Summer is beginning to make itself felt. Pretty soon, people would be reaching for something cool and comforting to beat the heat. If you’re passing by either the Burgos Circle in BGC or SM’s The Block, why not check out Casa Italia? Don’t be intimidated by the fancy interiors of this gleaming Singapore-based Italian coffee and gelato cafe chain. The friendly staff greets you a warm “Ciao” the moment you step inside. Then, the array of vibrant colors of the gelato on display may just awaken your passion for dessert indulgence.
Casa Italia
The interior is modern and hip. High-ceilinged and spacious. The atmosphere is unharried and cozy. It’s easy to lounge around for hours either for work (they have fast wifi internet) or tete-a-tete. The choice of furniture and furnishings is tasteful. Even the staff’s uniform goes well with the Italian vibe. There’s al fresco dining as well as a loft for quiet eats.
Italian Coffee Otto
To say a cafe is Italian already raises my expectations. Aren’t a lot of our coffee terms already Italian? Casa Italaia uses Coffee Otto, a signature blend of Arabica beans roasted the Venetian way. Casa Italia makes sure to use the beans within eight weeks after roasting date for optimum taste. I have tried the Cappuccino and Mocha and liked both for their full-bodied roasted flavors.
Handcrafted Gelato
The pistachio variant seems to be my favorite flavor to gauge the quality of the gelato and oh boy, Casa Italia probably has the richest tasting Pistachio gelato out there for me. I’m a little disappointed with their chocolate offerings though like the Truffle and Toblerone (not dark enough for me) but their other flavors like Bailey’s, Earl Gray and Strawberry more than makes up for them.
Italian Food
What makes Casa Italia an all-around cafe is their fresh food offerings. They serve really good pizza with the Pepperoni most likely an all-time favorite. The Beef Lasagna was just okay for me. I liked their Panini a lot more than their BBQ Chicken.
Casa Italia is a nice addition to the local coffee scene. It offers a unique Italian ambience at a friendly price point, right up there with the popular coffee chains. As wonderful pluses, it adds premium gelato and full-flavored Italian dishes to the mix.
Casa Italia
BGC Store
Megaworld Shop 5, Burgos Park Bldg. Forbestown Center
Fort Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
Contact: (02) 753.6263
Store Hours:
Sun. – Thurs. 6:30am to 12:00mn
Fri. and Sat. 6:30am to 1:00am
SM North Store
G/F Unit ANE 145, The Block, SM North EDSA
North Ave. cor EDSA, Bagong Pag-asa, Quezon City
Contact: (02) 813.8138
Store Hours:
10am to 10pm