Artesa Deli x Coffee: A Quiet Sanctuary Amidst a Busy Food Street

Nowadays, it’s so easy to get distracted by a lot of things happening around us, but I hope no one is ever too tired or too busy to grab a good meal! As more and more restaurants sprout up around the metro, it’s actually comforting to find spots where you can grab a quick meal or drink, or sit down and enjoy your me-time while reading a good book (Yes, I know, it’s a very old school thing to say).

The barely two-month old Artesa Deli x Coffee located along the Kapitolyo eat street is one where you can do either one of those things. With a minimalistic and chill ambiance, this no frills café is surely one of my top-of-mind chill spots in Kapitolyo!

We were able to sample some of their dishes, which are all handcrafted by their chef, Mr. Jefferson Lim. Here’s what we got to try:

✅ CHIMICHURRI BURGER (Php 175)
They used 100% U.S. Beef for their burgers, and you can be assured that their patties are of good quality. They cook their patties to medium doneness, but if you’d prefer to have it any other way, make sure to tell the friendly staff so they can customize it for you! The chimichurri was flavorful, and paired well with the savory cheese. There could have been a bit more acidity in the burger, but we were glad that it wasn’t too oily. The burger was served with crispy wonton chips, which was a light yet addicting side dish. I hate to say it, but it’s actually a really good side compared to the heavy fries!

✅ CUBANO (Php 235)
Artesa has their own version of Cubano, and it isn’t your traditional one. It is composed of flavorful and moist pulled pork, slightly sweet but meaty ham, and savory cheddar cheese in between toasted buns, but wasn’t as buttery as the traditional ones. It was the perfect comfort food for me! 😍 Though some may find it to lack the buttery taste and feel of cubanos, I prefer this since it wasn’t as heavy on the stomach. The bread was fresh, too! This comes with the crispy wonton chips too, which we can’t get enough of!

✅ TOMATO GRAVY RICE WITH BONELESS FRIED CHICKEN (Php 220)

Artesa acknowledged that Filipinos are mostly rice eaters, so they came up with two rice meal options to cater to those who deem rice as a non-negotiable item. This one is quite mild, and is reminiscent of the Japanese curry (a milder verion, though!). The boneless chicken was juicy and katsu-like, and for a third of the price of usual katsu meals. Sulit! They could jave used a better quality of rice, though. I also wish it was more flavorful than it is, but, we tried adding a spoonful of Angelita’s Chili Garlic (which, they sell in-store), and it tasted even better! Maybe they should come up with a spicy option?

✅ CHEESECAKE (Php 160 / slice)
Unlike most cheesecakes that are too sweet, Artesa’s version is light and has the right amount if sweetness. Sweet tooths might wish for it to have some fruit toppings, bit for me, it was already good on its own! I nornally prefer dense cheesecakes, but the lightness on this was not bad at all.

✅ CHOCOLATE CAKE (Php 160 / slice)
The chocolate cake is a classic, and their version was perfectly moist! For Php 160 a slice, the servings size was quite big already. For even better enjoyment, you may opt to pair it with their coffee, whose beans are sourced from India.

✅ HOT MATCHA LATTE (Php 150)
I’ve had a couple of matcha lattes elsewhere, but this one is definitely one of the best. Their matcha is authentic, and the matcha flavor is more prominent than the milk, which I liked. The latte art was perfect, too! 💚

Artesa is definitely the embodiment of the saying that good food does not have to be pricey. Whether you prefer sandwiches or rice meals, they got it all for you. Their coffee, tea, and juice options are worth trying, too! And oh, have I told you they also sell products from micro-entrepreneurs? Swing by and try them out soon. 😉

Artesa Deli x Coffee is located at Unit 2 D Strip Building, 20 United St., Kapitolyo, Pasig.

To know more about Artesa Deli x Coffee and their food offerings, click on the link below to read what other foodies have to say: