The Coffee Academics To-Go
U/G, Robinsons Magnolia, New Manila, Quezon City
Contact: 0920-973-3716
Instagram: instagram.com/thecoffeeacademicsph.togo
Open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Sunday to Wednesday) and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Thursday to Saturday)
(SPOT.ph) Nearly everyone has their preferred coffee shop nowadays—from chain coffee shops to mobile pop-ups to the artisanal cafes—but regardless of what your favorite shop might be, there’s one cafe we think every coffee lover must try at least once and that’s The Coffee Academics. Coffee aficionados from BGC and Makati would be very familiar with the award-winning Hong Kong based specialty coffee brand thanks to their spots at these business districts—a takeout kiosk in BGC (under their To-Go leg) with limited seating, and a full-blown cafe in Makati. This leaves coffee enthusiasts from the north and the east having to travel all the way to the CBDs just to try this cup of joe; well, not anymore as The Coffee Academics has opened a new To-Go shop in Robinsons Magnolia, right in the heart of New Manila.
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Check out The Coffee Academics in Robinsons Magnolia, your next go-to small coffee shop:
The Coffee Academics To-Go in New Manila is a humble 20-seater center-aisle kiosk in the upper ground level of the mall. It’s decked out in the same charcoal, gold, and marble minimalist motif of its predecessor in BGC. Much like the BGC stall, just being near the kiosk gives you a whiff of that sweet, earthy coffee scent mixed in with a fresh buttery pastry smell; with The Coffee Academics To-Go that initial sensory overload is just the tip of the iceberg.
Right now you must be wondering, why New Manila? Well the answer is simple, at least according to the To-Go leg's Franchise Operator and General Manager Myles Hontiveros: he simply wants to bring The Coffee Academics experience to a new crowd of coffee drinkers, and be the bridge for coffee lovers from the north and the brand. Hontiveros, a self-described coffee enthusiast (more of an expert really) with 12 years of experience in the overall coffee space, brings his A-game to his latest venture. Citing the success of his BGC branch towards the working yuppies, singles, and young couples, he hopes to bring the same The Coffee Academics experience to the casual and more family-oriented shoppers of Robinsons Magnolia. The open space in the center of the mall was intentional so that newbies to The Coffee Academics do not get intimidated by the space; a sanctuary to those tired of shopping and hoping to grab a cup for merienda or a quick pick-me-up before strolling some more.
Also Read: Hong Kong’s The Coffee Academics Is Now in BGC and the Lattes Are Unlike Any Other You’ve Tried
What’s on the menu at The Coffee Academics Robinsons Magnolia?
The Coffee Academics To-Go in Robinsons Magnolia brings with it the same drink and pastry menu from the BGC kiosk. All the famous signature lattes such as the peppery, earthy but sweet Agave (P210/hot, P220/iced), the robust and saccharine Jawa (P230/hot, P240/iced) and the familiar cappuccino-like Okinawa (P210/hot, P220/iced) are available, alongside classic coffee drinks such as the Steam (P155/iced) which is an iced steamed espresso with frothy sweetened texture. All the coffee at The Coffee Academics pack a punch set to keep you wide and alert for a while (we know from experience)—but if you’re looking for non-caffeinated drinks or a more refreshing type of beverage they also have an array of iced teas and non-caffeinated drinks. A light and invigorating option is the Jasmine Passionfruit With Chia (P195)—which has a bright, fruity profile that’s perfect for warm sunny days. Plus, having the chia seeds mixed in adds the perfect play on texture—think small boba.
Drinking their beverages transports you to a different zone as subtle differences in their ingredients change the whole tone and spirit of the drink. Think about the signature lattes: one can easily dismiss them as simply being espresso with milk, but the thing about drinking a latte from The Coffee Academics is that there is a nuance in each drink. It could be a different sweetener, a process to froth the milk, and so, that nuance is what gives the drinker more than just a cup of coffee but a talking point, or simply put, an experience. To add, each drink is made with beans and other ingredients all sourced and vetoed by the Hong Kong main office, which assures every customer that every cup they get here in Manila is just as good as the original award-winning cups from Hong Kong and other franchises around the world.
Pastries are another strong point for The Coffee Academics To-Go. All their pastries are made in-house and take days to make. They push out around 300 to 500 croissants and other pastries a day—and often sell-out before closing. Pastries are all made fresh daily. The recipes have all been developed by Hontiveros himself who once wanted to be a chef. He takes part in the ideation, creation, and baking of each pastry on the menu—that’s how hands-on he is. That’s also how you know that each viennoiserie you get from The Coffee Academics To-Go has been made with care and respect for the ingredients and integrity of the pastry. They have croissants of both the sweet and savory sort—but regardless of what type you order, you’re sure to get a light, flaky and buttery pastry that sings perfectly with whatever filling it has inside.
A one-of-a-kind croissant on their menu is the Black Coconut Custard (P140), which can simply be described as a pan de coco inspired croissant but is also so much more than that. This eye-catching black croissant has a lightly sweetened coconut-flavored filling and toasted coconut flakes on top. Fun fact: it’s meant to mimic the way a coconut looks and feels, a dark exterior with a lighter center and soft gooey insides. This Filipino take on the classic croissant is the brainchild of Hontiveros which he hopes to roll out to international franchises as well.
The Pain Au Chocolat (P150) is also a crowd favorite for people of all ages. It’s perfectly crispy on the outside and buttery and flaky on the inside, with just the right ratio of chocolate to pastry. Plus, the thing about most of their pastries is that they are not sickly sweet or overly salted; they're seasoned just right, such that it perfectly accompanies the taste of the drinks without overpowering or being drowned by them. They’re equals, giving you the perfect synergy of drinks and pastry as you alternate bites and sips.
Now the pièce de résistance to The Coffee Academics To-Go Robinsons Magnolia is that they serve food aside from just pastry and coffee—and, boy is it good. It’s a relatively small food menu, but don’t let the size fool you. As they often say, food is best served fresh, and fresh is best achieved with a decently sized menu. A must-try from the food menu is the Chicken Saffron Paella (P520). It’s a hefty dish with a slight peppery heat that creeps up on you as you take more bites—which you will keep on doing, as it is packed with flavor. If you’re in the mood for pasta, they also have Penne Pesto (P450) on the menu. This is a fairly basic take on the classic dish, but their version stands out in execution—it’s the kind that doesn’t leave you with an overwhelming taste of basil in your mouth. It’s a balanced dish from the seasoning to the ratio of pasta to sauce.
All in all, The Coffee Academics To-Go in Robinsons Magnolia is a great stopover when you’re done with all your shopping or just taking a break—hit them up if you’re looking for respite from the neverending glimmer of retail shops, or a sanctuary to fill your belly with sumptuous delights. There’s a lot of promise from this brand and it seems to just keep getting better with each new addition; fingers crossed we get to see them in more locations in the future.
Photos by Toto Labrador
UPDATE (July 15, 4:02 p.m.): The franchisers of The Coffee Academics' Makati outpost have reached out to clarify that the Robinsons Magnolia and BGC branches are under the HK brand's To-Go leg. The article has been updated to reflect that development.
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