Cafe Mary Grace at SM San Lazaro

Good friends and good food are a perfect mix, I'm sure you would agree. Two weeks ago, I had the utmost pleasure of having the company of a dear friend whom I hadn't seen for 12 long years, for early dinner. And at a very lovely place at that: 
Cafe Mary Grace at SM San Lazaro.
Our orders:

Fried Kesong Puti Salad, P288.
Something new to try, I thought, when I saw this on the menu. I'm a big fan of kesong puti and I just think it's the perfect thing to put on my pandesal. But to have it on a salad is something different and it was actually a great idea. The white cheese is covered in batter, deep-fried and put on a deep dish alongside with green and purple lettuce and some chunky slices of tomato. Dressing is vinaigrette with calamansi. The mix of different flavors - sour, tangy and salty - works really well in building up an appetite and making you ready for the mains.

Fish and Bell Pepper Sandwich, P258.
I loved this one! Fish is an ideal sandwich filling when you're trying to cut back on meat, which is precisely the reason I ordered this. And I could say this was a utterly good sandwich, especially with the addition of veggies and homemade potato chips on the side. Delish!

Spanish Sardines & Olives Pasta, P320.
My friend ordered this and raved about how good it was. She's a chef back in the US, you see, and admitted she could easily whip up good pasta. But she absolutely loved this healthy Sardines Pasta at Cafe Mary Grace that she even ordered another serving to take home to her mom. 

Americano coffee, P95.
My buddy and I loved Cafe Mary Grace's coffee. It was bold and rich without being too bitter. 
My friend even ordered another serving! 

Inside Cafe Mary Grace at SM City San Lazaro

Cafe Mary Grace at the ground floor of SM San Lazaro in Sta. Cruz, Manila

Cafe Mary Grace, for me, is the perfect "comfort place" for that elegantly beautiful interiors in all of its branches. The fresh plants, country-style decors and wooden furniture provide a lovely and homey feel that draws people to dine in a relaxing environment. The good food complements the ambiance, of course. 
The prices on the menu are steep, however. I also know of some people who do not approve of some dishes, especially those using aromatic spices. But for me, Cafe Mary Grace is one of those places where I'd love to spend special moments with special people. And that includes real, long-time friends.