Finding comfort, pleasure in ‘food paradise’

From as far back as one can recall, there probably has never been a shortage of dining haunts in the Katipunan area, whether you’re looking for an affordable fare, some comfort food, or maybe even something a little fancier.

The names and brands may have changed throughout the decades. But the certainty remains that there will always be a quaint café, a hole in the wall resto, or a bistro ready to cater to the residents of condominiums and upscale villages, and to the large student population of prestigious schools and universities in Katipunan.

This large market is what precisely makes the long stretch of Katipunan Avenue such an attractive location for many restaurateurs and entrepreneurs to set up their businesses. Among them are Cup Fiction, Santiago, Chocolate Kiss, and Casa Xocolat.

Xocolat offers home cooked comfort food with a twist.

Here are their stories.

CUP FICTION

Cup Fiction is a café that serves artisan coffee and comfort food. It’s a library café where one wall is dedicated to books and other literature that customers can read.

And while doing so, café patrons can enjoy some of Cup Fiction’s bestsellers: coffee (off white iced latte, flat white), BFG (Big Fat Giant) cookie, Bacon Loco Moco, and Salpicao.

Since it opened in September 2016, this coffee shop has been supportive of the local arts scene as well, as it provides a space for interested artists and authors to sell their work.

The first branch of Cup Fiction was envisioned to become a conducive space for students, young professionals and free lancers.

Today, Cup Fiction is a favorite haunt of many students, young professionals and freelancers seeking for a fitting place to study or meet with prospective clients.

It has likewise been doing well on the events side, having done pop ups, vinyl digging, and musicarts events. Cup Fiction has also hosted bridal and baby showers and private functions.

“Our café’s interior is industrial and modern with hints of wood. We wanted it to be like an extension of our living room where we and our friends can hang out, dine and share stories over a good cup of coffee or book. We think we’ve added a younger feel to the area and attracted the young and the young at heart at that,” Cup Fiction said.

SANTIAGO

Santiago is a casual dining restaurant serving Filipino heirloom recipes

Santiago is a casual dining restaurant serving Filipino heirloom recipes such as the Santiago Dinuguan, Batangas Caldereta, Poqui Poqui, Palabok Bagnet, and Suman sa Lihiya at Mangga, among other dishes.

The owners of Santiago had then sought to capture a market that would be responsive to the casual Filipino dining concept.

And this is precisely why it decided to open in Katipunan, where the market comprised of “people who are seeking traditional comfort, while exploring the modern dining scene.”

Since it opened its doors to the public in September 2014, Santiago has become popular not only for its delectable dishes, but also for its cozy, homey vibe. As one will notice from the interiors, the restaurant exudes a warm atmosphere, making guests feel like they are dining at the comfort of their own homes.

According to Santiago’s owners: “The market has been receptive of our concept from the start. On its third year, we are proud to say that our market has been growing, with families and business people alike frequenting the restaurant. Since we are among the few who embrace our roots while elevating the Filipino dining scene, I would say Santiago adds a classic homey touch in the area.”

CHOCOLATE KISS

The Chocolate Kiss Café serves sumptuous cakes, and offers a menu of comfort food ranging from Filipino favorites to international fares.

Founded by sisters Maline Apelo-Flores and Alma Apelo-Manahan, it began as a home-based cake business, “Chocolate Kiss Home-baked Delights” and evolved into a restaurant in 1997 with its first branch in the second floor of Ang Bahay ng Alumni in UP Diliman.

It opened a second outlet in the ground floor of the same building in 2000. And last year, it opened a new branch in UP Town Center’s student hub, Urban Turf, together with other beloved home-grown Quezon City-based restos and shops.

“The decision to open a branch in UP Town Center, Katipunan Avenue is really to introduce our brand to a bigger market. Although we have been in UP Diliman for 20 years, the reality is that we are still unknown to many people who have no chance to see or walk by our store, which is inside one building inside many buildings, inside the UP campus,” the resto’s owners said.

“We think our concept is a hit because of our focus on what’s familiar and practical. We always try to make our customers feel at home in our café, from the food they will eat (nothing too exotic), to how they can move around (family-friendly ambience),” they added.

Chocolate Kiss’ owners admitted that the market has definitely changed from when they first opened 20 years ago.

Today, customers have higher expectations and standards, and restaurant owners need to keep up with the competition. At the same time, customers now have more developed tastes and preferences.

“In a way, we like it this way, because it also allows us to really focus our efforts on what we know our customers will love,” they added.

CASA XOCOLAT

Xocolat is the first homegrown chocolate bar in the country that provides a feel of a second home where guests can enjoy a relaxed atmosphere among friends.

It offers home cooked comfort food with a Xocolat twist; unique hot and cold chocolate beverages; as well as freshly baked cakes and pastries from its small batch bakery.

For the proponents behind Casa Xocolat, Katipunan is a curious environment, with its unique mix of the academe and residents making it extraordinary. It is a community that honors and celebrates diversity.

Proudly enough, Xocolat has successfully embedded itself in the counter culture of Katipunan without straying from its origins.

Casa Xocolat opened in 2007—initially a small café that sat 10 guests. It has since expanded to a full scale restaurant serving guests from the academe, offices, residents and any xocoholic that would want a taste and feel of its chocolate heaven oasis.

Apart from serving the ultimate hot chocolate, Xocolat create favorites that were uniquely Xocolat. Xoco Chicken pasta (cream-based pasta with cacao rub chicken and grated dark chocolate); Xocolat Pork Belly (infused choice pork belly cut fried to a crisp and served with the addicting cacao bagoong sauce); Xocolat Spiced Chicken (flavorful chicken in a dark chocolate spiced sauce) became instant favorites.

To this day, Casa Xocolat enjoys the loyalty and patronage of this community. In the midst of a price sensitive student market and a discerning residential population spoiled for options, Casa Xocolat still endures.