…is to dip it in Malagos chocolate at this café
On top of being chocolate lovers, Filipinos are adventurous eaters, always looking for ways to make our dining experience more fun and exciting. We dip just about anything in chocolate, from strawberries to dried mangoes to all sorts of pastries. But did you know that the Filipino dessert, ensaymada, also pairs well with the bitter-sweet flavoring agent?
The four-year-old restaurant known for its all-day breakfast comfort food, Katherine’s café, has launched an interesting pairing to celebrate the coming of the “Ber” months and as its latest innovation to serve to patrons now that the pandemic restrictions have slightly eased.
“We wanted to change things up and give a twist to one of our bestsellers, the ensaymada. We found the balance of flavors interesting when the classic dessert is smothered with Malagos chocolate,” explains Abby Borja, marketing director of R2 Group of Exclusive Lifestyle Brands.
Called “ensaymadness,” the match strikes one as slightly unusual. It takes a second mouthful to find it surprisingly delightful. The full-bodied Malagos Chocolate sauce made from locally-sourced, single-origin dark chocolate from Davao is bitter-sweet. It contrasts well with the toasty, buttery bread and the savory cheddar cheese. The chocolate is neither too sweet nor too bitter, with just the right richness that does not overpower its pastry partner.
The special dip is served in a sauce cup, lit by a small candle underneath to keep the chocolate soft and warm. This ceramic container will also be offered with the pairing in gift boxes for the coming holiday.
‘We wanted to change things up and give a twist to one of our bestsellers, the ensaymada. We found the balance of flavors interesting when the classic dessert is smothered with Malagos chocolate.’
Apart from this new offering, I also got a taste of some of the other bestsellers like the Asian Noodles, spaghetti prepared like stir-fried noodles launched just three months ago, and the Cereal Fried Chicken, a cereal-crusted buttermilk fried chicken served with your choice of fries or rice, as well as gravy. The latter is so good it puts other fried chickens to shame.
A little backgrounder on the establishment, the name Katherine is not derived from a real person but a concept. “Everyone knows a Katherine,” says Abby. Katherine is the granddaughter of Nana, a term of endearment we often refer to our Lolas, as the café aims to be a kitchen that reminds us of our childhood and our fondest memories with food.
Aside from the comfort food, the café has been enticing foodies since 2018 with its cozy interior—so welcoming that it has been the venue of many weddings and intimate events. There are branches at Ayala Vertis North, Bagong Pag-Asa; Ayala Mall Manila Bay, Paranaque; and at Glorietta, Makati, just beside the entrance of Landmark on the second floor. A store at Alabang Town Center is soon to open.
Ensaymadness is available for dine-in, takeout, deliveries, and in gift boxes.