Half Saints in Quezon City: A Story With Every Bite
The area of Mother Ignacia Avenue in Quezon City is most known for being the home base of one of the country’s biggest broadcasting network, ABS-CBN. However, the area is also a spot for chill afternoons and after-work rendezvous as it is laden with restaurants and cafes.
One in particular is Half Saints, a quaint neighborhood cafe located along Sgt. Esguerra.
As the cafe was born out of the owners’ own stories and experiences, it’s no wonder that within its minimalistic walls lies an interior that also speaks volumes. Their wooden tables and chairs, for one, are made from refurbished materials.
But the true conversation starter is the meticulous installation up on their ceiling.
According to Christine, one of the founders, the piece represents their journey and femininity (as all of them are women).
IMAGE Half Saints
Half Saints’ carefully curated menu, on the other hand, may very well be a story book waiting to be explored as each dish features its own narrative derived from the owners’ lives.
A good example is their popular Chicharron Teriyaki (Php 295), which marries the Japanese and Tarlac cuisine by combining the teriyaki-glazed Camiling bagnet, nori, and cream cheese in one roll.
Chicharron Teriyaki (Php 295)
Half Saints also defines simplicity not only through their interiors, but also in their food.
The Ratatouille Puff Pizza (Php 325) is made with a crust inspired by a puff pastry, topped with thinly sliced tomato, eggplant, zucchini, and drizzled in pesto sauce. It is a distinctly tasting snack that combined simple ingredients the right way.
Ratatouille Puff Pizza (Php 325)
The cafe also highlights the use of local ingredients and the people behind them.
In particular, the chocolate used in their heavenly Triple Chocolate Fudge Brownie (Php 75) is a single origin local chocolate hailing from Davao.
Triple Chocolate Fudge Brownie (Php 75)
The chewy (and chocolatey) dessert is made with three levels of intensity of chocolate (70%, 64%, and 35%), cocoa nibs, almonds, and dried cranberries. It will easily be a favorite even for those who don’t have a sweet tooth.
Half Saints truly redefines the cafe experience of the North with its simplistic and unique comfort food and engaging interiors.
How to get here
- From EDSA, ride a bus going to UE Letre and get-off at Quezon Avenue. Walk towards Mother Ignacia Avenue and ride a tricycle going to Half Saints.
- Half Saints is situated beside AM/PM Cafe.
This first appeared in Philippine Primer Japanese and English magazine’s September 2019 issue.
