Rehashing Some Brews At Hashbrews Café Bistro

"Life's supposed to be an adventure, a surprise!" - Anton du Beke

I’ve been meaning to visit the place for a long time. I first noticed it when I was on my way to Cebu IT Park one evening. It looked like one of those American diner-type cafés in the 60s or 70s similar to the one we had here in Cebu back in the 90s. While I was able to have a bottle or two some time ago at the place, but I was really able to get the feel of the place. I finally got the chance one Friday evening, which is timely since I was craving a brew of a different kind.

Rehashing Some Brews At Hashbrews Café Bistro

Hashbrews Café Bistro

Hashbrews Café Bistro has been on my to-go-to list ever since I noticed it over a year ago. My curiosity was further piqued after I saw their Facebook Page. The pictures of their food, particularly their burgers had me salivating at the thought of taking a bite at them. My initial perception was an American diner-type of place. And when I first visited the place around a month ago, it had that diner vibe with the framed drawings and sculptures (not sure what you call them since I’m no artist). The bar also had a good inventory of drinks from whiskeys to rums and tequilas. But I’m more interested in their food, which was what attracted me to the place.

Hashbrews Café Bistro Coat of Arms

When I saw the pictures of their burgers posted on their Facebook Page, it not only piqued my interest, it also had me wanting to drop by the place. But as they say, fate had a different plan. When I got the chance to grab a bite at the place, I ordered something else . . . their Grilled Pork Belly with Rice.

Grilled Pork Belly with Rice

Food

While I was really looking forward to their burgers, their Grilled Pork Belly with Rice actually tasted great. In fact, I would have ordered an extra serving of rice if not for my so-called minimal-carb diet. But if I ate it at lunchtime I would likely order two extra servings of rice. So I guess fate was right to compel me (introvert mode activate) to ask for the house specialty rather than order the burgers, which I wanted in the first place. Aside from the burgers and Grilled Pork Chop, the place also offers a good variety of food items, including Beef with Onions, Beef with Broccoli, Fried Chicken (overheard someone saying this was good), Grilled Blue Marlin Steak, Sizzling Bangus, and everyone’s favorite, the Sizzling Sisig.

Grilled Pork Belly with Rice 

Appetizers while on a drinking binge aka pulutan, they Hashbrews offers Sauteed Hungarian Sausage and Mushrooms, Breaded Chicken Strips, Spring Rolls, and Bacon (who doesn’t love bacon?). The place also offers a good selection of soups and noodles, including the Chicken Mami, Cream of Chicken, Tinolang Isda, and Lomi, which I noted was served in a humongous bowl (I overheard the other table ordering this).

Interior of Hashbrews Café Bistro

If you are into vegetables, you may want to order the Ampalaya with Egg, Chao Pat Chin, or the Chopsuey. Their All-Day-Breakfast menu includes the Corned Beef, Beef Tapa, and Longaniza, all of which are served with two eggs and rice or bread. Pancake lovers will be keen on ordering their Classic Pancake with Butter and Maple Syrup or the Waffle with Bacon and Egg. For a taste of Italy, they also have the Spaghetti Bolognese, Creamy Pesto Pasta, and Carbonara. So Hashbrews offers everything for everybody.

Price

When it comes to prices, Hashbrews has a rather competitive price range. For their starters or appetizers, prices range from PhP99 for the Fried Pusit (Squid) Platter up to PhP205 for the Calamares. Their Main Courses have prices between PhP165 for the Sizzling Sisig and PhP450 for the Bagnet. The Soup and Noodles of the place have prices ranging from PhP135 for the Sweetcorn Soup up to PhP295 for the Sinigang Isda. Vegetable lovers can look forward to prices between PhP95 for the Ampalaya with Egg and PhP185 for the Chao Pat Chin. The price of the pasta at Hashbrews is from PhP165 for the Pasta Pomodoro up to PhP195 for the Spicy Danggit Pasta. Fruit Shakes are priced at PhP95 for the Banana Shake up to PhP145 for the Banana & Mango Shake, while sodas cost PhP55 each.

Menu of Hashbrews Café Bistro

If you want to have breakfast . . . in the evening, you can have them at PhP165 for the Corned Beef with rice and egg up to PhP175 for the Beef Tapa with rice and egg. Beer prices are between PhP50 for the Pale Pilsen and PhP75 for the Smirnoff Mule. And last but not the least, the price of their burgers and sandwiches are quite competitive from PhP125 for the Ham and Egg Sandwich up to PhP185 for their Hashbrew’s Cheese Burger.

Menu of Hashbrews Café Bistro

Location

Hashbrews Café Bistro is located on the ground floor of Northwinds Hotel along Salinas Drive, Lahug, Cebu City. It’s a short walk away from the Cebu IT Park and close to some of the best restaurants the Lahug area has to offer.

Getting There

If you are coming from Ayala, you can get on a jeepney headed for Lahug (04M) and tell the driver to let you off at Northwinds Hotel. You can immediately see the place when you turn towards the hotel. You also have the option of getting on a Beep bus and get off at IT Park. You can ask any guard in the area to point you in the direction of the hotel. You can also ask the guard to point you to where Chikaan sa Cebu restaurant is located. You can either ride a jeepney or walk towards the place (it’s probably a five- to ten-minute walk away). The café bistro is right across the restaurant. If you are coming from SM City Cebu, you can get on a jeepney headed for the Cebu IT Park and tell the driver to let you off at Chikaan sa Cebu restaurant.

