Cozy Sanctuary - Elephant Grounds

Overall Experience: 9 out of 10

Elephant Grounds traced its origins in Hong Kong and its branch in the Philippines just opened in 2019. Located in BGC, it faces tough competition from numerous cafes and restaurants both local and international brands.

Elephant Grounds interior brings a dark garden vibes with its wood-color walls, stone flooring, and plant decorations around the space. A much simpler and less flamboyant version than the garden atmosphere of Coffee Project.

Beyond coffee and breakfast, Elephant Grounds also has rice bowls sandwiches and even ice creams. When it comes to price, considering the place in BGC, not to mention One Bonifacio High Street, prepare to pay for a premium. Must-tries include their French Vanilla (Php 195), Classic Belgian Waffle (Php220), and a scoop of their Toasted Rice Ice Cream (Php 155).

Their French Vanilla has a silky creamy texture with a strong aroma vanila. It has no acidity which makes it enjoyable without any problems of grumbling stomachs for those who are acidic. Even with the milk, it retains some of coffee’s bitterness mixing well with the taste of vanilla.

For their Classic Belgian Waffle, it epitomizes the description of beauty in simplicity. They neatly serve this plate of waffle, butter and syrup, but this basic set up makes up for the quality of its ingredients. The waffle itself has crispiness and thickness, but lack taste on its own. It must be eaten with the butter that level up its salty smooth flavor with a touch of sweetness and the mild sweet syrup that moisten the waffle adding this traditional gooey texture for pancakes and waffles.

Finally, the Roasted Rice Ice Cream, my next best excuse to my parents if I burn our rice. Highly unusual, its initial impact peaks attention and even a thoughts of weirdness for its bitterness and crisp – to be exact sunog na kanin. Eventually, it becomes an enjoyable experience enjoying ice cream without this guilt of consuming too much sweet and cold in the morning. It perhaps takes an acquired taste, but the next time I burn rice at home, I can say it makes a good ice cream flavor.

Summing up, Elephant Grounds makes it harder to choose a good place to eat out. Despite the premium price tag, it founds justification in its great ambiance and excellent food that makes it a top spot to spend free time.