FIGARO Launches Three New Delectable Dishes

Peter and I have always been huge fans of Figaro’s specialty pasta dishes particularly their Classic Chorizo and Pasta a la Carlo. So it was a very pleasant surprise when we got invited to the launch of their three new delectable dishes. We couldn’t wait to see and taste for ourselves their new offering.

We were very excited that we arrived  at 10 AM that morning, an hour early than what was scheduled. Well, SLEX traffic is unpredictable these days so better leave the house early than be late for an appointment right? At least we had a little time to ourselves as we enjoyed their coffee and iced tea and as Peter helped me calm my nerves for that afternoon’s QTV interview. Teehee.

As we were waiting for the event to start, we also got the chance to meet and talk to Peter’s former i.ph colleague, Mico Marco who was also covering the event for ABS-CBN, and Figaro’s Marketing Manager, the very amiable Mr. Ace Azarraga. Mico and Ace happen to be very active frisbee players and I might just take them up on their offer to play frisbee one of these days. Hehehe.

L-R: Mico Marco, Ace Azarraga and Sexy Nomad

With its goal of providing variety of new products to its food choices, the Filipino-owned corporation Figaro Coffee Systems, Inc. today introduces three new delectable dishes to satisfy a broader spectrum of customers.

The three mouth-watering dishes are:

Dory Provencal, a pan-fried cream dory fish-fillet infused in zesty Provencal sauce;

 

Sweet Coffee Porkchop, luscious coffee sauce made of freshly brewed coffee poured over to savory slice of porkchop;

 

and the Tuscan Chicken, a hearty Italian inspired grilled chicken seasoned with selected herbs and spices topped with Provencal sauce.

“We want to introduce new dishes to our customers that are distinctly Figaro in taste. Like our Sweet Coffee Porkchop, we ensure that our freshly brewed House Reserved coffee will be used to create the perfect flavour and color to our porkchop,” said Chef Karl Tan of Figaro.

All for P199, you can now enjoy each of these dishes together with a pasta of your choice (Arrabbiata, Al Tonno, Carbonara, Classic Chorizo and Pesto), Green Salad and a choice of 12oz. Iced Tea or 12oz. Iced Coffee.

Apart from keeping a critical eye on broadening its niche market, Figaro also aims to be recognized not for introducing affordable specialty roasted local coffee varieties and various coffee-related paraphernalia but also great-tasting food.

“We at Figaro do not only keep a critical eye on expansion plans for our market. We also take our time out to know what would best satisfy our customers, even those with discriminating tastes. Figaro is up for the challenge of innovation and satisfying the needs and pocket of our customers because we feel that they should be getting their money’s worth,” said Ace L. Azarraga, Marketing Manager of Figaro Coffee Systems, Inc.

Established in 1993, Figaro is a 100-percent Filipino-owned company whose product lines include specialty roasted local coffee varieties and various sandwiches, pizza, pasta and more. It has about 65 outlets nationwide, most of which are in Luzon. (30)

Here’s what I can say about each of the dishes:

My Dory Provencal was paired with  pesto pasta. The fish-fillet was scrumptious and fresh. The provencal sauce  was indeed zesty.  It left a little bitter aftertaste though so it may take a little more time getting used to. Nevertheless, this dish proves to be their best seller so far.

I found the Tuscan Chicken well-seasoned and very appetizing. The sauce was just right and it was perfect.

I found the Sweet Coffee Porkchop quite interesting.  At first, I wasn’t sure if I was going to like it but as soon as I took my first bite, it instantly became my favorite! The meat was marinated in sweet coffee sauce and tasted so divine. To think that I normally don’t like pork. But  this one is an exception.

Oh, and did I mention that each serving of these three delectable dishes is quite huge for P199? Yeah! You will definitely get more than your money’s worth. Woohoo!!!

  with Mr. Crismel Verano, Chairman of Figaro’s Executive Committee

According to Mr. Crismel Verano who I had the pleasure of meeting too, Figaro has this vision of soon selling these dishes to go. For office folks out there who are craving for gourmet food  on the go, complete with all the nutrients and are just right on the pocket,  Figaro is about to make your cravings come true.

Before I end this post, I wanna share with you these surprises they gave at the end of the event:

I got a bag of Coffee Barako, one of Peter’s favorite coffee  flavors, my favorite moist chocolate cake, cute bag where we can keep our food and coffee hot all day  and a P500 gift certificate. Wowowee!!! Thank you Figaro! You didn’t have to but thank you. Peter and I both love you! Kudos to Pinoy Coffee!

THE ORIGINS OF OUR PASSION

 In 1993, a group of coffee lovers and enthusiasts got together and dreamt of a café where they could lounge and entertain friends and business associates - an Outlet that can fulfill their demanding taste for great coffee, delicious pastries and excellent service. This dream developed into a concept and soon the concept became a reality.

The concept grew into a complete coffee Outlet where Filipinos could get whatever they needed for coffee making; from the bean, to the equipment and paraphernalia, to the drinks — THE PERFECT COFFEE.

Thus, the concept was born. The foundation and principles were set (Vision and Mission), and the support systems were established. Research and Development, taste tests and sourcing began. With the machinery in place, the concept was launched.

On its debut in November 1993, with a managing partner and two (2) employees, the first Outlet (rather, “kiosk”) was born in the Makati Mall of the Ayala Center. This kiosk was mysteriously called the “F” store. It was the first of its kind. The Outlet had all the coffee and tea paraphernalia, it retailed coffees, freshly ground coffee beans and the first to introduce flavored coffee beans in the Philippines.

It was a very brave concept to introduce to Manila and the first few months were “testing” times for the concept. Filipinos were skeptical and suspicious about the product. But with determination, patience and perseverance, the company moved forward to its new location.

The Coffee Company’s name was not used until April of 1994, when the Company was finally awarded its first mall space in Manila. Then FIGARO COFFEE COMPANY was born.

The name FIGARO was thought of by the directors as an idea to complete the Italian/European concept. They wanted to come up with a name that is widely recognized but not commercially and commonly used. The “Opera: Barber of Seville” has the song “Figaro” which popularized the name, thus Figaro was born.

Figaro is different from other cafes since it is not just a coffee Outlet but a coffee Company. This means that each Outlet serves a world of excellently brewed specialty coffee and everything that goes perfectly well with it.

The design of the Outlet, the craftsmanship, and the product line both for retail and service were the talk of the town. It was a concept almost everybody thought and to this day still thinks as foreign. The charm of the Outlet was that one could always talk to an owner or to somebody knowledgeable about coffee. People call it the “Personal Touch.” And so, it became a decree that all Outlet crew must undergo an intensive two-week training period on product knowledge and the art of coffee-making, service and selling.

It took the Company two years to establish its credibility and to re-educate the taste buds of the Filipinos to specialty coffee and from there the journey to expansion began. And as they say, the rest is history. Figaro now has over 65 outlets in the Philippines. Several more outlets are in the works to date.

The success of a dream was not overnight. It took a lot of courage and determination to move forward during the growing years. But the asset of the Company is the partnership – the individual strengths of each partner. Each partner being successful entrepreneurs in their own fields – retail, import, export, manufacturing, design and management – thus making the company dynamic, exciting, solid and truly dedicated to excellence and satisfaction. It is this kind of partnership with individuals that Figaro is looking for in Business Partners.

 More photos here.