PHI: Mary Grace Café
The best 'ensaymada' I've ever had in life!
Mary Grace Café is a popular Filipino chain known for its baked goods, particularly its bread roll topped with butter, sugar and cheese known as ensaymada. As a mother of five, she started from a humble beginning in 1994, selling her homemade rolls at a bazaar. She eventually opened her first little store in 2002.
Given her success, she managed to open her first café in 2006. I visited the outlet at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 on two consecutive days.
Mary Grace Ensaymada PHP 145.00 (~S$2.95)
Taste: 9/10
It took me just one bite to see why the ensaymada has become such a beloved staple of the brand. The brioche was wonderfully fluffy with a light, airy texture that almost melted in the mouth. Its buttery richness came through nicely, while the generous layer of aged Edam cheese added a savoury, slightly piquant note to balance the sweetness of the bread.
Daing Na Bangus PHP 585.00 (~S$11.95)
Taste: 8.5/10
Milkfish is one of my favourite choices when it comes to Filipino dishes. Fried to a lovely golden-brown crisp, the exterior was wonderfully crackly, while the tender, mildly sweet flesh underneath provided a nice contrast in texture. It was paired my choices of aromatic garlic fried rice and a sunny side-up egg with double yolks.
Accompanying the main course were spicy vinegar dip, pickled green papaya slices and a mix of diced tomatoes, onions and herbs.
Sirloin Beef Tapa PHP 631.00 (~S$12.90)
Taste: 8/10
The following day, I tried the pan-fried marinated beef with the other possible options of rosemary fried rice and scrambled eggs. While I had a preference for the garlic fried rice, the scrambled eggs were delightfully fluffy. The beef slices came with a dark, glossy glaze that brought together sweet and savoury flavours with a subtle hint of garlic. They were nicely caramelised around the edges while remaining reasonably tender and juicy.
Mary Grace Hot Chocolate PHP 242.00 (~S$4.95)
Taste: 8.5/10
Made of high quality Belgian chocolate, the glossy signature drink had a rich and deeply chocolatey flavour. Thick and velvety, it had a consistency that was almost like some loose chocolate pudding, while still being smooth enough to sip comfortably. It certainly made a nice pairing with the ensaymada, which I also had on the second day.
Melon's Rating
Taste: 8.5/10
Ambience: 8/10
Service: 8/10
Overall: 8/10
What I enjoyed about the café wasn't just the food, but also the cosy, homey atmosphere. Pika's advice: To those of us residing in Singapore, Mary Grace Café is finally here! Let's go!
Mary Grace Café
Andrews Avenue
Terminal 3, Ninoy Aquino International Airport
Manila
Philippines
(Daily: 6.00am - 10.00pm)
*Prices quoted are subject to 10% service charge.
Have a nice meal,
Cliff(y)
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