A Full English Breakfast For Lunch at Boudica Cafe Bar's Second And Newest Location in SM Mega Tower

Café by day, bar by night. The multi-faceted moods of Boudica Cafe Bar are revealed at its newest and second location at the new SM Mega Tower beside SM Mega Mall. From breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner to coffee and cocktails, Boudica Cafe Bar is your own own private spot in the city any time of day. It's time for the Full English Breakfast for lunch...

Boudica Cafe Bar reveals her many captivating and colorful layers at its newest location in SM Mega Tower adding to the wide array of tempting culinary options in SM Mega Mall. Comforting cuisine done exquisitely well is Boudica Cafe Bar's ace in their sleeves setting it apart from the usual dining options in the forever busy mall. Plus, an equally impressive selection of specialty coffee perfect for those mid-afternoon breaks and handcrafted cocktails when the sun slowly sets on the horizon. Whatever the time, Boudica Cafe Bar is just where you need to be. 

The sleek, modern and impressive SM Mega Tower is the perfect setting for Boudica Cafe Bar's second and newest location after its pioneer branch at City Golf Plaza (see more on my post The Ever Changing Moods at Boudica Cafe Bar from two years ago). Located at the ground floor and just a few steps from the main mall, Boudica Cafe Bar is both conveniently accessible yet isolated from the often crowded commercial hub making it the perfect spot for a sumptuous meal. Or a well deserved tipple with a few friends. 

Inside Boudica Cafe Bar, the visually stunning high ceiling design is anchored by the bar following the same organic lines of the first branch in City Golf Plaza. These become visual cues to the many changing facets of Boudica Cafe Bar, complemented by its elegant dining and al fresco areas. 

The elaborate and intricate tapestry of minute details are orchestrated in an elegantly seamless weave by the dynamic duo of Matthew J Hornsby-Bates and Matthew Lim from the overall look and casual vibe of Boudica Cafe Bar all the way to the eclectic and always interesting repertoire of culinary offerings. Together, the tale of the two Matthews brings together a wealth of experience in the restaurant scene resulting in breakthrough concepts from Cargo Fish and their rendition of the proper British Fish & Chips to Burnt Bamboo and their inventive interpretation of "freestyle bbq." These innovations have become the foundation for Boudica Cafe Bar's diverse menu of comforting flavors. 

But first, coffee. Boudica Cafe Bar offers its own specialty blend made from 30% Indonesian Sumatra Arabica, 30% Vietnam Dalat Arabica and 40% Vietnam Premium Robusta for rich, deep, lingering and soothing notes as the flavorful base for all its coffee creations. Like the indulgent Almond Butterscotch Latte (P 195 Iced 16 oz./P 145 Hot 12 oz./P 195 Hot 16 oz.) with its elegant nutty sweetness tempered by the robust and flavorful depth of premium blend coffee. Boudica Cafe Bar offers an extensive selection from Black Sesame Latte, Toasted Rice Latte, Vanilla Hazelnut Latte, Vanilla Almond Latte and Vanilla Cheesecake Latte to the classic Flat White, Americano and Cappuccino. One more soothing sip to warm up the palate...

...before a hearty breakfast feast for a late lunch. Boudica Cafe Bar doesn't run on the clock, you can enjoy whatever you're craving any time of day. For me, it's the Full English Breakfast (P 640 + P 100 for Black Pudding) that always brings me back to Boudica Cafe Bar. Why? Boudica Cafe Bar has probably one of the best renditions of the iconic British staple in the metro with its fully loaded plate of English Bangers, bacon, the proper thick and crisp chips, grilled tomatoes, fresh roasted button mushrooms, baked beans, Black Pudding (add P 100) and fried bread topped with two eggs prepared just the way you like it. 

Right up there with Fish & Chips, Bangers and Mash, Steak and Kidney Pies and Sunday Roasts, the all-time classic Full English Breakfast is one meal that sets the tone for the rest of your day. The origins of the traditional dish can be traced back to the lavish feasts of the landed nobility showcasing the abundance of their estates eventually finding its way to working class communities during the Industrial Revolution to sustain them for the long day ahead. Through the years, the essential elements of the typical Full English Breakfast were incorporated to the familiar dish we know today. Boudica Cafe Bar builds on tradition with their own full plate. The Black Pudding with its bold flavors are perfectly complemented by the bangers and bacon with the baked beans and crisp chips completing a sumptuous cast for the hearty breakfast all-day feast. The grilled tomatoes and mushrooms along with the two eggs done your way brings even more layers of contrasting notes in a savory medley. The Full English Breakfast is just one of many savory dishes you can enjoy all day at Boudica Cafe Bar. 

if you prefer a Filipino breakfast, no worries. Boudica Cafe Bar has that covered too with the Garlic Longganisa (P 305) and USDA Beef Tapa (P 385) served with garlic rice and eggs. And there's more. The salad selection at Boudica Cafe Bar offers fresh and tasty options like the Burrata Salad (P 680) with caramelized walnuts, cherry tomatoes, Parmigiano-Reggiano and sweet balsamic dressing and creamy milk cheese for that lusciously silky smooth and garden fresh and crisp play on textural contrasts and flavors. I hear the Blue Cheese & Walnut Salad (P 595) is another must-try at Boudica Cafe Bar. 

