Quantum Cafe: Healthy Eating with SPIT Manila

Although Pinoys generally love eating sugar-packed and cholesterol-loaded dishes, the Metro has surprisingly catch on the bandwagon with the advent of healthy eating. With more and more Filipinos gearing towards a healthier lifestyle, it's no wonder that food establishments offering healthy meals start to grow in number. And after getting a taste of what healthy eating is all about, my friends and I decided to try Quantum Cafe in Makati next.

Located in Kamagong corner Bagtikan Street, Quantum Cafe is the Feraren's extended home, a space offering a mix of long and small tables, and a stage for entertainment. And with a simple and casual ambiance coupled with a slightly dim lighting, this healthy food destination proves that you need not show off and be fancy to give guests a cozy hangout spot.

Although healthy eating for most people may sound almost synonymous to going vegetarian, Quantum Cafe is a haven not only for veggie eaters but also for PETA (People Eating Tasty Animals) members like myself. Using locally-sourced ingredients cooked in a healthier way with absolutely no use of artificial substitutes and preservatives, Quantum Cafe aims to offer diners the best medicine -- healthy food.

To start off our healthy dinner, we had one of Quantum Cafe's bestselling Sizzling Bangus Sisig (P290) which can be served with a choice of rice or lettuce beds. Of course, we chose the healthier and more unconventional option -- eating the tasty and oh-so-savory mayo-infused sisig in lettuce wraps. And boy, who would have thought that this Pinoy favorite pulutan would taste so good with lettuce!

We also got to sample the Quantum Burger (P150), the restaurant's hand-made healthy burger with a banana blossom patty and veggies sandwiched in a whole wheat bun. Although patties made from banana blossom has been quite a common vegetarian alternative, it was my first time to try it and I'm glad I had Quantum Cafe's which was soft, juicy and oh-so-succulent.

Although I'm honestly not much of a big fan of Hainanese Chicken, I can definitely say that I love the Hainanese Bangus (P220) which Quantum Cafe came up with. Served with the mandatory ginger dip and soy sauce, this serving of light and delicate-tasting Hainanese style bangus also comes with a nori-wrapped brown rice which reminded me of onigiri.

Quantum Cafe may be a healthy eating destination, but through time, it had already become famous for its whole wheat pizzas made freshly upon order. And since we've taken a very timely trip, we got to try one of their newest pizza flavors -- FullShroom Pizza (P190), a 6-inch thin crust wonder topped with oyster mushrooms and cheese. Believe me, it was love at first bite! The oyster mushrooms were so flavorful and were the perfect complement to a cheesy and crispy pizza slice.

We also had the Northern Mix (P150), another 6-inch crispy thin crust pizza but this time, topped with fresh tomato sauce, artisan Ilocos longganisa and kesong puti. Although it didn't start fireworks in my mouth like what the previous pizza flavor did, a slice of the Northern Mix can still put up a tangy and meaty explosion of flavors.

Since we've already tapped the realm of Italy, we decided to finish the meal off with a serving of Red Pesto (P220) which uses pasta made from carrots, drenched in sun-dried tomato in oil and topped with olives and more tomatoes. Although the carrot pasta is denser and quite dry than regular pasta strands made from wheat, the warm colors and rich tangy and savory flavors of this pasta dish made me a fan.

Aside from good healthy food, we also enjoyed the refreshing drinks at Quantum Cafe. I had a Fresh Watermelon with Vodka (P70) while my friends had Fresh Mango Juice (P70) and Quantum Iced Tea (P70) made from natural green tea apple.

Since we dined on a Thursday night, we also got to enjoy a show from SPIT, an improv comedy group which includes Quantum Cafe owner Ms. Happy Feraren.

SPIT's on-the-spot comedy acts didn't fail to make our group burst out in laughter. Unlike most comedy entertainment in bars, SPIT will never irritate nor bore the crowd. With a fun, quirky and witty cast, Thursdays at Quantum Cafe will never be the same.

Aside from the comedy madness with SPIT on Improv Thursdays, Quantum Cafe still has more events rolled up under its sleeves, one of which is Food Writing 101 with the Pinoy Foodie, Nancy Reyes-Lumen.

THE VERDICT

Quantum Cafe definitely reassured me of what I've previously learned at Sugarleaf -- healthy eating is healthy living. And with that, I'll try my hardest to limit my consumption of food items high on carb, fat, sugar and artificial ingredients. Although I know I have to start eating healthily too at home, another trip to Quantum Cafe won't hurt. I'll make sure to visit on a Thursday though to catch SPIT's improv acts.

Taste - 4/5
Ambiance - 3.5/5
Service - 4/5
Price - 4/5
Overall Value - 4/5

Quantum Cafe, Makati City
Feron Bldg., 9590 Kamagong cor. Bagtikan St.,
Makati City, Metro Manila
Philippines
(02) 519-0757
Official Website
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