TCB, the cafe formerly known as The Coffee Beanery, not only redesigned its name and logo just for pizazz. But yes, the upgrade is definitely warm and modern. To coincide the new logo, they have also updated their menu, jazzing up the Filipino appeal with familiar flavors.

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TCB
Find a new way to experience The Coffee Beanery. Corporate Chef Jonathan Bautista shares to us TCB's latest offerings.

The last time I visited TCB before this feature was almost a year ago. I remember it offering your typical, staple cafe-style food: classic cakes and pastries, sandwiches and pastas. It was good to see newcomers higlighted in their store posters on my latest visit, promoting food with a twist of the local. Bibingka Pancake (P55), for example.



Just like its sister resto, C2 Classic Cuisine, TCB reinvents the bibingka. Their version flattens it into a thick pancake. Within the spongy body are bits and pieces of pula na itlog, and topping the pancake is a generous sprinkling of dessicated coconut and white sugar. The bibingka was served fresh and warm, that I wish I had ordered hot chocolate to go with it. However, a cup of the TCB Blend (P65) makes also a good match.





I notice nowadays that malunggay (moringa leaves) is gaining popularity, from supplements to beverages and other foodstuff (I've even tried moringa-flavored popcorn). At TCB, they incorporate the nutritious leaves into a pasta dish and come up with Malunggay Pesto and Quesong Puti (P155).



The malunggay was a welcome alternative to pesto, personally, as I am quite fond of the taste. Knowing it's very healthy is another plus. Their version of the pesto is not too oily, and not flaky nor dry -- just the right mix without the overwhelming smell of the traditional pesto. The quesong puti does its job, cutting in the green spinachy taste with its salty notes.



For cold coffee lovers, why not try their beverage version of the black forest? TCB's Black Forest Coffee (P160), from the outside, really looks like the traditional black forest dessert, complete with white cream, chocolate bits and cherry on top. The taste is cold, sweet, thick and chocolatey, you may want to skip the pastries and have this as your dessert.





For a more Filipino flavor, they have updated the humble salabat (ginger brew) into Ginger Pandan Tea (P40). I remember the drink having more sour and spicy flavors than how I choose to drink my salabat at home (with a heaping of muscovado sugar). I'm not too keen on the idea of having the green and white gelatin blocks on my tea, as I've never taken hot beverages with sago balls, crystals or gelatin bits. To suit my tastebuds, I add more sugar to my drink.





I was told that TCB reinvents and improves their menu on a yearly basis. It's good to know that we can look always forward to trying out new food in a familiar, cozy place (as long as my favorites still remain!). Aside from the newer items, TCB offers all-day meals, priced decently at P175 to P225. If you're looking for a merienda hang out place, you can relax and dine with their on-going Hot Pair (P150) promo. Pair your hot coffee with some sweets for an affordable price.



While other coffee shops offer their customers a caffeine fix at exorbitant prices, this local brand maintains its loyal clientele by offering good value for money.