The Cake Club by Diamond Hotel: Weekend Brunch and More

Breakfast is said to be the most important meal of the day. However, for people like me who always wakes up just in time to go out, whether it be on a weekday or a weekend, we can only catch brunch. Fortunately, The Cake Club by Diamond Hotel understands us and offers a lovely brunch treat from 9AM to 3PM every Saturdays and Sundays.

Contrary to popular belief, The Cake Club by Diamond Hotel doesn't only serve cakes. Who would want to eat cakes for brunch, right? Okay well, even if you do, this sleek restaurant in Bonifacio High Street Central offers a wide selection of not just dessert items, but also of breakfast staples, as well as sumptuous appetizers and main entrées.

The Weekend Brunch Specials

It has only been recently that The Cake Club by Diamond Hotel launched its weekend brunch treat, and I was very fortunate to have gotten the chance to sample not just one, but all seven of the Weekend Brunch items.

First we had was this Wholewheat Buttermilk Pancakes (P295), a layered all-time favorite breakfast item, but this time, pimped with mascarpone cream, homemade blueberry preserve and some slices of fresh bananas, instead of just maple syrup and butter. And while these beautiful treats were soft and fluffy, they were also quite dense which make them not just a delight for the palate, but also filling for a growling stomach.

We also had the Bircher Muesli (P265), a bowl of the old-fashioned rolled oats with assorted dried fruits, fresh green apple slices and coconut shreds soaked in milk and yogurt, which is perfect for a healthier, lower-calorie brunch option. As someone who lived snacking on oatmeal and fruits, this item doesn't really taste a lot different, but is definitely creamier, nuttier, a little sweeter and a lot fancier.

Another usual breakfast choice we had was the Stuffed French Toast (P295). Unlike the classic but ordinary French toast though, this one makes use of brioche bread, cream cheese, fresh strawberries and blueberries, then drizzled with powdered sugar and served with a wild berry mascarpone sauce. Aside from being a sweet and tangy treat, this is another heavy brunch item enough to satisfy two hungry diners.

We then sampled the Homemade Corned Beef Stuffed Blinis (P325), three rolls of chunky corned beef laying on a bed of vine ripe tomatoes, topped with caramelized onions and whole-grain mustard sauce, and served with Swiss cheese scrambled eggs. Just the plain sight of this dish already made me drool, and what more when I got a bite off it. The corned beef was so meaty, perfect with the blinis, and the creamy, fluffy eggs.

Next we had were the Smoked Salmon Benedict (P345) in whole-wheat, quinoa pancakes topped with a thick and creamy hollandaise sauce, and served with olive oil-cooked asparagus, and Mediterranean Eggs (P335) cooked with tomatoes, basil and feta cheese, then served with pan-fried lamb sausages and rockets salad. Although I love salmon, I easily went gaga for the Mediterranean Eggs as this dish was just so savory.

Last and definitely not the least is the most luxurious among the weekend brunch menu items -- a plate of Pan-Fried Foie Gras (P365) cooked with fresh herbs and truffle oil, then served with creamy scrambled eggs, fresh greens and toast. While I love foie gras in general, this was a bit too much for a morning meal. I guess this is fit for those who are looking for a fancy and high-cholesterol starter for the day.

The Cake Club's Regular Offerings

Aside from the Weekend Brunch specials, The Cake Club by Diamond Hotel also boasts of a great lineup of gustatory treats on their regular menu.

For starters, they have the Truffle Fries (P180), crispy-fried potato slices cooked in truffle oil and seasoned with sea salt flakes. Dubbed as one of the best truffle fries in town, we truly had a hard time keeping ourselves from hoarding this serving. We also got to try the Foie Gras Macaron (P150 each), Chef Nick Stoyanov's signature treat which is definitely bigger than your average macaron, and surely fancier as these got foie gras! Every bite from this macaron gives off an explosion of sweet, savory and salty flavors.

We also got a taste of the Slow-Roasted Beef Belly (P395), a very tender and very succulent meaty treat served with brown rice, honey-roasted baby carrots and horseradish cream. Upon taking my first bite, I suddenly remembered the carnivorous beau who'll surely love this. When we visit The Cake Club soon, I'll order this for him.

I also got to take a bite off this Lamb Burger (P490), a beautiful sandwich of Moroccan-spiced lamb patty, parmesan and feta cheese, and harissa yogurt, served with a siding of fries. While I'm not big on burgers, I fell in love with the distinct earthy and herby-spiced flavors of this dish. Even the buns weren't ordinary, so this is definitely a must-order!

We also sampled this Braised Veal Cheek Ravioli (P370) with green beans and shiitake mushrooms drenched in braised jus. As a lover of veal, even the cheek part, this dish surely satisfied my carnivorous craving. The pasta pieces were quite al dente, but it's the tender and succulent meaty fillings that had us gasping endless oohs and ahhs. Just look at that beautiful and generous veal cheek shreds encased in the ravioli pasta!

The Desserts

Of course, with a sweet name for a dining establishment, we sure wouldn't be caught leaving The Cake Club by Diamond Hotel without trying first some desserts.

We first had a taste of Diamond Hotel's famous smooth and creamy ice cream creations in Black Sesame (P150 2 Scoops) and Apple Pie (P150 2 Scoops). I've already sampled these beautiful ice cream blends during my trips to Diamond Hotel's restaurants, and my favorite still is the Black Sesame as it's delicate, quite nutty and not overly sweet for my palate unlike the Apple Pie flavor.

And before we ended our 3-hour brunch, we also sampled two of the beautiful cakes at The Cake Club by Diamond Hotel. My personal favorite is the Vanessa (P250) which is a big pistachio macaron loaded with fresh strawberry slices and cream filling. Despite the size, the pistachio macaron still has a lovely crispy, airy and slightly chewy quality which makes it enjoyable. And the fillings, oh the fillings, they were just perfect creating a harmonious blend of sweet and tangy. This cake is so good that I can eat it all by myself!

We also got to try Guia (P250), another pretty treat, but this time, it's a rich and creamy cheesecake with maple and walnut flavors. While this beauty looks harmless, it's actually dense and definitely packed with nuttiness and sweetness. I only took a spoonful and was already satisfied. It's that flavorful, so make sure to have someone to share this with.

THE VERDICT

Even if I don't always eat breakfast, our trip to The Cake Club has proven that I am indeed in love with breakfast menu items. With brunch treats this good, I just don't know how can anyone say no. Of course, both the weekend brunch specials and the regular items may come with quite a hefty price tag, but believe me when I say dining here is worth it. Every dish we had didn't only bring a beautiful explosion of flavors for the palate, but was also big for a mere person to finish. And with great selection, a sleek and cozy restaurant space, courteous service and a vouch from the notable Diamond Hotel Manila, The Cake Club is definitely going into my recommended dining establishments list!

Taste - 4.5/5
Ambiance - 4/5
Service - 4/5
Price - 3.5/5
Overall Value - 4/5

The Cake Club, Bonifacio High Street Central
UG/F Bonifacio High Street Central, East Superblock,
7th Ave. cor. 29th St.,
Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City
Metro Manila Philippines
(02) 621-3176
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