Gram Café & Pancakes
3/F Fashion Hall Building D, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City
Open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
(SPOT.ph) Is it just us, or are these jiggly stacks of breakfast goodness popping up every which way? We’re not mad about it—these things tick off all the boxes of 21st-century food. Soufflé pancakes are the stuff Instagram was made for, plus they’ve got a familiar, subtle sweetness that one can’t help but associate with the comforts of home. East Asian cuisine is bursting with the stuff, so its takeover of Manila was inevitable. First there was Taiwan; now, Japan is the formidable foe.
Gram Café & Pancakes offers so much more than the pancakes that have been taking over your feed, yet the Premium Pancakes (P385/stack of three) are still the stars of the show. Though you’re encouraged to eat them before they deflate, they actually don’t sink by very much—but that’s not all that makes them impressive. They taste like Sunday mornings, or like sneaking off in the wee hours to the 24-hour diner. It’s the quintessential pancake taste made visually extravagant, so its beauty isn’t only skin-deep. The procedure is so specific, however, that it’s only served at certain hours—namely, 11 a.m., 3 p.m., and 6 p.m. Only 30 stacks are made at any one time, so you must be punctual.
But the Tiramisu (P395) pancakes will still be there for you, should you arrive late. The rich dark cocoa flavor offset the rich cream perfectly, and even those of us without much of a sweet tooth just might fall in love.
If you’re not into the hype—an understandable stance—the menu offers other breakfast classics in its stead. If you’ve ever wondered what Earl Grey tea would taste like as a condiment, the Apple & Tea Cream (P445) pancakes will satisfy that curiosity as well as your craving for good, cinnamon-y stewed apples. The crisp tartness is what truly makes breakfast the most important meal of the day, we’d argue.
Want to go savory? The Salmon & Avocado (P445) stack is the Los Angeles stereotype on a plate, but we’re not crying foul. The wild smoked salmon and firm, fresh avocado don’t disappoint, and the side salad is far from boring—the radish and tomato kind of call to you.
They officially open their doors to the public on February 9; if you didn’t have any plans on Sunday, you do now.
For more information, visit Gram Café & Pancakes Philippines’ Instagram page.
