It was one lazy Sunday afternoon when I dropped by Bluejay Coffee and Deli's branch along Gen. Luna for a quick fix. Flipping over the pages of their (torn down) menu, I chanced upon an item which had me order it without much second thoughts ...
A few days ago, I watched a foodie TV show featuring a list of notable sandwiches across America. From big burgers and outrageously presented sandwiches to those made by upscale restaurants to the downright tacky, the Top 10 was a visual and gastronomical appeal. But the one that caught my attention and played over and over my mind since then was the Philly cheese steak sandwich. It was nothing out of this world except for the price – a whopping US$ 100. Read more about it here.
Certainly Bluejay wouldn’t serve such to the “price and taste” discriminating Ilonggos but they had a toned down version of that sandwich simply named Beef Philly Cheese sandwich. And it was a specialty and best seller of the house! So I decided to pair it with favorite drink – Siam Pearl Jelly.
While waiting for my orders, I noticed that the deli section is now gone. I don’t know how long it had been since it’s been months I haven’t been to this branch (I’m a semi regular at their more convenient branch at Amigo Plaza Mall). But it gave more space inside but the new chairs and tables did not complement the existing ones.
Then my order came – a tall cup of Siam Pearly jelly. Just a rundown it’s made with iced coffee mudslide, espresso, tapioca pearls and coffee jelly with a scoop of Arce chocolate ice cream and candy sprinkles. It was only then I really tasted the coffee liquer added compared to my previous cups. Indeed a refreshing year round drink and worth its price (PhP105 for the tall cup) that I regretted not having to order the grande size. One thing though, the crushed ice still were big and unevenly crushed.
The beef Philly cheese sandwich came a little later. Though small in size it was big in taste - the savoury beef slices packed in much of the flavour of the whole sandwich. The onions gave it spice and the cheese harmonized it giving the sandwich creamy. Served in a neatly pressed bread with dressing and lettuce, it was a perfect snack. Now I am only one sandwich shy of completing Bluejay’s best selling and specialty sandwiches. I’ve had their US double Decker burger and Country Clubhouse sandwiches and next time I’ll have their Chunky Apple Tuna salad sandwich.
I decided to linger more at the café enjoying the scenery in and out when a familiar car parked over. From my point of view, I can’t make out the plate number but after a few minutes my hunch was correct. A friend brought a friend and decided to have a coffeebreak (lol) at Bluejay after their badminton game. One had the Chef Burger combo and my friend had an Americano and asked me which dessert would be the best partner. I answered – everything or anything (lol). But the latest sweets invasion at Bluejay had me literally gone “bananas” over their dessert line up. It was a toss between Banoffee Tart and the Chocolate Banana Walnut Choco chip cake but I decided with the former.
If it was a hit before, it was a much bigger hit that afternoon for every bite was complimented of how it tasted good, how creamy it was, how fresh the bananas were and more. One thing though that tart that holds the banana was so hard that it made each forkful a challenge. But it was a minor set back just like the ice in my drink.
The Chef Burger also was received with praise mainly how the patty tasted good with its fried look and flavour inside a sweet bun, dressing and vegetables. Haven’t seen tomatoes that big served inside a burger, I heard being spoken over a mouthful.
What made that afternoon a major, major gastronomic delight was the discovery of food items I often pass over, the gratification of having old favorites and the vindication that what I recommend would pass with flying colours.
Certainly Bluejay wouldn’t serve such to the “price and taste” discriminating Ilonggos but they had a toned down version of that sandwich simply named Beef Philly Cheese sandwich. And it was a specialty and best seller of the house! So I decided to pair it with favorite drink – Siam Pearl Jelly.While waiting for my orders, I noticed that the deli section is now gone. I don’t know how long it had been since it’s been months I haven’t been to this branch (I’m a semi regular at their more convenient branch at Amigo Plaza Mall). But it gave more space inside but the new chairs and tables did not complement the existing ones.
Then my order came – a tall cup of Siam Pearly jelly. Just a rundown it’s made with iced coffee mudslide, espresso, tapioca pearls and coffee jelly with a scoop of Arce chocolate ice cream and candy sprinkles. It was only then I really tasted the coffee liquer added compared to my previous cups. Indeed a refreshing year round drink and worth its price (PhP105 for the tall cup) that I regretted not having to order the grande size. One thing though, the crushed ice still were big and unevenly crushed.
The beef Philly cheese sandwich came a little later. Though small in size it was big in taste - the savoury beef slices packed in much of the flavour of the whole sandwich. The onions gave it spice and the cheese harmonized it giving the sandwich creamy. Served in a neatly pressed bread with dressing and lettuce, it was a perfect snack. Now I am only one sandwich shy of completing Bluejay’s best selling and specialty sandwiches. I’ve had their US double Decker burger and Country Clubhouse sandwiches and next time I’ll have their Chunky Apple Tuna salad sandwich.
I decided to linger more at the café enjoying the scenery in and out when a familiar car parked over. From my point of view, I can’t make out the plate number but after a few minutes my hunch was correct. A friend brought a friend and decided to have a coffeebreak (lol) at Bluejay after their badminton game. One had the Chef Burger combo and my friend had an Americano and asked me which dessert would be the best partner. I answered – everything or anything (lol). But the latest sweets invasion at Bluejay had me literally gone “bananas” over their dessert line up. It was a toss between Banoffee Tart and the Chocolate Banana Walnut Choco chip cake but I decided with the former.
If it was a hit before, it was a much bigger hit that afternoon for every bite was complimented of how it tasted good, how creamy it was, how fresh the bananas were and more. One thing though that tart that holds the banana was so hard that it made each forkful a challenge. But it was a minor set back just like the ice in my drink.
The Chef Burger also was received with praise mainly how the patty tasted good with its fried look and flavour inside a sweet bun, dressing and vegetables. Haven’t seen tomatoes that big served inside a burger, I heard being spoken over a mouthful.What made that afternoon a major, major gastronomic delight was the discovery of food items I often pass over, the gratification of having old favorites and the vindication that what I recommend would pass with flying colours.