Cafe Mary Grace : A Grace like no other

Whenever I see Mary Grace at malls, I would always see the place as "a place where you get baked goods", like ensaymada or brownies. It never really occurred to me that they do serve meals. They started as a kiosk in malls and my brain never got the memo that they have already expanded.

I see this place all the time but I never felt the "spark!".

I keep looking for sparks. It is a good thing that I am not attracted to fireworks, or else, for sure I would be loosing my hands to it. Frankly speaking, I really never had the inkling to eat there.

It is not as if the place looked bad, the ambiance is always good. The interior is good! And whenever I pass by this place, it would always be flooded (NO! the right term would be it is OVERFLOWING) with people having a snack or two. 

Being the anti-social person that I am, this would exactly be the kind of place I would be avoiding. I really need to get out of my shell more often.

While I was at the Podium last week and I went around the mall a few times, trying to looking for place I haven't dined at yet. But I have the habit of only eating at places I feel connected to. No, I am not a psychic or whatever. You know what I mean. 

We all have this little conscience in our tummies that would tell us to "GO" or "DONT GO". Right? If yours doesn't have that feature. Too bad! Mine does! Or something to that effect.

I just can't seem to get off any good vibes from the restaurants I see. Not long after, I finally gave up and gave in.

I haven't been to the Podium for YEARS! Last I've seen the place it still had.. Come to think of it, I can't seem to remember the stores that had gone. Wait, I think Mphosis? I can't recall seeing it there last last week.

While looking around their menu, I thought I would be disappointed, since all I saw were pastas, salad and sandwiches. I thought it would be just the usual kinds. When I saw the pastas, my heart sank a bit because I've always felt like ordering pasta in restaurants are over kill. I rarely order pasta at a restaurant. The only pasta I always order is from Jollibee. Jollibee spaghetti! While typing that, my brain sang that part, did you? Haha

For once in my life, my brain thinks that I am trying to eat healthy food. Take note of the word "TRYING" okay? 

Lately, I am really surprising myself by impulsively eating random vegetables I see in our dinner table (the cooked ad clean ones of course), greens are something I would not normally touch (except if it was $$$).

Aside from their pretty normal caesar salad, all the other salads are pretty unusual. 

• Fried Kesong Puti and Calamansi Vinaigrette (P219)
• Prawn Salad with Mango Papaya Vinaigrette (P 310)
• Local Greens with Chili Daing Dressing (P149)
• Grilled Chicken and Oranges with Black Olive Dressing (P262)
• Smoked Ham with Almonds, Cranberries and Balsamic Vinaigrette (P229)

Now you see what I mean? This is the kinda place I dig. To think that I was ignoring it for the longest time. You feel like the place is pretty normal. But when you get to see what they have, it would excite you, it would offer you a breather.

Which is what the world really needs right now!

Grilled Chicken and Oranges with Black Olive Dressing
P262

The black olive dressing was really different from my usual thousand island dressing. It really packs a punch. The taste is distinct, you can really taste it while it is running around your mouth. Took me a while to get used to the taste. After all, it is really good for my health and yours. 

Black olives have good fiber content that helps in you in your bowel movement (What is wrong with me?! Why am I saying these words in a food blog? Sorry!). But really! Fiber helps. 

Black olives also help lower blood glucose level and blood cholesterol, which I know would benefit most of us! Too much food porn. Haha

This is a must try for people who love salads.

I am a fan of great sandwiches. Sometimes I love a good crunchy sandwich, sometimes I love a sandwich with the fluffiest bread like Ginza Bairin's Katsu Sando. Yes, I am bipolar, but it is by choice. Is there even such a thing? LOL! 

But I must say that their Fili Beef Sandwich is truly amazing! I was almost perfect. Why almost perfect? I appreciate things that are crunchy and I love a good toasted bread. But the bread was just ourtageously crunchy that it hurted my gums. I didn't even know bread could do that!

The crunchy bread actually complements the tender meat sandwiched inside, but I wished it was toned down a notch.

Still  I would love to have that sandwich for merienda.

Fili Beef and Tomatoes
P230

There are a couple of things in their menu that intrigues me. I am really excited to go back! I will be seeing you soon Mary Grace. :)

If you were ignoring the place, like how I have been for the past couple of years. Do try to stop by and have anything in their menu. I bet it will be as amazing as my experience and you would want to come back for more. :)

• If you would like to get the whole picture about them, visit their webiste : Mary Grace Cafe
• Facebook page : Cafe Mary Grace
• Don't forget to tag and hashtag your Cafe Mary Grace photos/moments on Instagram : @cafemarygrace and #cafemarygrace
• Twitter : @cafemarygrace

Like what I've said they have kiosks, but they have cafes too. You can find them at the ff places: 

CAFES:

• Serendra
• Trinoma
• Robinsons Manila
• ATC
• Rockwell Business Center
• St. Lukes, Fort
• Eastwood
• Greenbelt 2
• Chinatown Mall
• SM Aura, Fort Taguig
• STEPS Ballet School, Kalayaan Ave., Makati 
• SM BF

KIOSKS:

• Powerplant
• Shangri-la
• G4
• Greenhills
• MOA
• Galleria
• SM North
• Podium
• RCBC Plaza
• Makati Med

Aren't GRACE's Amazing?!? :)