Bar Pocofino in Salcedo Park embodies Italian slow living with artisanal coffees and signature cocktails. In 2018, Tuesday Angliongto was studying arts management at SDA Bocconi in Milan. For two years, she was surrounded by cafes, art museums, and people who enjoyed the little things in life.
When she returned to Manila, this served as inspiration when she built the brand Pocofino. “We created the brand to express our philosophy of enjoying ‘the small, fine things’ such as a cup of coffee, which is like a small everyday luxury,” she says. “The essence is a translation of the warmth and intimacy that pockets of Italy had in their cafes, restaurants, and streets.
” For Angliongto, an ideal sunrise-to-sunset day at Bar Pocofino starts with brunch. “I’d get a sweet drink like the Pocofino Latte and a panini. After, maybe leaving to take a walk with my dog and read a book in the park,” she adds casually, “if the weather permits, of course!” Drawn to the quintessential Wes Anderson art direction of Milan’s Fondazione Prada and its cafe, Angliongto began to envision how Pocofino would capture a similar atmosphere.
She picked Salcedo Park, and opened at The Ellis Makati. “It’s different from other places in the metro. You could actually walk around the area, for one, and enjoy the little bubble it seems to have,” she says.
“When the sun begins to dip, [I’ll] head back to the Bar and meet up with friends. Share food and stories over an Il Signore or The Sicily. Enjoy the warmth and noise of everyone’s chatter.
” For Angliongto, each of her signature drink brings her back to her stay in Italy: Bask in Coastal Bliss The Basil Campania cocktail combines sweet pineapple and fragrant basil in a smooth blend designed to mitigate the taste of alcohol. Its intention is to evoke the essence of summer, transporting you to sunny shores and refreshing swims. Indulging in Timeless Luxuries Il Signore, a personal favorite of Angliongto, offers a smoky and bitter variation of the classic Old Fashioned.
With each sip, she envisions a dimly lit lounge, jazz melodies, and the lingering aroma of cinnamon. Leisurely Strolls Around Old Streets Named after the sun-kissed island off Italy’s coast and described by the Pocofino team as “adventurous,” The Sicily is composed of sweet cucumbers brightened by a kick of spice. In the making of the signature cocktail, Angliongto reminisces “walking through a friendly old city, where you find unexpected things and the people are friendly.
” Like Being in a 1960s Italian Film Inspired by the Italian film, La Dolce Vita is a variation of the Espresso Martini. Blending velvety cream with Italian espresso and sweetness, Angliongto pictured the flavor to reflect classic moments in film noir: seated outside a café complemented by the sound of a distant fountain, surrounded by an open yet intimate atmosphere. Located in the corner of a building, the proud co-founder expresses why she was drawn to the space: “we liked the character of it, it had a welcoming energy.
I imagine customers sipping their coffee having a break in their work day. Friends catching up over coffee and cocktails, enthusiastically sharing their high points and passionately venting about their frustrations. I imagine that Bar Pocofino would have a steady rotation of regulars, a place where the barista knows you and your usual.
” Bar Pocofino is one of the first of many new concepts to come. For more updates about Bar Pocofino (The Ellis Makati) or any other upcoming concepts, check them out on Instagram (@pocofino) and Facebook (@pocofinoph)..
