Grind. Stamp. Pull. Repeat. These are the words that welcome any weary and stressed-out coffee-famished soul upon reaching the end of the steps at The Blind Filter and Kitchen. By how everything looks and feels like, you’ll know instantly that BFK brings a whole new “cool” to the classic cup of Joe everyone basically grew up with. From their industrial take on the interior to their handcrafted boutique style in coffee preparation, the millennials in Baguio City should have nothing else but thanks that the savvy crew behind The Blind Filter and Kitchen decided to set up shop in the Mountain City.
The cafe is owned by five dapper gentlemen who are all based in Manila and who are passionate for third wave coffee. Third wavers are very particular with sourcing beans directly from the coffee farmers. They give high regard in farmers receiving what is due to them – a noble advocacy. Also, one of the fun things about the third wave coffee movement is that customers can watch their baristas prepare their drink. Pretty cool, right?
In addition, the third wave coffee movement emphasizes coffee connoiseurship. This is why third wave coffee shops operate in smaller scales so they can focus on the art of getting that perfect brew or blend. They make sure to bring out the best from their locally sourced beans, preferring the more intimate approach to the brew. It is this art of brewing that inspired the cafe’s name: The Blind Filter and Kitchen.
The “Blind Filter” is actually the essential part of espresso machines responsible for giving these machines a thorough clean, otherwise known as backflushing. Through its pressure release mechanism, the channels in the machine are free of impurities, guaranteeing that the extraction pressure on coffee remains uniform. In comparison, the people behind The Blind Filter and Kitchen are the same: they work hard as a team and are able to withstand any pressure to get that perfect brew, consistently, in every single order placed.
The word, “Kitchen,” on the other hand, is part of the cafe’s name to show that they are not just about coffee. They most certainly serve some seriously flavorful and healthy food based on a menu that was specifically conceptualized for them by the executive chef of Cafe De Angelo – one of Baguio’s gems as a garden cafe. It is these two things that define and personify “The Blind Filter and Kitchen.”
When the owners saw the potential of bringing in third wave coffee to Baguio, they decided to open a cafe in the quaint neighborhood of Ciudad Grande, Bakakeng that is home to a lot of university students. Being just strides away from the campus instantly made them a favorite place to hang out during breaks, have a place to chill out at and share interesting conversations with friends, study groups and blockmates. Of course, the place is also ideal for family get-togethers.
The Blind Filter and Kitchen has everything anyone would need to de-stress: an awesome menu, some pretty impressive choices as to handcrafted coffee, a great comfy lay out, board games, and of course, WiFi connection. Now that we’ve mentioned their menu and the impressively creative handcrafted coffee concoctions, let’s get to know more of what BFK is really about.
The Blind Filter and Kitchen: Taking Creative Coffee Seriously
Let’s begin with The Blind Filter and Kitchen’s third wave coffee menu, shall we? Minutes after we found the perfect spot to satisfy our own food reviewish whims and fancy, Sir Kenneth and his crew came out with five handsome and most interesting-looking concoctions. From their Overplus selection, they served an iced and tall refreshing drink simply called “Honey Lemon.” From their BFK Rebel Signatures, they served BFK What the Fog, BFK Piece of Shut, BFK Oh Ship!, and BFK Sun of a Beach. Ever wonder about why they’re named that way? The answer? Millenial wordplay and a sly sense of humor. Enough said.
BFK What the Fog is The Blind Filter and Kitchen’s version of milk tea and a drink that pays tribute to the foggy city of Baguio. Having a sip of this pretty much feels sitting comfortably by your breakfast nook with your favorite book during a foggy midday with the not-so-warm-not-so-cold temperature that Baguio people are so used to. BFK What the Fog costs Php70 for Tall Hot, Php 80 Iced Tall, or Php90 Grande.
Similar to that blend, but made more distinct with its subtle floral tones, is BFK Oh Ship!, their signature drink that combines coffee and tea. (You got that right, coffee + tea! Because of their creative genius, such a drink now exists!) BFK Oh Ship! that is Tall Hot costs Php100 and Php115 for Tall Iced.
