Sweet Bella Café: Cakes, Pastries and More

Everyone knows my love for both good food and great deals. Since I eat out almost every other day, it's just necessary that I attempt to get a dining experience for a discounted price. So when Sweet Bella Café volunteered itself as my next discount dining destination through a 50% off deal at Ensogo, I just know I shouldn't pass up the chance.

Located in the restaurant-filled Burgos Circle, The Fort, Sweet Bella Café is a French-style patisserie boasting of the saccharine creations of Chef Cristina Santiago Rivera. Although cakes, macarons, pralines and specialty breads are aplenty, Sweet Bella Café also offers a generous selection of salads, sandwiches, pasta, pizza and more. Thus, it's a perfect place for a nice afternoon date over food and desserts.

The beau and I just took the MRT and The Fort Bus to Bonifacio Global City. It was one hot summer afternoon and we were so glad to find out that aside from sweet promises of decadent desserts, Sweet Bella Café also prides itself on offering a cozy hangout spot for barkadas and dates alike.

The first floor at Sweet Bella Café will warmly welcome its guests with an enticing array of cakes both for display and take away. On the other hand, a modern and sleek white-drenched interior with magenta banquet seating offers diners a clean and comfy space conducive enough to both enjoy good food over an equally good conversation.

Since we were already hungry, we decided to skip the salad and go straight for a serving of Farfalle Aglio Olio En Pesto with Chicken (P295). Although the dish might not look much, this ensemble of garlic, olive oil, sun-dried tomatoes, chicken and pesto over bow-tie pasta is one hearty meal in itself. My date and I shared a serving of this pasta dish and although both of us are hefty eaters, we actually found ourselves satisfied -- taste-wise and portion-wise.

It was also my first time to have farfalle, a type of pasta which looks like a butterfly or a bow-tie. And true enough, this dense piece of pasta is not only a great sight for the eyes, but also a good fill for a growling tummy.

We next had a 10-inch Quatro Funghi Pizza (P395) -- an extra thin-crust pizza cooked in brick oven and generously topped with oyster, button, shiitake, winsu mushrooms and parmesan. Although I've had my fair share of pizzas for the past few months, I can attest that Sweet Bella's is one of the crispiest I've ever had. I never took a single bite without feeling a beautiful crunch go off. And, don't get me started with the mushroom fest!

Honestly, I was already quite full after finishing both the pasta and pizza dishes. However, I can't simply walk out from a desserts shop without even taking a bite off on one of the patisserie's famous cakes, the Pearl (P295). Voted as Best Dessert for 2011, this light and beautiful pink guava mousse is filled with flambéed Guimaras mangoes. And although the beau didn't like the oddity of this cake, having a thing for rare flavors, I loved it! Each bite is a soft and silky spoonful of a harmonious blend of refreshing guava and mango.

I know we already had a feast, but the scorching heat made Sweet Bella's drinks even more enticing. So to accompany the dishes, I had Strawberry Banana Shake (P150) while the beau had a glass of all-time favorite Mango Shake (P120). My date noted that Sweet Bella's smoothies lacked a little more sweetness. However, I'm digging their smooth blend as one can really pick up the fresh fruity flavors of the shakes.

THE VERDICT

Although The Fort is very far from where I live, the trip to Sweet Bella Café is well-worth it. The pasta dish, pizza, cake and even the drinks were of great quality. However, I have to admit that prices are quite steep. Although I can't promise that I'll revisit Sweet Bella Café soon, I can definitely say that I'll patiently be waiting for another sweet deal.

Taste - 4/5
Ambiance - 4/5
Service - 4/5
Promo Price - 4/5
Original Price - 3/5
Overall Value - 4/5
(Note: Overall Value rating is for the discounted voucher amount we paid.)

Sweet Bella, Burgos Circle
Burgos Circle, Rizal Drive, Global City
Taguig City, Metro Manila
Philippines
(02) 844-8244
Official Website
Facebook Page