Choco-Late De Batirol : A Nice Place to Hang Around in Baguio

It's not the first time I've been to Choco-Late de Batirol. I've already visited this place with my friend Tina around 5 years ago. Back then it used to be this little place in the woods with 3 or 4 tables.  The waitress would actually prepare the concoction at your table using the old fashioned batirol.

A batirol is a small pot used for cooking chocolate drink, shaped like an urn, with a stirring rod that can be rotated using your palms. 

exhibit A (image from google) 

Anyway, I went back again last November and some things have changed but they're still this little hole in the wall .. (well, garden) ... inside Camp John Hay.

you've arrived!

The place is located inside CJH near gate 2. It's a a little bit of walk (about 5-10 minutes) from the Manor but we didn't mind since we were enjoying the cool breeze. Also, there were some signs to guide you. 

entrance

you can dine outside at the garden...

or inside but still enjoy the breeze

Aside from hot chocolates, the place offers Filipino food and snacks. Since we just had this heavy buffet breakfast at Le Monet, we opted to limit ourselves to some hot drinks and snacks.

menu

Ana ordered Champorado Con Tuyo. The tuyo was thankfully not too salty. The champorado was thick, chocolatey, a bit bitter and good for 1-2. Ana really liked it but tbh, was never really fond of the whole tuyo-champorado combination.  Good though. 

Champorado Con Tuyo - P110

Hailing from Paranaque, we have really good suman but I'm always curious about suman in other places.  So I ordered Suman sa Lihia. It came with 2 pieces of suman topped with grated coconut and moscavado sugar. The suman itself tasted a little "watery" and not as firm (siksik) as I would have liked. Not sure if it is because of the rice they used or how it was prepared. The sugar and coconut on top was good but plain sugar would have worked as well. 

Suman Sa Lihia - P95

The Turon De Langka was good; soft bananas, crunchy wrapper with enough sugar to get a good caramelization. Langka was bit on the skimpy side.

Turon de Langka - P90

Of course you don't go to a chocolate drink shop without trying one. So I ordered their best seller the Traditional Blend. They serve the hot chocolate at our table already prepared unlike before when they do the final mixing of the batirol at the table. Too bad :( 

Okay, I was a bit disappointed. I know that by mixing it traditionally you shouldn't expect it to be as smooth as the ones you buy at the grocery but it still felt too grainy and the taste too watery. I had to add sugar which with the right chocolate drink, you wouldn't have to do. 

Traditional Blend - P90

www.chocolatedebatirol.com

Final Verdict

Its a nice place to hang because it's really lovely to just sit down amidst the pine trees and relax. The food and drink, though, was not that good and a bit expensive. Come for the ambiance. 

Chocolate de Batirol - Baguio Branch
Igorot Park
Camp John Hay
Baguio City 2600

0917-877-1427 or
0917-877-1428
or email us at: chocolatedebatirol@yahoo.com