I’ve been hearing about Cafe Lupe, a restaurant situated under giant billboards along EDSA. On a lazy Sunday morning, H and I decided to give this place a try. Click on the pics to see larger versions! We don’t want strained eyes now, do we!
If you’re coming from the Q.C. side and nearing Makati, this is what you’ll see. You can’t miss that giant billboard on your right just by the Guadalupe bridge. Stick to the right lane because jeeps and buses tend to either speed up or slow down (a.k.a. unload/load passengers illegally). It’s a test of driving patience. Cafe Lupe is right under those Goliath signs. The gate’s closed in the picture, but during regular hours it’s open and you can drive up the pathway.
And we’re in! Whew. At the time we tried the place out, there was a huge Rexona billboard. HUGE. You even park under more signs. There’s ample parking space so don’t worry about having to park your cars in EDSA heehee.
We were the only customers having brunch there so the place was bare. We looked around and checked out the band area, the different dining spaces. That’s my H happily waiting for our food.
The place has a 2nd floor and you can see the band if you’re near the balcony. There’s a disco ball too. *’70s music fill my head* I haven’t seen one in ages. They have quaint little restrooms too with Mexican decoration. Cute.
I found out via their website that the owner is devoted to Our Lady of Guadalupe. So that’s why they had a grotto by their garden. The grotto was located on top of a little hill. The climb is a little steep but manageable. When I got to the top, it was surprisingly peaceful even though I could see the hustle and bustle of EDSA. I said a little prayer before I went back inside the restaurant.
Now on to the food. I’ve seen several billboards advertising their quesadillas so we decided to give that a try. We ordered the Bacon and Chicken Quesadillas. Honestly, I wasn’t too happy. While I tasted the chicken, the bacon and the cheese, I didn’t feel them sync together… you know what I mean? I didn’t get excited eating it. It was quite disappointing after having heard a lot about this dish. I was very hungry though so we still finished the whole plate.
H ordered the Tuna Belly Parilla. His was awesome. It was grilled just right and the tuna was very tasty. It was served with a bowl of soup. I think it was an egg drop soup with chicken broth, but I’m not sure. It was delicious! So delicious that we ordered another bowl! Sadly, the second bowl of soup tasted different, and not in a good way. Apparently they cook each soup order from scratch, which is good, but the taste wasn’t consistent.
Now let me tell you about The Scrambled Eggs Test. In some restaurants we go to, we order scrambled eggs even if it’s not on the menu. It’s a test of good service, this test. Some places give you eggs that you could’ve just cooked at home, some inject their eggs with pizzazz. Cafe Lupe’s was okay. Our order was very dry but at least it was served with catsup.
I ordered Spaghetti Bolognese upon the recommendation of our waiter. I love tomato-based sauces. I wasn’t too in love with this pasta though. The sauce had an overpowering cheesy taste that I wasn’t too fond of. Where was my tomato sauce? 
If you’re one who loves cheese and creamy sauces, you’ll definitely love this.
I was beginning to feel disheartened about my brunch so thank goodness for dessert! We ordered Mango Jubilee and it was delicious. Vanilla ice cream, sweet mangoes… how can you go wrong with that? I was so happy that our meal ended on a high note.
The service was great. Our server was named Aris and he was very attentive and cheerful. Will I return? Oh yes I will. I hope we get the same server! Next time though I will try the other Parilla dishes and the Ilonggo dishes Aris recommended. Dining under the signs was a pretty interesting experience. And oh well, I’m still willing to give those quesadillas another try.
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.
Via
March 23, 2006 at 5:31 pm (18 years ago)cute! cute! Your new site Toni!
By the way, did you get my text to you yest? Anyhoo, how was the pollution factor? Noel and I have been curious about that place too, kaya lang, we were thinking, it’s right on Edsa…
Toni
March 23, 2006 at 5:35 pm (18 years ago)Via: I’ve been a bad, bad, bad friend! I’m so sorrrry! I was so busy yesterday I didn’t answer the messages I was received.
