When you think of breakfast, either you think of images of your ‘-silogs’ or you might fancy a nice warm batch of freshly cooked pancakes at your table – but why not have both? Pancake House International, winner of the 2018 TFT Newcomer Brand of the Year, offers the best of both worlds at any time you wish – so whether that’s a craving in the morning, noon, or evening, they will surely satisfy your appetite for that pancake craving and more.
The Ambiance
We got the chance to dine at one of their newest locations at the heart of Abu Dhabi – at the World Trade Center. Pancake House has two entrances – one from the mall side and the other straight from the streets making it easier to access. The interiors would remind you much about their stores in the Philippines as they kept the look and feel of the store. The friendly and accommodating staff aren’t just ready to take in your meal orders – they can also suggest food that the diners may like as they attentively listen to each of their customers.
The Food
We started out with their Almondigas Soup, which contained meatballs, vermicelli (sotanghon) noodles, together with a lip-smacking soup base. The warmth of the soup made it very fitting to the current cool weather that we’re experiencing. After which we got a taste of their Hot Roast Beef Sandwich which brought out the flavors of the beef that blended well with the gravy sauce.
We were also served with their signature House Specials Set that features their Pan Chicken, their Taco, and their Spaghetti. Their Pan Chicken tasted really crispy on the outside with its flavorful chicken skin and juicy meat, while their Italian-styled spaghetti topped with a generous amount of cheese provided that extra ‘oomph’ of yumminess. And while we have tasted lots of Tacos at several other Mediterranean and Mexican joints, Pancake House’s ‘Best Taco in Town’ lives up to the hype as each bite would make you crave for more until you realize that it’s already gone.
The star of the show of course, was their pancake selection. Each bite reminded us of how simple, yet fulfilling a pancake breakfast can be. Each bite was filled with just the right amount of sweetness that can be amplified further depending on your sweet tooth with their house syrup. Each pancake remained consistent with its fluffiness and creaminess as we enjoyed the entire set.
One other menu item that deserves a very special mention is their boneless Smoked Golden Tinapa that consists of two Milkfish (Bangus) with a taste that’s very, very appetizing and delicious especially when mixed together with its mango salsa. You’ll inevitably find yourself wanting another cup of rice or two as you enjoy each bite.
For dessert, we were served with their Waffle Foldover, their Ube cake, and their Fruit Crepe with Ice Cream. Their Waffle Foldover is the dream dessert of kids who crave everything sweet in one dish – the crispy waffle pairs well with the peanut butter, vanilla ice cream and bits of nuts and candy-coated choco bites. The Fruit Crepe was a light yet filling dessert that mixes tropical fruit offerings with ice cream and a nice mix of syrups and crepes. Their Ube cake gave off a very rich taste too.
The Verdict
With a variety of menu offerings, Pancake House isn’t just a place where you literally eat pancakes alone – it is a place for you to dine with family and friends as you enjoy Filipino favorites and get a taste of international cuisine all under one roof. Pancake House has branches across the UAE including Burjuman Mall in Dubai, The Dubai Mall, and at the World Trade Center in Abu Dhabi.
