Ba Noi's Cà Phê Et Boulangerie

- DESTINATIONS -

SINK YOUR TEETH IN THIS: The perfect marriage of French and Vietnamese cultures is embodied in the simple, yet delectably rich Banh Mi. We can’t seem to resist the symphony of savory and stringent ﬂavors, the refreshing burst of Asian herbs, and the satisfying crunch of a warm, crusty baguette—a complete meal you can eat with your hands, wherever.

BA NOI’S CÀ PHÊ ET BOULANGERIE Pasig City, NCR

Spring rolls, banh mi, pomelo salads, rice meals, a steaming bowl of pho—all the fresh ﬂavors of Vietnamese cuisine are here in full force. Ba Noi’s latest chapter has all the usuals, plus pastries and fresh baguettes you can take home. Let’s not forget Vietnam’s very own Trung Nguyen drip-coffee served however you like it: hot, iced, shaken, stirred, or by espresso. There are two branches within Pasig City: a more intimate space in Estancia Mall in Capitol Commons, and a larger, well-lit cafe-by-day, bistro-by- night in the heart of Kapitolyo. It’s quickly become our latest coworking haunt; the peaceful ambience makes it a conducive place for work to get done. Their selection of wine and craft beer means we’ll be staying ‘til late, too. 12 East Capitol Drive, Kapitolyo, Pasig City

19 - DESTINATIONS -

CAB CAFE Pasig City, NCR

Good old CAB has been around for years now, steadily becoming Kapitolyo’s go-to spot for lunch and coffee breaks, even as more and more places open up in the area. If you’ve been visiting regularly, you might have noticed the friendly staff speaking Ilonggo amongst themselves. It’s part of CAB’s homey charm, as though someone gathered everything they loved about Bacolod and transported them to Manila. CAB’s dessert display is crammed with gleaming cakes and Negrense pastries from Bob’s, a Bacolod coffee shop favorite. The menu is ﬁlled with more Bacolod specialties, but the chicken inasal and batchoy deserve their own special mentions. 18 East Capitol Drive, Kapitolyo, Pasig City

SAME SAME THAI SATAY BAR Pasig City, NCR

Clearly inspired by the bustling streets of Bangkok, you won’t ﬁnd elephants or the quintessential lavish trappings in this particular Thai hole-in-the wall restaurant. Just straightforward, honest-to- goodness food cooked in front of you, for you to enjoy amid the laidback residential vibe of Barangay Kapitolyo. Serving up classics like grilled meat skewers with peanut sauce and stir-fried noodles (Pad Thai and Pad See Ew) or rice (Khao Pad), you can keep coming back for your good old favorites or mix things up with something different. Let them know if you want your dish properly Thai-hot or mild—they won’t mind. We recommend washing it down and cooling off with an ice-cold beer or some Thai milk tea. 6B San Rafael Street, Kapitolyo, Pasig City

20 NAAN Pasig City, NCR

Possibly the most vibrant little corner of Kapitolyo, Naan is always brimming with color and music, setting the mood for a festive introduction to Indian cooking. And some hearty eating. Served with fresh naan, jasmine rice, or Basmati rice, dishes are mostly curried, grilled, fried, or braised in a balmy fusion of spices and covered in rich yogurt creams and sauces. They’ve even added an Indian spin on familiar ﬁnger foods: Mumbai Fries, Fish Pakoras & Chips, and Masala Papad Nachos. The spice levels are on the friendly side; ask them to kick it up if you’re of the more fevered palate, and have a glass of mango lassi (or the ever-so-rare Kingﬁsher beer) as an extinguisher. 20 United St., G/F D Strip Bldg., Kapitolyo, Pasig City