Cuci In Baguio City: Filling The Void Of Foodies Who Crave For Something More Than Food

Anyone who enters Cuci will know that each detail about the place is well thought of. From the menu to the novel designs of the restaurant’s tables and chairs, its rustic red brick walls, the artistic font on their chalkboards that spell out the house specials, as well as the portraits that Cuci’s owner, TJ Tagasa, took himself, it becomes natural to feel important and perceptive. Cuci is more than the commonly defined “new” and “trendy” places to dine in even if it did just open in July 2017. Theirs is a telling story about success, passion, novelty and a creative business sense that goes beyond their best-selling Pesto and Panini. (They can actually write a book about their success journey, in all honesty.)

A word that would pretty much sum up what Cuci is all about, is the word “progress.” To those who may not know, Cuci is the progression to Cucinino Pasta Etc. that opened in 2009. At that time there was a shift in the realm of business opportunities bringing about a void in the market that needed to be filled, as explained by Mr. Tagasa. It got him thinking, “Why not put up a makeshift restaurant offering a unique dining experience with really good food?” In that perfect moment, Voila! Cucinino set up shop making pasta the new neighborhood dish for anyone on the go, assuring value for your money.

Years ago, you’d only be able to order pasta in big restaurants. What Cucinino did was to make pasta available the same way anyone would like to order over-the-counter burgers! They even offered variety. (I mean, really. It’s the make-your-own pasta thing that was unthinkable decades ago). Pasta wasn’t just the red-sauced spaghetti anymore. They literally made Carbonara, Pomodoro, Aglio Olio and of course, the ever famous Pesto, normal and inexpensive. They then introduced paninis in the menu and started crafting combo options.

If you were a college student with a bit of savings from your allowance, you’d be able to enjoy their dishes that may cost anywhere between Php 70 to Php 190. (Top that!) Since then, some would jump onto the bandwagon, but as TJ says, it’s all about novelty. (He is quite the thinker, you see, and us having a conversation with him was really refreshing specially with all those light bulb moments.) As a dictator of novelty himself, he actually created his own market and Cucinino stood the test of time. But then, Cucinino grew and needed something more. The answer is Cuci.

Cuci is the realization to the forever-asked, “What would Cucinino be like if it were a pay restaurant?” – a question Cucinino’s patrons would bring up time and again. Now that Cuci is in town, this is it! The curiosity of Baguio’s pasta lovers and foodies has been more than satisfied. Cuci is proudly Baguio’s very own, springing from what hit the spot on becoming the next big thing both revolutionary and evolutionary. It is the upscale and updated identity of Cucinino. Cuci’s menu items are based on the lineup of dishes that could not be brought out in Cucinino. This brings us to the next big thing – their food!

Cuci: Making the Classy Dinner Party Affordable as Comfort Food

Cuci’s overall take in dining feels like a rustic dinner party: comforting and homey, yet classy. Everything they serve is made from scratch, specifically organic, staying true to the natural flavors of each hand-picked ingredient. All of the recipes are made by its owner, TJ Tagasa, and his family. The mellow and sweet undertones, heady aromas, and the pleasant heres-and-theres to what they whip up in their kitchen is quite exciting if you ask me. But then, you know, don’t take my word for it. Try it out these dishes yourself.

Okay, let’s start with what Cuci does best – pasta! First up is their best-seller, Pesto (Php 115). This is the dish that put the pasta masters in Cucinino and Cuci on the map. Indulge me, okay? Mr. Tagasa says that their Pesto is one of their best sellers being written down on most of their order slips and rigging in so much likes . (Uh-huh…Awesomely mind-blowing, for sure!) So if you haven’t tried this yet, then you now know what to order. Cuci’s Pesto is best enjoyed after the daily grind or during those mundane one to two-hour breaks from school. Who wouldn’t want to enjoy some me-time with al dente pasta with herbs blended in healthy olive oil that is light and sweet to the taste, made all the more unforgettable with that distinct touch of nuttiness? (Convinced yet? Nod, I say!)

