Whenever we are in Tarlac City, we try to discover new foodie places. Most times I would like for us to do a food crawl but since we are always pressed for time, we only get to visit one or two. Tarlac City has developed into a busy place teeming with foodie spots. From a shy city to a blossoming one offering different types of cuisine. Of course there are those classic restaurants that we grew up with but today, Tarlac City's food scene has been catching up.
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| Caffe La Tea in Tarlac City |
During our recent visit, we decided to check out Caffe La Tea. Pride of Nueva Ecija, this restaurant braved the market and put up branches in Pangasinan, Tarlac and even in QC. Since it's QC branch is far off from our Paranaque home, we decided to visit once we go home to Tarlac City.
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| Caffe La Tea in Tarlac City |
The place is easy to find. Coming from Manila, you just have to take a left turn as soon as you see the Y shaped road, just after SM City Tarlac. Just a couple of blocks away from Siesta, along Zamora St., pay attention to the right side of the road, Caffe La Tea is just across Capitol Gardens and Eby's Plaza and just beside an established restaurant in the city - D&C Cuisine.
There were about 3 tables occupied when we got there, brunch time. I loved that the place was cozy and the overall ambiance was pleasant. We checked the menu and got some pasta. I was a little overwhelmed with their beverage menu. There was a lot! From hot coffee and tea to signature coffee concoctions, milk tea, cream based drinks, over ice, ice blended, smoothies, ect etc.
We got the following --
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| Creamy Longga Pasta for 159Php |
It was indeed creamy with generous serving of longganisa pieces. I liked that the longganisa was salty and had strong garlic taste. According to the menu, they used Cabsy longga. It went well with the cream.
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| Cabsy Lonnganisa Crumbles generously top this creamy pasta |
With a little research via Google, found out that Cabsy Longga is native to Nueva Ecija. It tasted like Lucban Longga because it was salty and garlicky but had a good portion of fat trimmings. Got very curious so I'll definitely look for this in the grocery.
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| Creamy Chicken Pesto for 159Php |
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| A closer look at thick pesto sauce and chicken chunks! |
Hubby's pick - Creamy Chicken Pesto. We've tried a pesto dish elsewhere in Tarlac and we were greatly disappointed so this pasta dish from Caffe La Tea was such a good find! It was creamy, bursting with fresh basil flavor and had a good serving of chicken chunks.
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| Americano Meets Tokyo - Hot for 79Php |
Then our drinks. I was a little hesitant to try their Americano Meets Tokyo but it sounded interesting and I wanted to find out how espresso x matcha would play out. I was hoping to get their signature ice blended Mocha but I just couldn't take my thoughts out of Americano Meets Tokyo so I took the risk. Was it worth it? Well, let's just say that I have finally satisfied my curiosity and nothing more. Definitely not one for the books. There was no character in this drink. Being a coffee and matcha lover, this was a betrayal to the true essence of coffee and matcha. It was too milky for an espresso drink and the matcha kick was very shallow. Not a good idea to combine these two.
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| Taro Custard Tango - Venti for 89Php |
Hubby opted for a milk tea. We LOVE how the Taro Milk Tea from Tea Farm tastes like and we were hoping this would be the same. It wasn't bad at all, I tell you, but it didn't have the taro flavor that we were looking for. Maybe we will stick to their best sellers next time.
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| Look up and see beautiful things! |
One thing that impressed me here was the place itself. Each chair was upholstered and I liked that they had couches too. Their interiors were simple but nice and the place boasted a zen like theme. Servers were attentive but then it would be best of they're able to recommend dishes and drinks especially to obvious first timers.
Two things that turned me off this place though --
First, their best selling appetizer which was Deviled Eggs, was not available. I asked why and the server just said that it wasn't. Unlikely for such an early time for something that's supposed to be a favorite.
Second - I asked them very nicely if they can change the pasta of the Creamy Longga to Spaghetti instead of Penne and the staff willingly asked the chef. The chef gave me a hard no. Oh well, maybe they weren't allowed by the management to be flexible and that is just disappointing.
Anyhow, we enjoyed the food and loved that they were reasonably priced! Will definitely checkout more of their menu next time.
4 out of 5 Stars for Caffe La Tea!
--- Caffe La Tea: Cantanjal cor. Zamora St., San Roque, Tarlac City
***you can also find them here:
--- #16 Congressional Ave., Quezon City
--- Project 2, 2C Molave Street Corner Anonas Road, Project 2, Quezon City
--- Main - Justo Building, Mabini Extension, Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija
--- Caffé La Tea – Robinsons / NE Pacific Branch : Km. III Maharlika Highway, Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija
--- Caffé La Tea – Gapan City: Divina Pastora College Commercial Building, E. Jacinto Street, San Vicente, Gapan City, Nueva Ecija
--- Caffé La Tea – Dagupan City: Unit 2, Star Building, Arellano Street, Dagupan City, Pangasinan
--- Gernor Building along M. Posadas Ave. San Carlos City, Pangasinan
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