Brewing up an enthusiasm for the good things in life, Bluejay Coffee and Delicatessen has wisely carved its niche as one of the best coffee shops in Iloilo. Built not just because of the owners’ love for coffee but also to answer to Iloilo city’s need for a more sophisticated venue.
With two swanky branches located at strategic districts in city, Bluejay was born out of passion and concern - passion for coffee and concern for a developing city that was and still is in need of more top-rank establishments befitting its progressing status.
The restaurant has upped the ante by offering the Ilonggos a classier and hipper take on the usual coffee-and-dining experience. Cleverly resisting the compulsion to put all its beans in one filter basket, it did not just limit its market to the java-loving crowd, but has also introduced the deli-cum-coffee shop concept to local food enthusiasts.
But as first impressions tend to last, many people still think that one has to have a deep pocket in order to indulge in the delights Bluejay has to offer. Some do not even dare go inside for the ambiance looks intimidating as they expect to shell out more than their budget!
Thus to amend this notion, Bluejay has specially created a special menu retaining the quality but for a price that people tend to give a second look. Simply dubbed as Value Meals, these offerings are big in taste but light on the pocket - all still having Bluejay’s signature flair.
Pasta perfection
Get better value with delectable taste with Bluejay’s newest pasta creations. Overloaded with cheese topping, the Baked Penne is cooked to simple perfection. Made with penne pasta in a mix of sweet and tangy tomato sauce with mushrooms smothered Béchamel sauce, it a perfect combination of an Italian specialty given the twist most Filipinos love.
The Chicken ala King is quite similar sans the tomato sauce but instead a savoury white cream sauce with chunks of chicken, mushroom slices and corn topped with lots of cheese. It has a full bodied flavour that each forkful makes you want to have more. Both are complete meals for each order (PhP88) comes with 12oz iced tea.
Burger time
Enjoy fast food delights with a touch of urbanity with Bluejay’s value sandwiches. Made with 100% pure beef, Bluejay’s Chef Burger definitely tastes better than the usual burgers. It has a signature crisp-outside yet juice-inside patty plus has tomatoes and lettuce and brims with special tangy dressing all sandwiched in a special sesame crusted bun. Despite its commercial appeal, it has distinct flair and taste of home-made gourmet cooking. (PhP49 with 12oz iced tea)
Simply named as it maybe, the Chicken Burger has a patty made with ground chicken meat infused with flavourful spices plus shreds of chicken meat. With lettuce, tomatoes and special dressing complementing the fried-to-crispy-perfection patty, one bite deserves another. (PhP59 with 12oz iced tea)
More value meals
Completing the big in taste but light on the pocket meals are Pizza and Rice Meals. The Italian specialties come in the Four Cheese and the Bluejay Special. The former topped with an assortment of four quality cheeses while the house special has pepperoni, bacon, mushroom, bell pepper and onions. An order of pizza consists of two slices inclusive of iced tea (PhP 65-75).
Rice meal specials ranges from Filipino staples like Chicken Afritada and Chicken Adobo to fusion dishes like Pork Pineapple Royal and Roasted Barbequed Pork. An order (PhP99) comes with a serving of rice and iced tea.
Perfect match
And finally, among the most recent addition to its baked goodies line up is the Filipino favorite – ensaimada, and Bluejay takes pride in having the best ensaimada in town. Served warm, it delivers“melt in your mouth” goodness with just the right flavours and texture.
Made only with the finest ingredients, Bluejay’s ensaimada (PhP40) consists of soft and fluffy bread frosted with sugar and butter with a two cheeses as toppings, each mouthful gives a blissful gastronomic sensation. Don’t forget to lick off the yummy trails each bite leaves in the sides of your mouth! Perfectly enjoyed with a cup of hot brews like Americano, Cappuccino or Latte.
Bursting with the good things, Bluejay undeniably has just about everything for the city’s dining cognoscenti - outstanding coffee, great food and a sophisticated and welcoming ambiance. Brewing more than just coffee, it aims to keep on fulfilling the expectations of its growing clientele while continuing to innovate and reaching out to give Ilonggos a gastronomic experience that only comes from Bluejay Coffee and Deli.
