It’s my birthday, and it has become a tradition for my college friends and me to eat out. Since I live in Quezon City, I chose nearby restaurants as the place to celebrate.
Location and Ambiance
Scout Borromeo in Quezon City is home to two Tablo restaurants: Tablo Bistro and Tablo Kitchen x Cafe. We went to Tablo Bistro on a Monday, but it was closed—this spot also houses Vinta Modern Carinderia. Luckily, the guard told us there’s another Tablo just down the street
The parking lot was full when we arrived, even though it was already past noon. Worry not—there’s another parking lot nearby.
Upon entering, we were quite surprised to find that the cafe is spacious, even though it looks small from the outside. The clean lines of the wooden tables and the modern lighting fixtures give it a sleek, contemporary feel.
Food
We ordered the(₱465) as our appetizer. The servings were generous. The squid rings were crispy, served with tortilla chips and cheese. A homemade ranch dip came on the side.
Not to be over the top, but I also really enjoyed the salad we ordered. It was the BBQ Chicken Salad (₱580). The chicken came included, though one of our friends put hers on a separate plate because she didn’t want to eat chicken yet. The salad was bursting with flavors, thanks to mango and corn, along with chopped greens and cilantro. I was curious about the wonton strips, but they turned out delicious and crunchy since they were fried. Best of all, it was tossed in a citrus BBQ dressing—truly unique and worth it.
I really enjoyed the Creamy Beef Salpicado (₱580). If I eat at Tablo again, I will most likely order it again. The beef slices are tender, and the creamy garlic flavor is truly satisfying. It pairs best with rice, and the savory sauce includes shiitake mushrooms. Roasted potatoes and French beans come on the side.
Verdict
The food was delicious, and the service was good, with attentive waitstaff. The ambiance was also nice. While we were there, we noticed employees having lunch and businessmen holding casual meetings—probably because we went around 1 PM on a Monday. I think it gets busier on weekends since the place is cozy and has a great atmosphere.
Looking for another spot on Scout Borromeo? Check out Borro—the name actually comes from the street itself! Their food is just as delicious and definitely worth a try.
