In 2013, Louie and I celebrated Valentine’s Day in Lola CafΓ©.Β Seeing our old photos together gave me a chuckle. It’s been over two and a half years. So many things have changed since that day, and Lola Cafe’s menu recently did too. π With Chef Jon Mangibin now taking lead in the kitchen, this restaurant in Tomas Morato, Quezon City goes through a “culinary fixture.” The placement of furniture and fixtures also moved around a bit, making the place more versatile for both groups of friends or family and romantic dates.
Chef Jon
WithΒ its fresh menu, Lola CafΓ©+BarΒ decided to focus in serving Filipino Food 2.0 which basically consists of creative riffs on Filipino food classics like chicken tinola, bagoong rice, beef salpicao, sisig, and the like. We had lunch here with the KTG last Saturday to taste its mouth-watering delights and experience gastronomic euphoria, thanks to Richie‘s invitation. π Target launch date of the new items is on November 23, 2015.
Lola CafΓ© Launches New Menu (Tomas Morato, Quezon City)
Small Plates
There may be many excellent dishesΒ for you to dive into on the menu. Quite frankly, there are no wrong answers, but the Wagyu Salpicao (PhP 320) might be more right than the rest.Β With roasted garlic in olive oil, theΒ Kitayama wagyu beef (raised locally in Bukidnon, Philippines)Β was boldly flavored and actually portioned to share. The softness of the wagyu beef is exactly like you would hope it is. Get into the fiesta spiritΒ and match it with a great glass of wine.
The Bone Marrow Sisig (PhP 275) was a complete stunner. Thereβs something about the fatty and buttery bone marrow with kamias jam and garlic crumble flat bread on the side that got it done for us.Β Each component was strong on its own and equally good smashed together on the plate.
Soup and Salad
Caesar Salad is one of the trendiest salad choices these days, especially for those who are on a diet. If you think salads are boring though,Β know that serving it in a more exciting and palatable way is possible. How? Grilled. Smoky and with a touch of crunch, hearty Romaine lettuce and bread crisps with bagoong dressing were delightful. Bacon strips mixed in made the Grilled Caesar Salad (PhP 290) a killer dish you would want to nestle alongside your mains.
The Alugbati and Kesong Puti Salad (PhP 310) hadΒ a good combination of flavors and textures, featuring charred alugbati, lettuce hearts, roasted carrots, beets and balsamic vinaigrette. As salads go, it sounds pretty decadentβand delicious. I think kesong puti was what brought in new life to the salad; it added a little bit of both saltiness and creaminess to every bite.
Lola CafΓ© took no shortcut to deliver a comforting and tasty bowl of Bacon Belly Batchoy (PhP 320).Β Topped with soft boiled egg, this noodle soup was not just a vehicle for braised bacon slabs and ox tripe, but it was also a celebration of the role of sweet garlic, which for a garlic fan is pretty much heaven.
Pasta and Rice Bowl
The Spicy Tinapa Pasta (PhP 215) had a subtle, oceany richness that’s captivating. It was salty from the smoked fish flakes, luscious and sweet from the fresh heirloom tomatoes, spicy from the dried chili, and quite intoxicating from the scent of the olive oil.
Among the items we tried so far, the Sweet Pork and Bagoong Rice (PhP 295) could be one that’s most recommendable to foreigners who would want to appreciate Filipino food in their first visit here. Made with salted dried shrimp “hibe,” roasted pork belly, and “burong” mangga, the entire dish was slightly overwhelming all at once. It was so wonderfully complex that you just have to surrender to its demands.
Quarter Chicken Confit and Tinola Rice (PhP 280) was another crowd-pleaser. With ginger confit chicken, lemongrass rice pilaf, charred green papaya, and scallion-anchovy vinaigrette, Lola Cafe has constructed a hearty, full-flavored Filipino main dish whoseΒ ingredients both harmonize and perform as soloists. The chicken was really tender and I loved that theΒ taste of the ginger and onion-based tinola was evident.
Mains
Swimming in porcin broth, garlic cream and wild mushrooms, the thinly sliced and slow-braisedΒ Truffled Lengua (PhP 495) came out soft, rich, and almost pΓ’tΓ©-like. Until now though, lengua (beef tongue) is one of the internal meat organs that I like eating the least because I think it’s formidable. It’s not for the faint of foodie heart but best for the adventurous palate.