Now, let’s get cultured about pasta for a moment. How, you ask? “Shrimp and Squid Scampi,” man, that’s how! Cuci made this elegant pasta dish available for only Php 150. (Thanks, Cuci!) It’s definitely no ordinary menu item. If you want to impress others with your impeccable taste on food, then go for this one. But then, come to think of it, it is not just to impress but to once in a while know what classy food tastes like, right? You will be smitten away by how the perfect mix of herbs brings out the honest-to-goodness flavors of the shrimp, squid, and garlic. Such simplicity in a dish is hard to attain, mind you, and these guys in Cuci do it right.

Cuci’s Bruto Pizza (Php 145) is for the lovers of sausage and herbs. Viva Italia! This 8-inch thin crust pizza perfectly satisfies the cravings of any pizza lover who is into the spiced-just-right pizzeria classics. The ingredients are genuinely organic, rich in flavor and delectably homemade. So, whet your appetite with olives, tomatoes, and sausages with some dried herbs and parmesan cheese.

One of the best must-try dishes here is Beef Strogranoff (Php 180). It’s like a holiday in every mouthful. Just imagine: creamy herbed mash, flavorful beef that has been slow-cooked for four hours, balanced out with a garden salad made up of fresh lettuce, julienned carrots, onions that is made zesty with its refreshing lemon vinaigrette, topped with parmesan cheese. It is comfort food at its finest. (Period)

(By the way, just in case you’re mashed potato lover like me, you can only just that for only Php 25.00. If you’d like some cream with it, it’d cost Php 35.00. Potato lovers unite!)

If there is a family heirloom so graciously shared with at Cuci, it is their Baked Chicken (Php 119). The recipe to this staple is from Mr. Tagasa’s mom. That, in itself, is priceless and I tell you, there is nothing like it. At first bite, you are immediately awakened by the tangy and sweet plum sauce that comes with its juicy, tasty and tender perfectly baked chicken. It is made perfect as a comforting meal with some rice and some home-style buttered veg. This dish takes anyone to a trip back to those good ‘ole childhood days which is like Anton Ego’s experience when he had a bite of Remy’s Ratatouille. Put simply, Cuci’s Baked Chicken is beautifully nostalgic of home.

Of course, lest we forget, Cuci also has the students in mind all the time – a tradition they have been loyal to since Cucinino. They have in their menu what they call “Value Eats” that includes perfectly seasoned Grilled Chicken, Salisbury Steak (1 piece), and Peppered Liempo. These meals are for the friendly rice eaters where an order costs just Php 99. Any of the three is something a remedy to make weary and toasted brains feel good when stress in school skyrockets.

In addition to all things school, Cuci makes study time worthwhile. If you need to write a paper and you need speedy internet for research, Cuci has got you covered. Simply ask an access slip from the counter and they will issue you your very own username and password that is good to use for two hours. (Yes, you are most welcome.) Don’t forget o order a cup of coffee while you’re at it (or the twenty-five-peso mash we mentioned earlier).

Finally, among the many superb choices at Cuci, they have an ultimately refreshing beverage line. Two of these are the oh-so-creamy-drink-me-please! Vanilla Frappe that is a worthy comfort drink, and Cuci’s Special Hot Choco – something I’d think of as Christmas in a drink. Taking a sip makes you feel all fuzzy inside and somehow, you can faintly hear Michael Buble sing, “Chestnuts roasting on an open fire… Jackfrost nipping at your nose…” (and yes, let’s sing along with our Christmas sweaters, shall we?)

Overall, lovers of food, if you want to know what progress really means in dinner plates, head over to Cuci. They are conveniently located at General Luna Road, just at across the far end of SLU Laboratory Elementary School if you are coming in from the Cathedral, Baguio City. Like their Facebook page and share your experiences with others who love to eat just like you.