In these most unstable times, it’s laudable that the Sebuana Group decided to push through with the opening of Sip Café.
A full-service cafe and an upscale version of its Sip Coffee and Tea kiosk in Talamban, Sip Café is bringing a unique experience to the table. Where else can you find dining and shopping options all in one posh space?
Upon stepping inside, there’s no hint that diners are in for a gastronomic treat as the lifestyle cafe is outfitted in earthy neutrals and serves as a canvas to the Trifona clothing line it carries. There are no exotic aromas or smoke emanating from the kitchen, just a clean, polished look and feel that’s still warm and welcoming.
More than the pretty interiors—which seem to come standard with every cafe in the city these days—is the menu that neatly covers various cuisines, from oriental to continental. Since its soft opening in January, Sip Café’s dishes have earned it plaudits from first-time and returning customers alike.
Sip Café prides itself on making everything from scratch—from the pasta and pizza dough right down to the sauces and dips—using only the freshest and finest ingredients. Its comprehensive menu and generous serving portions make it ideal for groups, especially those who want to bond over good food but have different preferences. Vegetarian options are also on offer.
Traveling through your taste buds should do for now, and at Sip Café, the recipes evidently draw on many culinary influences from all around the globe. Start with beef or chicken quesadillas, whose chimichurri on the side will have you smearing it on your other orders and pleading for a refill. The mozzarella balls with Napoli sauce will whet anyone’s appetite, too.
The hot and sour tom yum has fish and mushrooms and is bursting with flavor from herbs and aromatics such as lemongrass, lime and galangal. You also have the option of adding coconut milk if you want it creamy.
If you’re in for just light bites, the cafe’s classic cheeseburger and meat supreme pizza are loaded, so much so that you’ll think twice about calling them “light.” The butternut squash ravioli’s cream sauce has just the right richness to it, and the sweetness of the roasted pumpkin filling is offset by the crushed toasted walnuts on top.
For the mains, customers should try the osso buco, fork-tender and flavorful from having been slow-baked in tomato sauce and red wine for hours. A healthier pick would be the chicken roulade—rolled chicken breast stuffed with spinach in garlic cream sauce, served with a salad.
The rice bowls should not be missed either. The steak in