Two other innovative blends are BFK Piece of Shut and BFK Sun of a Beach. Piece of Shut (Php95 Hot Tall, Php110 Iced Tall) combines lemon and coffee which is rather an acquired taste. Anyone who tries this at first would think, “What in the world were they thinking?” But then, after two or three sips more, you’ll realize that the combination actually works. Sun of a Beach (Php95 Iced Tall), on the other hand, marries orange and coffee. For those of you like me who have a thing for orange chocolate truffles from those absolutely delightful luxurious truffle boxes, well my friend, we definitely have our go-to drink now!
The final beverage we got to experience is one that leans towards the summery side – “Honey Lemon” (Php65 Hot Tall, Php75 Iced Tall, Php85 Grande). This is the closest thing to having a mojito, minus the alcohol, making it a brilliant mocktail. All five beverages surely had their own personalities assuring coffee lovers the best of the third wave coffee movement and some seriously satisfying coffee overdose experiences.
The Blind Filter and Kitchen’s Menu: Created by Exquisite Garden Cafe, Cafe De Angelo
Heading over to BFK’s Kitchen, we fell head-over-heels over their grub! (As if the coffee wasn’t enough) To our delight, we got introduced to healthy takes and twists on classic cafe and pub selections: the Taco Salad, Bacon Burger, Tinapa Pasta, Bibim-mug, and Tofu Cheeseballs. Thanks to the executive chef of Cafe De Angelo, diners and lovers of coffee will always enjoy exquisite food at BFK.
To start, the Taco Salad (Php120) was accurate to how BFK described it on their menu. It is a “not-a-pizza-not-a-taco-not-a-salad-you-decide” kind of salad. Let me explain further. This salad is shaped like a pizza, cut like a pizza and has a pizza-like crust, but then this crust isn’t heavy and not that doughy. It’s more like a spring roll wrap but almost as thick as a thin crust pizza. (Confused yet? Let’s make it worse.)
This bed of a crust is first layered with a tomato base and topped with a combination of taco fillings and salad greens. You’ve got some alfalfa sprouts, lettuce, onions, cheese, fresh herbs, and spices. So in a nutshell, it looks like a pizza, eaten like you would a pizza, has the taste and feel of tacos and is refreshing just like any salad. That’s BFK’s Taco Salad decoded. Whew!
Their Bacon Burger (Php135) is also as adventurous. It is made with their signature patties, gloriously wrapped with bacon. And if you say bacon WITH cheese, nothing else is as glorious. That meaty monster is balanced out with some fresh tomatoes, onions, lettuce and micro greens (alfalfa sprouts) all set in place by their special sauce and toasted sesame bun.
BFK’s Tinapa Pasta (Php85) is a satisfying snack for those who aren’t too hungry nor too full to eat. The fusili pasta is tossed in some olive oil, tinapa flakes, herbs spices and topped with some alfalfa sprouts. You also have a piece of toast on the side. This is perfect with a cup of coffee, tea or BFK’s Honey Lemon.
If you’re a rice person, they have what is called the Bibim-mug (Php110), BFK’s version of Bibimbap (Korean mixed rice with meat and assorted vegetables). It’s a rice dish served in an exaggerated mug that equals the portion of food in a medium-sized dinner plate. If you prefer some kimchi rice, just add Php 15.00.
Finally, we definitely got served by BLK’s Tofu Cheeseballs (Php65). They look like round potato croquettes, but they are made with tofu-infused cheese. You’ll expect four of these bad boys in one order which comes with its own dipping sauce. If you’re reading, doing class work or busy thinking, this is the perfect thing to eat. These Tofu Cheeseballs certainly fit in the comfort food category.
So, with everything that has been said and explained further here, why don’t you drop by at The Blind Filter and Kitchen and experience the best of the Third Wave Coffee Movement. Your visit will surely be worth it, especially if you consider yourself an adventurous foodie and coffee lover.
The Blind Filter and Kitchen is located at 2nd Floor, FB Building, Gumamela Street, Ciudad Grande Phase-1 Bakakeng, Baguio City. For reservations or inquiries contact 0995 551 7832. They are open from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM.