A new gem in the metro

BARANGAY Kasambagan, Mabolo, Cebu City—what was once a mainly residential neighborhood is now a place for gastronomic adventure. Pass by and discover a range of hangouts from hole-in-the wall food establishments to Instagram-worthy cafes and restaurants.

Currently, something new is brightening up Kasambagan’s restaurant row—the young husband-and-wife tandem behind Tazza Café Patisserie opened Tamp Café and Co., serving filling comfort food and flavors of Asian cuisine on top of good specialty coffee and delectable pastries.

Derived from a tool used to pack espresso ground into the basket of an espresso machine, to pack the grounds evenly for a quality espresso shot, the name Tamp was of particular importance to owners Dexter and Jerese Chua.

“This very tool is our inspiration. Tamp Café and Co. is a place we wish people to get together and have the best quality time over specialty coffee and great tasting pastries.”

Just like the menu at Tazza Café Patisserie, which is well-loved by its patrons, most entrees on Tamp Café and Co.’s menu are its comfort food enjoyed by the Chua family for years, plus, new dishes under the Café Specials on its menu inspired by the couple’s recent travels—flavors they picked up from their jaunts around Asia.

Dexter was proud to share that his wife, Jerese, a then-medical technology student who pursued her passion for cooking and baking, came up with Tamp Café and Co.’s specials during the community quarantine.

“Since we could not travel yet, she recreated and made her own version of our favorite Asian dishes with a taste that is familiar to the Filipino palate.”

Café specials include Jerese’s version of the Singaporean herby pork-rib soup Ba Ku Teh; crispy Beef Masala inspired by India’s beef masala; Peeled Shrimp Pasta; shrimps in Thai street cilantro sauce, sticky Korean chicken wings. Its chicken bake tomato rice and Best of Cebu 2020’s Best Pasta Dish chicken parmigiana are also must-tries.

Aside from its famous coffee menu like its Cold White Brew, Tamp Café and Co. has its house specialty drinks as well: Coffee Cloud Latte and Chocolate Mousse Cloud, both are velvety and creamy that are swoon-worthy.

As for its interior, Tamp Café and Co. has a clean and classic white wall with modern touches; black-framed floor-to-ceiling glass windows that bring in natural light which provides a warm and welcoming ambiance. Other elements include the signature pop art mural painted on one wall, a mix of black-colored long couches and chairs for its wooden tables, and gigantic plants to balance the whole look.

“We wanted to create a space that emanates warmth and inspiration. A space that is bright and crisp, yet still inviting and warm,” the couple said.

From a small coffee and dessert shop that eventually became a full-fledged café, Dexter and Jerese continued to expand their booming business and also opened an event hall for intimate gatherings, located just right above the newly opened Tamp Café and Co. called The Pelican Event Hall.

The modern minimalist 42-seater aims to provide a venue for intimate events may it be a wedding, birthday, corporate meeting or even a dinner with your clan, with a fresh and delightful yet elegant ambience.

Like its restaurant below, the event hall also has a floor-to-ceiling window that gives one that indoor-outdoor event space feel. In-house lights and a sound system are also available.

Unlike other event spaces, The Pelican Event Hall, aside from giving one the freedom to personalize an occasion to his liking, also gives one the option to rent the place alone where he can bring his own party needs including food, or avail of its packages.

Tamp Café and Co. and The Pelican Event Hall are located at No. 12, President Aguinaldo St., Kasambagan, Mabolo, Cebu City. These are open from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m daily. S