Pinoy Life At Large

Nicanor Garcia St, or better known to old-timers and long-time residents as Reposo St is home to so many good restaurants, whose owners probably feel that Jupiter St. and downtown Ayala is way too crowded and expensive for the dining public. With so many restaurant gems in the area, let me tell you of a diamond in the rough, a four-month-old coffee shop called Cafe Atilano.

If you’re coming from Gil Puyat Ave, make a right turn at Nicanor Garcia (to your right is the Yamaha building and Mapua to your left). go past Jupiter St then past Kalayaan Ave (past St. Andrew’s church) and on the second corner make a left. You will have to narrow and focus your eyes to find the small sign that says Cafe Atilano, which is at the top of a laundry shop. Be careful where you park during weekdays, lest you be towed by the roving MAPSA. Weekends mean you can park anywhere, even double-park.

No parking is provided for the customers. But for those taking public transportation, getting there is as easy as pie. Jeeps plying the Tulay-Ibabaw/ Tulay Ilalim (Referring to Guadalupe Bridge in Makati City, “Ibabaw” means at the top of the bridge and “Ilalim” means under the bridge. Commuters can get off at any of these two stations.) route should not have any problem finding the place. It’s two blocks away from the Cebuana Lhuillier corporate office. This tells me one sure thing, that it is not an expensive place to eat at. This is a restaurant for those who only have P50.00 pesos (roughly US $1.11) in their pockets and are in search for a place that will serve Starbucks-quality cappuccino.

So why did I seek out this place? Rumor has it that there is a restaurant in Manila that regularly airlifts delicious sansrival from a well-known restaurant in Dumaguete City (one hour’s flight south of Manila), which I think was even featured in the Living Asia cable channel. A newly hired co-worker (Chewie, thanks for the tip) let me in on the secret and gave me instructions to finding the place.

You notice I’m saying a lot about this place because it’s not easy to find especially if you’re not familiar with Makati side streets. And I really think you should give it a try if you happen to be in the neighborhood. It is surprisingly near Power Plant mall and their sansrival, coffee and pasta will definitely give the neighboring restaurants a run for their money.

Here’s a summary of what I thought about the place. First, the booboos:

1. It’s located on the second floor and you have to go through a dark and crampy flight of stairs. I wish they’d keep it well-lit. I almost tripped on the way up (too anxious for coffee maybe?).
2. The location is not easy to find so they really need bigger signs. No landline either, but I’m guessing things will change once the regulars start coming in.
3. Very limited items on the menu. The food is good, I just wish they had more to offer.

Now, the yahoos:

1. The prices! This is one restaurant that does not intimidate. Come one come all! Students can afford it too. Young lovers with only P300.00 pesos (US $6.70) can dine here and have enough left for bus fare. For the quality of the food, you just can’t beat the prices. Though that could change when they get famous. But for now, indulge!
2. Cozy and quiet. Probably because the whole dining area is roughly less than 50 square meters. But hey, who’s complaining? It’s quiet and intimate. You don’t hear the clattering plates noise or that buzzing sound from so many people talking at the same time. Day or night, the ambiance is ideal for those who want to just want to get away from the madding crowd. It’s just you, the coffee, and your date’s smile. What more could you ask for?
3. The food. I had a mocha mint frappe and tuna pasta. The darn thing tasted like it came out of those cooking shows on Discovery Travel and Living. And I love the taste of mint, coffee and chocolate. I remember reading a post from a well-known food blogger that a certain executive chef (high-power executive by day, gifted chef by night) is renting out her condo unit as venue for those who want an exclusive gourmet dinner for two. With all the frills, the price was something you had to get a bank loan for. This was the closest I came to that experience. And I kept my shirt on.
   
4. Clean restroom. Enough said.
   

For those interested in having the place reserved for your own special occasions or just to inquire, you can call at the owner, Stephen Merced at 0917-8563792.

Introducing, the Cafe Atilano menu. Notice something odd? No pork or beef! All fresh ingredients, including the herbs. I guess vegetarians can dine here too. Check out the prices!

Again, I almost forgot to take the picture. Noreen wanted the chicken pesto pasta. The damage for this plate? Only P65.00 pesos (US $1.40)!

My apologies for the pink flyer on the left. I ordered the Atilano tuna pasta. Basil, tomatoes and tuna, this dish only cost me P70.00 pesos (US $1.50). Atilano is the name of the owner’s father, according to Cindy, the cook/waitress/barista/cashier/receptionist of the place. Good pasta, all tomatoes, basil, garlic and parmesan cheese; no red, banana catsup added (thank goodness!) Yes guys, it’s the real deal!