Somewhat like Bicol Express, the Gising Express (PhP 140) or “Gising-Gising” was cooked withΒ coconut milk broth, homemade bagoong, sigarilyas (winged beans), French beans, and finger chili. It’s great to be paired with steamed white rice to temper the heat situation.
The Roasted Belly “Tocino” (PhP 490) gave off an oriental taste (think Chinese char siu, as in the regular siopao filling), most probably because of theΒ SSAM-anise glaze. Adding moreΒ depth, the salty burong mangga or “pickled mangoes” on the side complemented theΒ savory aspect of theΒ slow-cooked porkΒ liempo nicely.
Desserts
For desserts, we had Baguio Strawberries and Cream Pavlova. It was amazing how the nest remainedΒ crisp, light, and crumbly right before we dug in. The billows of whipped cream and juicy fresh strawberries on top were truly delectable. This item isΒ definitely my kind of dessert.
Set in a landmark location in Tomas Morato, Lola CafΓ©+Bar boasts a fine ambiance and gracious service to match. There’s more Γ la carte selections available on the menu than these ones featured in this blog post, so if you want creative, zesty Filipino food or just local comfort food with a flair, go to Lola CafΓ©+BarΒ and make no doubt about it. It’s now open for lunch and dinner! π
About Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco
Health and technology freak. Food and lifestyle blogger with a large appetite for food and travel.
Lola cafes new menu looks amazing! I am drooling over your photos and description of the Bacon Belly Batchoy and I love that they source their wagyu beef locally. Thanks for sharing this and waking up my tastebuds this morning!
Haha. Hi Diana! This place is great for brunch as well. You can have the Bacon Belly Batchoy anytime. π
My wife and I would be in heaven at Lola’s. We are big fans of Filipino food so we would come hungry for sure. I would want to order my way through as much of the menu as possible and pack up the rest for leftovers. I take my Filipino food seriously and can tell from the awesome pics just how good it is. Thanks for the share!
You’re welcome. Come on in and treat your taste buds with these delicious Filipino dishes. These indulgent portions could really stir such passionate opinions. π
It’s nice to see twists on traditional food. The plating is brilliant! I love the ambiance too. Glad the food did not disappoint!
Thereβs nothing worse than being hungry and not knowing what you want for a meal. At Lola Cafe, you can take anything on the menu and get pretty satisfied with the taste and quality of food served. π
I have to admit I have never ate Filipino food. Lola Cafe looks like just the place for me to get my first taste! Everything looks amazing and I love the combination of flavors. The dessert looks amazing!
Yes, this is the place to be. π There are more exciting desserts here we would love to try on our next visit.
I first saw this restaurant in a movie. When we went there to eat, it was very full! It was full again when we tried again another day. We should really try to eat here, as the food you showed really look great.
The movies shot here were years ago. “Bakit Di Ka Crush Ng Crush Mo?” and “She’s the One” are some examples. Now you have to come back and see how the environment of the restaurant also improved. π
Lola’s dishes look so good!! I feel like it’s a bit pricey though however the revamped food looks delicious! π
I think the prices are fair considering the portion (for sharing) and the unique taste and plating of the food. π You’ll have a great time here with your family.
Ooooh. I’ll take note of this restaurant. I have been having a lot of meetings in QC and the next time I’m there, I’ll make sure to try Lola Cafe. You got me at the Bone Marrow Sisig, Alugbati and Kesong Puti Salad, and the Spicy Tinapa Pasta. They’re not the typical food served in Pinoy restaurants and I think they’re all worth giving a shot.
Actually, those three are my favorites here. You got them all right! π Yup, taking your friends to a meal here won’t get you disappointed.
I love reading your posts! I always learn about something new. I love Filipino food! all of the dishes look so good! I am truly drooling over your photos!
Thanks, Lashawn! Thank goodness we had natural lighting for food shots that day. π
Wwwaaaaah! Pinoy food! Sisig please! haha Tomas Morato! HEre I come. hehe I’ve just heard about Lola cafe, and it’s interesting. Such a fan of our local cuisine. π
Hi Raymond! I hear your excitement! π Do come here for a nice Filipino meal with an elevated twist to enjoy with your family or a bunch of good friends.
The Lola cafes new menu looks delicious! I am literally drooling over your pictures and description of the menu options! I love that they source their food locally for some of the menu options and I now I am seriously hungry! I have added this to my bucket list when I visit Quezon City.
