Brekkie, anyone? Sample all-day breakfast fare and comfort food at B&P

The bright yellow walls reminded me of my mother’s kitchen as soon as I stepped inside B&P Just Like Home, a cozy restaurant that is indeed as welcoming as one's home. I couldn’t take my eyes off the unique lighting fixtures that resembled the shape of a squid—it actually gave the place a more modern and youthful vibe. If that was a preview of the establishment’s cuisine, I knew I was in for a treat.

Home is where the hearty breakfast is

Barely half a year since opening in late January earlier this year, I have been hearing rave reviews about this first all-day breakfast concept from The Cravings Group, which made me want to visit it more particularly since I am a big fan of the morning meal. In fact, I can eat breakfast fare any time of day!

It was actually lunchtime when I first visited B&P, which I thought stood for “breakfast place”. Although apt, the restaurant was actually named after the restaurateur’s daughters, Bea and Pia Trinidad, who were also the inspiration behind the menu. It includes specialty dishes from their growing up years.

The witty dishes, like High School Life (chicken fillet and pork belly adobo), Crush ng Bayan (dried herring cooked in olive oil and capers), and Beach Front (crab and tuna omelet) have become a hit for diners ranging from students to office workers to families from the nearby neighborhoods.

Executive Chef Boom Jota was the one who conceptualized these creative kitchen concoctions. “Of course we wanted to serve local comfort food but with a different approach,” he said.

He explained that they tried to present typical breakfast meals in a not-so-typical way and with a leveled up approach. The chef handles all concepts of The Cravings Group and has been in the industry for 20 years.

“We are proud to say that everything is made from scratch—no shortcuts. Production goes on daily,” disclosed the Chef. “Sixty percent of our ingredients are organic.”

Eat breakfast like a king

I only realized what the chef referred to when he said they offered a different approach as soon as the server presented me with the Primera Tapa. Instead of the usual tapsilog, B&P’s version included slivers of premium Angus beef tapa served on a bed of adobo-flavored garlic rice, and with a side of scrambled egg and pickled relish. The beef strips were tender and went well with the savory rice. I would have been able to finish the whole serving, but I knew that I had to leave room for the rest.

I’m glad I did when I saw the dish called Don Malutong. This is the restaurant’s version of baconsilog, but instead of the conventional supermarket bacon, the dish had freshly made crispy pork belly slices. The meal also included adobo-flavored garlic rice, a choice of egg, and papaya relish. It was a very indulgent dish that I didn’t dare to finish—even if I wanted to.

Another must-try specialty is the Creole Style Eggs. Imagine a beef patty topped with two poached eggs, melted Swiss cheese and buttermilk cream sauce. The sauce was rich enough, but it was made more so when I sliced open the eggs and the golden liquid from the yolks spilled all over the plate. I liked how it added a depth of flavor to the dish.

Since I was there for lunch, I just had to get a taste of the bestselling, BnP Chick to Chick: chicken coated in buttermilk batter then deep-fried to perfection. It came with a couple of slices of homemade French toast and peppered gravy. Despite taking my time to taste the previous dishes, the chicken was still steaming hot when I cut into it. I liked the contrasting textures of the juicy poultry and the crunchy breading. The serving was good for sharing.

Don’t miss out on the Pancake Supreme, though make sure to bring reinforcements with you. This five-layer pancake tower is filled with an assortment syrups:  strawberry, blackberry, banana, orange and mango, to name a few, and is beautifully  topped with whipped butter. I don’t know how they made the pancakes fluffy, yet heavy. It was very filling and I don’t think one person could finish a whole order.

But for those who want guilt-free meals, better order nutritious alternatives from Grandma’s Get Fit menu. Try the Zumba meal (three egg whites that are scrambled with mushrooms and served with a cup of steamed spinach) or the Aerobics meal (oatmeal with non-fat fresh milk and banana). These meals have measured proportions that are just right for the health-conscious ones or those who are watching their weight.

Other notable comfort food dishes are the baby back ribs and pork chop. The guys will surely enjoy these, especially when they pair it with beer.

For those who simply want to chill out, be refreshed with signature coolers served in mason jars. Try the Strawberry Lemon Quench, Lemon Celery Pandan, or Lime Lemon Mango Cooler. I enjoyed the beverages with the popping flavored bobba and aloe jelly, which made it more fun to drink.

I heard that B&P will be opening a couple of new branches soon, which will offer new dishes and even a juice bar that has a mix of vegetable and fruit drinks with a tea base. Now that’s something to look forward to. — VC, GMA News


B&P is located at 515 Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong City; tel: (+63 2) 631-3252. It is open from 7 a.m. to 12 midnight every Sunday to Thursday, and 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. every Friday to Saturday.