The Kitchen by The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf - SM Megamall — Restaurant in Mandaluyong

ANOTHER UPDATE: During my 3rd visit, the restroom was out of service. I ordered Fries and Dip and received potato chips. When I asked the server why he was giving me chips, he asked if the person who took my order informed me that they were out of fries. Obviously not. Informed or not, potato chips ARE NOT an appropriate substitute for fries. He asked me if I would accept the chips, I said no, and he left with the chips without offering an alternative. I waited a few minutes to give him a chance to offer something else, but he didn't. I asked another server if they were going to offer me something else, but she didn't understand that I wanted something comparable to Fries and Dip, and proceeded to offer me everything on the menu. I gave up and just ordered Avocado and Egg from another server.

Part of the problem here is that I'm a pescatarian and their menu offers very little AFFORDABLE pescatarian options. Everything that I can eat is over 350 pesos! Not cool. I eventually spoke to their manager, Thellie, and suggested that they add more affordable pescatarian, vegan, and vegetarian options. I also asked her to find a way to label out-of-stock items on their menu (eg: Fries and Dip and Apricot Ceylon tea, which has been out of stock since Aug/Sep 2022). It was a fruitful discussion. Thellie was very understanding and professional.

Overall, this branch needs to improve in every category (food, service, and atmosphere), but they aren't that bad. There are worse places in the Philippines. I just wish that something as fancy and expensive as CBTL Kitchen can justify their higher prices by providing excellent customer service and a more comfortable atmosphere.

UPDATE: I have visited this branch two more times since my first review and my experience and their service has improved. The morning crew is a little more sluggish than the afternoon crew, but overall, they were both more attentive and quicker than before. The napkin issue is still present. I guess they're trying to save trees? I don't know.

Biggest question: when is Apricot Ceylon coming back? 😭

FIRST REVIEW: I arrived at 10am. The cashiers and wait staff must not be morning people, because it took them a while to acknowledge my presence in front of the counter and they couldn't crack a smile. They bagged my Baked Eggs with Spinach & Salmon with no utensils and no napkins. I didn't realize this until I opened the box at the cinema, so I had to get my hands dirty to eat it. Before the barista bagged my coffee, I asked him to include a couple of napkins in the bag, but he didn't. Again, I didn't realize this until I was already sitting on my seat at the cinema.

Unpleasant first-time experience at this location, though I'll give them a chance to do better if/when I visit again. I'll update this review if...

WORST CBTL BRANCH EVER. Went here for dinner last night (July 9th, around 9pm) and ordered pizza and carbonara, but our orders were NEVER PROCESSED. The lady who took our orders forgot about us even after she laid out the utensils and water, then after almost an hour we are suprised that we are waiting for nothing because THEY DIDN'T PROCESS OUR ORDERS! We asked for the same lady (she's the one with light brown hair with a ponytail, walking around with no mask at all) what happened and she seemed confused at all even though she's the one who served us drinks. She even had the audacity to ask if we're going to cancel the orders, (in a very rude manner, NO APOLOGIES AT ALL), but we just decided to leave as they've already made us wait for too damn long for our food.

Take note that we even had breakfast at the same day and went back for dinner but got the worst customer service ever. I will file a formal complaint via email later.

I will never go back to this branch!! Again, this is the CBTL Megamall branch facing...

This happened a quite a long ago when I left my ID in this branch. I contacted CBTL through their Facebook page and told them my concern. The CBTL representative told me that they informed the branch and said that they had found my ID and assured me that I could pick it up anytime.

I came back for my ID and it was really there. I was glad because it is difficult to issue a new ID. My only concern was, why wasn't my ID returned to me right after my order? I think there was a neglect on their part but on my part as well, since I didn't check that I have it before leaving the place. Either way, I think that was good customer service on their behalf (for keeping my ID until I could return for it.

The food? As always, I enjoyed. Definitely recommend...