Dolcelatte

as earlier mentioned, john and i got a massive feast special treat during a visit to DOLCELATTE a few days ago. we had been asked to try their newest offering, the savory croughnut (four of them!), as well as a bunch of other menu items that filled us wonderfully to the brim.

so what IS a savory croughnut?

in a nutshell, it is a variation of the croissant-doughnut hybrid that is the current craze in the food industry. savory croughnuts are a species apart from the traditional dessert croughnut in that they are stuffed with things like meats and cheeses and other full-flavored things. dolcelatte’s offerings come complete with side dishes and other additions that make these plates wholly satisfying meals.

first up: the breakfast croughnut (P350). turkey ham loaded with provolone cheese over crispy potato fries, topped with fried egg and served with a refreshing side of sliced fruits. this also comes with a cream sauce that provides a nice balance for the ham’s rich, salty flavor. all in all a truly hearty breakfast (and look how pretty!).

next is the salmon cream cheese croughnut (P375), which was probably the variant i was most excited to try. i love salmon and i am obsessed with cream cheese, so this seemed like a match made in heaven. AND IT IS. seasoned salmon fillet pan-grilled to perfection is then loaded with cream cheese, arugula and onions. alfalfa sprouts top this delectable croughnut and a citrus salad provides a welcome cut to the rich flavor of the meal. i really loved this.

we then dug into the smoked pulled pork croughnut (P325), which turned out to be john’s favorite among the four. this croughnut is loaded with sweet pulled pork, pickled jalapeños, pesto, onions and melted cheese. on the side is a simple but delicious handful of greens with feta cheese cubes, as well as an abundance of pesto parmesan fries — a unique concoction that will easily rise to the top of your favorites list. i personally like this croughnut, too, because the spicy jalapeños give a wonderful bite to the luscious pulled pork and dance in your mouth in sweet, sweet harmony.

finally, the beef and chips croughnut (P300). savory homemade picadillo (ground beef) melds with shredded cheese and lettuce and is served with a mountain of classic nacho chips. 3 sauces come with this meal: salsa, melted cheese and pico de gallo, the latter of which apparently replaced with sour cream in our case (no idea why). i liked all sauces — especially combined — with the chips, but i imagine they’d make an interesting topping on the very latin-themed croughnut as well. i honestly loved this variant and, although i am speaking with mild bias toward latin food, would recommend this dish as the beef is perfectly seasoned and even has a nice bit of kick.

after we loaded up on croughnuts (don’t worry we only had portions of each, so there was still some room left!) we tasted the creamy pesto crevette (P425), a wonderful medley of tiger prawns, chopped mushrooms and black olives cooked in white wine and creamy pesto sauce. this was a true gastronomic delight, albeit on the salty side. i took most of the leftover home and it still tasted amazing a couple of days later, with the garlic-y pesto flavor enriching all the little ingredients to perfection. delish!

we also adored dolcelatte’s fillet mignon (P673). two bacon-wrapped beef medallions are grilled to your liking, and served with couscous-stuffed tomato and buttered asparagus. i still drool thinking about this melt-in-your-mouth dish, and i’d go back to the restaurant just to eat it again!

the chef was also kind enough to give us an additional treat: an off-the-menu cheesy artichoke pizza topped with arugula, feta and alfalfa — aka a true vegetarian’s dream! i went crazy over this, too, and ate the leftovers at home both cold and reheated on the pan. it tasted incredible either way! i imagine their other pizzas are just as delicious, so i will have to give those a try soon.

of course a trip to dolcelatte wouldn’t be complete without a sampling of their desserts (so many of them, oh my!), so we gave those a taste too.

john and i fell in love with the red velvet cheesecake. i must say, this is the first of its kind that i actually liked; other ones i’ve tried just can’t seem to perfectly meld the cloying red velvet taste with tangy cream cheese. dolcelatte’s version is seriously the bomb diggity.

another tasty treat is the hazelnut cheesecake (hello nutella!). although admittedly not as earth-shattering as the red velvet, it is still a delightful slice of heaven that would be enjoyed after a hearty meal or a nice hot cup of coffee, as i later did at home over breakfast.

yes, i eat cakes for breakfast. frequently.

DOLCELATTE is located at 1616 quezon avenue, south triangle, quezon city. for more info and updates on promos and menu offerings, follow them on facebook.

* savory croughnuts are available for dine in transactions only, from monday to saturday at 2-5pm, in limited quantities.