When New-York brand Dean and DeLuca established its first branch in Edades-Rockwell in Makati City, it strengthened many people’s impression of the Philippines being among the hottest investment havens around the globe.
To me, personally, it also meant that my fantasy would finally be coming true: to be greeted and served by my “Ben.”
I first heard about Dean and DeLuca back in the 1990s when Felicity TV series was taking the Philippine television by storm and Ben Covington (played by Scott Speedman) captivated my attention. He was a crew at a coffee shop called Dean and DeLuca in between College, along with Felicity Porter (played by Keri Russel), who was the main star of this TV series. I later found out that the branch in the TV sitcom wasn’t filmed in any Dean and DeLuca branches, but was actually set-up in specific location for the sitcom.
Dean and DeLuca has been appearing in a few movies, such as Silence of the Lambs, for instance.
And so upon entering Dean and DeLuca one weekend, I only had high expectations of the store.
True enough, everything about the place is upscale, I’d say — from the architectural design and merchandise for sale, up to its pricing.
Sipping the strawberry shake and café mocha hot drink at the 2nd floor, I also pondered on the high ceiling of this establishment. The overall color theme is black and white, and the tissues have the store name printed in silver-gray, which is truly reminiscent of New York.
More Photos of Dean and Deluca Rockwell here
In terms of store offering, Dean and DeLuca tries to notch higher than the average coffee shop by being a deli and patisserie as well, offering not just beverages, but also sandwiches, pasta, pizza, salad, breads and cakes.
Surprising of all to me, however, was seeing Penhaligon’s of London as the brand that Dean and DeLuca uses in its restroom. This upscale brand had a reputation of supplying perfumes to the Royal family in London.
All it lacks is the sight of my ‘Ben Covington.’ The reality is that I’d be seeing busy crews who had to bear with the huge crowd from 8:00am to 8:00pm daily — waiting for the next coffee to brew one after another. These people may have their own reasons for giving Dean and DeLuca a try, which could be different than mine.
Dean and Deluca Official Website here
Address: Edades Tower and Garden Villas, Rockwell Center Makati
