26th St. Bistro by Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf

I know of a few friends who consider this their favorite Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf branch in the Philippines.Location: ground floor of Net Lima Building on 5th Avenue corner 26th St. Fort Bonifacio, Taguig.It’s certainly well-designed and good-looking. Who would think you’d find such a perfect spot in Manila, right?

CBTL Fort interiors

Now it seems this cozy coffeeshop is taking on a different concept because it doesn’t just serve the good old CBTL favorites.It’s now metamorphosed into the 26th St. Bistro. Still CBTL but the dining experience has been elevated to include such stuff as Toblerone with Salted Caramel Pancakes (!!), Surf N’ Turf and this Grilled Lamb Chops with Rosemary Marble Potatoes (P525).

Spell g-o-u-r-m-e-t. Now I know where my friends shall treat me next. Lol. :) (Photo courtesy of CBTL)

Grilled Lambchops with Ratatouille & Rosemary Potatoes

At a tasting session this week, here’s what we had:

Wild Mushroom Soup (P225) consisting of three kinds of mushrooms – button, shiitake and portobello. I love mushrooms and liked how this soup was flavored just right. Far from salty, thick & therefore filling.

wild mushroom soup

Salmon Fishcakes & Greens (P345). Somehow, this was put in the Salad category of the menu but starting with the soup, this could have been my entree already. The smoked paprika aioli in the salmon cake was delish (though i wished it had the spicier paprika taste) and the heaviness of the sauce balanced off the light, healthier balsamic vinaigrette of the salad.

salmon fishcakes

Tiger Prawn & Shiitake Mushroom Linguine (P395) . This was just a tasting plate so I don’t think it’s the actual serving, but yes you may order this if you like white sauce in your pasta (I don’t). To be fair, it was natural-tasting. With this dish, you get the pure flavors of the prawn and the mushrooms, so no harm there.

Tiger orawn + mushroom linguini

After consuming three dishes, this was supposed to be the night’s piece de resistance: Hanging Tender Steak with Potato Gratin and Marsala Sauce. I have no complaints. Taste & flavor: aprub! Classy bistro ambiance: check. Order this on a date: check, check!

hanging tender steak

There were two desserts served: the chocolate lava cake and apple crumble – both a la mode (read: with vanilla ice cream on top).I just remembered having a bite of the apple crumble as my tummy was giving up already. What do you say, it’s good but that’s to be expected from a coffee chain that makes their own cakes out of the commissary.

Apple crumble mode a la mode

Did I forget?Aside from the teas and coffees, you can also order beer, wine and juices at this place.