My friend Rochelle and I went on a Saturday eating spree at the new SM Mega Fashion Hall which started at Osaka Ohsho then Boqueria and ended at Lucca Bakery for coffee and dessert. Since that day I’ve been back to Lucca two more times and it’s quickly becoming my favorite place in the mall.
I’ve never heard of Lucca before. I didn’t know they had another branch at UP Town Center. I just wanted coffee and dessert so I took a chance and tried it. Another reason were the bags of La Mill coffee beans displayed at their window and I really wanted to try this coffee from Los Angeles.
Truthfully the display didn’t look that appetizing. Maybe it was the lighting?
The first item that caught my eye were the chocolate rolls called Hazelnut Snail. I’m not a big fan of anything hazelnut but the server said it was one of their most sellable items so I ordered it.
I also got a Cinnamon Morning Bun since I’ve been wanting to try it in Tartine in San Francisco but they always run out quickly.
These are just some of the pastries they sell. They have cakes and cupcakes too but these interested me more.
It’s funny how I love cookies so much but haven’t tried Lucca’s cookies. One day…
Their staff said the Spinach Artichoke Croissant is their most popular savory item. I guess I have to add that to my list too.
I love, love Rye Bread so this is going in my list too.
When Rochelle and I took a first bite of the warm Hazelnut Snail we looked at each other and said, “Shit ang sarap!” For someone who’s not fond of hazelnut spread that’s a big deal. The exterior of the dough was slightly crisp while the inside was pillowy soft. The filling was a mix of chocolate and hazelnut spread and the amazing thing was it wasn’t too sweet. The baker got the flavor and texture just right. The La Mill coffee was pretty good too!
A morning bun is made of croissant dough and is supposed to be light, flaky and buttery.
Lucca’s version was a bit disappointing since it didn’t taste fresh and it was a bit dry.
My next trip was to take out more Hazelnut Snails for my friends to try. The Banana Walnut Sticky Bun called out to me and the server told me this was even more popular than my beloved snails. I only bought one since I was afraid it would be too sweet. To my amazement it was fantabulous!!! Soft, sticky, not too sweet and the cooked bananas on top was just delicious. If you don’t like bananas they also have Pecan Sticky Buns.
When I went to watch IMAX recently I bought a Lemon Bar to snack on even though I really, really wanted a sticky bun. Somehow the lemon bar seemed a tad healthier and I’ve been looking for one that has enough lemony zing. While the crust was good and buttery the lemon filling lacked lemon flavor. There’s was barely any lemon taste. If you like a mild lemon bar then you should try this.
I highly recommend you run out now and try Lucca’s Hazelnut Snail, Banana Walnut Sticky Bun and La Mill Coffee. I HAVE to go back and try their savory croissants, pizza, bread and cookies. They also serve meals in their small space. I’m so happy that there’s another local shop that can stand tall next to all the foreign bakeries.
Lucca Bakery
4/F SM Mega Fashion Hall
EDSA corner J. Vargas Avenue, Mandaluyong City,, 1860, Philippines
Shoot First Eat Later 
Leslie, now my memory of Tartine Bakery is refresh again. Must go there for morning buns. I am so my kids cookie monsters too but lucky we bake them at home a lot.
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Pls have a morning bun and other pastries from Tartine for me. I miss that place so much Betty!
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Service at the megamall branch is one of the worst I have experienced. Servers were just too oblivious to the needs of the customers.
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When i ate their lemon bar, it feels like eating old grainy bread. No lemon flavor nor it was can even be called bread. Pretty disgusting. However, i did love their carrot cake. Pretty tasty. The cream cheese on top of the cake was simply delish.
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Yeah I feel the same way about their lemon bar.
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try their five-layer chocolate cake. really good plus super cheap and good for 2-3 person for a slice 🙂
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Thanks I will!!!
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Service was pretty slow, I ordered the chicken pesto and mac & cheese and that took about 45 mins to be served. The chicken pesto was pretty good, as well as the foccacia bread that came with it — that, at least was worth the wait. The mac & cheese though was a disappointment.. jeez, the Kraft store bought mac & cheese that I make at home was much much better!! Theirs was too dry, not even a trace of creaminess (mac & cheese should be creamy and tasty!!) and you barely get that 4 cheese taste as advertised.
The Nutella/Hazelnut snail on the other hand is really good! I bought just one to go and ate it in the office and I was like, damn! This will kill my diet! I am now looking forward to buy some more!
I also tried the Cream cheese puff/croissant, (I think is the name) that one’s pretty good too!
I have yet to try the carrot cake slice (it looks wonderfully enticing and delicious) and the spinach & artichoke croissant.
The restaurant is still worth coming back for, but I hope they read and listen to feedback and improve. Sayang naman if people are turned off because of bad service and non-improvement of certain menu items.
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Thanks for sharing your experience!! Yeah Lucca’s snail is to die for.
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