Pinay Traveller PinayTraveller Recommends: Nicto’s Coffee Shop in Pasig

Nicto’s Coffee Shop is one of the newest establishments to open along the booming Capitol Drive in Brgy. Kapitolyo, Pasig City. But what sets it apart from other coffee shops is the personalized service given by the family behind it.

Nicto’s strives to create a warm environment where one can enjoy good conversations and make new friends over a good cup of coffee.
NICTO’S COFFEE SHOP

Nicto’s is the combination of family names Nicolas and Ramento. It is very clearly an enterprise borne out of the family’s love for coffee.

According to co-owner and Operations Manager Chalou Ramento, Nicto’s strives to create a warm environment where one can enjoy good conversations and make new friends over a good cup of coffee.

Coming up with Nicto’s unique coffee menu was no easy task so the family solicited the services of a consultant.

“He helped us come up with our own beverage recipes,” Chalou says. “Currently, we have three unique coffee beverages that are under the Nicto’s Exclusives namely the Nicspresso Quake, which is a blended drink with white chocolate, the Espresso Pop which has soda, and the Nicto’s Holiday Cup which has hazelnut.”

“We also have our own version of Sangria which is non-alcoholic,” Chalou adds.

Wait a minute. Non-alcoholic sangria? Needless to say, I was a bit disappointed. Hahaha!

Coming up with recipes

Chalou says they’ve spent months experimenting with their coffee offerings so you can be assured of the thoughtful process each item on the menu went through. But if there’s one thing that stands out, it is the Nicto’s Holiday Cup.

Similar to how a glass of margarita is served, the Holiday Cup is garnished with a combination of salt, sugar, and peppermint before coffee is poured in. The result, a delightful play on the tastebuds as you slowly sip the hazelnut-flavored caffeinated drink.

Chalou says the Holiday Cup was inspired by her love for Christmas.

“It is the one day a year when people tend to show more kindness, understanding, and compassion toward others,” Chalou shares. “During our menu development, I told our consultant that I want to experience the same warm feeling I get during Christmas…we would try out recipes and without me knowing the ingredients, I would close my eyes and take a sip. This drink is exactly what I wanted.”

Another winner on the menu is the grilled cheese sandwich. Now, I am very picky when it comes to grilled cheese sandwiches because it’s one of the few things I make well. So I’m happy to report that this one exceeded my expectations. With its combination of two kinds of cheddar cheese and mozarella, be prepared to gobble it all up in one go. On the side, the tomato soup served thick is almost like a salsa that completes the whole delicious meal.

Better days ahead

The goal is to inspire people to “pay it forward” and allow our brothers and sisters in need to feel the love of Christ.
NICTO’S COFFEE SHOP

Aside from offering a warm hangout for customers, the family also envisions Nicto’s to be a venue that can inspire people to spread love and kindness. Thus, they put together Better Days Project that was designed to give back to the community. For a 150-peso donation, one can buy a meal for a person in need.

“The customer is requested to write a message to the recipient of the meal,” Chalou says. “We will collect everything and distribute the meals every first Friday of the month starting in October.”

The family will be coordinating with a local parish where the contribution will go. The notes from donors will be placed on each meal and will be properly documented to ensure that their donation will go straight to the community.