The Giving Café on A. Mabini in Brgy. Addition Hills is a heritage house transformed into a specialty café and Filipino-Chinese comfort food restaurant by award-winning barista Michael Harris Conlin, as a tribute to his grandfather, Juan Bautista Lee. This is TGC’s second branch after their original location in Sheridan and stands out as one of the metro’s unique specialty cafés. Known for its beloved TGC pancit, it’s the perfect spot to enjoy comforting Filipino-Chinese dishes, meet up with friends, celebrate, or simply share a good conversation.
The Giving Café A. Mabini
📍858a A. Mabini St., Brgy. Addition Hills in Mandaluyong City.
🕐 Open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10 am to 8 pm.
♾️ TGC: A Social Enterprise @tgcsocialentrep
📞 +63 927 247-1490, +63 985 128-4751 or +632 8518-9291.
THE GIVING CAFE A.MABINI
TGC HOUSE SPECIAL PANCIT MIKI BIHON
₱375 (2-3 pax), ₱556 (4-7 pax) , ₱680 (6-7 pax)
Everyone who tries the TGC pancit raves about it, thanks to its perfect mix of bouncy glass noodles and just the right amount of oil and flavor coating each strand. Pair it with tokwa, quail eggs, and a bit of sahog for a dish that keeps you coming back for more, bite after bite.
MICHAEL HARRIS CONLIN
Owned by award-winning barista Michael Harris Conlin, TGC is both a café and a social enterprise dedicated to honoring his late grandfather, Juan Bautista Lee. Located in the house his grandfather built, the café preserves his legacy while supporting Filipino coffee farmers through the #IndulgeInGiving initiative. In partnership with the Foundation for Sustainable Coffee Excellence, TGC funds programs for education, sustainable farming practices, and basic healthcare, ensuring fair compensation and a sustainable coffee supply chain.
SPECIALTY COFFEE
Their slow bar offers specialty coffee made from award-winning beans like Liberica con Liberica, Noemi Dado’s Agnep Benguet Arabica, and the limited-edition Wilton Benitez Gesha from Colombia. Don’t miss trying the Blueberry Jam roasted coffee beans as a latte. Specialty coffees often have a fruity, high acidity, tea-like flavor that highlights the unique characteristics of each bean.
MID-CENTURY ARCHITECTURE
A showcase of mid-century architecture, the ancestral house is also the place where later generations of his family were raised. Juan Bautista Lee often welcomed friends and loved ones to this house where happy memories were made. It was recently restored and repurposed to house this full-service restaurant and events venue.
VINTAGE BILLIARD TABLE
My favorite part is the billiard table, where you can enjoy a casual game with the kids while waiting for food or have a fun bonding session after dinner. Though the restored table slopes slightly, it’s still perfect for playing 8-ball or killers with your family or friends.
ANGKONG’S ROOM
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My favorite is Angkong’s Room, now the main private dining area on the mezzanine level with its own spacious bathroom. It’s perfect for boardroom meetings, brunch gatherings with presentations, or intimate Christmas parties. The room exudes a special energy, as if the walls could share the stories and secrets of this “room where it all happened.”
JUAN BAUTISTA LEE’S LEGACY
TGC was established to honor its patriarch, a bronze medalist in water polo at the 2nd Asian Games, who rose from humble beginnings as a street vendor to a life of success and generosity. Known for supporting the Filipino and Chinese-Filipino communities, he instilled values of humility, kindness, and giving back in his family. His motto, “Always be kind, kindness is free,” remains a guiding principle of TGC, which stands as a tribute to his life and values, inspiring future generations to pursue their dreams with integrity.
SALT & PEPPER SPARERIBS (₱445 small, ₱545 sharing)
Rache loves spareribs, and this dish brings back memories of comforting salt-and-pepper spare ribs paired with vinegar. Pair it with Emperor’s Fried Rice for the perfect match to the seasoned meat and crispy crust.
SISIG (₱445 small, ₱545 sharing)
Perfect for satisfying your sisig cravings—served sizzling hot with a raw egg you can mix in for the finishing touch. I love it with extra sliced chili, and it’s best enjoyed hot with rice.
BEEF BRISKET NOODLE ₱325
I was pleasantly surprised to see beef brisket noodles on the menu, a go-to order for us at North Park. I enjoy it while it’s comforting hot, with a broth full of deep beef flavors and a rich mouthfeel.
ANGKONG’S FAVOURITE RENDANG ON RICE (₱425)
They also offer rice bowls sized for one, but the portions can be shared, especially if you’re ordering other family-style dishes. The rendang was delicious and beautifully presented in a stylish bowl.
BEEF PARES (₱385)
The pares features generous portions of tender meat richly coated in flavorful sauce, served with rice and soup. It’s perfect for sharing and offers an elevated take on this beloved street food classic.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Our first reaction was gratitude for restaurants like this—warm, comforting, and perfect for every generation. It feels like dining in your Angkong’s home, enjoying special recipes in a cozy, homey ambiance. While the restaurant takes center stage, which makes sense business-wise, it still appeals to specialty coffee lovers, heritage enthusiasts, and foodies seeking a uniquely Manila dining experience, complete with a billiard table to pass the time.
It can get noisy, as sound bounces off the walls, and you might catch snippets of conversations from nearby groups. For added peace and more intimate discussions, opt for a private room. Budget around ₱800 per person. Congratulations to Michael Conlin on creating a well-thought-out concept featuring delicious Fil-Chi food and specialty coffee in a great hangout spot!
The Giving Café A. Mabini
📍858a A. Mabini St., Brgy. Addition Hills in Mandaluyong City.
🕐 Open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10 am to 8 pm.
♾️ TGC: A Social Enterprise @tgcsocialentrep
📞 +63 927 247-1490, +63 985 128-4751 or +632 8518-9291.
Note: They offer ample parking, but it can get crowded during peak hours.
Live an Awesome Life with Christ,
Founder & Digital Creator, Our Awesome Planet
Disclosure: This article was written entirely by 100% human, with my own biases, opinions, and insights.
P.S. TGC A. Mabini is available as a party venue, featuring airy gardens and spacious dining rooms. It’s perfect for wedding receptions, family reunions, baby showers, and corporate events. Each room is thoughtfully designed for special occasions.
For instance, guests can have a working lunch in what used to be the bedroom of Michael’s grandfather. His “Angkong,” as his grandchildren fondly called him, relished his time with friends and loved ones as they shared ideas, stories, and laughter over lunch or dinner. The food set would include Crispy Wontons, Spinach Soup, Yang Chow rice, TGC Pancit, Lengua con Champignon, Salt and Pepper Pork, Sweet and Sour Chicken, Crispy Tofu, and TGC Ice Cream for dessert. These can be served in a buffet set up or family-style service alongside a coffee bar.
In another room, meanwhile, is “Mom’s Room Pinoy Afternoon Coffee, Tea, and Chocolate Set.” This section recalls the childhood of Michael’s mother and her sisters who all grew up together. “They spent countless afternoons playing with their imaginary tea sets,” said Michael. Their world of make-believe eventually became reality when they grew up and started traveling. Their tea parties were now for real and they held them in the various countries they toured.
The first course includes Mini Adobo Sliders, Mini Honey Sriracha Pandesal, and Lumpiang Sariwa. The second course includes Mini Cups of Champorado and a Side of Crispy Danggit, Ginataang Mais Shots, and Ginataang Bilo Bilo Cups. The third course includes Bibingka, Mini Turon Balls, and Mango Tapioca. Beverages include Tsokolate de Batirol, Barako Coffee, Salabat, Tea, Pandan Lemongrass, Barako Latte with Muscovado Syrup.
