Bag of Beans: Breakfast in Tagaytay City

While I don't usually eat breakfast, I find pleasure in waking up early and basking in the morning sun. And with the bonus of having your friends around for the first meal of the day, the whole experience becomes even better. This is exactly how I felt when my friends from The Foodies Circle and I got together to have breakfast in Bag of Beans.

It was my first time at Bag of Beans, and apparently, they now have two restaurants in the same area. The smaller one is located near the rotunda, while the main branch which we visited for breakfast is further down the Emilio Aguinaldo Highway. Now, while I haven't been in Bag of Beans prior to this trip, I've learned that their main restaurant has been expanded. There's plenty space for parking too so that's a really big plus for me.

After entering the gate, we walked on cobblestone floors and into the main dining area. This covered dining room is where guests can also enjoy Bag of Beans' brunch buffet during weekends for P495 nett. And while we wanted to try out their buffet, we visited too early in the morning and on a weekday, so we had to dine a la carte instead. We headed to their al fresco dining area, then settled in one of their cabanas.

I think staying in the cabanas cost P1,000 consumable. But since there were eight of us, it wasn't a problem. We just know we can consume even more! I wouldn't trade our table for the covered dining room anyway. There were just a lot of interesting things to enjoy in the al fresco area. There were rustic pots, lamps and other accent pieces, along with plants and different kinds of birds in big cages. It was peaceful, relaxing and energizing.

Our Beverages

Now, Bag of Beans wouldn't probably be named as such if not for their promise of great coffee. So to put it to the test, almost each one of us ordered hot coffee. Nah! I think it was just coincidence that many in our group were craving for a hot cup of caffeine.

I'm honestly not sure anymore which is which. Heck, I don't even remember which of these cups was mine! I just know we had a Cafe Latte (P110), a Cafe Mocha (P110), a Cappuccino (P110), and a Caramel Cappucino (P110) if my memory serves me right. And from what I can recall, the coffee I got was good and very aromatic. I liked its creaminess and overall flavor. I'm not a coffee aficionado though, so take my word with a grain of salt. I think my friends were also pleased with their cups, so I guess that's good.

The beau on the other hand, who's both a big chocolate and a big coffee lover can't decide which to order so he ended up getting both the Hot Chocolate (P115) made from tablea and Freshly Brewed Coffee (P105). He found both good enough for his palate. Although this might be trivial, I really liked their signature mugs. It was so rustic, cozy-looking and matched the whole ambiance of Bag of Beans.

Our Breakfast Dishes

While almost everyone in our group ordered a drink, it wasn't enough to satiate our hunger and cover for the P1,000 consumable fee. So of course, we ordered some food items to serve as our energizing morning meal.

My pick for the day was their Sunrise Breakfast (P295) which had a cheese omelette, buttermilk pancakes,sausages and slices of orange. This plate may not look like much, but it was really filling. My favorite item on it was the creamy, slightly fluffy and flavor-packed cheese omelette. The buttermilk pancakes were good too, while the sausages were very smoky, perfect to whet the palate when it becomes tired of the pancakes.

Berylle and D on the other hand, shared this platter of Breakfast Sampler (P380) which had almost every breakfast staple -- eggs, bacon strips, pork sausage links, ham, hash browns, buttermilk pancakes and slices of orange. They seemed to like their big breakfast plate, but I don't think I would trade my cheese omelette for any of their items.

The beau spotted grilled items on the menu so he had the Porter House Steak (P495) served with steamed vegetables and a choice of mashed potatoes, fries, salad or garlic rice. Apparently, the beau opted for the latter to make it more breakfast-fitting. I got a small bite out of his plate and I got to say this serving was good, despite my skepticism. The meat was smoky, savory, moist and very tender, even after being cooked through.

I also got to take a small bite off Kurt's Puttanesca (P275) and it was quite good. Personally, puttanesca is one of my favorite pastas and Bag of Beans' version didn't disappoint. It was tangy and a bit salty, with spaghetti pasta cooked al dente. I guess my palate though would prefer a little spiciness to the dish and it would be near perfect.

Stacy and her sister on the other hand, each ordered for a serving of Bag of Beans' signature Shepherd's Pie (Single P125; Family P520). They were kind enough to share some to me, and I really dig this simple yet comforting dish. The meat mixture itself was creamy yet savory, while the mashed potato crust was just perfect. I haven't had shepherd's pie prior to this, but I think it has already made my top list of comfort foods.

Stacy's sister and her beau shared this Steak and Mushroom Pie (Single P130; Family P520), and they were generous enough to have let me sampled their serving. While I still prefer the Shepherd's Pie, this plate puts up a tough competition. The crust was creamy and slightly crunchy, perfectly enveloping the hot, savory goodness of the beef and mushroom. This is definitely another pie one shouldn't miss at Bag of Beans.

The Smaller Bag of Beans Branch

We truly had a great time at the main Bag of Beans cafe & restaurant. But we thought, since we're already in Tagaytay, why not visit the smaller branch near the rotunda?

Parking space here is smaller than the main branch, but the place still looks cozy. I guess you can say that this one is more of a coffee shop and merienda house than a restaurant. They also have a shelf full of breads and pastries, coffee beans, tablea and even their signature mugs. I bought 2 of their cute small-size mugs and a tablea bar.

At first, I didn't quite understand why Bag of Beans would put up a smaller branch in almost the same area in Tagaytay. They've already expanded their main restaurant anyway, so I can't see the need. But after sitting by the porch-side tables, I understood.

Although it's another Bag of Beans, the ambiance in this branch is very different from the main cafe. The bigger one feels more rustic and seems to be a good place for family and friends to gather and feast. This small branch on the other hand, is more intimate and homey, perfect for a coffee date or when you want to chill and unwind by yourself.

THE VERDICT

While I'm not the type to drive all the way to Tagaytay (from the north) just for a cup of coffee, I can definitely say I'm more than pleased with our breakfast session at Bag of Beans. Everything we had that day, from the food to the drinks, were good and comforting. Service and of course, ambiance were also integral factors that made our trip a success. And if you ask me to choose between the two branches, then I can't really give you an answer. I like both of them (the main for bigger groups and the smaller branch for intimacy) and will definitely visit them again when I find myself in the area.

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

Bag of Beans, Tagaytay
115 Aguinaldo Highway, Mendez Crossing West
Tagaytay City, Cavite
Philippines
(046) 413-2724
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