Nothing beats tucking into some home cooking to end the day, and that’s exactly what my family and I enjoyed when we headed over to Cafe Mary Grace for Sunday dinner.
Welcome Home to Cafe Mary Grace
As soon as you step through the wooden-framed glass doors of Cafe Mary Grace, you’re immediately greeted by a small, but cozy dining area. It’s brick walls are decorated with framed sayings and poems. Beside the windows were shelves filled with inspirational books and stained glass decor. Together with the warm lighting within this cafe, it gives the feeling that you’ve stepped inside someone’s home for dinner.
The Food at Cafe Mary Grace
Just like Pito & Mita Mediterranean Restaurant, Cafe Mary Grace offers a selection of Mediterranean dishes, many of which have been a source of joy and comfort to Mary Grace herself.
We started our meal with their Summer Squash Soup.
Thick and velvety Summer Squash Soup (P124) from Cafe Mary Grace
The soup was very rich, thick and velvety. It was a bit bland for me, but nothing that a bit of fresh black pepper could not remedy. The serving size may not initially appear to be that generous, but trust me, it’s way more than enough. The soup, by itself, would be enough to fill you up.
My mom and dad chose to get their Chicken Inasal con Pan de Sal with Tomato Wansoy Salsa (whew, that was a mouthful!) for their main course.
Chicken Inasal con Pan de Sal with Tomato Wansoy Salsa (P193) from Cafe Mary Grace
This is one of the few dishes that had a bit of Filipino flare to it. Strips of marinated chicken breast were grilled and stuffed inside a pan de sal (a local bread that is a cross between a baguette and a dinner roll) and topped with tomatoes and wansoy (commonly called coriander or cilantro in the West). It was served with potato chips and garlic aioli.
I decided to get their Pasta Vongole for my main course.
Pasta Vongole (P189) from Cafe Mary Grace
I have to say, I was rather thankful that I chose to get a light entree after the rich Summer Squash soup. It was a great contrast. Compared to the soup, the pasta was on the lighter side, and quite delicate. The meat in the clams were succulent, although I personally would have wanted more clams in it. The linguini pasta just had the right bite. But like the soup, it was a bit on the bland side despite the copious amounts of grated queso de bola (a kind of sharp cheddar cheese locally made in the Philippines) I placed onto it.
The Pasta Amatriciana with Italian Meatballs my brother ordered at Cafe Mary Grace was a bit better.
Pasta Amatriciana with Italian Meatballs (P211) at Cafe Mary Grace
While it may be not as photogenic as their Pasta Vongole, this was the one with the most flavor among those that we ordered here. The sauce just had that right blend of sweet and sour that Filipinos enjoy, slightly accentuated by the fresh basil. The meatballs were juicy and delicious. This was the one dish that brought back memories of childhood. Of course, my mom’s spaghetti is still number one for me. But this pasta dish from Cafe Mary Grace is a definite close second.
Perhaps the biggest disappointment I had during our dinner at Cafe Mary Grace was the fact that I didn’t get to eat my desert. Cafe Mary Grace is renowned for their cakes, cheese rolls and ensaymada–a popular Filipino pastry made of soft sweet dough that’s baked and topped with cheese, butter and sugar. It goes perfectly well with any one of their many hot chocolate drinks. Unfortunately, I was way too full that there was no longer any room in me for it. The good thing about it is that I have an excuse to come and visit this place again real soon.
My Verdict on Cafe Mary Grace
There are very few restaurants in malls around Metro Manila that give you the warmth and atmosphere of home. This is one of the definite come-ons here at Cafe Mary Grace, especially among families who are looking for an atmosphere where they can simply relax and enjoy good food. Their waiting staff are friendly and accommodating.
While there is no doubt that the food is good here at Cafe Mary Grace with many of the dishes somehow reminding you of a taste of home cooking, my opinion is that it could be better. A little more seasoning and giving a bit more time for the flavors to infuse in the meat and pasta can definitely bring the quality here a few bars higher than it already is.
As for the reputation of Cafe Mary Grace when it comes to pastries and chocolate drinks, that is something that I have yet to discover.
