From the best waffles you’ll ever eat to smoothies that leave you cooing, everything Portia Baluyut-Magsino cooks here is comforting.
Often, we measure the milestones of our lives with meals suffused with a warm glow—whether that’s a cheeseburger with a side of fries or an inch-thick steak cooked medium rare. Food has an undeniable way of etching itself into our most cherished memories.
For many residing in the East of Metro Manila, these dishes from key moments in our lives lead us to Rustic Mornings, that restaurant in Marikina City, which was so much more than somewhere to eat out; it’s a fixture in our mental map of the city. However, you’ll have to adjust the pin ever-so-slightly as the restaurant has moved to a bigger area—with more parking—just right across the street.
Helmed by Portia Baluyut-Magsino, Rustic Mornings continues to serve truly satisfying comfort food that doesn’t just fill the stomach but also delights the senses, even after more than a decade. It’s that place in Marikina.
Portia, a self-taught cook, identified a gap in the local culinary scene, realizing that Marikeños often ventured outside the city to celebrate special occasions. This realization sparked the idea for Isabelo, a private dining place she established in her garden in 2008. The restaurant’s success led to its expansion from a single table to nine.
In 2012, Portia’s entrepreneurial spirit brought forth Rustic Mornings, a breakfast restaurant complementing Isabelo’s dinner service. Recognizing the lack of dedicated breakfast options in the area, Portia envisioned Rustic Mornings as a haven for those seeking comforting morning meals. The venture proved to be an even greater success, surpassing Isabelo’s popularity. Portia subsequently decided to focus her efforts on Rustic Mornings, closing Isabelo to completely embrace the concept of serving deeply satisfying breakfast food.
Since its inception, Rustic Mornings has been a bustling establishment, a testament that the person leading the kitchen is simply sodden with passion, talent, and good taste. Its unwavering commitment to comfort food has garnered a loyal following, making it a well-deserved crowd favorite. It’s that place that fully deserves to be very busy indeed.
Now in its 11th year, Rustic Mornings continues to spread culinary joy from its new location. While comfort food remains its signature offering, Rustic Mornings distinguishes itself by understanding that true comfort food is a dish that genuinely warms the cockle’s of ones heart at that particular moment, providing solace when needed. The restaurant’s extensive menu caters to this concept, ensuring that you find that perfect dish to lift your spirits, just there and then. It’s that place you head to with no one else’s needs to satisfy other than your own.
The Brunch Platter (P1220) is the first sign that very good things lay ahead. Alongside waffle churros and pancakes are the fluffiest scrambled eggs, crisp bacon, and a pile of golden hashbrowns. The dollop of whipped butter and the home-made syrup keep everything very happy company.
The Filipino Platter (P1150) is complete gustatory happiness, thanks to the generous portions of Tapa, Tocino, Bangus, Fried Rice, and Eggs—a harmonious blend of savory, sweet, and umami notes, shot through with nostalgia for home. No knife needed. Fork it away.
The Spinach and Artichoke Dip Pizza (P580) is good for two; but really, it’s so engrossing one can easily wolf down the entire pie. The creamy richness is perfectly balanced with the subtle tanginess of artichokes, making it an indulgence that’s hard to resist.
Rustle up the Sardine, Sweet Sundried Tomato, Buttered Bread Crumbs, and Lemon Pasta (P460) with care. A plate of properly blistered sardines, whorls of al dente pasta, and sundried tomatoes, shiny like ruby jewels, sends you well on your way to satisfying what your tastebuds really fancy. Don’t leave bread crumbs behind—literally.
An array of beverages awaits to complement every meal or satiate any craving, ranging from heartwarming hot chocolate and robust coffee to refreshing fruit smoothies and indulgent milkshakes. It’s that place where eating feels like self-care.
As Rustic Mornings settles into its new home, it is introducing new items on the menu, starting with the Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Tomato Soup (P550). Picture this: golden, buttery bread encasing the siren song of gooey melted cheeses, dredged through a velvety, rich tomato soup. Supremely comforting even if you’re not under the weather.
The Burrata Pizza (P650) is a masterpiece in its simplicity. Crisp, oven-baked crust topped with the creamiest burrata cheese, hand-torn to reveal its luscious interior, succulent tomatoes, and fragrant basil leaves elevate traditional flavors to new heights.
Danish pastries and cakes like Ube, Carrot Walnut, Coffee, and S’mores Chocolate are delightful new additions to the dessert list and the appropriate bookend to your unforgettable feast.
During this festive holiday season, Rustic Mornings is excited to present a selection of special offerings including Brunch Cocktails, Christmas Brunch, and a delectable Christmas Breakfast Board to add a touch of flair to your dining experience. It’s that place where you can elevate your festivities.
For truly unforgettable gatherings, Rustic Mornings takes it further by introducing the Isabelo Events Hall, designed for your special occasions. With a capacity for up to 120 guests, this spacious venue boasts a lofty ceiling adorned with foliage and stunning chandeliers, ideal for grand celebrations such as wedding receptions and birthdays. It’s that place where you can heighten your revelries.
Food isn’t the sole element that draws you back; it’s the feeling of being genuinely loved and taken care of that leaves a lasting impression. It’s about reliability, familiarity, and the comforting embrace that makes you belong—like a room in an extended family home. This sentiment perfectly embodies the ambiance of the new Rustic Mornings. Once you enter the al fresco dining area, you will find yourself with a certain kind of recollection of home, with all its pockets of greens and beautiful mosaic walls, of a family that knows how to feed. It’s that place that makes you stay awhile.
Rustic Mornings is that place.
Rustic Mornings is located at 11 I. Mendoza Street, San Roque, Marikina City. Contact +63 2 8425 8610 0r +63 917 7005 810 and isabeloeventhall@gmail.com for reservations.
Rustic Mornings is open Monday to Thursday from 8 A.M. to 4 P.M. and Friday to Sunday from 8 A.M. to 6 P.M.
