Brew-Kus: The Bev-Wich Shop in Salcedo Village

On a scorching hot summer day, it's just nice to lounge at cafés, get a light snack and enjoy a refreshing drink. And in Makati where life is undoubtedly fast-paced, a bev-wich shop by the name of Brew-Kus generously offers good Continental comfort food along with an extensive selection of equally comforting drinks.

Having only opened last November, Brew-Kus which is a wittingly conjoined word of brew and cuisine, is a young and laid-back café drenched in purple, lime and cream. Subdivided into three sections -- coffee shop, casual and fine dining, Brew-Kus' interiors generally evoke a sense of comfort amidst its busy location. And with a cozy atmosphere, an inviting ambient lighting, and a color scheme made up of my most favorite colors, it's a no-brainer that Brew-Kus is my kind of a hangout spot.

Headed by Chef Sheilla Lopez who has an extensive culinary experience both local and international, Brew-Kus is not only the place to chill, but also the destination to enjoy good food with good company. So to start off our delightful afternoon snack, we had the Crisp Mushroom Ravioli (P180).

Unlike the usual Italian filled pasta, Brew-Kus' version is a deep-fried combination of shiitake mushrooms and cream cheese sandwiched in wanton wrappers, and comes with a tomato dip. Although I try to avoid fried foods for my thighs's sake, I can't help but continuously munch on these lovely babies. The crisp golden crust was a delight to bite onto, and the soft flavorful mushroom surprise was one savory treat.

We also had a serving of Grilled Veg & Mozzarella (P250), an open-faced grilled gourmet sandwich topped with pesto-basted shiitake mushrooms, tomatoes, eggplant, zucchini and beautifully melted mozzarella, served with house coleslaw on the side. Though I'm not a big veggie eater, I very much enjoyed this healthy dish. Every bite was definitely a treat, and with flavors as savory, who needs meat on their sandwich!

Our foodie group also got to sample the Shrimply Loaded (P250), another gourmet sandwich generously filled with a mix of sautéed shrimps in garlic and asparagus, cream, Parmesan and lettuce, served with a siding of coleslaw. Being a seafood lover, this sandwich definitely satisfied my seafood craving. Every bite was an explosion of succulent shrimp goodness. And the next time I visit Brew-Kus, forget my seafood allergies, I'll definitely order this!

For more carbs, we were served with an enticing plate of Wild Mushroom Pasta (250). Made with diced shiitake and button mushrooms swimming in a rich cream-based sauce and topped with prosciutto slices and premium white truffle oil, this pasta dish was definitely one of the tastiest I've had in a while. The mushroom-infused sauce was very savory but nicely balanced by the saltiness of the prosciutto. However, I definitely recommend eating this with a few companions as the flavor of the truffle oil can be overwhelming for one man alone to finish.

As our afternoon snack was drawing to an end, Chef Sheilla demonstrated how she makes the perfect beer batter for the famous comfort food, Fish & Chips. And indeed, it was how most of us wanted our fish -- crisp and thinly coated.

Served with a choice of either a tartar sauce or a pesto dip, these Beer Battered Fish & Chips were phenomenal and honestly, one of the most generous portions I've had in a while. With oven-baked potato chips on the side, this combo is definitely one tasty treat.

Of course, our trip to Brew-Kus wouldn't be complete without trying out their drinks. So to get the brew part down, I had a large Assam Tea Latte (P90) at 50% sugar level. Being a milk tea lover, I can say that this cup was good. The drink wasn't too sweet and I really got to pick up the notes from the black tea.

Before giving out my verdict, I'd like to thank Breakfast Magazine for this awesome Breakfast Club meeting at Brew-Kus where we didn't only get to have a great afternoon dining experience, but also had the chance to meet cool food lovers. We were also privileged to get a sneak peek of what the 2nd issue got in store for foodies like myself. So if you don't have a copy yet, hit the bookstores and look for the beautiful Iza Calzado on Breakfast's cover.

THE VERDICT

With the number of cafés continuously growing, it's hard to spot which ones are good and which ones are not. But after this trip to Brew-Kus, I can definitely say that this bev-wich shop in Salcedo Village, Makati is worth your time and money. With a good selection of delectable food items, a wide array of tea and coffee beverages, a relaxing yet hip ambiance, and a set of affordable prices, I don't see why I wouldn't want to pay this café another visit.

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

BrewKus, Salcedo Village
Unit G-02, 139 Corporate Center,
139 Valero St, Salcedo Village
Makati City, Metro Manila
Philippines
(02) 856-7656
Official Website
Facebook Page