I will make up that unreciprocated text with an e-mail. A long one. LOL. And re: pollution, surprisingl, there wasn’t any inside the place!
jeanny
March 23, 2006 at 9:02 pm (18 years ago)Curious din ako sa cafe lupe na yan. Parati namin cya nadadaanan pero we havent got the chance to dine dun. Cguro this time we’ll try it soon. 😀
dang
March 23, 2006 at 9:29 pm (18 years ago)hi toni! sige nga mapuntahan yan. pero baka maligaw ako sana samahan mo ako..;)
ang ganda talaga lalo ng blog mo ngayon! keep on writing!
oh, & youre welcome to visit me here. pag nagbakasyon kayo ni H dito kayo mag stay! wag lang ngayong april huh!:)
paz
March 23, 2006 at 11:18 pm (18 years ago)hi toni! judging by the pic alone, that scrambled egg was too dry! but the tuna belly, looks really delicious!
ces
March 23, 2006 at 11:35 pm (18 years ago)way before leaving manila cafe lupe has got my curiosity going..never had the chance..;( should i still try it? i’m going for a vacation soon…;)
mare
March 24, 2006 at 6:25 am (18 years ago)Toni, great review! I love your detailed explanation of how to get there, I can only imagine all the confusion under the signs. The tuna looked yummm.
Toni
March 24, 2006 at 8:43 am (18 years ago)jeanny : Let me know what you think ha! Try pa rin their Quesadillas. Baka naman hindi lang nakajackpot sa amin.
dang : Thanks for the compliment! Kay Kala dapat mapunta yan at siya ang nagdesign ng aking template. At email me pagnagbakasyon ka dito ha para we can meet up. Kung sa Cafe Lupe tayo kakain eh pag-usapan nalang natin pag nandito ka na. 😉
paz : Obvious pala sa pic? Naku! Sana they had left the eggs a bit wetter or mixed in some milk.
ces : I suggest you visit it when you have extra time. It’s not one of my favorite restaurants, but I wouldn’t put it on my “never-going-back-again” list either.
mare : Thanks dear! It is kind of weird to get there, but once you’re in, you’re gonna be oookay!
Kai
March 24, 2006 at 10:17 am (18 years ago)Hi, Toni, I’m sorry you were not quite satisfied with your meal at Cafe Lupe. I was only there once, but our meal was super! But we ordered local dishes, from the Visayas, I particularly remember the crispy tadyang ng baka with sauteed tomatoes, it was to die for. Good value for money, too. I’ve been wanting to try that advertised quesadilla but haven’t got the chance. Maybe I won’t now, but try other things on the menu. When you go back, try it in the evening. It’s so romantic, with all the lights inside and out.
Toni
March 24, 2006 at 10:24 am (18 years ago)Kai: I will try those Visayan dishes! Aris did recommend some of the soupy ones but I wasn’t in the mood for a big meal. I’ll go back and try the crispy tadyang ng baka with tomatoes. Sounds yummy already! And okay, I’ll heed your advice and try it in the evening. Thanks for the tips!
jennie
March 24, 2006 at 10:02 pm (18 years ago)yummm talaga ang cafe lupe 😀 sarap.. nagwater ang mouth ko sa pictures. hihi! i think thay also have a branch in tagaytay.
Toni
March 24, 2006 at 10:03 pm (18 years ago)jennie: Hi there! They have a lot of branches nga eh. I haven’t tried the others yet.
firefly|zephyr
March 25, 2006 at 3:39 am (18 years ago)Hi, I’ve also always wondered about this place but have somehow never gtten around to trying it. Just the thought of all the traffic in the area discourages me, but you’ve made me want to try it now.
Toni
March 27, 2006 at 8:30 am (18 years ago)firefly: Give it a try! I would love to read your review of the place!
eye
March 27, 2006 at 9:45 am (18 years ago)you and H should try visiting cafe lupe at tagaytay some time 😉 ganda ng view!
Toni
March 28, 2006 at 9:06 am (18 years ago)eye: Hey thanks for the tip!