House of Cravings: Dessert bar and events place in Maginhawa

Cravings, the well-loved establishment known for serving home-style comfort food and cakes since 1988, has found a new home on Maginhawa Street.

House of Cravings is a dessert bar and events place on Quezon City’s famous foodie street. To kick off their new space, House of Cravings will be hosting a monthly “Unlimited Cake and Coffee Buffet” to highlight their signature offerings.

As a resident of Maginhawa who has witnessed the evolving food scene in the neighborhood for over a decade, I was happy to get a sneak peek of Craving’s latest venture before their official opening. Here’s what loyal and new customers can look forward to at House of Cravings.

Classic cakes and coffee

My introduction to Cravings was from its days along Katipunan Avenue across Ateneo back when there were only a handful of dining choices in the area. Cravings has been around for 36 years, so their cakes come with a dose of nostalgia.

The Dessert Bar offered a delightful array of their classic cakes including Cravings’ signature Chocolate Caramel, Devil’s Food Cake, Carrot Cake, Cherry Walnut Cheescake, Mango Cashew Torte, and Strawberry Shortcake (a true classic!)

Their expanded menu, curated products, and enhanced catering offer something new for customers to enjoy.

Seasonal favorites such as the unique Polvoron Cake and Dayap Cake will also be featured in the dessert bar. Dig into servings of Fudge Walnut Bars, Mango Butterscotch, and Red Velvet Brownies. Freshly baked croissants and Pain Au Chocolat, while Gelato Manila flavors and Homemade Chocolate Sauce with Bread and Butter Pudding offer delightful pairings.

For the “Unlimited Cake and Coffee Buffet,” diners can pair cakes with a cup of coffee from a selection that includes Cravings Blend, Latte, Cappuccino or Frosted Java.

Savory treats

House of Cravings also offers savory fare such as Roast Beef Open-Faced Sandwiches, Classic Lasagna, Monte Cristo Sandwiches, Beef and Mushroom Pie, and Chicken Pot Pie, all created with quality ingredients.

The space also contains a curated retail area stocked with handpicked products from local artisans, including products from Chef Waya of Gourmet Gypsy fame, who formerly ran a well-loved restaurant which relocated to Baguio amid the pandemic. Chef Waya’s Baguio specialties include Strawberry Balsamic Jam, Mango Kaffir Lime Jam, Rhubarb Ginger Jam, and Sugar-Free Chia Seed Jam.

Annie’s Kitchen offers Cashews with Kaffir Lime, Root Chips and Organic Vinegar. Baken’s, the world’s first all-bacon snack brand, offers unique products including Bacon Chips, Bacon Jam and Bacon Cookies.

Art-inspired event space

Planning a small gathering? The private events area of House of Cravings can accommodate from 10 to 50 guests, making it an ideal venue for intimate celebrations. With its homey ambiance, hearty food and warm service, the venue is ideal for hosting birthdays, small weddings, book launches, art-related events, craft workshops, artistic performances and the like.

Maginhawa Street is being revitalized as Quezon City’s arts and food hub, and House of Cravings is an ideal venue for workshops such as rug tufting, painting, calligraphy, jewelry making, spoken word poetry performances or art exhibits.

During the event launch, we got to enjoy a Chocolate and Wine Pairing session with Chef Philip John Golding and a Cake Decorating Workshop with Chef July Gaceta of CCA Manila.

House of Cravings also hosts CCA Manila, the pioneer culinary school in the Philippines, where classes are held to teach future chefs, culinarians, and entrepreneurs to think beyond recipes.

Patrons can also check out the Catering Showroom/Tasting Room to see special setups and sample Cravings’ signature catering menu, including the Classic Caesar Salad, Prawns Thermidor, Callos, and Salt-Baked Salmon.