COCONUTS HOT SPOT—The Philippines is a basketball-crazy country. National Basketball Association, the world’s leading basketball organization and home of the best professional athletes of this sport, knows it. That’s why it gave its nod to building the world’s first NBA Café right here in Metro Manila.
THE LOOK
Located at the Skydeck of SM Aura, an image of Jerry “The Logo” West, together with flesh and blood NBA Café staff, greet you as you enter the restaurant. Immediately, you will notice the larger than life, wall-size posters of NBA stars like Le Bron James, Dwayne Wade and our very own Coach Erik Spoelstra (whose mother hails from San Pablo, Laguna). The highlight is a giant LCD screen comprised of three stacks wide and three stacks tall flat screens, each having a diagonal length of approximately 60 inches. In typical sports-bar fashion, superstar jerseys and autographed basketballs are also on display. The bar features a slab from a wooden-hardcourt as its counter. Wherever you sit inside the café, you are assured of a good LCD screen viewpoint and cool airconditioning.
THE GRUB
Its The Finals season over at NBA and there is no better time to be at this café than now. After a workout at a nearby gym, I ordered hickory smoked bacon and beef burger (PHP390) and a tall glass of lemonade (PHP150). The burger was huge (around 1.5 times the size of a Jollibee Champ) and served with fries and ketchup. It was good and I enjoyed the Kansas City BBQ sauce and bacon which complemented the beef patty’s flavor and texture. However, I was expecting something a little more beefy, smoky and hearty. Like a Ray Allen three-point shot, the lemonade was smooth and sweet. I also felt the fizz of club soda (carbonated water).
NBA Café also serves other comfort foods like soup, salad, sandwiches, hotdogs, ribs, pasta, and even grilled chicken and seafood. I plan to try the baby back ribs with corn and sautéed vegetable soon.
As a “Finals Series” special, they are also offering a set meal (PHP1,200++) of pork shoulder tacos, Wisconsin chicken and cauliflower soup, salad, baby back ribs, mango cobbler with vanilla custard, and bottomless iced tea.
It was funny how guys and young dads were having a blast at NBA Café while their girlfriends or wives and kids just sat down like they were having dinner at home. I’m sure these guys love their companions with all their heart, but true “love for the game” just takes us to a whole different world.
NOTES
Cost: PHP540 plus service charge.
Cleanliness: As expected from a newly opened restaurant, everything is spic and span.
Service level: From arrival to bill out, excellent. Bar staff can and will talk to you about basketball.
Sound level: Guests don’t need to shout to be heard. They play pop songs by the likes of Pharell Williams and Bruno Mars.
Lighting: Perfectly cozy, and there was more than enough space between seats to make you feel comfortable.
NBA Cafe, 5/F SM Aura Premier, BGC, Taguig City; www.nba.com, +63 2 556 1683. Sun-Thu 10am-10pm, Fri & Sat 10am-2am. Photo from NBA Café’s website.
Coconuts Manila dined at this establishment anonymously and paid for our own meal.