Comforting local flavors bring a familiar and even nostalgic vibe to the table with the Crispy Tawilis (P 260) with roasted garlic and served with vinegar with each bite draping the palate with a flavorful richness...

...along with Spanish flavors with the Croquetas De Parma (P 465) with Parma ham, Gruyere and spicy tomato relish for more delectable bites. 

Local street food is creatively reinterpreted with the Smoking Barbeque by Burnt Bamboo featuring six skewers slathered with the sweet signature glaze served over smoking ashes and paired with house vinegar. The smoky ensemble is available in Chicken Isaw (P 325), Pork Isaw (P 385) and Mix (P 355). The flavors are refreshingly clean and savory with bold smoky hints tempered by the sharpness for the house vinegar for that balanced finish. 

If you prefer a light meal option, the line of sandwiches by Boudica Cafe Bar are a sure bet like the Triple Decker Club Sandwich (P 365) with tender chicken, bacon lettuce and tomato served with fries. Other sandwich options include the Fish Sandwich in Cod (P 750), Dory (P 365) and Halibut (P 805), Classic Grilled Cheese (P 525) and Smoked Salmon Tartine (P 525). 

Love pizza? Let Boudica Cafe Bar satisfy your cravings with their Neapolitan Pizza series like the Salami Picante (P 560) with spiced salami, Gouda, Parmigiano-Reggiano and onion relish...

...or the Prosciutto & Burratina (P 855) with Prosciutto di Parma, burrata, the local kesong puti and arugula. Other options include the Margherita (P 375), Smoked Bacon (P 505), Italian Sausage (P 535), Four Cheese (P 605) and Truffle el Funghi (P 730). 

In between bites, enjoy succulent nibbles of the Prawn Cocktail (P 570) on fresh and crisp iceberg lettuce dressed with Marie Rose sauce and served with sourdough and butter. 

Boudica Cafe Bar gets creative with their pasta offerings like the Gyudon Udon (P 445) with tender thinly sliced USDA beef, donburi sauce and egg yolk on soft yet firm udon noodles. You can also go for the more traditional pasta offerings at Boudica Cafe Bar like the Rigatoni Alla Ragu (P 435), Frutti di Mare (P 595), Tartufo (P 560), Pollo al Pesto (P 495) and Italian Carbonara (P 470). 

Any comfort food menu has to have a burger, and Boudica Cafe Bar responds with their Boudica Burger (P 565) with 200g of juicy USDA beef, Bleu d' Auvergne, onion confit and mayo paired with fries or sweet potato chips. The French inspired rendition with blue cheese and onion confit is one solid number packed with rich savory notes. 

In addition to the Full English Breakfast, one other must-try dish high up on my list of personal picks at Boudica Cafe Bar is the Classic Fish & Chips by Cargo Fish in Dory (P 335), Cod (P 720), Salmon (P 750) and Halibut (P 775) served with the proper thick cut chips, a bottle of malt vinegar, tartar sauce, mushy peas and chip shop curry. The delicate notes of the fish comes through with each bite announced by an audible crunch from the light and crisp batter. Boudica Cafe Bar also offers a Chicken (P 350) variant. Masterfully executed, the guys at Boudica Cafe Bar know their fish and chips. 

But Boudica Cafe Bar has so much more to offer from their extensive menu like the Red Wine Braised Beef Short Ribs (P 815) laid on Cheddar mashed potatoes served with buttered carrots...

...the Steak & Frites (P 755) with juicy slices of USDA tenderloin covered in a rich brandy mushroom sauce with crisp fries...

...and from their Rice Bowl menu, the Unagi Kabayaki (P 950) with furikake rice, katsuboshi, soft-boiled egg and benishoga topped with roasted eel in sweet teriyaki sauce, each one of these a tasty main course at Boudica Cafe Bar. 

Then, there's dessert to cap your sumptuous meal at Boudica Cafe Bar like the Greek Yogurt Brûlée (P 365) with fruit compote and honey...

...the Valrhona Brownie (P 345) with Boudica Cafe Bar's signature brownie topped with vanilla bean custard and indulgent chocolate...

...and the Poached Pear (P 350) with succulent tea-infused pear, red wine and vanilla ice cream for a decadent trifecta. From starters to mains and dessert, Boudica Cafe Bar flexes its culinary playlist with flair making it a must-try dining destination just a few steps from SM Mega Mall. 

At the elegant bar, the master mixologists prepare a few signature handcrafted cocktails...

...revealing one more colorful facet in Boudica Cafe Bar's ever changing and many moods. But this is a story for another post. A Full English Breakfast for a late lunch and cool cocktails with tasty bites when the sun makes its final bow later in the day, Boudica Cafe Bar sets the right mood with its multi-faceted cafe by day, bar by night personality. Pick you mood and craving, and let Boudica Cafe Bar take care of the rest...

Boudica Cafe Bar is located at the Ground Floor of SM Mega Tower, SM Mega Mall, Mandaluyong, Metro Manila. You can also visit their FB Page and IG Feed at https://www.facebook.com/boudicacafebarph/ and  https://www.instagram.com/boudicaph/ for more information and updates or call +63 954 286 8686 for inquiries. 

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