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The Bang Cafe -- the newest coffeshop & restaurant in Taytay, Rizal

Igritsnow January 06, 2021


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UPDATED: See my review of The Bang Cafe's new location - http://asecretfanfare.blogspot.com/2017/08/the-bang-cafe-and-restaurant-at-its.html

Even the very punishing April heat won't deter me from checking out the newest place in Taytay, Rizal, to have a grub. The name of that place is The Bang Cafe. I woke up on a sweltering late Monday morning, and therefore missed breakfast. Besides, we didn't have anything decent yet for lunch in our house so it would be a good time for my sister and me to eat out at The Bang Cafe.






Goodies inside the refrigerator


After a jeepney ride, we alighted down opposite Jollibee Taytay (on the town proper, not the other Jollibee near Club Manila East) and Bicol's Best Toasted Siopao, which were just beside the Bang Cafe. From its outside appearance, it seemed a bit nondescript, at least to my blurring vision. That is until we entered the cafe... and we were quite surprised by the interiors. It was painted in warm yellow, with ample seating that consisted of couches and standard chairs-and-tables setting. The cafe was quite roomy and boasted a few number of dining sections, including one Japanese-styled dining area where you can sit on the floor and eat at the low table (I saw no tatami mats, as far as I remember, although the area was enclosed by a sliding door for more private dining). Some parts of the wall were decorated with drawings and thought-provoking painted texts as well as pictures (although some areas were bare), giving the cafe somewhat a hip vibe. Aaaaaannndd we were relieved as well because we entered a literally cooler place, away from the punitive heat, pollution and humidity outside. :)

So since it was just the two of us, my sister and I sat at a small, round glass table. At first, we expected that we would be automatically handed with a menu. But since there was no sign of it coming, we instead walked beside the counter and stood by there, looking up at the blackboard-style menu sign. After a few minutes of deliberation, I decided to order daing na bangus, java chip frappe and cashew cheesecake. I missed eating a fried, boneless daing na bangus! My sister, on the other hand, ordered a lasagna, a cold pandan lemongrass drink, and a keylime cheesecake.


Daing na bangus (P99)


Bangus (milkfish in English) is probably my most favorite fish, not just because it's the national fish. Be it prepared and cooked as siningang, paksiw, daing, relyeno or stewed in tausi (black beans), bangus is still tops for me despite being notorious for its bony-ness, although there are also boneless types. Simple and classic meals are still the best and what I want to eat most. So there was almost no word of dispute from me when my daing an bangus meal arrived at our table, and especially when I dined on it. Although the sliced tomato (classic partner for daing na bangus, aside from the rice) and the acharra (shredded and pickled papaya) were too meager for me. Fortunately, the bangus was boneless, thank goodness... some parts were crispy too. I also wished they fried the whole thing through and through to make it more crispy, I could have eaten the head too, and it's not a joke. I also loved some bits of toasted garlic there. I did what most bangus lovers do, saving its best part for last -- the fatty, yummy black belly. Mmmmm!


Java chip frappe (16 oz., P100)


It seems I got too gushy about the bangus! In between munches, I sipped my java chip through a straw, of course. The drink was fine, had a nice amount of sweetness (I like my frappes to be quite sweet) and quite smooth. I couldn't fathom though, why I didn't get to finish all the chocolate chips as I would normally have liked to do.


Cashew cheesecake (P99 per slice)



Keylime cheesecake (forgot the price but I think it had the price as that of the Cashew Cheescake)


About my cashew cheesecake -- it was ok as well, with a good combination of creaminess and nuttiness. But I liked my sister's keylime cheesecake better when I got to have a taste of it. The lime's aromatic tartness cut the sweetness of the cake, making it not too nakaka-umay. From my palate, I could tell that these cheesecakes were done in a good ol'-fashioned way, e.g., not incorporated with gelatin to make them more firm.


Lasagna (P130)


I also got to have a bite of my sister's lasagna. It was good too, quite cheesy which I liked. The lasagna was served with two toasted breads. Our cheesecakes were served and presented in a really cute way, with the name of each cake written on its plate with chocolate sauce.


I like the "difference" this cafe makes. :)


During our stay there, I noticed the cafe's emphasis on altruism and helping others, as I saw some signs on their wall, "The Delicious Way of Helping" (seems to be the cafe's tagline) and "For a Cause." Through a piece of paper on the table that consisted of "Can You Spot the Difference" game (a diversion for customers as they wait for their order, perhaps), I learned about the cafe's advocacy especially on helping out-of-school-youths through entrepreneurship, as well as its support on the municipality's tourism campaign. That was really nice to discover, then, that our foodscapade  at the Bang Cafe would really turn out to be for a good, noble cause. We hoped.

The verdict?
For a cafe that has been in operation for a few weeks now (as of this writing), The Bang Cafe has already been attracting a lot of customers, especially the younger folks. One of the good things this cafe has is that it's conspicuous and easy to spot, so you don't have to go around aimlessly at the "roads less traveled" to find it. Inside, the Bang Cafe feels cozy, has a lot of seating available, and the food is good and quite varied -- I will try one of their house specialties, the Adobong Taytay, when I come back.

Of course, as it's been in the business for quite a while, I have the almost-certain impression that the cafe would want to strive in improving on every aspect, from the menu down to the service. I had very minor grievances especially regarding their restrooms. It looked better compared to those of the other establishments, but the toilet flush didn't work after I relieved myself. But at least the cafe has restrooms -- for each gender at that  -- unlike other cafes in Rizal which only has a unisex CR or none at all.

I have had no issues with the service so far as the staff was polite (they would even open the doors for you as you would enter and leave the cafe, and I like that) and prompt. So everything was pretty consistent here. Our first dine-in at The Bang Cafe proved to be a pleasant experience overall, and it's that reason alone why we would like to come back more when time permits.

Visit The Bang Cafe:
2 Kadalagahan Street,
Taytay, Rizal

(it is situated alongside Jollibee Taytay, Mang Inasal, and Bicol's Best Toasted Siopao and just near the upslope roads that lead you to the old church and the Taytay Municipal Hall)

The cafe is open Monday to Sunday, from 9 am to 12 midnight

Check out its Facebook page

Some other scenes from The Bang Cafe:









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