Written by Camille Dominique Javier
Tucked away in a nice, warm, and cozy niche in the Manhattan Parkview Residences, Araneta Center Cubao is a bookworm’s haven—Book and Borders Cafe. Allow yourself to get whisked away in a good story with over a hundred book titles to choose from, and pair a book up with their comfy and colorful leather seats, good coffee, and comfort food. It’s pure bliss.
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The grand opening of its fourth branch last August 16, 2017 was a star-studded event featuring celebrity guests Karylle, Kylie Verzosa, Sam Concepcion, Jonas Gaffud, and Benjamin Alves. We were graced by the soothing and soulful performances of bossa nova queen Sitti and pop theater diva Sheila Valderama.
The menu for that evening was a full course, featuring Book and Border Café’s best sellers such as the Kimchi Fries Overload and Tuyo Pasta.
Book and Borders Café’s menu features the goodness of home cooking with a touch of gourmet, woven together to create the perfect comfort food. The café’s main menu was created by Chef Next Door star and restaurateur, Chef Jonas Ng with Chef Denise as the dessert menu chef. The chefs are good friends and have worked together to craft the perfect comfort food to complement your café reading experience.
A Café for Everyone
Much like its other branches, the Cubao branch features a wall packed with books, majority of them being popular fictions along with some other non-fiction best sellers. When in Manila caught up with Book and Borders Cafe’s COO, Nancy Go, to tell us something about the café and books.
Fast talk with Nancy Go:
WIM: Tell us what Books and Border’s Café is in a snapshot.
“Book and Border’s Café is a café for anyone who loves taking a break from the humdrum and the noise of the fast-paced lifestyle of Metro Manila. It’s where people can unwind with a good book in hand and good food and maybe even with good company, if you wish.”
What are the best-seller items across all your branches?
“Tuyo Pasta for the food and Iced Mocha for the drink. We use frozen concentrated mocha balls as ice cubes so it’s really something special!”
Personally, what is your favorite item in the menu?
“It’s got to be the chicken wings, it’s something everyone must try!”
Favorite book?
“I personally don’t have a specific book in mind but I do love self-help books and books about marketing and business.”
Got a shout out to our When In Manila readers?
“Come visit our newest Book and Borders Café branch here in Cubao! Grab a book from our shelf and enjoy our menu. You can follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more updates. Who knows, we could be opening another branch near you! You can follow the Book and Borders Café on Facebook (www.facebook.com/bookandborderscafe/) and Instagram (@bookandborderscafe)“
Celebrities Love to Read too!
Friends of Book and Borders Café’s owner, Kristine Simisim, and celebrity guests also enjoyed scanning the shelves for familiar book titles and to scout out the branch’s reading selection. When in Manila took part in checking out the books and asked celebrities to pick out their favorite book from the shelves.
Book and Borders Café opened its first branch in Tomas Morato, Quezon City back in June 2015 and it has been rapidly expanding throughout the years, with its fourth branch in Cubao now open. The team has its eyes set on opening another branch, perhaps in the South, ideally by the start of 2018—so keep your eyes peeled!
So hey, When in Manila bookworms! Whether you’re looking for an Instagram-worthy place to read a book, cram study in a café, catch up with friends, or enjoy good food, head over to the Book and Borders Cafe’s newest branch at G/F 7R Manhattan Parkview Residences, Araneta Center Cubao.
Book and Borders Cafe
G/F 7R Manhattan Parkview Residences, Araneta Center Cubao
www.facebook.com/bookandborderscafe
Instagram (@bookandborderscafe
