Mary Grace Cafe, Greenbelt 2

I always believe that aesthetic component of a restaurant adds pleasure to the entire dining experience.  I guess that is why I am a sucker for beautiful interiors.  Yet, there are times when dining al fresco sounds rather enticing.  Sadly not all of my favorite restaurants offer outside dining areas.  But the few who does are all impressive. Take for example Tatung’s Café and Bag of Beans.  Good thing that my recent visit to Mary Grace Café at Greenbelt 2 gave me a chance to have an addition to my short list of restaurants with beautiful outdoor dining area.

I was dead set on skipping an afternoon snack that day since my friend D and I were scheduled to attend a dinner.  Yet, upon seeing how lovely the ambiance at Mary Grace Café, we decided otherwise.

Their branch in Serendra is the one I usually frequent to. Although it has an outdoor dining area, the space is limited and it is almost always filled with diners.  This branch at Greenbelt 2 occupies a much larger outdoor space, hence it's more comfortable.  The sound of the gushing water from what looks like an outdoor shower and the garden-like set up of the whole area makes it enticing even to those who are just passing by.

Wooden chairs and table set up blends perfectly well with the homey feel of the ambiance.

Since we're about to have a dinner in two hours, we decided to order a light snack and share. We had their Grilled Three-Cheese Ensaimada (Php157).  This is included on their "Mary Grace Ensaimada with a Twist" menu list among other varieties such as Laguna Cheese, Banana Chocolate, and more.  If you're a cheese lover like I am, this cheesy twist can be a welcome change to the usual regular variant.

Well thought-out little trinkets thrown in for added design and the letters from customers enclosed in the table echoes a personal touch to the place. I think that is what Mary Grace Cafe is known for.

We also had their Mexicana Tsokolate (Php73). It is basically hot chocolate spiked with cinnamon and chili.  Perfect combination for the ensaimada.

Nothing beats dining in a homey ambiance in the middle of a rather busy place.

Their Classic Carbonara (Php203) has just the right amount of creaminess to it.  I appreciate the generous bacon and mushroom that graced the pasta. 

Their Apple and Cinnamon Honey Iced Tea (Php73) has always been my favorite among the other variants.  My friend didn't like that much though, so I ended up finishing the entire glass.

The combination of different lamps which serves as a chandelier to the place highlights the rustic touch of the ambiance. Although Mary Grace Cafe are known for its homey interior, it was the first time that I get to appreciate its outside dining area more.  And for this alone, I can see myself visiting the place again to have my share of the comfort food in the homey ambiance they offer.

Mary Grace Cafe

Greenbelt 2, Ayala Center

Paseo de Roxas corner Legaspi St. Makati City

(63 2) 5013089 / (63 2) 5013093 / (63 917) 5439402

website: www.marygracecafe.com