Rediscover Filipino folktales and fables through chocolate and tea

Auro Cafe launches it’s Afternoon Chocolate and Tea Set

Auro Cafe invites everyone to embark on a journey through Filipino fables and folklore with its exclusive Afternoon Chocolate & Tea Set, launching on February 7, 2025. Created in collaboration with Chef Leti Moreau, Auro’s culinary director, this thoughtfully curated set transforms iconic Filipino myths, fables and legends into an immersive culinary experience. Inspired by a beloved tale, each dish brings these stories to life through a harmonious blend of storytelling and flavor.

A Feast of Stories

The Afternoon Tea Set brings to life Filipino myths and legends, beautifully represented through an array of exquisite treats. Every dish is named after titles of Philippine folklore, such as “Florante at Laura,” a love story of separation and reunion. This dish features a sandwich that comes together to represent the lovers. A butter toast dark chocolate bread, filled with dill, capers, calamansi cream, and cured salmon, captures the emotional depth and eventual reunion of the couple.

Then there’s “Ang Kalabaw at ang Suso,” a savory puff pastry pie filled with balsamic caramelized garlic and goat cheese, representing the carabao and the shell from the famous Filipino fable. “Bakit may Kaliskis ang Isda” features a blue and purple-hued tuile that represents the fish scales in the Filipino folktale.

For cheese lovers, there’s “Ang Kuwintas at ang Suklay.” Inspired by the legend of a pearl necklace that transforms into stars in the sky, this pan de queso represents the necklace’s pearl, while a parmesan star on top symbolizes its celestial transformation. Served with fresh mushroom duxelle, it’s a savory tribute to the magical story.

Then there are the sweet selections, like “Ang Alamat ni Maria Makiling.” Inspired by the mystical forest goddess Maria Makiling, this hazelnut chocolate choux combines earthy tones of brown and green to represent the forest’s natural beauty. A fusion between a Paquibato éclair and a hazelnut puff, the rich flavors are enhanced with choux pastry, ganache, and crémeux. “Ang Alamat ng Mangga” features a cake with a crunchy layer inside, paying homage to the father-son tale that gives the mango its iconic look.

“Ang Alamat ng Ibong Adarna” is a vibrant pistachio strawberry tart inspired by the colors of the mythical bird known for its radiant feathers. This tart incorporates a financier inside and is finished with feather-like details, capturing the essence of the bird’s beauty. Lastly, “Ang Langgam at ang Tipaklong” is a rice caramel cake with riz au lait, soft caramel, and white chocolate mousse, shaped like grains of rice. It celebrates the harmony of nature found in the story of the two main characters.

The treats are paired with one of Auro’s delightful beverages, each chosen to complement the rich flavors of the Afternoon Tea Set. Guests can choose from cacao iced tea, lime cacao iced tea, dark or white choc au lait, or loose-leaf tea. For an additional P990, guests can enjoy a pitcher of cacao lime spritz or calamansi spritz, Auro’s signature cocktails.

The Afternoon Chocolate & Tea Set will be available starting Feb. 7, 2025, at Auro Cafe BGC. Perfect for pairs and groups of four, the set is priced at P2,500 for two and P4,200 for four. It is available from Fridays to Sundays, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Reservations are required, with a cut-off period of four days before the chosen date of visit. Walk-ins are accepted but subject to availability. — Angelo Manalo