Cafeccino by Dome: A Peaceful Café-Resto

There's only one place in Eastwood where my date and I would head over to whenever we're up for a quiet conversation over some food and drinks -- Cafeccino by Dome.

Owned by the same company who put up Dome Café in Shangri-la Plaza and Legaspi Village, the same wide array of menu, coupled with good customer service can be expected from this peaceful and cozy café. Definitely a perfect place for people who want to escape from the noise and clatter in overcrowded restaurants.

Cafeccino by Dome can boast of its homey interior -- comfy couches, casual café chairs, antique statues, and a ceiling with various-but-all-beautifully-framed mirrors around its simple yet elegant chandelier.

It's home away from home as they have an assortment of magazines, and even free Wi-Fi for tabs exceeding P150. But of course, a homey ambiance and tasteful interiors are not enough without good food. For the several times my date and I have spent dining at Cafeccino by Dome, we have already sampled a few of their food offerings -- both the unfamous and their bestsellers.

One of their hidden gems is this plate of Canapés (P205), a collection of 5 different open-faced sandwiches which are feasts for the eyes and the taste buds.

Note: Some photos were taken with my point-and-shoot camera, so sorry for the low quality images.

Although I usually tend to skip appetizers, this plate of Canapés is something I wouldn't pass. Salmon with olives, potted ham, grilled eggplant and tomato, white cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, ham cutlets and some greens -- all these are beautifully prepared atop small pieces of bread.

After enjoying a light but savory meal starter, my date and I would readily jump in to our main entrées. As an all-out carnivore (Yes, he really is!), my date never gets tired of ordering his favorite dish at Cafeccino by Dome -- Beef Belly (P390).

Although I'm a big meat-eater myself, I just can't take all the meaty juices and fats of this slow-roasted US beef short plate, even if it's seasoned with the finest herbs and spices. But don't get me wrong, this is definitely one of the tastiest beef belly dishes I've ever had! I'm just not too fond of eating the savory fat parts of the beef. And yes, that's good news to my date 'cause I won't have to steal from his plate! (Although he voluntarily gives me all the veggies on the side.)

As for me, I've always loved their Vigan Longganisa Pasta (P290), a hearty pasta dish with the savory native sausages from Ilocos.

Cafeccino by Dome's Vigan Longganisa Pasta is one tasty plate with the saltiness of the Vigan longganisa, the tang, sweetness and hint of bitterness from the roasted bell peppers and tomatoes, and juiciness from the succulent mushrooms. It's further seasoned with grated Parmesan cheese and a little dash of black pepper topping the al dente-cooked pasta. It's really good that even my date can't get enough of getting some from my plate!

After a hearty meal, a slice of their bestselling Carrot Cake (P140) was a perfect meal-ender.

I just love how generous Cafeccino by Dome is in terms of their servings. This slice of cake is already good enough for sharing! (Or a big serving for one, if you're feeling greedy.) The cream cheese frosting is mildly sweet, tangy and a bit salty, perfect with the carrot cake's not-too-sweet textured base. Truly decadent! It also had some nuts mixed in with the carrot and dried pineapple bits. A really sweet treat I wouldn't be tired to order over and over again!

Of course, our trip to a café wouldn't be complete without trying out their beverages. For our latest visit, my date ordered their bestselling Iced Cappuccino with Coffee Jelly (P240). Not needing (and feeling) a dose of caffeine, I just opted for their Twinings Tropical Coolers (P80) in Strawberry & Mango flavor.

The Iced Cappuccino with Coffee Jelly came with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top which perfectly complimented the coffee since the cappuccino itself was bitter -- you're really sure that they didn't deprive you of your much needed caffeine.

And although I have Twinings tea at home, I still enjoyed their Twinings Tropical Coolers in Strawberry & Mango flavor since it was nicely blended with some sugar, ice and a good squeeze of lemon.

THE VERDICT

Either for heavy meals, or even for a quick snack or coffee, Cafeccino by Dome will remain one of our favorites. It's our safe haven whenever we just need to eat or drink in a peaceful café-resto, away from all the noise.

Food and drinks are good, serving portions are generous, ambiance is peaceful and cozy, service is impeccable, free Wi-Fi for a minimum of P150 order, and we have 10% discount every time we order courtesy of Dome's Connoisseur Card. What more can we ask for?

Taste - 4/5
Ambiance - 4/5
Service - 4/5
Price - 4/5
Overall Value - 4/5

Cafeccino by Dome
1880 Bldg. E. Rodriguez Jr. Ave.,
Eastwood Cyberpark, Libis
Quezon City, Metro Manila
Philippines
(02) 470-3950