Cafe 1771: So good, so charming

MANILA, Philippines - Earlier this year, we got curious about the major facelift that’s going on at El Pueblo in Ortigas Center. We caught glimpses of what looked like a major new resto on the rise. In fact, it was about time El Pueblo Real de Manila gave rise to a new dining destination.

Restaurateur Ricky Gutierrez and Chef Vicky Rose Pacheco collaborated once more to bring the new concept to urban diners.

The bustling business district of Ortigas Center has developed its own market over the years. Many diners are young, urban professionals and single condo-dwellers who find refuge in fast-food fried chicken and opt to spend weekends at Metrowalk or City Golf; but others prefer a well-ventilated restaurant or café, a place for relaxing or informal meetings. They’re tastes are as varied as their choice of booze — wine, spirits or beer. 

And now, on the site of the old Chateau 1771, El Pueblo’s charming Mediterranean-inspired complex has given rise to the new: Café 1771. “The concept really came from our desire to offer a dining place and venue for leisure to the diverse markets in Ortigas Center who have different wants and expectations,” says Chef Vicky Rose Pacheco, COO of the 26-year-old Chateau 1771 Group of Restaurants.

The executive chef has once again collaborated with renowned restaurateur Ricky Gutierrez — the man behind the household names Sentro 1771 at Greenbelt 3 and Serendra and Chateau 1771 at Greenbelt 5 — to create a dining concept that redefines the group’s “no borders” cuisine. Café 1771 has three dining sections fused by Ivy Almario’s well-defined interior design and topnotch cooking. The partnership goes back to 1994 when Gutierrez and Pacheco opened No Borders Cuisine and Sidebar Café at El Pueblo. In 1997, the twosome opened Portico 1771 in Malate, while Sentro was launched in 2006 and Chateau in 2007.

“Café 1771 is a work of love because each section has been painstakingly created to exude a distinct atmosphere. While we preserved the old Chateau 1771 building, we stripped the walls and floors, redid the (interiors) and created a totally new dining and unwinding place. Aside from the design, both the food and drinks menus reflect the individual characteristic of the Café’s three sections — The Whimsy, The Lounge and The Winebar,” says owner Gutierrez.

This fondue selection is made of Emmenthal cheese melted with spinach and topped with grilled broccoli.

The Whimsy section, which is also open for breakfast, gives the impression of a diner-gone-chic. “The centerpiece is a fancy counter that invites one to come over and check out the desserts and goodies on display.” The Swiss Cheese Toast at Whimsy, which can be topped with prosciutto, homemade ham or grilled vegetables, is quite exceptional. If you’re up for some comfort food, you have got to try its Holy Cow Pizza and Smoked Salmon Pizza. A slice or two of coffee pie is the perfect way to end a whimsical meal.

The three-section restaurant Café 1771 brings back Chateau 1771 Group’s no-borders cuisine to Ortigas Center.

“The way of dining has changed. What’s good is our breakfast market. There’s abundance. Our breakfast starts early. As early as 6:30 a.m., there’s a customer knocking at the door,” Chateau 1771 Group marketing manager Cyrus Cruz shares.

Perhaps it is the exquisite interior design that complements The Whimsy and The Lounge’s classic, quaint library look. Amid the traffic and smog of Metro Manila, this area offers a breath of fresh air. We agree that it’s an ideal venue for informal business meetings or just a relaxed outing with confidantes. 

“The old time Chateau 1771 patrons who want to have more quiet and enjoy a more private meal can go to The Lounge,” Pacheco adds.

The best way to get started is with The Lounge’s creamy, broccoli-based cheese fondue. “If you remember or have tasted the tomato cheese fondue of Chateau, this time, Café 1771 uses Florentine Broccoli.” Truly, this fondue is addictive, especially for cheese lovers.

While diners rave about Café 1771’s organic chicken, the spaghetti with sardines & fried capers and its lamb shoulder chops on cocottes, Cruz just had to share his personal favorite: the salmon cheeseburger, which comes in a whole wheat bagel, and the Swiss cheese toast, which is an open-faced toast with melted Swiss cheese. “You even get to put poached egg or smoked salmon on top of it,” he enthuses.

The café serves innovative pastas ideas like the Spaghetti with Sardines & Fried Capers.

The Wine Bar’s brick walls and polished floors, on the other hand, have that rustic feel that reminds you of industrial-inspired bars in SoHo. The area transforms into an event venue that can accommodate up to 100 diners. The tapas bar at this sleek space has a “no-borders” twist. Imagine small to large portions of Asian-inspired hors d’oeuvres.

“Executives and expats who want to unwind and enjoy premium wines with delicious tapas can relax in the comforting ambience of The Winebar at the second floor,” says Chef Vicky.

Café 1771 undoubtedly answers the question asked by today’s fickle and diverse Ortigas diners: “What am I craving?”

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Café 1771 at El Pueblo Real de Manila, ADB Avenue cor. Julia Vargas Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City, is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. every Monday to Saturday and Sunday for private bookings. For reservations, call 631-7340.