Rustic Mornings, curated by Portia Baluyut-Magsino, has undergone a charming transformation, now offering an enhanced garden experience within a more spacious venue and expanded parking facilities. Nestled in the family’s ancestral property, the setting is enriched by a historic ruin that has been thoughtfully repurposed into a unique events venue.
Yes, it’s that place in Marikina serving comforting morning meals for 11+ years. You need to make a reservation during breakfast time but better to go lunch onwards to avoid the crowd.
ABOUT NEW RUSTIC MORNINGS
Portia, a self-taught cook, identified a gap in Marikina’s culinary scene, leading her to establish Isabelo, a private dining spot in her garden in 2008. Starting with one table, the restaurant expanded to nine tables.
In 2012, Portia’s entrepreneurial spirit led to the launch of Rustic Mornings, a breakfast restaurant that surpassed Isabelo in popularity. Recognizing the demand for dedicated breakfast options, Portia decided to focus exclusively on Rustic Mornings, closing Isabelo to fully embrace serving satisfying breakfast meals.
Rustic Mornings by Portia Baluyut-Magsino
📍11 I. Mendoza Street, San Roque, Marikina City.
⏰ Open Monday to Thursday from 8 A.M. to 4 P.M.
and Friday to Sunday from 8 A.M. to 6 P.M.
☎️ Contact +63 2 8425 8610 +63 917 7005 810
📩 isabeloeventhall@gmail.com for reservations
∞ Rustic Mornings by Isabelo
∞ @rusticmornings
What makes Rustic Mornings special extends beyond the food—it’s the genuine sense of love and care that creates a lasting impression. The ambiance mirrors the warmth of an extended family home, evoking feelings of reliability, familiarity, and belonging.
The al fresco dining area, adorned with pockets of greens and beautiful mosaic walls, recalls the comforts of home and invites you to stay awhile in this welcoming space.
The garden ambiance, thoughtfully crafted by Indie Icasiano, serves as a tribute to Portia’s mom, who holds a deep affection for roses and gardens. This sentiment is beautifully captured in a painting of a flower and an enchanting garden mosaic.
Upon entering, you are immediately enveloped in a sense of home, embraced by a motherly love that resonates through the soothing atmosphere and comforting breakfast favorites.
For truly unforgettable gatherings, Rustic Mornings takes it further by introducing the Isabelo Events Hall, designed for your special occasions. With a capacity for up to 120 guests, this spacious venue boasts a lofty ceiling adorned with foliage and stunning chandeliers, ideal for grand celebrations such as wedding receptions and birthdays.
In its 11th year, Rustic Mornings thrives in its new location, specializing in comfort food that genuinely warms the heart. The restaurant’s unique approach recognizes that true comfort comes from a dish that provides solace precisely when needed.
Rustic Mornings Menu:
• Filipino Favorites, Pancakes, Waffles, Specials, Smoothie Bowls, Salad
• Group Platters, Soup, 3-egg Cheese Omelet, Breakfast Platters, Extras
• Rice Bowls, Pizza, Pasta, Big Biscuits, Baskets, Dessert, Hot Coffee, Iced Coffee, Frappe, Espresso
• Chocolate, Calamani Iced Tea, Fruity & Healthy, Milkshake
SPECIALS
Spinach & Artichoke Dip (₱470)
This dip is addictively creamy without being overly rich, boasting a perfect blend of spinach and artichoke flavors with just a touch of garlic. Sarap with the soaked hot toasted bread.
Buttered Chicken Roti (₱550)
It boasts a rich, saucy texture without being excessively oily, generously filled with meaty chicken pieces. The inclusion of tomatoes and greens provides a refreshing contrast to the buttery reduction. Irresistible as a dipping sauce for roti or, even better, drizzled over steaming hot rice.
Madame President Cheese Burger (₱450)
You can enjoy the burger recipe of Portia’s mom, known as madame president of Marikina. The meat is juicy with a good bite and bun to patty ratio.
Thigh Almighty Chicken Burger (₱400)
A chicken burger featuring dark meat and crispy bacon for a gratifying crunch. It presents a slight challenge to bite into.
