In a sea of buzzy cafes, Baby’s is a bibingka-filled standout - Review - Philadelphia - The Infatuation
"Baby's is a full-on sensory experience. The laidback Brewerytown cafe and marketplace has locals transfixed by its glistening, golden egg-topped jowa, listening intently to the sounds of sizzling sisig, and inhaling the delightfully sweet, fragrant aroma of fresh-baked bibingka. The all-day spot has something for everyone and every meal on its rotating, modern Filipino menu, and a market stocked with groceries and Filipino snacks to take with you when you finally, regrettably, have to leave. photo credit: Gab Bonghi photo credit: Gab Bonghi video credit: Gab Bonghi photo credit: Gab Bonghi photo credit: Gab Bonghi Pause Unmute The former pop-up is (almost) always busy with couples shoving buttery ensaymada into each other’s mouths, Lady and the Tramp-style, and friends fighting for the last bite of tangy, soy-pineapple marinated chicken. Solo diners sink into a velvet couch under a banana plant, and a horde of matcha coconut latte addicts satisfy their craving on the balcony’s communal table. Everyday dishes are kicked up by Filipino touches—a cloud-like pandesal roll surrounds a pork longganisa-fried egg breakfast sandwich, and the mango salad is tossed in a peppery chilimansi-miso dressing. But the drinks and pastries are as thoughtful as the larger dishes, so the once-in-a-lifetime ube cookie and cucumber limeade should be on your table no matter what else you order. video credit: Gab Bonghi photo credit: Gab Bonghi photo credit: Gab Bonghi video credit: Gab Bonghi photo credit: Gab Bonghi Pause Unmute Good luck finding a seat—the food and warm atmosphere attract everyone from aspiring novelists looking for inspiration in a donut to hangry toddlers and their handlers. Reservations are available for dinner when the lunch and dinner menus are combined and the SZA plays a bit louder. But we suggest heading there early on a weekday to secure a table, and stay as long as possible to see, sniff, and taste everything on the menu. Food Rundown Ube Iced Coffee The coffee program here is no slouch: beans are sourced from Càphê Roasters. There are around six options, and they’re all a safe bet. But our favorite is this ube iced coffee—a creamy, sweet vanilla treat of a meal in drink form. PlayMute video credit: Gab Bonghi Cucumber Limeade If espressos and lattes aren’t your thing, this is the way to go. The tangy mix is refreshing, citrusy, and will convince you that your morning can revolve around something other than caffeine. photo credit: GAB BONGHI Pastries We’ve had puffy bibingka topped with coconut flakes, pillowy strawberry donuts, cheesy ensaymada domes, and ube and pandan cookies that are more of a five-senses experience than a chewy snack. And each has been a harmonious dance between sweetness and texture. Get any on display before they're gone. photo credit: Gab Bonghi Rich Tita Do you know how enamored we are with this sandwich? We’re talking make-it-our-lock-screen enamored. It layers a slab of kicky pork longganisa, a runny sunny side-up egg, and melted cooper sharp on a toasted pandesal bun that ties it all together. Things can get ridiculously messy, but it’s a challenge we’d accept daily. photo credit: Gab Bonghi Lumpia These rotate—we’ve had them as both pork and vegetable—and they’re only available from 3-5pm. But they shouldn’t be an afterthought. The wrapping is light and crispy, and the cubes of pork have that ideal sweet-spicy thing going on. The soy-chili dipping sauce is a bonus for those who love to dunk. PlayMute video credit: Gab Bonghi Adobo Wings Super crunchy wings, smothered in a sweet soy, vinegar, and chili sauce. Yes, that’ll work. PlayMute video credit: Gab Bonghi Lechon Sisig A plate of golden, crispy pork belly that makes you get all lovey-dovey over a shimmering fried egg, piles of pickled papaya, and fragrant jasmine rice on the side. It’s a generously portioned mix that makes you feel like other sisigs in town need to go back to the drawing board. photo credit: Gab Bonghi Crispy Jowa Some people think chicken is a meh choice. When it’s done right, we are not those people—and this is done right: crunch, a rich tamarind gravy, and juicy meat. PlayMute video credit: Gab Bonghi" - Candis R. McLean
