Feel Like a Kid Again at Hello Kitty Café

Hello Kitty Café
3/F Uptown Mall, Uptown Bonifacio
Contact: 817-7596
Open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Monday to Thursday) and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. (Friday to Sunday)

IMAGE Majoy Siason

(SPOT.ph) For lots of ‘80s and ‘90s kids, childhood memories aren’t complete without Hello Kitty and her band of adorable friends (anyone else still missing Gift Gate and their Sanrio goodies?). If you feel nostalgic for the adorable character or are still obsessed with her brand of kawaii, then Hello Kitty Café is paradise for you.

IMAGE Majoy Siason

IMAGE Majoy Siason

The café finally opened its first Philippine branch in Uptown Mall, and it’s bound to bring out your inner princess. While there are already lots of Hello Kitty Café branches all over the world, Sanrio makes sure that each one is different from the rest. For the Philippines, the café is inspired by Western royalty with booths made to resemble golden cages, seats embossed with Hello Kitty’s signature bow, and various renditions of Hello Kitty as a princess in gold and pastel. You’ll be snapping away the moment you’re inside.

IMAGE Majoy Siason

Choco Chips

Espresso

The cakes and pastries by Chef Wilmer Cabrera are also double tap-worthy. The Biskies or giant cookies piled with cream and syrup and served inside a golden cage have already started making their rounds on social media. The Choco Chips (P179) has giant chocolate chip cookies with lots of strawberry syrup and strawberry cream. Coffee fiends may want to opt for the Espresso (P159), with dark chocolate and notes of coffee flavor.

Mango Charlotte

It’s hard to decide whether you want to slice into the Mango Charlotte (P519/small, P1,999/large) or not; the white chocolate-Hello Kitty relaxing away in her tub is just too adorable. Take those pictures quickly because soon enough, you’ll want to sink your fork into that decadent mango custard and soft broas.

White Truffle Kirsch

The White Truffle Kirsch (P399) is sure to satisfy any sweet tooth. Dainty and elegant with strawberries brushed with edible gold and a candy bow, the white-chocolate coating hides a candy-like center of strawberry cream and strawberry jelly. A layer of coconut shavings underneath adds texture and balance.

Aside from sweets and pastries, Hello Kitty Café also carries savory items by Chef Khamir Doble. “The head of Sanrio decides what the theme of each café would be,” she shares. “For this café, they decided on French-inspired cuisine.” Still, nothing is too complicated to satisfy both kids and kids-at-heart.

French Gruyère Melt 

Arriving as a sandwich practically buried with lots of gooey melted cheese, the French Gruyère Melt (P359) is sure to make any cheese lover's heart skip a beat. The sharpness of the Gruyere isn’t that pronounced, and there’s a hint of sweetness to it from its ham center, so this is sure to please even the pickiest kids.

Creamy Mushroom Portobello Mushroom Soup With Truffles

The Creamy Mushroom Portobello Mushroom Soup With Truffles (P265) is thick, hearty, and overloaded with Portobello mushrooms for a dish that’s rich in umami flavor, with a hint of nuttiness to give it a slight twist from the usual. You’ll be glad for the bread bowl it comes in because you’ll need it to soak this all up.

Creamy Pink Carbonara

The sauce of the Creamy Pink Carbonara (P389) does come in a pastel pink hue and a runny egg stamped with Hello Kitty’s face. If you find yourself a little taken aback by the unorthodox color of this pasta, don’t worry because it tastes like the same carbonara you’re familiar with—creamy and slightly cheesy. This doesn’t skimp on the crisp bacon, either.

While Hello Kitty Café already counts lots of kids as its loyal fans, kids-at-heart have lots to enjoy here, too. After all, who doesn’t want to experience being a princess—or at least a slice of innocent childhood moments—even just for a day?

Photos by Majoy Siason