La Dolce Vita

CEBU, Philippines - There's something brewing in the upper side of town. It's buzzing its way into the dining scene with its minimalist and chic interiors, intimate and cozy ambiance, and easy on the budget and tasty eats.

Hot off the oven is Dolce: Coffee|Sweets|Light Bites, perched at D’ Address, Panorama Heights along Nivel Hills, Lahug, which is a white-washed cafe cum flower shop (Belle Fleur) cum architecture & design studio (Chrome) owned by the Dychangco siblings, Sarah, Shelah and Holly, respectively. What started out as a three-table dining space can now accommodate 40 dessert junkies and recently, the sisters made available the al fresco area to 60 more diners with a vista of the city skyline.

Nuff of that. Here are Dolce’s (Italian for sweet) offerings that add SWEET into life:

Sweet Tooth

Buttercake is the rave since it opened the day before Valentine’s. Firm and moist in texture, this has become a sweet tooth's quick fix. Available in regular, mango and ube flavors, these indeed make for a lovely coffee or tea time. The Chocolate Trifle, however, steals the show with its rich flavor that comes in layers of different textures of chocolates - moist cake, mouse and chocolate cookie crumbs - with a smooth cream filling, topped with vanilla ice cream drizzled with chocolate syrup. If one prefers a lighter dessert, the Strawberry Trifle plays the part.

Staples Cheesecakes come in a whimsy presentation, baked as cake lollipops with frosting. Choose from pistachio, strawberry and chocolate flavored pops. Another epitome of cute and dainty is the Fruit Pancake which Sarah fondly christened as fruit pizza because of its crunchy crust, akin to a thin crust pizza, but with fruits and cream, and drizzled with syrup and dusted with confectioner’s sugar.

Moreover, indulge without guilt in their flourless and sugarless cakes, also available daily.

Sweet Sip

Served in jam jars are thirst quenchers originally concocted by Holly. Fruit shakes such as No Sin Apple Oats Shake – apple, cinnamon, oatmeal and white mocha; Mint Bonanza – mint and banana blended with ice caramel; Green and Envy – mocha and green tea, among others, are healthy coolers for the hot season. Coffee aficionados take delight in their Bubbly Blueberry – espresso + blueberry syrup and Strawberry Roar – espresso + strawberry syrup, two of their coffee drinks. Meanwhile, the Wild Tribe Mocha - mocha, caramel, almond and white chocolate is another good choice for a frappe delight. Brewed coffee is affordable at P80, unlimited! Take a sip while feasting on luscious desserts.

Light Bites

On the chalkboard menu are light bites of turnovers, strudel and quiche; sandwiches with an ample deli meat, cheese and bread options; the health buff's top pick are salad, burgers, and the lasagna, an heirloom recipe mastered by the Dychangco family's househelp. Since we're in the Lenten season, worth the tab is the Broccoli Salad with Pine nuts and Cranberry, Shelah’s specialty, as well as the Salmon Burger with a stuffed patty.

Dolce is open daily from 7am till midnight. (FREEMAN)