Sunrise to sundown: The cafe-to-bar experience at Katipunan’s new Benny and Chèrie

MANILA, Philippines – Katipunan’s new “cafe by day, bar by night” concept — Benny Coffee and Brunch and Chèrie Cocktail Bar — has quickly become a new favorite spot for students, residents, and professionals around and outside Katipunan. It’s two spaces in one lot, serving coffee during the day and cocktails at night.

Located at the Upper Ground Floor of JSO Bldg, Blue Ridge, 210 Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City, Benny’s is not your typical cafe. “Benny” (the persona of Benny Coffee and Brunch ) has a story to tell — and it focuses on details and your comfort.

Welcome to Benny’s

Stepping into the cafe, you’ll instantly get a sense of who Benny is. A young guy who loves a cozy space to unwind and feel right at home. Whether you’re a student trying to beat a deadline, a professional doing tasks, or treating yourself to a date out, Benny welcomes you with good food and a welcoming ambiance.

Each corner is an Instagram-worthy spot — from the materials, colors, flooring, and tiles. Benny’s larger-than-life shelves showcase a collection of artwork, retail items, board and card games, and more, offering a glimpse into Benny’s unique personality.

What surprised me the most is how Benny’s lives up to its branding of being “a space for all.” From cosplay events to cupping sessions, cup-sleeving, and pottery-making, Benny’s regularly hosts unique events. One of the founders even told Rappler that Benny’s plans to open its doors to drag queens, making it a space for inclusivity and creativity. 

Benny also supports local collage artists from the Manila Collage Collective, celebrating their artwork displayed in Benny’s living area.

Serious coffee from not-so-serious people

Benny Coffee and Brunch opens its doors at 9 am, serving seasonal, all-espresso-based drinks. They’re made from bold Ethiopian single-origin beans, or smooth smooth decaf beans with hints of berries and chocolate. For those who prefer a milder brew, they have expertly crafted blends.

For the basic coffee drinkers and those with a sweet tooth, I enjoyed Benny’s own-crafted Korean Latte, Granola (P250). It features the ideal amount of French Toast Blend Espresso, balanced with fresh milk, brown sugar, and their signature cream, delivering a delightful biscuit-cereal flavor.

For a refreshing start to the morning, Benny’s Rise and Shine (P250) is inspired by the classic American breakfast combination of oranges and coffee.

If you’re a chocolate-mint fan craving something indulgent, the Alps (P350), inspired by ‘the cold mountains of Switzerland,’ blends mint and rich chocolate for a flavor reminiscent of dark chocolate-covered mint candy bars.

Don’t miss the classic Snickers Mocha, the complex White and Dirty Coffee, or the Kaya Foam from their craft menu. If you don’t drink coffee, they have options like Toasted Horchata, Orange Melon Creamsicle Smoothie, Ceremonial Grade Matcha, and more.

Whether for breakfast or dessert, the Classic Beignets (P200) is the star of the menu and a personal favorite of mine! Served fresh and hot, these five pieces of slightly crisp but soft, pillowy, and delicately light pastries are coated in powdered sugar, making them an ideal pairing with any drink.

The main deal

From sandwiches and breakfast plates to salads, pasta, and sweets, Benny’s makes sure to include at least two homemade components in each dish.

For our starters, we were served the Grilled Cheese Sandwich (P325), a cheesy delight made with cheddar, mozzarella, butter, homemade bread, and a side of good pesto sauce.

Want to spice things up? The Hot Buttermilk Chicken Sandwich (P395) has crispy yet juicy buttermilk chicken, drizzled in a smoky paprika glaze and Benny’s fiery “angry-hot sauce,” balanced by a homemade zesty tzatziki.

Benny’s serves a taste of home with the classic Truffle Mushroom and Cream (P360), offering a rich truffle flavor with every creamy bite.

Truffle all the way! The Truffled Beef Brisket Eggs Benny (P625) is the way to go. The 24-hour smoked beef brisket pairs well with their homemade truffle hollandaise. It’s served with a generous portion of crispy hash browns, rocket lettuce, balsamic vinaigrette, and toasted butter brioche, all topped with poached eggs that balance and neutralize the bold flavors.

Though I’m not usually a fan of salads, the Arugula Pasta Salad (P395) was a healthy option that stole the show for me. Served with cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, cucumber, fusilli pasta, rocket lettuce, and a flavorful honey mustard dressing, it’s perfectly paired with bite-sized crispy buttermilk rosemary chicken that has flavor in every bite.

For a cold dessert, try the Strawberry, Peach, & Mint Smoothie (P250) — a refreshing treat. Its towering size makes it good for sharing with friends or family! 

Meet Tita Chèrie 

Right after dining at Benny’s, you can unwind at Chèrie! As you step through its doors, you enter another dimension, transforming from a cozy brunch cafe to a lively cocktail bar, buzzing with music and energy.

Chèrie cocktail bar is an intimate yet vibrant space, designed with circular elements throughout. Red lights dominate the setting, casting a warm, sultry glow that sets the perfect mood for a night out with friends, dancing to the beats spun by the house DJ.

Tita Chèrie is not your typical “tita of Manila.” She’s traveled around the world, bringing home international experiences.

Chèrie offers a variety of drinks, with five options each from their Sours and Classics to Seasonal Signatures plus Mocktails, giving you a total of 15 unique drinks, all specially crafted upon request.

Up for a juicy and citrusy drink that’ll leave you feeling tipsy? The New York Sour (P420) combines the smooth, rich flavor of bourbon with the tartness of lemon juice and a subtle sweetness from sugar. Its red wine float enhances the fruity profile, while a dash of Angostura bitters adds just the right layer of flavor.

Hailing from Northern Italy, the Grappa Sour (P420) is a zesty and floral drink that blends the bold flavors of grappa and clear mezcal, balanced by the sweetness of elderflower, jasmine syrup, and the crunchy honeycomb tuile. 

Chèrie goes back to her roots with the Halo-Halo (P450), a complex, fruity-sweet drink that blends Plantation dark rum, vodka, lime juice, and pandan muscovado langka with tropical flavors, all topped with creamy ube foam for a refreshing twist on the classic.

An inuman wouldn’t be complete without pulutan. Chèrie also offers food and snacks to accompany your drinking experience. 

You’ll want to pair your drinks with their Nori & Kani Chips (P250), featuring crisp homemade nori chips topped with refreshing cucumbers, kani, Japanese mayo, and a kick of sriracha. 

The Truffle Fries (P350) comes highly recommended. With a bold garlicky flavor and a rich truffle mayo dip, it’s the perfect comfort snack. Another go-to comfort snack, the Onion Crisps (P250), might be just what you need, served with Benny’s signature angry-hot sauce for an extra punch.

Overall, Benny Coffee and Brunch and Chèrie Cocktail Bar have established themselves as a must-try Katipunan experience. The seamless transition from day to night creates a unique atmosphere, perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re in a productive, creative mood or simply looking to unwind, both venues cater to a diverse crowd.

I highly recommend visiting during or after a stressful day of deadlines, relaxing at Benny’s to enjoy the ambiance and delicious food, then heading to Chèrie to destress and dance the night away. – Rappler.com

Benny Coffee and Brunch and Chèrie Cocktail Bar is located at the Upper Ground Floor, JSO Bldg, Blue Ridge, 210 Katipunan Ave, Project 4, Quezon City. Benny is open from 9 am to 10 pm on Mondays to Thursdays and Chèrie is open from 6 pm to 12 am on Tuesdays to Thursdays and Sundays, and 6 pm to 2 am on Fridays and Saturdays.