Based in Manila, Philippines, Dessert Comes First is a chronicle of the food-obsessed food writer, Lori Baltazar. This website is all about desserts, restaurants, coffee, and the pleasures of homebaking. Read more about me Peanut Butter Aplenty
Thu, March 11th of 2010
11:01 am
I find that Filipinos either love or hate peanut butter. I’m in the first camp.
I grew up on peanut butter and strawberry jam sandwiches and though my mom wasn’t – and still isn’t – a fan of the stuff, she’d make homemade peanut butter for me and my two sisters. I still remember coming home from school to see her laboring over a large wok-like pan stirring the peanutt-y paste into submission. As an adult, I’ve graduated (or is regressed?) to peanut butter-banana sandwiches drizzled with honey and cinnamon and I bake peanut butter pies during my unguarded moments of unspeakable indulgence. (See below for the rest of my posts on peanut butter).
Peanut Butter Company (PBCo.) is a tremendous, courageous concept that fulfills the desires of people like myself whose hearts pitter-patter for peanut butter. I say tremendous and courageous because it’s a ballsy move to open a single concept store. Filipinos adore variety even though most of us end up choosing the same thing over and over again. Think back to all of the one-food kiosks/establishments of the past (caramel apples?, cupcakes?, sugar free café?), the subsequent copycats and the withdrawal into obscurity or demise of the weaker ones. Interestingly enough, single-concept establishments like Chocolat and Bibingcrepe are thriving. I hope that PBCo. gets the chance to follow their example.
PBCo., whose tagline “Spreading life’s simple comforts” (clever!) is the first peanut butter restaurant in the Philippines. A fun, little store its menu offers sandwiches – hot ones and riffs on the classic pb&j -, pastas, and specials. I admire the ingenuity of those who developed the food; they obviously did their homework when it came to utilizing peanut butter as more than just a spread. At PBCo., peanut butter is an enhancement instead of a distraction. To wit: a smear is spread with a sparing hand of the Chili peanut butter, an accent to the Chili Fried Chicken Sandwich (P160). The ensuing heat and sweet is a foil to the super crunchy chicken breast fillet.”It’s like the best McChicken of my life!” My friend exclaims. Who knew peanut butter got along with poultry?
Aside from the chili variation, there are 11 more different peanut butter incarnations: creamy, crunchy, curry, dark chocolate, green tea, cinnamon, white chocolate, sun-dried tomato, butter, cardamom, and sesame. Ask for a taste (or two or three) of the butters you like. Costing approximately P210 per 590-gram bottle, they’re the stars of PBCo.’s playful inventiveness.
The Cold Asian Noodles has the sesame peanut butter as its base coating a tumble of toothsome noodles. A refreshing summer dish, it’s something I want to keep on going back for. But there are other dishes that require some stretches of the imagination. The Crunchy Sardine Jelly Sandwich is a mishmash of crunchy peanut butter, sardines, and grape (!) jelly – only for the gutsy. On the other hand, peanut butter is neither a star nor a support but a garnish as in the BBQ Wings (chili peanut butter glaze) or the Fish n’ Chips (peanut-cucumber dip).
I appreciate the heft of the sandwiches here that are as large as those served at Oliver’s Super Sandwiches. I drool at the possibility of the Fluffer Nutter, marshmallow cream and peanut butter, a copyrighted term so it’s called Marshmallow Peanut Butter Sandwich. The Cinnamon Apple Sandwich is promising and the straightforward PB&J is goofproof, but it’s the Elvis, The King sandwich that I zero in on. A favorite of the legendary rock ‘n’ roller, the peanut butter- banana on white fried in butter has inspired countless interpretations. PBCo.’s take on it involves bacon and bananas on a smear of peanut butter. Though this sandwich requires no brain power to make, it disappoints on a few counts. PBCo. uses Cavendish bananas, a hardy variant that’s unfortunately one-dimensional in flavor. Cut too thickly, they’re the size of fingerling potatoes. I believe that lacatan bananas would be a definite improvement here. In addition, the bacon is a surprising, pleasing ingredient but the entire sandwich would benefit from some sweetness – honey perhaps, to round out the sandwich’s components.
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Peanut Butter Company
SM North Edsa Main Mall near the IMAX theater.
Another branch at SM Clark.
[email protected]
401-3826
Other peanut butter posts:
Nutter About Peanut Butter
Peanut Butter “Larva” Cakes
A Peanut Butter Lover And Her Pie
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I would go back again and again for those cold asian noodles. :9
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Comment by ian — March 11, 2010 @ 3:16 pm
i really love all the sandwich of peanutbuttercompany… It’s sooooooooo deliciouss..
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Comment by Geraldine Realizo — March 12, 2010 @ 11:59 am
A restaurant you should really have to try… its really amazing, all sandwiches are good especially cold asian noodles and cinnamon apple sandwich.. lovlots
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Comment by Aizabelle Velasco — March 12, 2010 @ 12:01 pm
The sandwiches are great!you’ll love how they transform peanut butter into a very surprising one…
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Comment by Jess Sta. Maria — March 12, 2010 @ 12:04 pm
i love my sandwich with a generous spread of peanut butter on one side and butter on the other. put them together and…mmmhhhfffmmmfff…buuurppp!!!
