Boudica Café Bar [Review]

Mega Tower SM Megamall Building, Mandaluyong City

(January 17, 2025)

RATING: ❤️❤️/5

==========

Beside a busy mall along EDSA lies a hidden spot where you and your friends could experience dining in another country. It is BOUDICA CAFÉ BAR, located in SM Mega Tower, Megamall.

It was really not part of my itinerary of going here. I was just casually walking in Megamall when I decided to search for coffee shops on my phone. I was trying to look for some café that I haven't tried before. As much as possible, a place where there were only a few people. I’m not so much concerned about the price because at the end of the day, if their coffee (which is the heart of a café shop) passes my "standard," I'll be fine.

As I look around, I notice that there is a sign going to Starbucks. The sign points to somewhere that I wasn’t able to explore. Mind you, this mall has been part of my childhood, so I already have an idea where most of the shops are placed, so encountering the sign makes me curious. As I follow where it leads, it led me to the Mega Tower. An office building that was recently built just beside the mall. Then, I just remembered that I saw a TikTok video months ago that said there is a brand new coffee shop in the area. I asked around where it is, and there it was, BOUDICA Café and Bar.

==========

🏢DESIGN

The location of the cafe is quite hidden, which presents itself as a mysterious place wherein, once found, you'll be amazed at how grandiose the surroundings will be. The entrance itself already has a character as if it is requesting me to refine my behavior. I was impressed. There was no one at the door to ask questions to, so as a first-timer myself, I'm not sure if I needed a reservation first before entering or not.

As I entered, I was amazed at their decor and setup. It was a blend of coziness and elegance. It is really apparent that people in high positions dine here. The furniture has a modern take on how they were able to use wood as the material. The interior has this class of it being Filipino but very sophisticated. It may take you a couple of minutes to really take it all in, but once you are able to settle in, then you are good to go. Besides the wooden chairs and tables, there are a few couches around the area for a more laid-back vibe, perfect for hanging out with friends after a challenging week at work. Plates, glasses, and utensils complement the dining setup. However, in my opinion, the displays at the table make the space too crowded.

I explored the place and entered their powder room. It is quite aesthetic and spacious. The lighting they used adds this dramatic feel to it. But unfortunately, the smell wasn't that good, and it is quite hot inside.

😋 TASTE

Now for the main part, the food. Like what I just mentioned, I ordered their basic latte as usual and tried their fish sandwich. It says in their menu that it was a brioche bun, and out of their three fish options, I chose dory. First came out was their café latte (priced at Php115); the milk was a bit creamy, which complements the coffee; no one overpowers the other. I would however prefer for it not to serve in such a tall glass though, not ideal to capture in photos and for such a klutz like me, I had to be extra careful not to move too much for I may knock it over.

Then came the fish sandwich (priced at Php365). The meal comes along with a generous portion of their fries, a side of ketchup, and is served on a wooden board. Presentation-wise, it is definitely fancy indeed. As the great Gordon Ramsay would say, “You eat with your eyes first,” and this didn’t miss the mark. The whole meal is quite overwhelming at first glance, which could make you think twice if you’re still going to eat it because you don’t want to ruin the presentation. Just by looking at it, I do have high hopes for this dish, but unfortunately it was just fine.

The burger arrived around twenty minutes. I’m not sure if this was a standard time since I’m not well learned in the culinary world, but in my mind, once I realize that I’ve been waiting for the food that I ordered, then it was indeed a long wait. No one from the staff informed me that it would take that long, and as per my conversation with one of the servers (the same server I mentioned a while ago), the fish was pre-made already, so why did it still take that long? (Again, I’m not an expert in this field, so I’m open to feedback!)

Furthermore, the bun used in my sandwich was quite questionable too. Just like what I’ve said, it was supposed to be a brioche bun, but it tastes like it wasn’t. I’m really unsure about it since I seldom eat this kind of bread, but you could judge it for yourself in the pictures below. And the fact that the server lacks confidence on how she explained it to me makes me lean on the thought that it wasn’t a brioche bun after all. As for the tartar sauce and the slaw, they were both good. On the other hand, the fries are ok, not too salty.

This was just a sidenote, but I also noticed that while I’m eating, there are instances where I have to whoosh a fly as it tries to go to my food. It may be because my table is situated near the door leading outside the building, but I know there’s such a thing as air curtains that prevent insects from going in when somebody opens the door, but whatever.

🧭 LOCATION

The café is along EDSA yet hidden enough to feel secluded. It offers a quieter atmosphere compared to its busy surroundings.

💸 PRICE & SERVICE

Price-wise, it is obviously in the higher end, as for the service, there may not be any staff available outside to assist me, but I can still say that the overall customer service was ok. I was asked by some of the servers how my food was or if I needed anything, and they are always doing rounds pouring water in your glass. However, there was this server whom I asked the specifics of the food I ordered, and I felt like she was quite unsure of what she was saying. I also asked if they have other milk options since I forgot to ask them earlier when I ordered my latte. She told me that they have it (which wasn’t written in their menu) but it wasn't available at that moment.

📋CONCLUSION

As I finished my meal and walked out of the place, I really felt unsure what this restaurant is trying to achieve. It may look like you're dining in a high-class restaurant, but after considering my overall experience, I can say that it is quite a letdown for me, to be honest.

Despite the opulence this place wants to show, the food and the customer service weren’t able to match that. If you allow yourself to go beyond what your eyes can see, that’s when you will realize what a restaurant or a café really has to offer. I may not always dine in a fancy place, but when I have the opportunity to try and experience a slice of luxury, I would certainly have expectations, especially when the place was just recently opened. (According to Google, they opened the place for the public last November 2024).

Of course, we have varied opinions and experiences when dining out, and I’m not condemning the staff and the whole place just because of a burger and a coffee. If you had or will be having a good time here, then I’m happy for you, but for me, I’m just describing what I experienced.

As I end, BOUDICA Café and Bar is a nice alternative if you want to experience a different setting or ambiance. It is a great place when you have visitors or important clients to meet. It is in a good location wherein, even though it is along EDSA, it is still well-hidden enough so you could still talk and relax. There are also a lot of other foods to choose from, like salads, rice meals, pasta, and desserts, and since it is also a bar, they also offer alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. There’s also a menu where they paired up their food with some of their wine as well! So, try it and enjoy! 

==========

#BeanThereDrankThat

#CoffeeAdventures

Fish Dory Sandwich with Fries (priced at Php365)