A sweet & spicy treat

MANILA, Philippines - In a quaint little nook somewhere on Aguirre Avenue in Parañaque City lies a twin force of gastronomic fare perfect for anybody who has a penchant for sweet and flavorful food. From the freshly baked breads of Manna Bakery & Café to the mouthwatering Thai-Asian food of Kafe Yen, these dining destinations promise unique culinary experiences sure to leave indelible and mouthwatering impressions in your taste buds.

    ‘Divine’ creations

“I like to under-promise and over-achieve,” says chef Rudolf Segers, consultant chef for One Sycamore Food Ventures to which Manna Bakery & Café belongs. True enough, the simplicity of the bakery is a direct contrast to the intricacy of what is baking behind its cobblestoned walls. What would give the surprise away, however, is the appetizing aroma of freshly baked bread that spreads across the four corners of the bakery.

Manna Bakery & Café was created with the goal of supplying European-style artisan breads to Alabang and Manila residents. “You have to know these breads before you buy them,” says Segers. The reason for this is that most artisan breads are only available in hotels and only a limited number of people are familiar with these breads. “That’s what we do at Manna Bakery & Café, (we) broaden everybody’s horizon and make sure people understand that there are certain things they haven’t tried yet but it is good to try. It is good to explore,” adds Segers.

Even though these European artisan breads, which Segers describes as “a little crusty on the top,” remain the main inspiration for the products of Manna Bakery & Café, other types of bread — the “soft” ones, like muffins and the all-time Filipino favorite bread, the pandesal — are also given the same amount of spotlight in the shelves of the bakery. In fact, Segers, who is happily married to a Filipina, considers muffins as his favorite. “They’re light, they’re not heavy,” describes Segers.

Indeed, this little bakery in the South gives us little nuggets of heaven.

   ‘Cool cafe’ comes to Manila

Right beside Manna Bakery & Café is the newly opened Thai-Asian restaurant called Kafe Yen, which is the first in the country. With its counterpart in San Diego, California already a hit in the Thai-Asian market, Kafe Yen now aims to fire up the Filipino bellies with its spicy and sumptuous dishes. “We have the same concept of Kafe Yen in San Diego, same menu,” says chef Natavoot Thammaphan, nicknamed “Off,” and head chef of Kafe Yen in Parañaque. “In San Diego, we only open for three hours every day and people line up,” adds Off, who also happens to be the executive chef and owner of the branch in San Diego.

Indeed, one can understand such fuzz once one indulges in a gastronomic adventure with Kafe Yen’s Thai cuisines like tom yum shrimp, Thai cream puff, moo dang and pad Thai. “The key is the sauce,” reveals Off. And although Thai food remains the main inspiration for the restaurant, other Asian-inspired dishes can also be enjoyed at the restaurant like the Vietnamese spring roll, lotus of the sea, roti pancake and Bangkok soup.

For all the spicy and delectable meals from its menu, Kafe Yen offers a perfect thirst-quenching drink that will truly make dining in this restaurant complete — Thai coffee. After all, Kafe Yen means “Thai coffee.”

“Kafe Yen means two things. The first is ‘Thai coffee.’ The second is ‘cool cafe’,” he adds.

“The taste of Thai coffee is strong but the caffeine is less,” explains Off.

Indeed, those who love to experience new and exciting dining routines can come to Kafe Yen and let this “cool cafe” fire up those hungry tummies.

(Manna Bakery & Café and Kafe Yen are located at 289 Aguirre Avenue, BF Homes, Parañaque City. For more information about Manna Bakery & Café, call 02-852-7351. Kafe Yen can be reached at 02-358-5271.)