CHRISTMAS SPECIALS
Christmas Breakfast Board (₱1,500)
As soon as this delightful dish graced the table, the kids eagerly claimed their portions. Each one savored a pancake adorned with special butter and Nutella sauce, embellished with festive Christmas colors and textures.
Consider ordering it as the perfect Christmasy appetizer for the whole family.
Peppermint Hot Chocolate (₱170)
While we love their Hot Chocolate, this peppermint creation strikes a comforting chord this holiday season.
BASKET, PIZZA & PASTA
Honey Garlic Chicken (₱700)
This is the one dish that everyone raves about. The chicken is perfectly fried, coated with just the right amount of honey garlic sauce to satisfy your cravings. We specially appreciate the wings and the crispy skin. Sarap nito.
Truffled Mushroom Cream Pasta (₱580)
The pasta is coated in a velvety creamy sauce infused with the delightful essence of truffle and mushroom flavors. I appreciate the well-balanced nature of the dish—it satiates your truffle cravings without becoming overly cloying.
Burratta Pizza (₱650)
While it was good, the pizza crust was on the thicker side, and the burrata appeared a bit dry. It’s the only dish from which we had leftovers to take home.
DRINKS
Sparkling Vibrance (₱270)
Rustic Sunrise (₱390)
The brunch cocktails were surprisingly delightful, striking a perfect balance of flavors without being overly sweet. They offered their own variations of gin and tonic or Aperol in the morning.
Pure Avocado Milkshake with Pearls (₱250)
Strawberry Milkshake (₱320)
The kids are content with the milkshake—once again, it’s not overly sweet or dense, but just the right amount of sweetness that appeals to their taste buds. Love the avocado with pearls.
Hot Chocolate (₱140).
Just the perfect hot chocolate flavor you want to enjoy on your Christmas mornings.
DESSERTS
Waffle Churros (₱330)
The waffle was cooked to crunchy perfection without being dry, coated with churros flavors and their delicious butter. Cut into pie pieces and pair it with hot chocolate.
Carrot Cake
We ordered most of the cakes, and the carrot cake stood out because you can still taste the carrot flavor. The cake is crumbly and moist, with a sweet buttercream coating. Sarap!
Frozen Brazo de Mercedez (₱300)
We love Frozen Brazo for dessert, but next time, ask them to serve the additional sauce on the side because it is already too sweet.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Overall, this is the best brunch place in Manila, featuring a well-crafted, homey garden ambiance and comfort food that is satisfying and appeals to the foodie heart. Portia and her mom know how to prepare comfort food exceptionally well—not too rich, not too sweet, but thoroughly satisfying. Make sure to reserve the big family tables near the displays.
I would return for the Buttered Chicken Roti, Honey Garlic Chicken, and Waffle Churros. For breakfast, I plan to explore their Filipino Favorites, perhaps with the Ilocos Bagnet or Crispy Dilis next time. The cocktails, hot chocolate, and milkshake are quite enjoyable, perfect for keeping the conversation going. I wish they had gelato or ice cream concoctions.
Congratulations to Portia and Rustic Mornings for emerging stronger from the pandemic, consistently delivering comfortingly delicious fare and offering an even better well-crafted ambiance.
Rustic Mornings by Portia Baluyut-Magsino
📍11 I. Mendoza Street, San Roque, Marikina City.
⏰ Open Monday to Thursday from 8 A.M. to 4 P.M.
and Friday to Sunday from 8 A.M. to 6 P.M.
☎️ Contact +63 2 8425 8610 +63 917 7005 810
📩 isabeloeventhall@gmail.com for reservations
∞ Rustic Mornings by Isabelo
∞ @rusticmornings
Live an Awesome Life with Christ,
Founder & Digital Creator, Our Awesome Planet
Disclosure: Thanks to Portia, Bess and Rustic Mornings team for the New Rustic Morning brunch experience. I wrote this article with my biases, opinions, and insights.
P.S. Kids were knocked down after a good meal. Sana may duyan 🙂
