Bar Chow, Brunch + More Mouthwatering Eats Make This Ortigas Spot Perfect for Your Next Hungry Hangout

Boudica Café Bar PH
Unit C106-107, City Golf Plaza, Doña Julia Vargas, Barangay Ugong, Pasig
Contact: 09162375668
Facebook: facebook.com/boudicacafebarph
Open Mondays to Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., Fridays to Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 4 a.m., and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 12 a.m.

(SPOT.ph) When we think about Ortigas, our minds immediately go to the cluster of malls and office buildings in the area. But if you consider the larger Ortigas area, specifically the entire stretch of Julia Vargas, you'll be acquainted with a strip of dining establishments in the City Golf Plaza. The food haunts of City Golf Plaza usually come alive at night when tired office workers get after-office grub and drinks. But tucked among the bars and eateries in this strip is Boudica Café Bar, a newly-opened all-day dining and drinking spot that's perfect for both after-office fare and brunch meetups with the gang.

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Check out this new café-bar concept in Ortigas called Boudica Café Bar

Boudica Café Bar is brought to us by the same folks behind CargoFish, a spot loved by many for their Fish and Chips. This new Ortigas haunt is the brainchild of chefs Matthew Hornsby-Bates, and Matthew Lim, who wanted to bring simple, no-frills comfort dining to the bustling business district of Ortigas. A respite for the busy office worker and a hangout for Ortigas yuppies and titas away from the usual Ortigas center suspects. 

Located at the far end of the City Golf Plaza strip is what we could only describe as a modern, tropical space. Boudica, with its dark motif and warm lights, invites you to come in and discover what lies within.

Upon entering, you'll be greeted by the first of three areas. This part is a small, more private air-conditioned zone, separated from the rest of the café by chic glass and wood dividers. This area can comfortably seat about 25 to 30 people, and best of all, you can even hold small functions and events here with a consumable meal and drinks package. 

Going in further, you'll reach the bar area. This part is the heart and soul of the place. Right at the center of this second seating area is the bar where all your drinks—whether alcoholic or not—are whipped up. 

Boudica has a stunning range of drinks available, from juices, smoothies, and coffee to inventive and creative house cocktails, all of which are available all day. With the open bar setup also comes the opportunity to watch the bartenders work. We recommend sticking around and watching them because some of the drinks aren't simply thirst-quenching, they come with added flair courtesy of the bar.

The second seating area is a mix of airconditioned and al fresco seats, with some seats closer to cooling units and others closer to the third area, the open-air zone with fans. This part of the spot is giving us serious tropical beach bar vibes. TBH, we think it's a breezy and comfy spot you can enjoy regardless of the time of day. 

Once you've picked your seats, we recommend starting off with some appetizers. Supposing you're in the mood for classic Filipino bar chow, we highly recommend getting the Crispy Tawilis (P210) if not for the salty and crispy fish itself, then for the garlicky and slightly spicy house vinegar. Another Filipino drinking classic to try is the pork cheek and shoulder Pinoy Sisig (P345).

If you're looking for a more filling bite, order the Boudica Burger (P495), a 200-gram USDA beef burger with bleu cheese, tomatoes, onion confit, greens, and a side of thick-cut fries (or as British chef Matthew calls 'em, chips). Be warned: these chips are addictive. You can't have just one piece. So if you want even more spud to satisfy your needs, consider getting a helping of the earthy, umami-rich Truffle Fries (P380) too. These fries aren't just drizzled with truffle oil, they have a generous seasoning of furikake and parmesan cheese that helps add a depth of salt to the rich truffle flavor. 

Thinking about going here for a full meal instead of just quick snacks? Well, yes, you should. Boudica serves food for sharing. Their pizzas include our personal favorites the meaty and cheesy Italian Sausage (P495) and the garlicky seafood-rich Gambari (P550). Each order comes with about eight slices, perfect for sharing up to three people (or two if you're especially hungry), and a side of hot honey. Trust us, you'll want a drizzle of that sweet-spicy sauce on top of the depth-filled slice of flavor. 

While we're on the Italian food boat, you wouldn't go wrong with an order of their classic Italian Carbonara (P495). Yup, this one's the real deal, folks. No cream in sight, just creamy egg mixed with parmesan cheese and bacon.

So we mentioned that Boudica is open for brunch, which can only mean breakfast's on the table, too. Here, breakfast is available as long as the sun is still up and brunch is a state of mind; that is, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., to be more specific. For those craving the usual continental eats, try a helping of the Full English (P585). This is a plate of English sausages, eggs cooked your way, bacon, fresh button mushrooms, baked beans, chips, and a grilled tomato. You can also add an extra P100 for a serving of black pudding. If you ask us, the black pudding makes it extra special. Shell out the extra bucks for maximum flavor, thanks to the well-seasoned pig's blood sausage that brings extra flavor and texture you won't get anywhere else.

What really stole our hearts—or really, our stomachs—was the Smoked Bacon Slab (P465). Think thick-cut smoked pork belly, two eggs, garlic rice, and atchara to start your morning right. Not only is this dish as mouthwatering as it sounds, it breaks no expectations. The bacon is perfectly seasoned and smoked so as not to be too overwhelming, and paired with Boudica's garlic rice, you've got a combination that hasn't left our minds in the past two weeks.

There is so much more to eat, drink, and taste at Boudica that one visit isn't enough to get them all. But, is the food we sampled any indication of how good the rest of their sizable menu is? Trust us, you're in good hands regardless of what you get. So next time you're stuck in traffic along Julia Vargas or waiting for a slot at the many Ortigas malls' parking, consider dropping by City Golf Plaza and give Boudica Café Bar a try.

Check out our visit to Boudica Café Bar:

Also read: This Food Hub in Ortigas Center Could Be Your New Weekend Destination

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