The idea of just lounging in a cozy spot, sipping a cup of freshly brewed coffee with a sneaky sweet cake on the side while dreaming over a lush green scenery after a spin class session is almost impossible to grasp. Not anymore.
A lifestyle center to the core, Arcadia is one of the city’s newest place to be. Basically a mixed-used commercial development that combines leisure and health in one hub, it takes away the notion of gruesome boredom when sweating.
Arcadia came from a modest plan of Mr. Escandor — that is, to have a gym and basketball court open for membership. The plan eventually developed into a reality that is Arcadia today. Pegged as the newest lifestyle center in the city, the Arcadia Active Lifestyle Center is a three-level establishment that boasts of a full functional gym, a restaurant and spacious function rooms. And not to mention, their quaint cafe, The Lobby Cafe at Arcadia.
The Lobby Cafe at Arcadia lets you enjoy flavourful dishes without the need to worry about the calories. Located inside Arcadia, its picturesque facade and interior plays a beautiful contrasting blend to the colorful lifestyle hub. With hues of earth tones, anyone who steps inside will be relaxed to the core. And those are just the obvious features.
Take a seat, relax and look into their menu. Once you do, you’d be surprised that everything in there is something you’d want to munch on. Typical menu faves, they added their flare by mixing and matching the flavours and textures thus creating level after another of exquisite taste you’d not find elsewhere. The description alone is enough to have you rubbing your tummy in an instant.
On their menu are sandwiches, pasta, rice meal, bistek, dessert, coffee and a selection of juice & frappe. It’s not as extensive as others but their selection is just what you need — you’ll be surprised of the dishes they have and how they serve them.
Personally, I love that they can adjust to your request (non-pork eater here!) and still serve you the best of what they have. In terms of food, they have one of the country’s premier culinary guru, Chef Gene Gonzales and his team of master culinarians, to develop the menu for their cafe and restaurant. Not to mention, their Executive Chef just happens to be a #LakingCACS grad.
Cool off with their colorful selection of juices and frappes — the cucumber lemonade is refreshingly explosive. The hazelnut frappe is also one to look forward when dining.
Imagine biting into a freshly made tuna melt sandwich with caramelised green apples inside — ooh la la, mama mia! Of everything on their menu, I was most excited and in love with their plate of southern style fried chicken with bacon-chive waffle and peppercorn gravy. Yup, chef made me a chive waffle that pairs well with the gravy. The kid in me experimented and poured a bit of the maple syrup and gravy on top of the waffle. The result? Speechless!
If pasta is your cup of tea, their aglio olio is perfect if you want something light. But if you want a big-pasta-punch, then ladies and gentlemen, their lasagna is your next bff. The layers of flavours create a distinctive savoury taste that is lasting and palate awakening.
Dessert wise, you’d not want to stop eating their ube-pandan panna cotta. If on a coffee and chocolate spree, then their velvety rich chocolate mousse and espresso chocolate verrine will instantly put a smile on your face.
The Lobby Cafe by Arcadia is located at Col. Emilio Escandor street, Quimpo boulevard, Ecoland, Matina, Davao City
TRC Speaks: The Lobby at Arcadia is one serene dining location I’d love to chill and be in. Not a health buff through-and-through, it’s but a delish addition to have a cafe inside Arcadia to cater to instant fixins after sweating. What I love is that their menu is simple yet bursting with layers after layers of flavours. What’s more, you can mix and match the pairings thus creating a whole new depth in your palate.