‘scuse me!
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Comment by cj — March 12, 2010 @ 12:57 pm
hi. i love their Chili Fried Chicken Sandwich! i go gaga when i hear it! hahaha …i guess, just because its new! but who knows! yum yum… i’m craving for it right now just the thought of it! sluuurp!!!
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Comment by Victoria — March 12, 2010 @ 2:45 pm
i love peanut butter and i’ve seen this store already! i was a bit hesitant though to try the dishes w/ PB.. hehe it’s always pb + sandwich or any sweets for me. will try these next time naman!
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u8mypinkcookies Reply:
August 12th, 2010 at 5:14 pm
I bought a jar of Dark Choco peanut butter and now I’m hooked!
Love it…
I wish they’d have a crunchy version too.
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Comment by u8mypinkcookies — March 12, 2010 @ 2:54 pm
I wish there were more jelly choices to go with the peanut butter. For me, peanut butter and guava jelly is the best pbj combo.
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Comment by SD — March 12, 2010 @ 7:31 pm
Is PB&Co a local brand or an international franchise? I’m interested to know more
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Chris Reply:
January 15th, 2011 at 1:27 pm
Lori is rigth. It’s local.
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anna Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 5:36 am
I read this entry when Lori first posted, then decided to revisit after an experience with the PB&Co based in NYC. So many similarities, that I’m sure PBC was inspired by PB&Co – some are even named the same (Fluffernutter).
I’m a big peanut butter fan, so I can’t complain. The dark chocolate peanut butter is super.
Here’s the menu for the link: http://ilovepeanutbutter.com/media/pdf/shop_menu.pdf
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Comment by Didi — March 13, 2010 @ 6:35 pm
i’ve tried the roastbeef with peanut butter. super yummy!
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Comment by kurokuro — March 14, 2010 @ 12:21 am
Hi Lori! I’m a superfan of you and peanut butter:) This was a staple in my lunch box while I was in elementary. Thanks for this! I wish the location was more favorable though
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Comment by Zee — March 22, 2010 @ 9:06 am
Incidentally, there is a New York cafe where all kinds of peanut butter sandwiches were served, right? I asked one of the sales people but they say the store in North Edsa is Pinoy-owned and not a franchise. A Megamall branch is coming too.
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Comment by Elvis — March 22, 2010 @ 10:25 am
i LOVE peanut butter & banana sandwiches- YUM!
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Comment by betty — March 22, 2010 @ 8:26 pm
Hubby and I tried it a few months ago and I loved their Elvis. A little expensive though for a PB and Banana sandwich. I plan to make one at home. =)
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Comment by Eliza — March 24, 2010 @ 6:44 pm
[...] for good food, my friends are looking to eat at Ristra’s and some dessert place like Peanut Butter Company for my kabarkada’s Chair’s 20th birthday OMAGADYOU’RESOOLDLAH XD XD Kidding dear! [...]
Pingback by Rolando Bato Gathera No Mosa | JynxedPanda-Sphere — March 27, 2010 @ 6:17 pm
i love peanut butter and banana sandwich! but bacon with it…it sounds a little odd…but those bottles of peanut butter do look tempting! =)
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Comment by MrsLavendula — April 3, 2010 @ 10:38 am
Hi Lori! Learned of this thru Spanky and I super find the concept cute!!
I am partial to their PBJ in Strawberry! Hehehe…
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Comment by Didi — April 12, 2010 @ 11:20 pm
I gotta come back and try their wings and sardines sandwich!
looks super good!
http://jotan23.blogspot.com/2010/04/peanut-butter-and-company-pb-and-co.html
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Comment by JoTan — April 20, 2010 @ 5:04 pm
Drove all the way from the south just to have lunch here. I had the Fish Diablo Pasta while my brother had the Burger, both tasted great!.. I would have bought their peanut butter if it came in a smaller bottle.
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Comment by Ranee — April 26, 2010 @ 11:54 am
i love both peanut butter and cheeze as the filling of my morning sandwhich.,*.
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Comment by Dominic Gonzales — May 14, 2010 @ 5:17 pm
Hi! Your blog is amazing!
Keep up the good work. I was in a total OMG expression when I came across the words peanut butter in one of your entries and then reading that there is a place called Peanut Butter Co.!! I’m from the south so SM North is really far from me. But I will definitely find the time to visit this magical place. I love PB! Thanks again! 
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Lori Reply:
July 6th, 2010 at 9:17 am
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Comment by avi — July 5, 2010 @ 9:30 pm
i am allergic to peanuts so i can only taste a bit of peanut butter even if i love it so much.`.’
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Comment by Alex Long — July 28, 2010 @ 12:16 am
Wow. You are all about PB. The many peanut butter benefits to health do make your ideas rock.
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Comment by medical blog — December 14, 2010 @ 1:56 pm
[...] hot sandwiches, sweet sandwiches, pasta and specials. They offer milkshakes and coffee too. I did due diligence before going to the place so I pretty much knew what I will be ordering even before [...]
Pingback by Of peanut butter, peanut butter, and oh, did I mention peanut butter? (Peanut Butter Company, Mall of Asia) « Paolo Mandingiado — July 15, 2011 @ 8:26 pm