Much Ado About Caffe Freddo

As cities get busier, the people dwelling in them get more active too. Somewhere in the middle or at the start of the day’s rush, it’s almost inevitable to get your dose of “daily grind” to keep up with the day. Caffe Freddo, located at The Spa Building on 9th Ave. in Bonifacio High Street, offers all sorts of comfort food and beverage to your liking. Adding to the burgeoning scene of third wave cafés, Caffe Freddo is not just another pebble in the lake.

It is steered toward the finest of brews by coffee aficionado and the 2018 Philippine Brewers Cup, first runner-up, Kayo Cosio, as Head of Coffee Operations. We got a few pointers from Kayo about the art and science of appreciating premium coffee during Caffe Freddo’s media launch, much like an enthusiastic professor.

“If coffee is under extracted, it is sour or salty. If coffee is over-extracted, it tends to taste bitter or dry. All the sugars are gone like a dry wine. But note that there’s good bitterness and bad bitterness,” explains Kayo. When asked how we can tell between good and bad bitterness, he eagerly responds. “Bite into star anise. Go to the beach and lick a rock. Get as much in as you can so you can put it in your library of tastes.” Kayo sums up that it is a matter of experience to be able to distinguish, and that will eventually come into play when you develop your own set of preferences.

But before delving deeper, let’s rewind to the beginning of how Caffe Freddo was born. Owner and managing director, Scott Tan shares, “I think the time is ripe to bring in premium coffee that is more than just a caffeine fix. My philosophy in business has always been anyone, and everyone deserves good food, and that includes beverages, and because I’m a fan of Bluestone Lane in New York City, I’ve decided to bring their coffee beans to local shores.”

The base of Caffe Freddo’s espresso is a beautiful blend of Arabica beans from Brazil, and Columbia roasted at Bluestone Lane in Brooklyn, then flown into the country. The Brazilian beans give off a chocolatey taste, while a hint of spice emanates from the Columbian beans. The combination of the two creates a taste of honey. At the core, Caffe Freddo’s distinct flavor profile charms like that of an amiable girl-next-door who smiles at you as she waves, beckoning a visit. Sweet and comforting.

The café’s namesake, The Freddo, is an iced coffee drink with a double shot of espresso and sweetened thick frothed milk.

If you’re craving for something decadent, a top pick would be the Mocha Freddo. At the bottom is a freddo then it is topped with chocolate syrup and full cream milk — there other variations of the Freddo such as Chai and Coco, and Matcha. The Matcha Freddo is the wondrous intermingling of tea and coffee. As a freddo sits pretty at the foot of the tall, slender glass, it is topped with a mix of Matcha, sugar and full cream milk.

If you’re curious to try something out of the ordinary, do try the Kendo Rose. It tastes as delectable as it looks. At the base is rose syrup followed by tonic water then a double shot of espresso, and garnished by a bit of lemon.

For those who are highly selective over their type of milk, you’ll be happy to know that at Caffe Freddo, you can choose from whole milk, almond milk, coconut milk, and oat milk, so feel free to take your pick! Whether you’ve got a fat wallet or a malnourished one, keep in mind that coffee price ranges from Php 100 to Php 190 to suit both your preference or situation at the moment.

All-day Brunch

Apart from its impressive line-up of coffees, Caffe Freddo also prides itself of its carefully-curated Modern European brunch menu put together by Chef Markus Gfeller, who is the heart and soul behind the gastronomic creations. Chef Gfeller is known to have pioneered the fine dining experience in the ‘90s. He now leads a team of chefs for Caffe Freddo to offer high-quality dishes with the freshest ingredients.

Crispy Miso Eggplant – eating this appetizer is like eating a bag of potato chips. It’s so good, you pop them one after another, and suddenly notice your hand is already the bottom of the basket reaching for more. The soft texture of the eggplant contrasts the crispy miso batter and the tastes explode when dipped in the richness of a tamarind dip.

Two Eggs Benedict – a pair of eggs poached to perfection, are nestled each on house-smoked Canadian bacon over a muffin drizzled with the right amount of their special Hollandaise sauce. Whether breakfast or for a mid-day treat, this spells delicious any time and every time you have it.

Muesli Bowl – a combination of greek yogurt, oats, granola muesli, an assortment of fresh fruits and berries sprinkled with flax seed, this bowl provides health-conscious eaters a hearty offering without compromise.

Flatbread – Caffe Freddo’s flatbreads come in three other variants, though we recommend this one with dried figs, caramelized onion, burrata and arugula. This order of flatbread is sweetened with a little bit of honey and is suitable for splitting between two.

Banana Trifle – and to seal the deal, this dessert is a definite winner! Made with Genoise sponge, caramel banana, dulce de leche, mascarpone topped with peanut brittle, the banana trifle is their spin on a tiramisu, which makes a fitting match for any coffee, hot or cold.

Caffe Freddo is that kind of place where you can converge for a casual business meeting or unwind for a needed respite. Whether gearing up or slowing down, Caffe Freddo is your friendly neighborhood Pop Tate’s, so to speak.

Caffe Freddo is at The Spa building, 9th avenue, in Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. Operating hours are from 7am to 11pm from Mondays to Sundays. Contact numbers are (0998)8479410 and 4410681. For updates, follow Caffe Freddo PH on Instagram and Facebook.