MENTORE COFFEE + BAR by UCC ~RinaZ

       Back in the days (actually more like 3 or 4 years ago haha) when I was still childless, it was so easy for me to go out with my friends and ocassionaly have a drink or two while sharing life stories. But since I got pregnant and now a mom to a bouncing little toddler girl, my idea of a a relaxing night became a coffee shop. Getting old? Not really. I guess it's just the exhaustion from the mommy work. After all I'm only human.

       But a few weeks ago I was introduced to a whole new concept of a coffee shop. Our friend invited us to try the Mentore Coffee + Bar by UCC. Its nice two-storey white building was situated in Makati near Greenbelt 3 and Landmark. It was a first time for me to go there. Mentore, which means to mentor, the name of this place because it's like teaching their customers about coffee. But do you notice the "+ Bar" in the name? That's what makes this place unique! Plus, they serve amazing Japanese food too!

       Mentore Coffee + Bar is a really beautiful coffee place which serves all kinds of brews of coffee. Syphon, Pour Over, Water Drip, French Press, and Expresso. But I didn't get to watch the baristas in action doing these 101 types of brewing. But I did get to taste some of their coffee-based cocktails!

     I ordered The Truffle (P350) from their Coffeeholics menu. Sounds like a dance craze hehe. It's expresso with Stolichnaya vodka, Frangelico hazelnut, and herb-flavored liquor. I don't know the terms I just typed but The Truffle was quite delicious, albeit very strong in cocktail. (Confession: I didn't finish it. Not even half of it. Since my tolerance for alcohol has gone too weak, this was way too strong for me. But I did like the the fact that you could really taste the chocolate truffle in there.

If I'm not mistaken, this one was the Millionaire's. Dutch coffee with Bailey's Irish cream, Frangelico hazel nut and herb-flavored liqueur and Kahluah. This looked really good. This was someone else's order so I was shy to try it haha! But anything with Bailey's for me is a winner!

This is another one of their Coffeeholic drinks. But unfortunately I am not sure what this is. This wasn't my order hehe. And God knows why I failed to note the name of this drink. (This is why you need to take notes, people!) But isn't it pretty?

Here is the menu of their Coffeeholics. Drool away coffee-liquor lovers! I can think of some names that I know might really be interested in these ;-)

As I mentioned earlier, Mentore also serves amazing comfort Japanese-Asian fusion food!

       The Assorted Side Dish (P290) was quite good! The chicken wings were very juicy and garlicy. It also has some bread sticks and fries.

The Yoshoku Spa - Wafu with Egg (P390) is very flavorful! This is something I would really order. (I love anything with egg!) The base of this pasta is butter. No wonder it's so flavorful! This was one of my favorite dishes for the night. 

I ordered the Shrimp Penne Gratin (P340) which was just light and with the right amount of seasoning. My only qualm would be the small size and quantity of the shrimp. But nonetheless it was good. 

       The Pork Cutlet Curry with Rice (P400) had the perfect balance of spices in the curry, and the crunchiness of the breaded pork was an exciting party in my mouth!

Things I didn't get to try:

Spicy "Shabu Shabu" Salad (P340)

Pork Cutlet Sandwich  (P290)

Fried Shrimp and Hamburg Combi (P430)

       I think Mentore Coffee + Bar by UCC is a good place to take my girl friends to because it's a perfect combination of having coffee / spiked drink altogether, plus a good menu of yummy grub to go with our drinks. And not to mention the very nice ambiance!



Addresses:

1 Raffles Dr, San Lorenzo, Makati

SM Aura Premier, C5 Road Corner 26th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City