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TOBY’S ESTATE Manila: Specialty Coffee Roasters from Australia @tobysestateph

TOBY’S ESTATE Manila: Specialty Coffee Roasters from Australia @tobysestateph

Location: 3rd floor Century City Mall; V Corporate Center 125 L.P. Leviste St., Salcedo Village; G/F EcoTower
32nd St. cor 9th Ave, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City; 3rd Level, SM Aura, Taguig
Official Website: www.tobysestate.com
Facebook: Toby’s Estate
Instagram: tobysestateph

Toby’s Estate Manila Menu

Toby's Estate Coffee Roasters Manila

TOBY’S ESTATE COFFEE ROASTERS is one of the latest commercialized, specialty coffee shops leading the bandwagon in the single origin coffee trend here in Manila. Originating from Australia, Toby Smith, the coffee genius, brings his direct trade coffee and skills honed in Brazil and Guatemala plantations into a chain of successful third wave coffee shops. Since his first branch in Woolloomooloo, Sydney back in 2001, Toby’s Estate has crept in Brooklyn, New York, Singapore (where it is very popular) and finally, Philippines.

Toby's Estate Coffee Roasters Manila

While starting with their first popup style branch in Century City Mall, Toby’s Estate has a larger space in L.P. Leviste Street, Salcedo Village, where they serve more than Bucky’s Not a Brownies and Baked by Anita Bocaditos. I visited Toby’s Estate to check out their latest menu, aside from their coffee, of course, owing to the fact they have started serving gourmet food since April 1, 2014. With now a month of operation, perhaps, it is now a better time to review Toby’s Estate Manila.

“Coffee is a language in itself” – Jackie Chan

Toby's Estate Coffee Roasters Manila

Toby’s Estate at L.P. Leviste Makati definitely has lovely interiors, reminding me of coffee shops in British Columbia and Australia. The idea of a communal table perks my interest, as I found this similar in Todd English Food Hall, which I had been very keen to experience again. The idea of a long table composed of different groups of people from all walks of life to enjoy a cup of coffee sparks creativity in a coffee drinker. However, I sat in the couches to observe everyone in the shop.

Toby’s Estate Signature MOCHA with Double Ristretto Shot and Ghana Chocolate

Like other specialty coffee shops, Toby’s Estate also uses La Marzoco machines. Toby’s Estate has quite a wide variety of coffee for different coffee drinkers – from Espresso, to Latte, Cortado, Cappuccino and Macchiato. Interestingly, Toby’s Estate also has Chardonnay, Cabernet, Rouge and Recolte Blanc, which I was surprised, at mid-day there were several customers ordering over the usual Toby’s Estate signature coffee.

I could have ordered Gibraltar with two powerful shots of Ristretto, which is off the menu, but I was leaning towards Mocha, as this is their bestseller. MOCHA also has two shots of Ristretto, anyway. In fact, it is also the most expensive item in their coffee menu, priced at P160.

Toby's Estate Coffee Roasters Manila

The Mocha is such a beautiful cup decorated by Holly’s milk that makes it creamy. Again, I am not a coffee connoisseur but the temperature was just right for me to drink, as coffee was meant to be. But amidst the creaminess I could taste the coffee still, and I know that this quite a good cup.

Toby's Estate Coffee Roasters Manila

Toby's Estate Coffee Roasters Manila

Toby’s Estate Manila roasts Arabica beans imported from Singapore which are harvested from Finca Santa Teresa, Panama, “Rodyk Blend that has spicy, nutty flavors and aroma with a light sparkling acidity to add dimension and a long berry, chocolatey finish”. You can also buy these at Toby’s Estate.

toby's estate coffee roasters manila

Indeed the MOCHA was earthy and nutty, and feels smooth in my mouth that lingers for quite a time, until I was looking forward to a next sip from the adorable, generous fill of cup. Toby’s Estate’s Mocha was full-bodied with obvious chocolatey flavors, one of the best as this has Ghana chocolate.

Toby's Estate Coffee Roasters Manila

I wish I was immune to coffee so I could get a Flat White or Long Black. Perhaps, I shall return again one of these days for a second cup.

For the none coffee drinkers, there is always the Chai Latte or Chai Chocolate, both favorite items in branches in Australia.

Toby’s Estate’s LA TRAVIATA EGGS SKILLET

Toby's Estate Coffee Roasters Manila

As I’ve mentioned, Toby’s Estate now serves food which I find best for foreign travelers as its menu comprises of salad, sandwiches and uniquely, eggs skillet. I found Toby’s Estate visited by tourists and expatriates and I recall some of my less adventurous foreign friends working in Makati are always looking for alternatives to Starbucks.

Toby’s Estate has their bestseller sandwiches Patty Melt smashed burger patty in white bread and Shredded beef made of pulled beef shoulder packed in a crusty brown bread, which I found priced acceptable. However, between the Salmon and Capers Eggs Skillet and Traviata, TRAVIATA caught my eye as these two eggs baked in a skillet pan was priced at P315. How interesting could it be?

Toby's Estate Coffee Roasters Manila

David Chang, owner of Momofuku Noodle Bar, SSam Bar and Milk Bar in New York, in his show Mind of a Chef once said that eggs are the cheapest luxury one can eat.

Toby's Estate Coffee Roasters Manila

The skillet was indeed musical as its aptly named after Guiseppe Verdi’s opera, topped with crumbled Feta cheese, arugula, tomato compote, grilled cherry tomatoes and drizzled with basil oil. On the side was a rustic garlic bread which I find comforting since it was tough yet manageable in bites. I am a fan of hard bread.

Toby's Estate Coffee Roasters Manila

Does it taste delicious? Yes, it has feta cheese, a plus that I would approve, except I doubt its origin or if it justly adds up to the dish’s price. Yet I cannot fathom how two eggs lightly baked should be priced at P315. It was overpriced, and I can say I paid for the use of the skillet rather than the food. But it was a light afternoon snack that I don’t get to have often and it was a breather, a fun play in the usual protein booster.

Toby's Estate Coffee Roasters Manila

I am a bit sensitive to price in this review because Toby’s Estate coffee is priced generally higher than most of the third wave coffee shops in Manila. Compared to the others, Toby’s Estate is rather a chain, less of an artisanal brand, as I observed some of their staff were less friendly than what I would expect from a coffee shop newly opened. The baristas were friendlier and accommodating, on the other hand. Both were lacking the jubilance and eagerness to run an artisanal, commercialized specialty coffee shop. I believe the baristas at Starbucks greeted their customers with cheerfulness that would wipe the bad vibes in a person’s Monday morning.

Toby's Estate Coffee Roasters Manila

I would love to return to Toby’s Estate for another cup, but if I have no meetings, I wouldn’t stay for long. It is without a doubt that it is one of the best brands to arrive in Manila, so I would highly suggest for you to try out this specialty coffee shop.

Toby’s Estate is targeting to open six more branches in Manila this year 2014 and each store is planned to have its own character. And as some would say, Manila has found its Starbucks killer.

Toby’s Estate Manila Rating:

[usrlist “Taste and Originality: 3.5” “Customer Experience: 2.5” “Value for Money: 2.5” “Brick and Mortar: 3”]

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