Now, more than ever, people are paying serious attention to Philippine cuisine. The global culinary journey, which began with Japanese, Thai and Korean cuisines, has finally taken a turn towards the food of the Philippine islands; and even local food connoisseurs and enthusiasts alike are finding Filipino flavors very interesting and ever evolving indeed — thanks to staunch Filipino food advocates among Filipino specialty restaurants and extremely talented Filipino chefs.

Among the newest players in the restaurant scene is La Condessa Café and Lounge, which is located along the restaurant rows in the area of Tomas Morato, Quezon City.

A modern Filipino restaurant with a Spanish vibe, it soft-opened in December 2022, offering a dining place that feels like the home of a Countess.

The interior is inspired by modern Moroccan/Mexican architecture, where one can bask in a relaxing and comforting atmosphere while enjoying good food with a cup of good coffee.

Full operations started in February of 2023. Since then, it has been catching the attention of food lovers who frequented the area because its food — mostly Filipino dishes, both classics and contemporary creations, with a few Spanish and Italian influences — is seriously good.

Small wonder, since the restaurant’s menu is a collaboration between the owners and seasoned chef Victor Barangan. Although first-timers in the restaurant business, the owners found a supportive food expert-consultant in Chef Vic, who listened to their ideas and then make his own suggestions and develop the menu.

Since La Condessa is a café, its menu works around café food, such as salad and pizza and pasta, including its specialty dishes Xato Salad (a not-so-ordinary salad with almonds, hazelnut, anchovies, tuna, nori chips, red radish and torched corn); Truffle and Manchego Pasta (classic truffle pasta that banks on the flavors of truffle paste and Manchego cheese); Pollo Romesco (Brazilian roast chicken with salsa aji); and Quatro Coca Pizza (who doesn’t like a good pizza?).

But here, diners can find really good Filipino dishes that locals enjoy with freshly steamed rice, such as Kare-Kare (stew with peanut sauce, crispy pork belly, US Angus beef belly, and vegetables); Tinumis (ground pork with tamarind in dark gravy, topped with cracklings); Adobong Pusit (classic dish of baby squid in garlic and vinegar); and Kalkag Rice (fried rice with dried shrimps and egg, with each order good for two).

La Condessa also has a good lineup of coffee, tea and fruit-based drinks, such as the bestselling Beso de la Condessa (rose latte), Xandi (lychee green iced tea) and Adriana (ice blended strawberry mango drink).

Check out the place, and expect more delicious stuff to come, as La Condessa introduces new dishes quarterly.

La Condessa Café and Lounge is located at G/F, CTTM Square Building, Tomas Morato, Barangay Sacred Heart, Quezon City.

Say cheese (and cream, too)

The new and improved Creamy Spinach Pizza now comes with even more of the good stuff — a heartier layer of real spinach and a blend of ultra-creamy, melty cheeses, spread generously and evenly across your favorite hand-tossed or thin crust pizza.

Up close, guests will spot visible vibrant spinach strands and well-distributed dollops of cheese that bubble beautifully in the oven.

But it’s not just about looks — it’s the flavor and texture that set this upgrade apart. Unlike other spinach pizzas that rely on heavy mounds of spreadable cheese, Shakey’s version is delicately balanced, delivering a richer mouthfeel and deeper flavor without overwhelming the palate.