Around Town: 14 Four Cafe in Taytay, Rizal

There are only a few things in life that can bring us comfort almost instantly – a hearty meal, good coffee, a relaxing environment, and great conversation with family or friends. And in Taytay, Rizal, smartparenting.com.ph discovered a place that offers just these. 

Located within the residential area of Gregoria Heights, 14 Four Café provides foodies a break from the typical restos found in commercial or business districts. Although people may feel that Taytay may be too far-flung an area, it’s only a good 20 to 30 minute drive from Ortigas. Its nondescript facade elicits a feeling of surprise among first-time visitors upon taking in its one-of-a-kind feel. 

From the criss-cross gate that greets customers, the bright colors of red, blue and yellow painted upon the café façade, the benches and different kinds of sofas in the garden (perfect for lazy afternoons and coffee!), 14 Four Café strikes a balance between the simple life beyond the outskirts of the city, and the modern vibe of an art gallery.

Step inside the air-conditioned café and you’ll feel as if you’ve entered a furniture showroom, which, incidentally, is what the establishment began as. 

“Originally, this was my dad’s furniture showroom for Stick Designs,” explains 14 Four Café owner and manager, Niki Sambile. The café area used to house the office of her father, furniture manufacturer Jun Sambile. Today, the furniture showroom, right beside the café, is undergoing renovation.

 

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With her culinary education and work experience in the U.S., Niki thought of opening her own restaurant back in the Philippines, so in February 2012, she formally opened 14 Four Café. 

“I just really wanted someplace comfy where people can relax,” Niki shares. And once guests see the unique tables, chairs, light fixtures, even the bathroom walls, which have drawings, they agree. 
“We’re open only on weekends,” Niki says. “We serve an all-day brunch. If you don’t want to wake up early on a weekend, you can come in after lunch. At 2 o’clock you can still have pancakes, tapa, and then you can hang out with your friends or family.”

Bestsellers for kids are the chicken margherita (P230), 14Four Tapa (P190), the adobo flakes with kesong puti panini (P160), the cinnamon bun pancakes (P170) and milkshakes (P110). 

“It’s very homey also so people tend to stay awhile. Sometimes customers stay for three hours. Usually after eating, they order coffee, dessert, then they stay. Chikahan na, all night long!” Niki adds with a laugh. 

The best spot for coffee and dessert, according to Niki, is in the garden, which she describes as being very “loungey”. “It’s nice because there’s an open place,” she shares. “Kids like to run around. We have a lot of areas where they can play. When there are kids, we also hand them coloring pencils or crayons.”
14 Four Café draws in mostly families and barkadas, which is why their peak hours are generally in the afternoons and at night.

“I think it’s [basically the] customers enjoying themselves,” Niki answers, when asked about what brings people to the café. “A lot of photo ops! I think that’s why they stay long. That’s why I put signs (#14FourCafe) para if they Instagram it or tweet it, I can search it then I upload it on Facebook. I have an album for Instagram pictures.”

Owing to the growing popularity of 14 Four Café, it has been host to many functions–from wedding receptions, baptisms, kiddie parties, bridal showers, graduation parties, even prenuptial shoots on weekdays. While the café can seat up to 20 people, the garden can accommodate as many as 40 people. “As long as there are no reservations for that date, you can book anytime, but of course, hopefully at least a week before, kasi we still have to agree on a menu and headcount,” notes Niki.

 

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In the future, Niki plans on holding movie showings for kids in the garden. “We’re still going through the logistics of that,” she explains. “[But since it’s summer vacation time], kids can stay a little later than usual, and it’s on a weekend naman.”

While 14 Four Café has been attracting both local and foreign customers far from Taytay, Niki is quick to dismiss the notion that it’s similar to other restos in popular vacation spots. “A lot of people think that we’re a destination restaurant, but we really just want to be your neighborhood café,” Niki says. “It’s just comfort food – good home cooking, nothing fancy, something you can come back to every day.”

14 Four Café is located at 144 Magnolia Lane, Gregoria Heights Subdivision, Taytay, Rizal, and is open on Saturdays and Sundays, from 10 am to 10 pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63999-888-0144. 

 

Photos by Jun Pinzon