Interior of Hashbrews Café Bistro

While I was not able to take a bite off their burgers, Hashbrews is definitely one of the places I will not think twice of visiting on any given Friday night.

PS: The place has a live acoustic band playing on Friday and Saturday evenings. If you are overflowing with confidence in your bathroom voice, you can also ask if you can sing your heart’s out with the band.

Mangga Mo Bay Sa Mangga Cafe

“When life gives you lemons, throw it back and say I said I wanted a mango!” - unknown

The Queen City of the South may be home to the world-famous Cebu lechon, but this little island in the middle of the archipelago also offers some of the best mangos in the world. In fact, this has become a major industry in the island. Sometime last year, a college friend of mine invited me to the opening of a new café on the second floor of Robinson’s Cybergate Mall. The café is unlike other cafes in the city since it offers products using mango as one of its ingredients.

Mangga Cafe in Cebu

Mangga Café

The Mangga Café is a small, cozy place offering food and products made from mangos. When I went there, there was no other customer. One side of the store had a long table and four seats for customers who may want to have a bite at the place. The products offered by the café are displayed on racks on the other side of the place. Quaint and cozy were the two words that came to mind when I first visited the place.

Have a bite at the Mangga Cafe in Cebu

Food

While a good number of their products are bread made from mango flour, they also offer cookies, malunggay bread sticks, energy bars, mango jam, cakes, and pastries. In addition, Mangga Café also has a selection of sandwiches for their customers to choose from. But, choosing a sandwich is more than just pointing at what you want. You basically build your own sandwich.

Racks of mango goodies waiting for you to buy

Building Your Own Sandwich

1. The first thing you do is choose the filling you want in the sandwich. Their filling selection includes the Margherita, BLT, Pesto Chicken, Humba, and Tuna Salad Melt.

Build your own sandwich at Mangga Cafe

• Margherita – is made of marinara sauce, basil leaves, and Mozzarella cheese
• BLT – is your basic bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich
• Pesto Chicken – consists of seared chicken breast fillet, pesto sauce, and cheddar cheese
• Humba – is made of tender pork stew topped with a caramelized pineapple slice
• Tuna Salad Melt – consists of tuna, apples, mayonnaise, pickle relish, lettuce, and cheddar cheese

Margherita Sandwich using Whole Wheat Bread

2. You then choose the presentation of the sandwich. Your choices include the Tortilla Wrap, Whole Wheat Bread, Bagel, Focaccia, and Ciabatta.

Bread choices at Mangga Cafe

3. Wait for the sandwich to be assembled and viola, you have your sandwich

You can also order hot or cold drinks to quench your thirst after eating the sandwich. Hot drink options at the café include the Mango Mint Tea, Mango Ginger Tea, Mango Lemon Grass, Turmeric, and Calamansi, among others. On the other hand, their cold drink options include the Mango Minced Iced Tea, Mango Strawberry Iced Tea, Passion Fruit Drink, and Mango Juice in Can.

This sandwich goes well with a hot or cold drink

The bread options at Mangga Café include the Pesto Loaf, Ciabatta with mango flour, Focaccia with mango flour, and ensaymada. They also offer Tortilla Chips that you can dip in their Mango Jam. If you want to make your own bread at home, Mangga Café also sells all-natural, gluten-free, all-purpose Mango Flour. You can pair your bread with Mango Tea or Mango Coffee. Mangga Café also offers some cakes and pastries to satisfy your sweet tooth. Some of these delectable sweets include the Mango Tart, Mango Cheesecake, and the Mango Mousse.

A sandwich and drink combo is a perfect snack in the afternoon

Price

The prices of the products offered at the Mangga Café are friendly to your wallet. It is between PHP35 for the Ciabatta bread and PHP175 for their Go Healthy Bars. The sandwiches are priced at PHP99 for the Margherita and BLT while the Pesto Chicken, Humba, and Tuna Salad Melt are priced at PHP148 each. All their hot drinks cost PHP49 while their cold drinks are priced at PHP75 each.

Affordable goodies at Mangga Cafe

Location

Mangga Café is located on the second floor of Robinsons’ Cybergate Mall. It is situated close to the escalator. The place is open from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM. You have the option of eating what you bought at the café or simply take them out and enjoy them at home.

Eat healthy at Mangga Cafe

Getting to Mangga Cafe

Getting to the Mangga Café is rather easy since it is located inside a major mall at the Fuente Osmeña area. You simply have to get on a jeepney headed for Fuente Osmeña and get off at the jeepney stop close to the mall. If you live in the Lahug, Guadalupe, or Talamban area, you can actually reach the mall after getting a free tour of the city. You can do this by waiting for the free shuttle service of Robinsons to Robinsons Galleria Mall. From the Robinsons Galleria Mall, you can get on another bus headed for Robinsons Cybergate.  Well, this is probably for people who have a lot of time in their hands since these buses normally have a schedule to follow.

Mango flour offers a healthy option for diners

The Mangga Café is just one of the innovations in the food landscape of Cebu. Aside from showing the ingenuity of Cebuanos, the café also reflects the current trend towards a healthier lifestyle.

Mango chips at Mangga Cafe

Mango jamming at Mangga Cafe

Malunggay breadsticks at Mangga Cafe

Mango cakes and pastries are also available at Mangga Cafe

Mango flour at Mangga Cafe

If you have any leads on other hole-in-the-wall places in the Queen City of the South, do give me a heads up so I can visit the place and promote it to the world.

Note: Prices may change without prior notice.