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| (Image Source: Philstar.com/Cinema '76 Cafe) |
Everyone’s favorite movie-themed café gets an upgrade with a brand-new menu and stunning new interiors as Cinema ’76 Café settles into its new home in Tomas Morato, Quezon City. Officially launched and opened its doors to the public last March 18, Cinema ’76 Café promises to offer its guests an elevated casual dining experience featuring a curated menu of progressive Filipino dishes inspired not only by cinema but also by different flavors around the world. Designed by the renowned chefs of Center for Asian Culinary Studies led by Chefs Gene and Gino Gonzalez, local foodies can expect a tantalizing array of dishes from comfort food to all-time favorite snacks as well a selection of handcrafted beverages like blended coffee drinks to start your day and classic cocktails to cap the night.
Chef Gene describes the direction of the menu as very intentional and “always keeping in mind the cinema and theater attitude”. One of the top considerations was the moviegoers at the adjacent Cinema ’76 Film Society, the popular micro-cinema. The chefs made sure that a good portion of the menu can be taken inside and enjoyed in the theater. This includes items like Truffle Fries, Mozzarella Sticks, Chorizo Chisu Croquettes, and Nachos made from premium stone ground chips with sour cream, salsa cruda, cheese sauce & ground beef. Even the popcorn at Cinema ’76 Café is not your run-of-the-mill movie snack with distinctive flavors like Truffle Caramel, Smoked Ribs, and Cheddar — made fresh daily.
For something more filling, Chef Gene recommends the sandwich selection inspired by some of TBA Studios’ beloved historical films: Luna (chicken tocino with salted egg relish, and tomatoes), Del Pilar (adobo flakes, cream cheese, with pickled onion), and Quezon (chicken inasal, tomatoes with creamy béchamel sauce). As for the rest of the dishes, Chef Gino believes that it’s “a good mix of new and familiar flavors". “We have favorite bistro dishes that are not necessarily Filipino but are very agreeable to the Filipino taste. We have American, Italian, and a bit of Asian too so everyone will have more reasons to go here,” he added. Some of these delectable dishes you shouldn’t miss are the Margherita Soup, Steak and Fries, Seared Salmon served with thick-cut fries, and the TBA Studios Box-Office Pasta, an extra virgin olive oil-based chorizo pasta with sun-dried tomatoes, toasted bell peppers, and shimeji mushrooms.
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| (Image Source: Iconic MNL/Cinema '76 Cafe) |
Cinema ’76 Café first opened in Anonas in June 2021, a year into the global COVID-19 pandemic when all cinemas closed indefinitely. Cinema ’76 Café became a bright spot for movie fans that sorely missed being inside a movie theater. While the Anonas branch has permanently closed, the new location in Tomas Morato makes it even more accessible for film enthusiasts and foodies alike. The new space also now boasts of a contemporary yet relaxing and homey interior with options for both indoor and outdoor dining. “We wanted the café to reflect the needs of our growing customer base so we made sure to incorporate dining options for them, which we couldn’t implement in our former branch. With our spacious dining area and a customizable menu, we can do so much more and be an ideal venue for different types of events,” said TBA Studios President and COO Daphne O. Chiu. She also added, “Tomas Morato has always felt like the heart of the entertainment capital: Quezon City and we’re pleased and excited to be part of this community. We look forward to serving anyone looking for a unique place to dine.”
Cinema ‘76 Café is located at 2/F Terraces Building, Tomas Morato Avenue cor. Scout Borromeo, Quezon City. It opens every Sunday to Thursday from 9:00 am to 12:00 midnight and Friday to Saturday from 9:00 am to 2:30 am. Follow Cinema '76 Café on Facebook and Instagram for updates.
