Saturday, September 15, 2007 Troika of bites By Clint Holton P. Potestas
ONE… two… three. There are three bites in a row at Bytes and Brews.
“We have a blackboard menu. Meaning, we change our menu every week. But we have divided it into three: Lite Bites, Special Bites, and Pasta Bites,” says Bojic Bacaltos, chef and menu engineer.
Eat lite. Lite Bites is just plain snacks. But you can overdo your regular snacks with pastas, mixed with white sauce.
When they’re overflowing on your plate, you’re eating Pasta Bites now. This pasta special extends from the standard to the experimental sauce with mashed potato and gravy. “We try to cater to the different needs of our clients, but it is mostly students and young professionals who are ordering pasta,” shares Bojic.
Special Bites, which is a full meal, satisfies craving for roasted and grilled meat. Barbeque ribs have always been an all-time favorite. But for sea food lovers, fish fillet is the best seller. If being carnivorous is a sin against your health, veggies are abounding on the list.
“I read cookbooks for more ideas. But knowing the market is the most essential. Some of our customers would request another menu (i.e. those not found in the regular menu); they suggest, too. For me, the Cebuanos are the most challenging customers I have had,” Bacaltos narrates while recalling her job experience in Manila.
Bytes and Brews has Internet access to accommodate students. And it’s safe: the staff has programmed all the computers to block satanic or pornographic subjects. “We’ve always wanted to make this place friendly to all because our concept is like a friendship ministry,” café manager Lollette Alipe adds. “Sometimes, our regular customers would ask for counseling. Then we pray over them.”
Bytes and Brews, operated by Church of Our King, is open from Monday to Friday at 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. It’s a guaranteed spoonful of food and blessings, all right.
