Kanto Freestyle Breakfast Ateneo — Restaurant in Quezon City

Curiosity and cravings satisfied upon my dining here. Just as I entered the store, all of the staff greeted me with warm smiles, reminiscent of a family that you’ve known for a long time. It’s easy to pick a spot (although it was still Holy (Black) Saturday so I guess there wasn’t much customers dining out yet. For which I am also surprised that they have meat in their menu during this time (so I guess some food establishments carry non-traditional approach during such ocassion nowadays). But nevertheless, I had the opportunity to eat meat so I got their best one in the menu. I order for the New Zealand Beef Tapa and also Bacon filled Tortang Talong (Eggplant Omelette.. or Aubergine Omelette depending on which country you were from) along with Sisig Rice (I really dig deep into the meat-fest, my apologies). As for my appetizers, I ordered for the Sunny-side up eggs, Toasts (white bread slices), and a Kesong Puti (un aged white cheese). To further spike up my appetite, I ordered for a Cafe affogato to start the meal. The interior speaks of a modern vibe with a homey feel to it (think of a condo showroom - classy but inviting). Although the store’s name has the word “kanto” in it, there’s nothing kanto-ish with the set-up and food preparations. Hence, I gave 5 stars for the Service and the Atmosphere. But as to why I gave it just 4 stars in terms of Food (Quality and Quantity wise - including taste, texture, composition and plating), my explanation is on the comments below: New Zealand Beef Tapa: I commend their recipe for keeping the classic taste and texture of the Tapa.. although there only a subtle hint of tangy taste to it but the blend of soy and sweetness with the black pepper marinade brings out the home run to this entree. I was a bit disappointed however with the plating as I had the impression that this dish is of the top-biller, so when it was served plainly alongside with the Tortang talong that has lots of garnishing on top.. you may think twice if something must have been overlooked. Bacon Filled Tortang Talong: Since i already mentioned it beforehand so I’m putting it next on the review… surprise! surprise! the humble tortang talong has been elevated to a pedestal… it looked like an American Meat Loaf sliced and plated but once you get to eat the first bite - you’re sure to be hooked. There were lots of potato cubes though (as an extender perhaps, and only few bits of bacon which is a bummer since the name of the dish is emphasizing the “bacon”) but nevertheless, the insides are juicy and tender. at first I assumed that there is a “crust” from the initial look but it’s soft like a custard tart. what i love most about this dish is that despite all these surprises, you will get that familiar taste of the traditional eggplant omelette… smoky and earthy. the plating is simple (i guess they know that the real star is the inside of the eggplant omelette), but I wish i could’ve tried tasting those swirls of what seems to be tomato ketchup ( as it surely brings a different zest to the flavors of the tortang talong). Toasts with Kesong Puti: ughh.. how do I even start.. i was hoping that this could be my appetizer ( to boost my appetite) but I’m completely disappointed. Well, I guess for the price of it I don’t have anything more to expect. The toasts are nothing special (even the butter has nothing extraordinary) and the Kesong Puti is the real downer.. to be fair, I asked the crew which province they got the kesong puti from ( no one knew its origin so that should’ve been my hint not to expect much but still I went ahead to try for the sake of experience). And the experience was not spectacular… well it is, but on the lower spectrum. The cheese is dry as an aged parmesan, and the taste is so bland.. A bit of context, I grew up in Cavite City where the citizens are known for their love for food.. and one of those food I grew up with is Kesong Puti which my lola used to buy every Sunday and that goes with pan de sal.. always! so imagine my horror when I finally tried this so called Kesong Puti...

I have been a regular and this review is a culmination of my experiences over three visits. Let’s start with the positive: the food is exceptional. The Honey Garlic Chicken is a true standout – tender, flavorful, and cooked to perfection. Paired with a creamy Hazelnut Latte, it makes for a delightful meal. Additionally, the 1-liter Brew & Blend Calamansi is refreshingly unique and a perfect palate cleanser.

The atmosphere at is inviting and comfortable. The decor is modern yet cozy, making it an ideal spot for both casual and student who would like to study . The ambiance truly enhances the dining experience.

However, my experiences with customer service have been consistently disappointing. Despite explicitly requesting well-cooked eggs due to my dislike for runny eggs, this preference has been ignored on multiple occasions. While I can understand a mistake happening once, the recurrence on my second and third visits suggests a lack of attention to customer preferences.

A more troubling incident occurred on my latest visit. After ordering, I waited for an hour for my Brew & Blend Calamansi, despite following up with two different waiters. To make matters worse, I was asked to present my receipt as proof of purchase. This experience left me feeling ignored and discriminated against, which is deeply concerning.

While I understand that signs stating the right to refuse service to rude customers are necessary, I hope the management equally considers the importance of fair and respectful treatment of all patrons. It's disheartening to feel overlooked, and I believe there’s significant room for improvement in this regard.

In conclusion they serves excellent food in a pleasant setting, but the customer service needs serious attention. I hope they can address these issues, as the potential for a fantastic dining experience is...

Kanto Freestyle is all about Filipino comfort food—served either in its classic form or with creative twists. You’ll find staples like danggit with eggs and rice, alongside more adventurous options such as Spanish sardines tempura and crispy corned beef.

For me, the classics win. The danggit plate was satisfying, as expected from a traditional favorite. The fusion dishes, however, fell flat—the Spanish sardines tempura and crispy corned beef were more interesting in concept than in flavor. We also tried the honey chicken; it was okay, but nothing special. Next time, I’ll stick with the tried-and-true classics.

Service could use some improvement. Our four plates took more than 20 minutes to arrive, which feels long for a casual spot. Parking can also be tricky—this branch only has two slots, and even at 9 PM both were taken. We lucked out when someone pulled out just as we arrived.

Overall, Kanto Freestyle is a good place to satisfy a craving for no-frills Filipino food at reasonable prices—just stick to the classics, come with a bit of patience, and plan ahead...