impressed with those that extend their offerings, and to not be confined with just coffee and breads alone. should I be in the area, I'll make sure to drop-by Kuppa Roastery Cafe. :)

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  23. Brilliant photos! Like, Like, Like!!!

    http://challengesoflosingweight.blogspot.com/2012/05/eat-nuts-to-lose-weight.html

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  24. Being acidic myself, I can definitely feel for you on the coffee part. But all that food makes me want to forget something's wrong with my tummy. :)

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  25. i wanna try! the pizza, pasta & sandwiches look yummy!

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  26. Certainly a feast for the eyes and stomach!

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  27. Gusto ko yung Pizza.. Kakatakam pati yung Krispy Pata..
    Naubos mo ba lahat to?? hehe

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  28. I hate visiting you site sis... I always end up craving after looking at your pictures! hehe.. your fault! Oh my I just finished my coffee and now craving for pizza! ;)

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  29. I'm not a die hard coffee drinker but this one is irresistible. Not only for the coffee it offers but for the other food varieties in it. Nice one!

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  30. Great share! The food, the coffee, they look so heavenly. Great food photography skills you got there Sumi!. Nice shots!

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  31. oh my! look at all the feast of foods you have here Sis :-) my stomach just growls :-) I also like to drink coffee especially when I wake up in the morning

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  32. The restaurant ambiance seems nice, this reminds me of those days I could smell coffee being roasted from our yard :D food looks so yummy too!

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  33. never been there. but from your review it looks great.. reasonable price but not cheap.. will check it out one of these days...

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  34. I'm a self proclaimed coffee addict too. When I visit soon I'm going to drop by this post is so inviting :)

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  35. Wow!! Really superb stuff. As usual, impressive photos too :)

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  36. interesting place and yes i do love coffee too.

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  37. Being a coffee and food addict, this place will be included in my to-visit list. The Insalata Kuppa would be a healthy appetizer to the main course. :)

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  38. oh my! naiingit talaga ako sa tea.
    haven't tried gyokuro yet, pero i hope i can source leaves soon! :'>

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  39. wish i live near the fort!!! seems like i'm missing out on a lot of good restos there! :(

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  40. I love cafes that serves not just good coffee but compliments it with good food as well. A perfect place to spend your lunch with friends down to coffee, tea and pastries in the afternoons. Atleast one place to hangout na. =)

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  41. ooh.. I'd love to try their crispy pata! :)

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  42. Yum! I'd love to try strawberry kiss and crispy pata. :)

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  43. awesome.. siguro pagnakaipon ako ng puhunan.. magpapatayo din ako ng cafe restro..

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  44. The place looks nice. Even I have not visited the place yet, judging from your review and the foods on the pics, I think it's worth visiting! Oh did I say that I so love coffee, too? Never satisfy with just one cup a day! :)

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  45. The caldereta and the crispy pata.. this is so HB... Lol
    This is so in demand nowadays, cafe resto. Love you reviews sumi.

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  46. That was a lot! Lol.

    The bfood looks yummy though~!

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  47. I super love the food at Kuppa, especially the Cristina Pizza! Your post makes me want to go back already. XD

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  48. Haven't tried Kuppa, thank you for your post, it makes me want to visit the store :)

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  49. Everything looks yummy and the place looks great, not even kidding.

    I feel happy and at peace when I am in a coffee shop but I haven't tried a lot. I've only tried Starbucks (of course!), Coffee Bean, Bo's Coffee, Baang Coffee and Cafe Mary Grace.

    I like saying Kuppa (cup-pa). I said it like ten times. Haha! :P

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  50. Yummy food and there's a lot of them. I want to personally taste them since it was very well recommended.

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  51. Oh my, I have been missing a lot!!! When we were in Bacolod last March my husband was telling me to try Kuppa but I said I don't want to. Now I'm regretting it!

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  52. The crispy pata looks really delicious. It's been a while since I last ate crispy pata.

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