Get Your Brews And Booze At Pobla

Amidst the town known for its historic houses and giant lake in Mindoro, a modern minimalist coffee shop, nestled in its downtown area, has become a go-to spot for residents and visitors alike who are looking for a relaxed place to enjoy hearty snacks, delicious coffee, and even a few boozy concoctions when the mood strikes.

Pobla Brews and Booze, I assume, takes its name from the local term for the town center, Poblacion. Its a community hub where people gather, catch up, and share good food and drinks. The cafe gives off a laid-back vibe, perfect for winding down after a long day or simply hanging out with friends over good food and conversation.

Hot Americano | Pobla Burger

The Hot Americano impressed me with its nutty notes and hints of wine, striking a perfect balance without any unpleasant acidity. It’s one of the better Americanos I’ve had. The Pobla Burger offers good value at ₱190, considering its generous size and plenty fillings. The juicy pineapple slices and fresh tomatoes added sweet and tangy notes. The patty wasn’t the best. It had this moist texture like as if it was clumped spreadable meat. Grilling or pan-grilling it would have elevated the texture. But overall, the Pobla Burger remains a solid choice here.

Iced Latte | Cheesy Bacon Fries

The Cheesy Bacon Fries are pretty loaded with smoky bacon, tangy mayo, and salty cheese all over. They don’t hold back on the sauce, which I appreciate, but the fries can get soggy from too much oil. It improved when we went back after two years. Still, the bacon was crispy and well-cooked, and I love the starchy bite of the fries. The Iced Latte was solid. It had a nice balance between milk and coffee. I had to try the hot version too, and yep, it was just as good.

Iced Caramel Macchiato | Cinnamon Twist

Their Iced Caramel Macchiato is a winner. I could tell they used Da Vinci caramel syrup, that complemented perfectly with their beans. They chose the right coffee bean for this drink. The Cinnamon Twist was also fine. With that golden crust, you’ll know it was done and toasted beautifully. Flavors came through at first bite. It wasn’t overly sweet and the taste of cinnamon was evident. It was a big cut of pastry so this pair alone was already filling. It’s definitely bang for your buck if you’re into bread.

Wintermelon Milk Tea | Tuna Fusilli Pesto

Sadly, this didn’t taste like Wintermelon at all. I appreciate that the tea was strong and the addition of milk was just right but on the wintermelon part, it wasn’t really showing. It’s like they mistakenly poured a different syrup as it tasted more like malt and the color wasn’t light. The pearls were a mixed bag. Some are freshly cooked and some are clearly a day old. On the other hand, the fussili was cooked al dente. I just wished they added more pesto because its flavor was blocked by thr peppery tuna. It actually showed in the color of the pasta. 

Matcha Latte | Salted Egg Zaccy’s Wings

The wings had potential, but the taste of used oil ruined it. There was an unnecessary sourness in the meat. I even tasted it in the mozzarella sticks, so I’m pretty sure the oil was the culprit. The salted egg almost tasted like cheese because of the tanginess. I wish they cooked the chicken in the sauce instead of just tossing it so the flavors would stick better. On the bright side, the Matcha Latte was nice and sweet. It fits customers who likes their matcha on the sweet side and aren’t into that bitter, leafy matcha vibe.