I have a new favorite bread and coffee nook that's based inside a mall, all the way to its top floor where an ice skating rink is the activity of each day. I loved to have discovered Lucca Bakery at SM Megamall's Fashion Hall recently just when I was starving for brunch. I needed a rice meal, a glass of cold tea or smoothie, a hot concoction and some bread to go with it. I was glad that all those treats were available for me that day at the resto-bakery.
My post-meal fix
I was delighted to be seated at a corner table overlooking the ice skating rink. The skaters' movements -- of amateur and accident-prone levels -- amused me a lot while I tore into Lucca Bakery's meaty, prime US beef tapa which was served on top of a garlic rice. Remarkably, the garlic on the rice was evenly spread and stuck to most of the grains like they were a spice natural to them. This is because I always get turned off by a chunk of garlic tossed on top of my rice order for me to spread it on my own. That was not to be my litany at the resto-bakery that morning. To drown the spicy beef taste, I paired my meal with a cold berry drink (flavored iced tea) which was served with slices of real lemon. I was at the mall that day to buy a new leather belt for an upcoming wedding event that I got invited to. I already made the purchase earlier at the department store, so I rechecked to see if the belt fit me well after a full meal. Having felt good about it around my waist with that much ingested food, I proceeded to finish my dining experience at Lucca Bakery with a hot Matcha Green Tea Latte and two pieces of country bread. I'm not easily impressed with fancy bread creations but the two pieces of bread served my taste buds well. I loved how distinctly soft and chewy they tasted in the middle.
Strong Opinion: I think Lucca Bakery is a good alternative to its close competitor, The French Baker and other similar dining setup.