A GOOD number of people may frequent a tea or coffee shop to catch up with old friends, meet up with prospective clients or simply to just chill out. But how many go to one, to have more than just snacks, but to savor a decent meal?  After all, it does make sense to pair good drinks with an equal set of fine food.

One such tea salon that has a lot of things going for it is BrewKus.  Its name, as a matter of fact, is a gustatory amalgam: brew and cuisine. It is where one can expect brewed specialties complement the flavors of real, gastronomic delights.

So just what makes BrewKus unique? There are several ways by which it distinguishes itself from other tea houses in the metro.

First, it adheres to a strict standard of measuring its ingredients when churning out its enchanting brews. (It does not rely on a person’s strength in pumping liquid from a dispenser which may lead to inconsistent taste.) This ensures customers that they get a consistent taste of their favorite brewed drinks day-in and day-out.

What makes a good tea latte, for example?  “The tea taste should be evident when it hits your mouth, simultaneously followed by the creaminess of the milk. It is a sensation one likes to repeat over and over,” General Manager Ranier Jacinto shares.

The well-crafted tea drinks are also quite reasonably priced compared with others the area considering it is located in a prime spot of town.

Likewise, since it is not a franchise, it exudes a personality uniquely its own. The refreshing splash of colors of its interior—violet and green—provides an elegant and fresh vibe to the place.

Notable also are its talented young chefs showcasing a Western menu, as it is their major influence during their culinary stints abroad. The menu they created is not intimidating; in fact it is value for money, and served in portions meant to be shared. It is worth mentioning too that food is made fresh every day—from the stocks, sauces and dressings. Also, it only uses fresh herbs to flavor its food.

The food trip

To get one’s appetite going, start off with crisp spinach ravioli: spinach and cream cheese-filled wantons, deep fried to a golden crisp served with some rustic tomato sauce. Or the bruschetta duo, olive and cheese tapenade served with a side of Crostini baguettes. The crunchy texture of the deep-fried wanton goes well with saltiness of the cream cheese and the flavor of the tomato sauce, the same interplay of texture and flavors works well with the combination of the baguettes with the olive and cheese.

Dive into a medley of flavors with the Sicilian salad: grilled chicken chunks, grapes, mangoes, cashews in a French creamy dressing.

Ever had French toast with a pocketful of surprises? At BrewKus, you can have it three ways. Choose from among these palate-pleasers: peanut butter and banana stuffed French toast, flambéed bananas stuffed French toast and Nutella and banana-stuffed French toast. Of course, there is the ever-reliable classic French toast, soaked in special batter, served with a side of hash browns and whipped cream.

Gourmet sandwiches are something to look forward to here. Diners are given to the freedom to choose their bread: focaccia, sour dough, ciabatta, or baguette. The portion makes the sandwich a meal in itself. Make a healthy choice with the grilled vegetable and mozzarella: shitake mushrooms, eggplant, zucchini, ripe tomatoes, pesto and mozzarella cheese. Or the Chicken pico de gallo: grilled chicken chunks, pico de gallo salsa, mozzarella cheese and pineapple.

Want to taste something that has been braised for four hours with a flavoring liquid, the frozen, sliced and roasted with honey-glazed sauce before serving? Have the roast pork belly with herbed garlic confit, served with French bean that really compliments the meat better than just ordinary buttered veggies.

Indeed, BrewKus is more than a cozy place where a specialty Eastern drink meets a Western menu. It is where one can consistently expect to have a good time delighting the taste buds and satisfying the tummy.

Just like the tea latte it serves, the dining experience is worth savoring over and over.

BrewKus is at Unit G-02,139 Corporate Center, 139 Valero St., Salcedo Village, Makati City.

Visit www.brewkus.com for more details.