GMA Brandtalk
Tracking
Archives
Tsokolateria is now in Manila: Here are 5 must-try dishes
Tsokolateria, famous for being a go-to chocolate cafe in chilly Tagaytay, just opened its first branch in Metro Manila on the fifth floor of SM Aura Premier.
The chocolate cafe's first branch in the capital is reminiscent of its original home in Tagaytay—homey and cozy with nature-inspired decorations and ceiling-to-floor glass walls.
In an exclusive interview with Tsokolateria founder Happy Ongpauco Tiu, the BGC branch of her cafe is in partnership with Visum Ventures headed by John Michael Hilton, a local F&B group that brought Koomi, Salt & Ice, and Oh My Greek, among others, to the country.
"They give me a free hand to do all the creatives, [while] they handle the operation side of the business," Happy told GMA Integrated News.
According to the veteran restaurateur, a cafe in Paris dubbed Angelina, known for its hot chocolate, inspired her to open a concept like Tsokolateria in the Philippines.
"Whenever I go to Angelina, I always thought, 'How come we don't have a concept like this in the Philippines when we really grow good cacao?'" she said.
At Tsokolateria, the cacaos used for its different variants of Tablea House Blend are all proudly sourced locally from Davao, Benguet, and other parts of the country.
Skipping to the good part, here are five dishes not to miss when in Tsokolateria.
1. Tsokolate Ah (P150 - P280)
You should always start your meal in Tsokolateria with a good cup of hot chocolate to set your mood throughout your dining experience, and we highly recommend Tsokolate Ah for just the right amount of sweetness before trying Tsokolateria dishes.
2. Cacao Smoked Black Palabok (P450)
At Tsokolateria, there's always a twist on Filipino food. Its Cacao Smoked Black Palabok consists of seafood, black noodles, and traditional Palabok sauce. On top of that, upon serving the food, you'll smell the sweet aroma of the cacao.
3. Alimango at Aligue Pasta (P400)
For pasta lovers, Tsokolateria's Alimango at Aligue Pasta is not to miss. It comprises aligue butter, fresh aligue, cacao nibs, and garlic bits that marries enough taste of saltiness, sourness, and sweetness in your mouth.
4. Tablea Champorado (P390-P570)
It's not a complete trip to Tsokolateria without trying its Table Champorado. The traditional champorado that Filipinos love is elevated in this cafe with mountain rice, tablea chocolate, and a side of scrumptious Bagnet, Chicharon, and dried Daing.
5. Bibingka Pancake Souffle (P340)
Bibibingka, in its original form, is already delightful, but Tsokolateria's Souffle version of it is something else. Bibingka Pancake Souffle's sponge-like consistency quickly melts in the mouth with irresistible notes of salted egg.
Tsokolateria first announced its expansion in October 2022. Aside from the BGC branch, the cafe is set to open more branches in key cities in Metro Manila.
—MGP, GMA Integrated News