Have you eaten in Cafe Mary Grace? Rate and share your experience here.
A Taste of Home at Cafe Mary Grace,
About Adeline Yuboco
Twitter: Wordzopolis
says:
Adeline,
I love reading your posts and I am thinking about doing something similar next year with a new blog, if I can get and keep a rhythm for this blog. I really enjoy reading your blog and it is such an inspiration to me. Thank you.
Happy blogging,
Jenn
Be sure to check out Jennifer Woodard’s most recent post…How Creating a Marketing Plan is like Planning a Road Trip part 4
Thanks so much for your kind words, Jenn. Good luck on your new blog, and let me know once it’s up. I’d love to read it.
Twitter: keepupweb
says:
Okay! You’ve officially made me hungry.
Should I ever be lucky enough to visit Manila, I’ll be sure to remember this restaurant based on your review. Since your biggest disappointment was not having room for dessert, I wish I could have joined you!
Be sure to check out Sherryl Perry’s most recent post…Community Building and Having an Online Support System
Hi Sherryl, let me know if you happen to get the chance to go around Manila. It would be my honor to tour you around some great eats, and we can try out the deserts too.
Hey Adeline,
Once again you have made my mouth drool more than two hours before I can get to the closest meal
You are my favorite food and travel blogger by far. Thanks for all the thoughtful comments you’ve shared on my end as well.
Bryce
Be sure to check out Bryce Christiansen’s most recent post…Lead Without Followers, An Interview With Dave Ursillo (Part 1)
Awww! Thanks so much, Bryce! Really appreciate the comments. I also enjoy dropping by your blog. I always get to learn something new to help me become better each day.
Wow. That was a lot of food and most of it was different from anything I have ever seen let alone eaten. Thanks for the tour.
You’re very welcome, Ann! Thanks for dropping by.
Twitter: ALeighEdwards
says:
Hi Adeline,
These pictures are absolutely mouth watering! If I were to travel to Café Mary Grace, based on your review, I believe I would love to try either the Chicken Inasal con Pan de Sal with Tomato Wansoy Salsa or the Pasta Vongole. And speaking of pictures, what software did you use to watermark them? Thanks for sharing this tasty review.
Be sure to check out A. Leigh Edwards’s most recent post…5 Ways to Flow Gracefully Through Change and Trust Your Intuition
Hi Leigh, thanks so much for dropping by. Glad that you enjoyed the post.
As for the software for the watermark, I just use Keynote here in my laptop. I pretty much just created the template and then just add the photos.
Twitter: ALeighEdwards
says:
Many thanks for sharing this resource Adeline. My pleasure to visit:D. Enjoy an Amazing day!
Thanks for dropping by Leigh!
Twitter: salvatier
says:
Adeline, I just had dinner and I’m hungry all over again. Needless to say, I enjoyed your posts, the pics and the learning about Filipino cuisine.
Be sure to check out Dennis Salvatier’s most recent post…The Life of a Designer: The Horror Stories
Ok now I’m hungry, the butternut squash soup looks delish
Be sure to check out PCPrima.de’s most recent post…Der Gipfel des Web 2.0
It sure was! It’s definitely a meal by itself.
Twitter: Percival33
says:
I think I’ve been there. Do they serve hot apple pie with butterscotch? That’s what I remember I had, it was wonderful.
I think you should add in some details about the Cafe, specifically the address so people know where it is.
Be sure to check out Marcus’s most recent post…Planetside 2: Most Anticipated MMOFPS 2012
I’m not sure if they do, Marcus. I was too full that I didn’t check the menu again for desert. I’ll check on that one for you and let you know.
i also share the same sentiments regarding the dishes in this restaurant. It has a very promising future and I wish they could be more innovative so that they will be better.
http://theyoungfoodie.tumblr.com/post/9580956806/cafe-mary-grace
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I’m drooling over the summer squash soup and the pasta vongole. The clams on the pasta look really enticing to me.
I have to admit though, there is nothing delicious-looking like this at home.lol
Wow, that was really great review. Makes me crave after reading all of these yummy treats. Will bookmark this one definitely. philippines outsourcing