Choco-Late de Batirol at Camp John Hay, Baguio City

Choco-Late’ de Batirol is a garden-restaurant in Camp John Hay, Baguio City, serving hot chocolate drinks prepared the traditional Filipino way. Batirol refers to the metal mixing pot used to prepare the hot chocolate beverage.

cacao beans

The restaurant uses top quality and world-class cacao beans from the Philippines to create their best-selling chocolate beverages. The owners source the beans from Davao, Cordillera and other regions of the country under a strict selection process and meticulously mix them to create their signature blend.

chocolate paste

The beans are then processed into dark, unsweetened chocolate paste containing all the natural oils from the beans. We were able to taste bits of this paste (which solidifies in Baguio due to the cold climate of the city) which we describe as bitter but very rich in chocolate flavor.

traditional way to prepare choco-late de batirol 

During our visit, the restaurant has prepared a demo for us to show the step-by-step process of preparing choco-late de batirol. It all starts with dissolving chocolate paste in water and milk to create a chocolate mixture. Flavorings such as sugar and salt are then placed in the batirol. The chocolate mixture is then poured into the batirol.

step-by-step process

Using the molinillo (wooden whisk), the chocolate mixture is then manually blended with the flavorings inside the batirol. The molinillo must be swiftly rolled between the two palms of the hand to achieve a thick and frothy consistency.

hot chocolate being mixed with a molinillo inside a batirol

The choco-late de batirol is then poured into the cup. The drink comes in different variants: Traditional Blend, Baguio Blend (with strawberry), Cinnamon, Almond, Cointreau, Kahlua, and Choco Mallows.

The Traditional Blend (P80.00) is a must-try! You can taste the richness and the boldness of the chocolate flavor in every sip. We also loved the Cinnamon (P90.00) blend because the spicy and earthy flavor perfectly match the Baguio climate, especially during the -ber months when it is much colder. If you are not up for a hot drink, they also serve ice cold chocolate beverages (P135.00-P145.00).

choco-late de batirol in a cup

The restaurant also serves Filipino dishes for breakfast (P160.00), lunch and dinner (P115.00-P300.00) including longganisa and tocino, caldereta, dinuguan, daing na bangus, sisig and many more. They also have rice meals that come with free iced tea (P199.00). Their best-selling merienda items are the bibingka (P105.00) and suman sa lihia (P64.00).

bibingka

Although being sold as a merienda item on the menu, their bibingka is often ordered by the customers as breakfast and is usually paired with the traditional blend choco-late. The bibingka just have the right texture, not too soft, not too moist, and not ultra burned. It also has the right amount of butter and was generously topped with grated coconut.

For our friends from Visayas and Mindanao, if you are big fans of Sikwate & Putomaya, then you will surely love the Choco-Late & Suman tandem. :-)

suman sa lihia

Overall, we enjoyed our visit at Choco-Late de Batirol. We loved their garden setting. All the greenery gives a very relaxing ambiance to the restaurant which makes it a perfect spot for relaxation. Most of all, we loved their choco-late de batirol. The rich chocolate drink energizes the mind and the body. It gives warmth and joy to the heart. It brings life to conversations and sweetness to every story told.

Edgar and Glen enjoying their choco-late de batirol

Choco-Late de Batirol is located in Igorot Park, Camp John Hay, Baguio City. The most convenient way to reach it is by taking a taxi. Tell the driver that it is in Camp John Hay near the gate beside Baguio Country Club. Taxi fare is P60.00-P90.00.

Choco-Late de Batirol
Igorot Park, Camp John Hay, Baguio City
For reservations and bookings: 0916-375-6510 (Socorro) or 0915-933-3474 (Michelle)
Email: chocolatedebatirol@yahoo.com
Website: chocolatedebatirol.com
Twitter: @ChocoDeBatirol

garden-restaurant setting

Choco-Late de Batirol is a partner restaurant of the Baguio Food Tour 2013 (BFT2013) blogger event aimed at promoting the City of Pines as a food trip destination.

BFT2013 Bloggers at Choco-Late de Batirol

How to get to Baguio City

Victory Liner serves 24/7 hourly trips to Baguio City from Cubao and Pasay. Travel time is 6-7 hours (for regular aircon buses) or 4-5 hours (for first class buses). For inquiries, follow them on Twitter @victorylinerinc. Victory Liner is the official transport sponsor of Baguio Food Tour 2013.

image source: www.victoryliner.com