Casa Xocolat: Chocolate and Much More

It had me at chocolate fries.

When my husband and I found a rare shared extra hours after work, we decided to go out on a date. Casa Xocolat in Katipunan was a perfect choice since it wasn’t too far from home, and I was in the mood for that pork belly dish my friend Spanky was always raving about.

It was our first time at Casa Xocolat, and as soon as we stepped into the shop I immediately fell at home. It was a casa all right! An old house from the ’60s was converted into this charming little restaurant, and the homey, cozy feel was just perfect after a long day at work.

The outdoor seating looked really cozy too. I could imagine hanging out their with my college friends while sneaking some study sessions in between. The restaurant is situated near my alma mater, so I couldn’t help but wish this shop had been around back in the ’90s.

Enough with the reminiscing! Let’s talk about the delicious food we had. For starters, we had the Churros Con Xocolat. I enjoyed them. See, I think of churros and Dulcinea comes to mind. It’s nice to know there’s another place that serves good churros.

Churros Con Xocolat: Homemade churros with chocolate

The waiter highly recommended their Xocolat Fries as well. This one I really enjoyed! My husband didn’t like it too much because it came with a pungent aioli dip. The cayenne pepper was too much for him, but just right for spice-loving me.

Xocolat Fries: Thick handcut fries doused with a secret spice rub. Served with a tangy aioli dip.

I decided to have water for the night, but my husband ordered the Banana Berry Blast. It was spectacular. If you’re eating such flavorful dishes, this drink was a very good way to balance (and then wash away) all those vibrant flavors in your mouth. We super recommend this shake!

Banana Berry Blast: A rejuvenating fruit shake!

That was quite a rich start to an evening meal, ‘no? We decided to go easy on the next course, so a Goat Cheese Salad it was. They were generous with the goat cheese bits so I enjoyed this.

Goat Cheese Salad: Mixed greens with goat cheese, candied pili and strawberry vinaigrette

Main course time! H went for the Spiced Chicken. It was okay. I found the rub a bit too sweet and didn’t taste any kick. I guess since it said “Spiced” I was expecting some sort of jolt.

Spiced Chicken: Chicken fillet with shiitake mushrooms lavished with Xocolat’s signature rub

Their Pork Belly dish on the other hand was all kinds of delicious! The pork was tender, and the sauce that came with it was so good! Have you ever heard of chocolate AND bagoong (shrimp paste) together? It’s like a clash of flavors, right? The cacao-bagoong sauce this dish came with was just divine. The sweetness of the chocolate tempered the aggressiveness of bagoong, which in turn tempered the sweetness of the cacao, and so it goes on and on. Maybe that’s why I couldn’t stop tasting it.

Pork Belly: Tender slices of pork belly served with a special cacao-bagoong sauce.

For dessert, I had the Tasa Xocolat. I loved it. It was very rich, very thick, and very sumptuous. I dipped some of my leftover churros in it and that worked too!

Tasa de Xocolat: Rich & Opulent, Xocolat’s critically acclaimed signature brand

We also ordered the Frozen “Hot” Xoco. This one reminded me of my childhood. When I was a kid, I’d make a cup of Milo and put it in the freezer overnight. The next morning, the liquid would be frozen solid and I’d excitedly scrape off the chocolate with a teaspoon. That’s how this dessert tasted and I enjoyed every bite.

Frozen “Hot” Xoco: Xocolat sherbet balls

I enjoyed Xocolat so much that the following weekend, we decided to celebrate Father’s Day there too! We went there for brunch and had the place all to ourselves. Sunday is a slow day, the waitress shared with us. And boy, was it slow indeed. The service was really, really slow. Good thing the food was good.

I had their popular Chocolate French Toast with country sausages. It was yummy! The toast was crunchy and moist at the same time, and the sweet sausages complemented the toast’s sweetness beautifully. It wasn’t a cloyingly sweet dish at all.

Each breakfast order comes with hot chocolate or coffee. I went for the hot chocolate. It’s not as rich as the ones featured in their menu, but I liked it nonetheless.

We also ordered the Xocolat Chicken Pasta — cacao rubbed chicken strips tossed in a light cream sauce, topped with chocolate shavings. Their Herbed Chicken Panini had cheese, asparagus and pesto. Both were fine dishes.

My Dad got the Hot Xocolat. This was really good. A glass of chocolate bits is served to you, then the waitress pours milk into the glass. So you see those brown things at the bottom of the glass? Those are the hot choco bits that haven’t melted yet. Once you stir it with your spoon, they blend into the milk easily. Then you have a creamy, chocolatey delight in your hands. I’ll get this next time.

Hot Xocolat: Classic milk chocolate, frothy & light served with a twist

Finally, the Aztec Xocolat. One of my most memorable hot chocolate experiences was at Max Brenner. I loved their spicy hot chocolate. I was happy that Xocolat offers their own version, although I wish there were much more spice in theirs. Maybe I should order mine with extra spice next time.

Aztec Xocolat: One dark brew with spice

In one nook at Casa Xocolat, there’s a side table topped with journals. A guest can take one out and scribble, doodle or write in it. Here’s one sample from an eager Xocolat fan:

Only two things got me down about Xocolat: (1) This is definitely not a place to go to if you’re in a rush. The service last Sunday was very slow, and we were all so hungry! (2) Parking is very limited. There are only three to four slots right outside Casa Xocolat. If those spots are filled, you have to park across the street or far down the street.

Despite those two downers however, there are five reasons I will still go back to Casa Xocolat: (1) Pork Belly with Cacao Bagoong Sauce (2) Xocolat Fries (3) Banana Berry Blast (4) Xocolat French Toast (5) The cozy ambiance of Casa Xocolat.

Best of all, I like that I can have my chocolate fix AND have a complete meal. I thought Xocolat was just a dessert place, but I’m glad I was wrong! I’m already dreaming of their pork belly dish, and of course, their delectable chocolate french fries.

Xocolat can be found at:

Casa Xocolat: 172 B. Gonzales St., Loyola Heights, Katipunan, Quezon City
Tel. No. 9294186

Topy’s Place: Economia corner Calle Industria, Bagumbayan, Libis, Quezon City
Tel. No. 4707563

Serendra: Fort Bonifacio, Global City
Tel. No. 8562146

Promenade Greenhills: San Juan City, Metro Manila
Tel. No. 514-3862

Hi! I'm Toni Tiu, and I've been blogging at at Wifely Steps since 2003. This started as a blog to help newly weds adjust to married life. It has evolved into a home and parenting blog. I write about things close to my heart -- good eats, good reads, family, marriage, and the little things that make everyday happy.