The Curator

The Curator is a quaint cafe by day and a unique speakeasy by night. It is located in the back area of Cyrano Wine Bar, which can be found at the corner of Palanca and Legazpi street. As of the last time I visited for some post lunch coffee, they have coveniently placed a sign by Cyrano's window for would be patrons. The place is very homey, with purposely dim lighting. They have a couch area with small wooden coffee tables for those who may want a quick cup of brew. They also have rustic wooden tables with more comfortable seating for those who plan to stay for an hour or more. The bar seems to have the best seats in the house though. They also have pretty good taste regarding the music they play. The servers are friendly and are quick to respond to anything you may need. I have yet to try their evening cocktails, but do enjoy their coffee. I have tried their espresso with milk, which was served it with test tubes filled with different kinds of melted sugar. White sugar, brown sugar, agave, honey, muscovado and one other that I've forgotten. I have also had their brew of the day, which was pretty solid. My favorite so far though is their Dark Matter Theory Latte, which is absolutey perfect with muscovado mixed in. I am not much of a coffee lover to be honest but I keep coming back for more of theirs. I have also gotten to try their Amalfi Mule, one of the daytime cocktails. The limoncello taste came through perfectly and it was extremely refreshing. The cute quirk I loved about the drink was how it was served with a metal straw. The first time, I had also ordered some food from the Cyrano Wine Bar to have with my Curator brew. It was a liempo of some kind, which was sprinkled with basil leaves and had the typical soy sauce dip. I remember it being quite good at first but over time, the meat was rather too oily with not enough flavor. Regarding food at the Curator, their dishes on the menu sound interesting so I am definitely planning on trying their sandwiches soon. Over all, I am giving this establishment a 4.5 because when it comes to the atmosphere, the service and the quality of the drinks everything is great. I am looking forward to trying their food and will definitely recommend this place to those who I know will appreciate its artisanal charm.

Espresso with milk very good Honey grilled cheese simple but tasty. The bread was soft and its crust has the same texture as croissant.

Just this Saturday, hubby and I together with some looloo friends went to TLC Festival in Bonifacio High Street Central. The plan was to have lunch there and then head over to Bondi Burke for dinner. A series of unfortunate events happened which included Bondi Burke being closed due to an event so we needed to think of another plan. Plan B was to visit Stockton Place, which was just around the corner, but was still closed for dinner when we got there around 5PM. Then our friends suggested The Curator.

I don't think that I can say enough good about this place to do it justice. From the moment I first walked in the door I have had a phenomenal experience. The staff is knowledgable and kind. The product, both coffee and cocktails, is top of the line. And lastly, the feel of the place is great. Truly a hidden gem. I am torn between wanting everyone to experience its greatness and wanting to keep it a quiet little morning getaway.

The Curator is probably my favorite cafe in Metro Manila. Here's why: Food- I wasn't able to take a picture, but I ordered their Apple Pie French Toast. It was very creative. At first, I really hated the lime/orange zest I was tasting, but the overall flavor of the dish made up for it. Serving's good for two persons. *update on food (2nd visit) Do yourself a favor and try their smoked gouda sandwich. Weird finding but, it tastes like Japan's Gindaco Takoyaki. Sandwich was of perfect texture. Coffee- I had the Dark Matter Theory and their new blend. I'm so sorry I forgot the name, but they made it into one mean Piccolo Latte. Strong, acidic coffee done right. Third wave done right. The richness and thickness was pleasant. I have to admit, I was shaking for ten hours because of the caffeine buzz. Even if I liked their coffee, I'll try another drink when I visit again. Service- 5/5 Hehe. I had a little chat with the barista because we discussed coffee crawling, and she was kind enough to recommend some places to visit. AND AND AND she gave us free cocktails mehehehe. Ambience- another 5/5 for me. Quiet, hidden, tucked away from humanity. The subdued lighting makes the whole place so cozy. Not sure if it's just me, but it has a sexy, after hours vibe.