26th Bistro by The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf Opens in BGC

The newly opened 26th Bistro by The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf at BGC.

Looking out through the windows of the newly opened The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf’s full-service restaurant 26^th Bistro on an overcast afternoon, watching the different hues of the sunset at dusk and seeing lush greens amidst the towering skyscrapers made me enjoy my meals even more as I sat by the window. I could imagine that when it rains, the glass of the The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf’s 26^th Bistro would fog up and droplets would languorously trickle down as one peered outside.

Part of the fun of eating at 26^th Bistro by The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf is taking in all the details of its interiors. It is paradoxically industrial/commercial and nostalgic. From the rustic fans on the ceiling to the library bookshelf, the restaurant seems to hum some poetic strains of the past.

Celebrating its 50^th Anniversary this 2013, The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf recently opened their full-service restaurant with the goal to deliver an #everydayextraordinary experience to its loyal clientele. “We do this by transforming everyday meals into extraordinary dining experiences, at prices you can afford everyday,” explains Walden Chu, President of The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf.

Compared to the regular Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf branches, 26^th Bistro differentiates itself with more comfortable and larger dining area while still offering that relaxing and cozy ambiance that they’ve been known for.



The menu is a strong variety of all day breakfast favorites like eggs benedict, smoked salmon Florentine, Toblerone pancakes with salted caramel, Ciabatta, toasts, Filipino breakfast like Smoked Milkfish, US Angus Tapa, Chicken Longganisa, Rosti, salad, sandwiches, pasta, cakes, pastries, desserts and even beer and wines. The menu was specifically made for the district’s discriminating patrons, and a healthy selection of international comfort food, sweet treats, guaranteed to please the yuppies and foodies who frequent the area.

Wild Mushroom soup

We started our meal with 26^th Bistro’s Wild Mushroom Soup—thick flavorful and rich soup made from three kinds of mushrooms namely shiitake, button and Portobello. It puts a classic twist on the classic mushroom soup. It’s trifle the fun in terms of flavor.



 

Tiger Prawn Shiitake Mushroom Linguine

Salmon Fishcake and Greens

Then it was followed by my personal favorite, Salmon Fishcakes and Greens. Made from pan-fried Norwegian salmon cakes served with smoked paprika aioli and mixed greens—the freshest bed of greens, cherry tomatoes and a delightful play on tasty textures from the candied walnuts and the arugula leaves drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette twinkling through the salad. It perfectly complements the salmon fishcakes! The tiny, delicate salmon fishcakes bursts with flavor upon taking the very first bite, before you know it, the entire plate is clean, and you are ready to move on to the next dish.

One of 26^th Bistro by The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf’s most interesting offerings is their Tiger Prawn and Shiitake Mushroom Linguine. The rich mixture of cream, milk and butter topped with tiger prawn borders on sublime. If I hadn’t been on a diet program, I could’ve asked for a second helping of such.





Carnivores will certainly enjoy the Hanging Tender Steak with Potato Gratin and Marsala— Succulent and perfectly pan-roasted hanging tender steak served with potato gratin and Marsala sauce. It is a great way to wake up your taste buds.

Another noteworthy item on 26^th Bistro by Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf is the Chocolate Lava ala Mode. Although there is a vast selection of sweet endings to cap off a date or a meeting at 26^th Bistro, this chocolate lava ala mode will surely please every chocoholic. The chocolate lava is light but imparts a dense flavor, coming together to form a combination of tastes in different degrees of moist and sweetness.

If you prefer fruity stuff, there’s also an Apple Crumble ala Mode which one should also not miss. The mere mention of these decadent desserts is enough to make one’s mouth water.

26^th Bistro by The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf also serves our all time favorite CBTL iced lattes, teas, coffees, iced blended, juices and coolers. 26^th Bistro by The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf speaks for itself: It’s comforting, it’s worth coming back to and most of all, it’s something every diner can truly appreciate.

The first flagship branch of 26^th Bistro by The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf is located within the Bonifacio Global City at the corner of 26^th Avenue and 5^th Avenue, for Ortigas customers, a second branch has opened at the East Wing, 5^th Level of the Shangri-La Plaza Mall.

Security Blanket thanks The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf and Roar Communications.