Kape't Torta

"“Kape’t torta” means “coffee and cakes,” and our cake of choice at this Filipino bakery in Elmhurst is the soft, spongy torta mamón. It’s airy, but also a bit denser than your usual sponge cake, so it’s easier to dunk in a cup of extra-strong kapeng barako, the other part of the equation. There’s plenty of sweet stuff for ube-heads—or get your purple pastry fix from the ube pandesal, stuffed with cheese. There are some tables to hang out inside, and you can do some light grocery shopping for Filipino sauces and snacks." - molly fitzpatrick, bryan kim, will hartman, willa moore, neha talreja

"My merienda of choice is what this Elmhurst spot called Kape’t Torta - or “coffee and cakes” - specializes in. Their cake is a soft, spongy one also known as mamon in certain regions of the Philippines, and while I like plain best for maximum airiness and dunkability, you can also get a yema version, or one with a bit of ube jam inside. This goes with the other half of the equation: a cup of kapeng barako, a particularly strong coffee native to the Philippines (barako means “stud” or “wild boar”) that can only be found in the few cafes that import it. If you prefer denser cakes, try their take on the scarlet bread pudding pan de regla." - paolo espanola

"If you asked me what my merienda of choice would be, I’d answer with what this Queens restaurant specializes in. Kape’t Torta, or coffee and cakes, serves, well, the name kinda says it all. In this case, the cake is a soft, spongy one also known as mamon in certain regions of the Philippines and while I like plain best for maximum airiness and dunkability, you can also get an ube version that has a bit of ube jam inside or yema. This goes with the other half of the equation: a bold cup of kapeng barako, a coffee native to the Philippines that’s strong enough to get you through the afternoon (barako means “stud” or “wild boar”) and can only be found in the few cafes that import it. If you prefer denser cakes, try their take on the pan de regla. Attempting to translate “regla” for you would probably violate rules against vulgarity so I’ll let you just Google how this pie filled with scarlet bread pudding got its name." - Paolo Española

"Kape’t Torta is our favorite Filipino bakery in Elmhurst, and the small counter-service cafe is the ideal place to pick up a box of pastries for any occasion. They specialize in Filipino tortas, which are mini-muffins that work well for breakfast or dessert, and they have a few different kinds. Our favorite is the torta cebuana which is buttery, sweet, and tastes like someone threw a little coconut in the batter. You also want the cheese ensaymada (soft dinner roll topped with shredded cheese) and a few orders of ube pandesal stuffed with cheese. And if you’re in need of a pick-me-up, try a cup of extra-strong kapeng barako—a dark roast Filipino coffee." - Nikko Duren