Sure! I think it’s a must for restaurants to keep rolling on being creative and “in trend” with the dishes they offer to customers. Lola Cafe has done a good job in improving their menu and delight patrons in a nice way. π
I love the eclectic look to the cafe and the food looks phenomenal. Is the Tocino, spicy? It looks delicious as does the Chicken Confit. I have to try those.
I didn’t taste the spiciness but maybe you can add chili or hot sauce if you like it hot. π
They definitely have a variety of dinner choices to choose from. My husband likes to try new dishes, so he’d be in heaven. I, on the other hand, would probably stick to the salad.
Good news is that the salads are available on a smaller portion so if he doesn’t want any of it, you can order the solo. π
I just love the look of the restaurant and how the front looks like grass is growing. Each plate looks beautiful and delicious on their own. I can’t stop staring at the dessert and I wish I could take a bite through my screen!
Haha yup I thought you’d do that. π The interior design is sleek and nice, the type that makes stress and worries go away even while you’re there. π
The world keeps changing, the preparation of food too. The alogbate with cheese, belly batchoy and bone marrow looks yummy and must-try menu.
Yeah, it’s great that Lola Cafe has realized that customers appreciate something new on the menu every so often. 3 years is a good time for them to introduce a new twist to our palate.
The Bacon Belly Batchoy and the Baguio Strawberries and Cream Pavlova looks like two things I don’t mind trying~ Maybe the pasta too… Is this a franchise cafe?
No, it’s not. It only has one branch although the management will be opening up a new restaurant (with a different name) soon in Eastwood, Libis, Quezon City. π
So many dishes I wanted to try. That bone marrow, batchoy, lengue and pork belly look delish. Oh, the pavlova, too! You are lucky to get to try them all!
All of these food (well, probably except for the lengua) have my mark of approval. You’ll never go wrong. π
That Bone Marrow Sisig looks like a must try! And the dessert is very inviting. Can’t wait to try this out soon π
For sure, you will be delighted with those two. Maybe order a bowl of white rice, too, if you find the bone marrow sisig to be sooo packed with flavor. Yum! π
I’ve never heard of this cafe. But that bone marrow concoction looks delightful!
I think it’s the one that’s most Instagrammable. π
All the dishes are looking quite fresh and yummy. Their presentation and quantity looks good too.
I always appreciate and acknowledge the elements of design and plating because it increases the wow factor of food. π I think Lola Cafe’s kitchen has done a good job in tempting us to eat first with our eyes.
I think the Quarter Chicken Confit and Tinola Rice is very special and something that I like to have for lunch. The portion are big too.
It was my first time to try tinola not in soup form and thought it was really good. The chef must be a real food genius. π
That bone marrow is super putok batok!!! EEP! I love how there are a lot more components than the buttery fat of the marrow, it’s a dish I’ll look forward to ordering the next time I drop by.
I’m sure you will love it. π
I still dream about the Baguio Strawberries Cream Pavlova and the Wagyu Salpicao. Oh my god they were so good!
Haha right. I’ll take those two again in our next visit here. Pavlova makes an easy, elegant dessert that’s perfect for an entertaining or a special meal. π
itβs nice to see traditional food in restos. The plating is brilliant! The dishes are looking quite fresh and yummy.I think i’ll definitely gain wait if i’m near this place haha
It’s a good place for a casual meetup with friends but not really one that you’d want to hit up regularly–unless you want to get fat. π The food can be a lot to take in so do share it with others.
I have the obvious feeling that the owner has deep admiration to his grandmother. How i wish i could taste those delicious meals… the belly batchoy interests me….
Lola is not grandmother but is the name of the person whom this restaurant is named after. π
The place looks really spacious, which makes it a lot more comfortable and relaxing. I would love to try the wagyu salpicao, which is among my favorites.
Most of the dishes here are good for sharing, so I recommend to bring your family or friends to tag along with the meal. π
TINOLA RICE FOR THE WIN! and the dessertssss argh!!!!!
Tinola Rice and any one dessert and I’m sold. π
The bone marrow sisig would be the thing I would want the most. It looks very delicious and tender. The overall look of the restaurant seems very laid back and I love places like that.
Yup, give yourself a treat. π The bone marrow sisig is so delicious.
Hi, Ive been looking for a ‘homey’ type of resto where i can bring my mom and daughter for a Valentine’s Day celebration and reading your review about Lola Cafe was of perfect timing! We’ll get to check out this beautiful place tonight. Looking forward to a great family time at Lola Cafe. π
Great you found this post! Hope you had a lovely time at Lola Cafe with your family. π