Get your durian fix at Blugre Coffee

Some people don't like the smell of durian. Some also don't like its taste. But in South East Asia, durian is  known as the "King of Fruits", never mind if the stench causes it to be banned from airplanes and hotels. While I don't find durian smell offending, I don't like to eat the fruit raw. Durian candies, cake and yes, coffee(!) are an entirely different story, though, because I absolutely love them! 
That's why when I learned about Blugre Coffee from a friend who is based in Davao, who also told me that this cafe was soon coming to Manila, I got so excited! Blugre, according to my friend, is a popular cafe in Davao that serves coffee, tea and desserts containing durian. The info about a Manila branch was relayed to me sometime in December 2016 and Blugre Coffee indeed opened a branch near Malacanang earlier this year, 2017. Since then, I've visited three times -- twice alone, once with my daughter.  What do I like there? Well, the food and drinks as well as the friendly service and ambiance: wooden tables, cozy couches, no loud music. 
These were what I've (and we've) had so far:

Bangus meal, P150
On my first visit last February, there wasn't any rice meal available yet and I was happy to know on my second visit that it's already on the menu. This bangus meal was what I had as I didn't want meat this particular day. Everything on my plate was good - the garlic rice, fluffy egg, fresh veggies and the perfectly fried but non-greasy milkfish. With all washed down by a perfect cup of latte, it was one 
very satisfying meal that I had.

Carbonara, P185.

My daughter had this, her dinner, as we came one evening after church service. While she loved it for being creamy and delicious, she wasn't very happy over the serving size.  
She wished there was a lot more. Hehe...

Chicken Pesto Panini, P175.

This, in turn, was my dinner then. I loved that the bread was fresh and the chicken pesto filling was really good -- packed with the right amount of flavors from basil, poultry and spices. And then, there were potato chips on the side, most of them going to the daughter. Tee-hee.

Durian Bar, P85.

This small piece of dulcet heaven bawled me over! It was really good! The sweet flavor from durian was present in every bite and morsel - not subtle nor overpowering, just perfectly right. Even the after taste was very pleasant, leaving only good memories after the last bite. Its texture was a toss between pudding and cheesecake - not too soft but a bit firm and a little rough on the tongue. For me this was such an unforgettable piece of dessert - sinful but not causing any regret!

Durian Coffeecinno, P160.
This was my ultimate reason for coming to Blugre because I so love durian coffee. As this is what Blugre is known for, I had high expectations -- which were sadly, not met. There was a lack in durian taste and that was a let down. I could taste chocolate, which I don't really need in my durian coffee. There also was a bitter after taste that lingered 
for some time.

Dutertea, Tall, P160.
This durian tea floored me, though, and redeemed Blugre for me. Strong durian taste 
and just a little sweetness. Loved it!

                                          Cafe Latte, Tall, P110.

I so loved this cup of joe that might as well be the best latte of my life! The coffee packed a lot of punch! It was full-bodied with a clean finish. Unforgettable!

Strawberry and Cream, Tall, P140.
My daughter's drink, which she said was sweet and good and refreshing.

Inside Blugre Coffee

    

                There's a function room for group gatherings and meetings.

   Blugre Coffee at Malacanang Compound, Jose Laurel St., San Miguel, Manila.

Head over to Blugre Coffee, guys and try their unique offers especially the durian-infused drinks and desserts. Don't take my word for the Durian Coffeecinno - people have different tastes and opinions, anyway. Here in Metro Manila, there are two other stores aside from the one in Malacanang Compound -- at BGC and Club Manila East. Oops, the latter isn't Metro Manila anymore but at least it's closer than Mindanao where there's more Blugre Coffee branches. 
Happy eating!

*NOTE: This place is now permanently closed

Kabigting's Halo-Halo: Try it before summer's gone!

It's mid-May and before you know it, rainy season's here. So enjoy summer while we can, won't we? And what better way is there to enjoy summer than to eat halo-halo - that favorite sweet cooler that could range from simple, with only three ingredients, to complex, with a dozen things on top of each other? During the summer months from March to May, halo-halo is sold in nearly every street corner. Some people including me, however, prefer to enjoy this summer goodness at "legitimate" restaurants (which also offer it all-year-round) just to make sure they're having it clean (the ice is what you watch out for), lest they end up with a bum tummy. Haha!

Recently, I found the No. 1 halo-halo in the metro, according to Spot.ph, for 2014  (I'm not sure if there's a 2015 edition already). It's at Kabigting's Halo-Halo - a dainty foodie place 
on Banawe St. in Quezon City. 
I was expecting to prove for myself whether this claim was true, but discovered another thing - durian coffee! Reading the menu, I found out Kabigting's offered food and drink coming as special products from different provinces around the Philippines. Durian coffee, for one, is from Davao. There's also Cebu liempo and lechon sisig, and longganisa from Tuguegarao,  Vigan, Calumpit, Lucban and Pampanga. Also available were "pasalubong treats" like silvanas from Dumaguete and frozen daing na bangus from Bonuan, Pangasinan. Needless to say, Kabigting's endeared itself to me at once. Haha! A few minutes after placing our orders, it was time to eat:

Halo-Halo, P90. 

Durian coffee, P90. 

Palabok, P90. 


Cebu Liempo, P115.

Tinapang Bangus, P125. 

Lumpiang Sariwa, P45.

The Tinapang Bangus was my order and I liked it very much. The smoked fish was delicious and meaty - the serving was big! Two thumbs up for this, which is my favorite all-day brekkie. I've eaten here at Kabigting's three times (after this first visit with my daughter, I went two more times with friends) 
and ordered the tinapang bangus twice. 
Anyway, my daughter ordered the Cebu Liempo which she liked as well. We shared the Palabok which was good, too, although I can't exactly recall the taste as I write this. The Halo-Halo, which is the "star" here, lived up to its reputation as the best in the metro. The pastillas made with carabao's milk, which is its crowning glory, was sinfully yummy! Too bad, I couldn't eat much of this as I couldn't let my blood sugar level shoot up. It was the durian coffee, which was, however, the one that's unforgettable for me. Imagine the taste of  brewed coffee blending so well with the distinct slightly sweet flavor of durian - that yellow, plump-fleshed fruit with a pungent smell - and your senses celebrate! What a taste and aroma! Truly, it was heavenly and awesome for me. I ordered durian coffee at each of my visits here at Kabigting's and now I look forward to having it again..soon, I hope!  As for the Lumpiang Sariwa, my friend ordered it on another visit and she said it was good - freshly prepared, saucy and delicious, and she was happy with it. 

A poster at the door 

Kabigting's Halo-Halo, by the way, is a Kapampangan original, having started in Arayat town in 1970. I have no information, however, how many and where are their branches here in Metro Manila. If you're on Banawe St. in Quezon City, drop by Kabigting's, folks, and stuff yourself silly 

with real good Pinoy food. Happy eating!