Sit-Down at Alfoncito’s Place: An A1 Experience

Potential hang-outs have been springing up like mushrooms in the past few days. (That’s right, days.)  There was this milk tea shop, that milk tea shop, and a restaurant reinvented.  Before I heard about all of these however, my sister gave me the heads up about Alfoncito’s Place.

I was still in the process of planning a trip to Kisad Road to check this new Baguio resto out when Maam Gracie called on her ‘angels’ (just so you know, that’s Ane, Sam, and me now =b) to give them a try.

EDY lower ground floor, version Alfoncito’s!

Located in the lower ground level of EDY building, I was amazed at the transformation of P3’s old office.  From cold, serious, corporate looking and drab to a place with snazz =); I started thinking back on the qualities of the perfect hangout.

• Comfy, cozy – Check!

Pick a table, any table, by the wall, in the corner, in the middle, sit down and get settled.  If the place had ambient lighting, something with a yellowish hue for added ‘warmth’ and maybe a few diner booths, it would look even more comfy and more cozy … but THIS is already pretty awesome.  Kudos, Maico designers! \m/

• Quiet and intimate – Check!

Alfoncito’s is not in town but neither is it on the outskirts.  With the hospital and a few hotels nearby, there’s still some traffic in and around EDY.  Pick a table, any table, in front of the counter, in the dark-ish corner and sit down … you’d even only get a single bar of a signal here (that didn’t change from our P3 office days *heeharhar) so it’s like hanging a Do Not Disturb sign on your phone. Alfoncito’s Place makes for a great dining hideaway (for dates, catching up with friends, and family bonding).

The menu and some sweet munchies to pair with your coffee. *click photo for larger view of the menu

• Food! Glorious food! (and refreshing drinks, too) – Check!

Whether you’re looking for a heavy meal to power up your day or if you’re just enjoying the end of a busy one with a small snack, together with family and friends, there’s lots of foodstuff and yes, drink stuff to choose from at Alfoncito’s.  So much so that they change their menu every week.  It’s only the best sellers that stay on (naturally). ^^,

Creamy and cheesy pasta Alfredo with outstandingly tender (no cutting effort, like a hot knife through butter) BBQ spareribs and smooth au naturel mashed potato. =D

Filling, filling penne in zingy fresh tomato sauce with herb-y roasted chicken (Is it just me, or is that piece of chicken heart-shaped to you, too? =b)

Although you don’t really see it in the photos, Alfoncito meals come in huge servings that can be shared by two (or in this case, even 3.5 individuals).  For both plates of best sellers, the aroma that hovered over our table was so enticing.  Hearing that everything served in this establishment is freshly made with the best ingredients  (by Maam Marivic) made us want to get ‘working’ with our forks and knives tout de suite.  *nomnomnom (Note: No spoons here, guys, and no budget rice meals, either. Sir Mark told us that the name, Alfoncito, his dad’s (nick)name, means little Italian.  No spoons/rice meals makes more sense now, doesn’t it? =D)

The Tres Marias smoothies. ^^,

Of the smoothie selection, I picked tropical twister.  Made with banana, papaya, orange juice and lime, I so had a tropics feel going through the straw and then through me drinking this. It brought up images in my mind of sunny summer days (meanwhile, it was pouring like mad outside *shyeew).

Strawberry creme was Sam‘s pick and banana split deluxe was Ane‘s and her lil’ man, Lucas’. For how these other smoothies tasted, you’ll have to get it from the horse’s mouth – click on their names for their take on not only their refreshments but also on the whole Alfoncito’s Place experience.

Grilled chicken panini with potato salad. =)

Just when we thought we were done, grilled chicken panini with potato salad was delivered to our table. (Heaven, help us take all this in. *giggles) That was one mean sandwich; perfectly grilled delicious pieces of chicken in tasty satisfying bread.  The salad had crunchy veggies in it that offered a contrasting texture to everything (except the bread sticks, that went crunch-crunch all the way) we’ve had so far.

There’s still dessert. (“,)

More contrasts and for a sweet finish to our meal – dessert.  I forgot what these were called exactly but the one in the small bowl was like espresso flavored panna cotta/creme brulee.  Usi with Lucas’ dessert *hee, that was made especially for him, I wanted one especially for me, too … so I’ll be back for that. Hopefully, it’s still available then.

The donut hole/cake pops looking dessert was reminiscent of fruitcake … choco fruitcake with bits of (wal)nuts and raisin. I’ll be back for that too, making a note that I come totally famished because this dessert might look dainty but it’s packed *ooff!

Tres foodie blogging Marias, Maam Gracie, Maam Jet with Maam Marivic and Sir Mark. \m/

X marks Alfoncito’s Place for good food in Baguio. With everything to offer as a perfect hang out, you get an A1 experience for a sit-down with loved ones.  Pick a table, any table. Sit down, get settled and get ready for a good time with scrumptious and filling Italian inspired eats, away from the hustle and bustle (including techno hustle and bustle) of the world outside.

Food:  ***MSG free food! (food offerings are free of monosodium glutamate – as per menu/restaurant staff member.  Please ALWAYS CONFIRM with your attendant/server/waiter to be on the safe side. ^^,)

Service: Superb from the two-person staff (the owners themselves, for this visit). (Another great quality for an excellent hangout.) See you again soon, Alfoncito’s!  (It was nice to meet you, Maam Marivic and Sir Mark.  So sad we didn’t get to meet you Maam Michelle … till we return.)

Ambiance: 

Price:  (basing on the menu since we didn’t come out of pocket for anything in this visit. Thanks much, Alfoncito’s for the free sampling.)

Alfoncito’s Place

Lower ground floor, EDY Building

Kisad Road

Baguio City, Philippines

Maam Marivic: 0915 785 2947

Maam Michelle: 0927 600 2956

UPDATE 09/21/2013: Their Facebook page is up! Weee! www.facebook.com/AlfoncitosPlace

*** Thank you so much, Maico family for inviting us to your food establishment.  We had a wonderful time in the dining hideaway that is the little Italian’s place.

*** Thank you so much Maam Gracie for not forgetting us.  Gracie’s angels pose. *hihi It was a pleasure meeting you, too, Maam Jet!