Dean & Deluca is finally open in Manila. The long wait is over and Dean & Deluca fans can now satisfy their pastry cravings. I have to admit, I am not really a fan as I’ve never been to a Dean & Deluca store abroad. What got me familiar with this cafe joint is its appearance on TV shows where lead actors are seen holding a black coffee cup with a DEAN & DELUCA logo.
Still, when my fellow mommas & blogger friends Tin Dychiao aka Manila Fashion Observer, Pam Siao of Green Lunch Diaries, and Mish Aventajado of Momma N’ Manila planned lunch at Dean & Deluca, I eagerly went with them.
Dean & Deluca’s first store in Manila is located in Edades Tower, Rockwell Center in Makati City. It went on soft opening last April 8 and has then been full house.
You can see they make the sandwiches and pizzas on the bar.
As I said, pastry is my weakness and I feel a tad bit pressured on what to get because I was so tempted to get one of each.
According to Caroline Tanchay of Citimax Group- the company responsible for bringing in Dean & Deluca here in the Philppines, most of their ingredients are flown in from France. They bake their treats daily which is one of the challenging things they need to do especially in a hot and humid country such as the Philippines. 
After much contemplation, I got their recommended Pain Au Chocolat, Salted Caramel Cookies and Croissant.
Dean & Deluca was established back in the 70s by Giorgio DeLuca and Joel Dean. They were the first to sell balsamic vinegar and sun dried tomatoes in the US waaaaay before these were available in the grocery. Almost four decades now & they’ve established nine stores in the United States, more than a dozen in Japan, four in Thailand, three in Singapore and South Korea, one in Middle East and now, it found its way in the Philippines.
Their main goal is to discover, introduce and support products that meet their- and also our- uncompromising standards.
I was so tempted to get this Vanilla Infused Maple Syrup.
And some mustards and sauces but I had to control myself. I need to use the other sauces I have in my pantry first before purchasing more.
More treats! Too bad I’m intolerant to almond else I would’ve gotten the cappuccino almond in a heartbeat!
Tea addiction! These D&D teas are on my list. Ahem, ahem, to my Santa, I’d like to receive these on Christmas please! 🙂
They’ve got a rack full of spirits too.
Brick walls, white tile walls, steel shelving accentuated with wooden tables and black chairs make up the interior of this hybrid cafe. What’s good about Dean & Deluca is it’s flexibility to become more than just an average cafe yet it manages to retain its commitment of providing quality food. According to the interview of Caroline Tanchay at Philstar.com, each Dean & Deluca store presents a specialty, depending on its location. For the Manila store, they’re developing products that they feel will cater to the Filipino market- such is their special coconut mango croissant- which I hope to try next time.
Such flexibility is proven at the newly opened Dean & Deluca in Makati. My friend Tin & Mish pointed out that the Dean & Deluca in SoHo didn’t serve any food aside from the usual pastries and coffees. This made me even more excited to try their dishes. Like I said, I don’t really mind paying for food as long as it is good!
Here’s the Dean & Deluca menu for your reference should you visit the store soon.
CAFE DULCE DE LECHE P170
I love this drink! I ordered this hot but then the server got me the iced version. It wasn’t too sweet, although I didn’t taste the Dulce De Leche as much, still it was good.
So funny ‘coz we’re the only table who stood up and took a top shot photo of our food. I, on the other hand was the only one eager to bust out my camera, snapping away to my heart’s desire. I don’t really care though ‘coz I wanted to share with your our dining experience. So keber ravena na! Hihi.
BEAN SPROUT SALAD P450
Bean sprout and pomelo salad with mango, pineapple, melon and prawns in sesame ginger dressing.
MARGHERITA P430
Fresh buffalo mozarella, garlic confit, and basil.
SPAGHETTI IN WHITE SAUCE P410
Spaghetti with bacon, parsley, and mushrooms in white wine sauce.
THE BURGER P450
House made Angus beef burger patty, maple bacon, tomato, green leaf lettuce, dressing, on brioche bun.
SALMON P795
Grilled Norweigan salmon with salad greens in mango vinaigrette.
Super happy with my burger and drink. The Burger was delicious! The angus beef was tender & flavorful- I easily tasted the milkiness of it. It’s one of the best burgers I’ve had. According to the girls, their dishes were also delicious. My lil’ GJGs loved the spaghetti, so much so that we kinda inhaled it lang. Gone in about 5 minutes!
With my Dean & Deluca lunch dates Mish, Tin & Pam. We’ll definitely be back for more. Hopefully, I get to dine here with Mr. GJG & the kids again. I’m not really sure what time it opens so your best bet would be to go during lunch time or after lunch for coffee & snack. I think they’ll be opening another store in BGC soon. I hope they open somewhere near my neighborhood too!
DEAN & DELUCA
Edades Tower & Garden Villas , Rockwell Center, Makati City
(right across Powerplant Mall- fronting MANGO store)
Thank goodness for the “keber revena” or we wouldnt have an idea what food choices to try. Good on yah! Thanks for taking foto of the menu as well. Excited to try this place.
Hahahahaha. Natawa ako when I read Keber Ravena! 😀 Blogger na blogger lang kasi yun dating namin while everyone else were leisurely eating their lunch 🙂 Please let me know what you think should you try other dishes so I can try it next time 😀
Thanks for this blog. I’m a fan of D&D because of this US tv series Felicity years ago. I didn’t know there’s already one in the PH. I would love to try their coffee and pastries.
You’re welcome Pajee!