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With two swanky branches located at strategic districts in city, Bluejay was born out of passion and concern - passion for coffee and concern for a developing city that was and still is in need of more top-rank establishments befitting its progressing status.
The restaurant has upped the ante by offering the Ilonggos a classier and hipper take on the usual coffee-and-dining experience. Cleverly resisting the compulsion to put all its beans in one filter basket, it did not just limit its market to the java-loving crowd, but has also introduced the deli-cum-coffee shop concept to local food enthusiasts.But as first impressions tend to last, many people still think that one has to have a deep pocket in order to indulge in the delights Bluejay has to offer. Some do not even dare go inside for the ambiance looks intimidating as they expect to shell out more than their budget!
Thus to amend this notion, Bluejay has specially created a special menu retaining the quality but for a price that people tend to give a second look. Simply dubbed as Value Meals, these offerings are big in taste but light on the pocket - all still having Bluejay’s signature flair.Pasta perfection
Get better value with delectable taste with Bluejay’s newest pasta creations. Overloaded with cheese topping, the Baked Penne is cooked to simple perfection. Made with penne pasta in a mix of sweet and tangy tomato sauce with mushrooms smothered Béchamel sauce, it a perfect combination of an Italian specialty given the twist most Filipinos love.
The Chicken ala King is quite similar sans the tomato sauce but instead a savoury white cream sauce with chunks of chicken, mushroom slices and corn topped with lots of cheese. It has a full bodied flavour that each forkful makes you want to have more. Both are complete meals for each order (PhP88) comes with 12oz iced tea.
Burger time
Enjoy fast food delights with a touch of urbanity with Bluejay’s value sandwiches. Made with 100% pure beef, Bluejay’s Chef Burger definitely tastes better than the usual burgers. It has a signature crisp-outside yet juice-inside patty plus has tomatoes and lettuce and brims with special tangy dressing all sandwiched in a special sesame crusted bun. Despite its commercial appeal, it has distinct flair and taste of home-made gourmet cooking. (PhP49 with 12oz iced tea)
Simply named as it maybe, the Chicken Burger has a patty made with ground chicken meat infused with flavourful spices plus shreds of chicken meat. With lettuce, tomatoes and special dressing complementing the fried-to-crispy-perfection patty, one bite deserves another. (PhP59 with 12oz iced tea)
More value meals
Completing the big in taste but light on the pocket meals are Pizza and Rice Meals. The Italian specialties come in the Four Cheese and the Bluejay Special. The former topped with an assortment of four quality cheeses while the house special has pepperoni, bacon, mushroom, bell pepper and onions. An order of pizza consists of two slices inclusive of iced tea (PhP 65-75).
Rice meal specials ranges from Filipino staples like Chicken Afritada and Chicken Adobo to fusion dishes like Pork Pineapple Royal and Roasted Barbequed Pork. An order (PhP99) comes with a serving of rice and iced tea.
Perfect match
And finally, among the most recent addition to its baked goodies line up is the Filipino favorite – ensaimada, and Bluejay takes pride in having the best ensaimada in town. Served warm, it delivers“melt in your mouth” goodness with just the right flavours and texture.
Made only with the finest ingredients, Bluejay’s ensaimada (PhP40) consists of soft and fluffy bread frosted with sugar and butter with a two cheeses as toppings, each mouthful gives a blissful gastronomic sensation. Don’t forget to lick off the yummy trails each bite leaves in the sides of your mouth! Perfectly enjoyed with a cup of hot brews like Americano, Cappuccino or Latte.
Bursting with the good things, Bluejay undeniably has just about everything for the city’s dining cognoscenti - outstanding coffee, great food and a sophisticated and welcoming ambiance. Brewing more than just coffee, it aims to keep on fulfilling the expectations of its growing clientele while continuing to innovate and reaching out to give Ilonggos a gastronomic experience that only comes from Bluejay Coffee and Deli.
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An edited version of this article appeared
in my column FLAVORS on THE NEWS TODAY (May 26, 2011)
Other Photos from Bluejay Coffee and Deli Facebook
in my column FLAVORS on THE NEWS TODAY (May 26, 2011)
Other Photos from Bluejay Coffee and Deli Facebook