Entering Quest Plus Clark's Mimosa Plus Golf Clubhouse, my attention was immediately drawn to the brilliant sheen of the morning sun kissing the greens of the golf course. I sensed a lovely day ahead as I smelled the aroma of coffee and fresh pastries.
Scenic Golfing Greens and Fine French Culinary Experience at Baker J Café | Pampanga
It turned out, we were having our brunch at Baker J Café, which had just opened its second full-service restaurant in this tranquil Chroma Hospitality property in the north.
Baker J Café grew from humble beginnings as a virtual patisserie in 2020 to a go-to dining venue for individuals looking for edible joie de vivre, bringing the finest and fullest of the French culinary experience mixed flawlessly with local gastronomy.
“We launched Baker J online in the middle of the quarantine as we saw an opportunity to sell healthy bakes and other bread and pastries,” shared Chroma Hospitality Country Manager, Mr. James Montenegro. “We opened our first full scale restaurant soon after at Crimson Filinvest City Alabang. The success has been overwhelming which prompted management to expand.”
Choosing Quest Plus Clark's Mimosa Plus Golf Course's newly renovated Clubhouse as its second location proved to be a wise decision. Both golfers and visitors to Clark now had an opportunity to enjoy Baker J Café's signature classic and nouveau French baked goods, as well as a curated breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu—in a picturesque setting surrounded by greens.
“At Baker J, we take pride in the French culinary experience—from sourcing the ingredients to the way the food is being prepared and served to the culinary artwork of our French chef Jean Louise Leon to the different types of cheeses and wines used in cooking. Everything else is taken in at its highest level,” Mr. Montenegro explained.
Baker J Café opening at Mimosa Plus Golf Clubhouse
Joining other travel and lifestyle writers, I attended the three-day media event where we got a taste of not only Quest Plus Clark's distinctive hospitality but also many of Baker J Cafe's scrumptious delicacies, plus a rolling tour of the whole Mimosa Plus Golf Course.
I ordered an Eggs Benedict variation called Eggs Royale which came appealingly plated with smoked salmon, the savory and tangy Shakshuka—the vegetarian version—and some French pastries including my favorite, Petite Madeleine and Kouign Amann, to go along with a cold brew coffee.
At the helm of Baker J Cafe's kitchen was French-born and -raised Jean Louise Leon, who also happened to be Quest Plus Clark's Executive Chef.
Chef Jean's interpretation of the classic French dish Coq Au Vin from Burgundy, which brilliantly showed the outstanding wines of the famed wine region, was one of the must-tries on the new menu.
No French breakfast was complete without trying out Baker J's signature Confit de Canard. It was made with duck confit croquettes and served with green lentils and mizuna leaves in balsamic vinaigrette. Other must-tries included the hearty yet light Pan-Seared Salmon Steak with Ratatouille; and, of course, the French staple brunch items such as the Salmon Tartine with Avocado and Goat's Cheese and the traditional Croque Monsieur with Gruyère.
Mimosa Plus Golf Course
After satisfying our French culinary cravings, we were taken on a rolling tour aboard a golf cart around the 175-hectare and thirty-six-hole Mimosa Plus Golf course. During an earlier conversation with the management, we learned that upon taking over property management in 2016, Filinvest installed a rain bird irrigation control system to ensure minimal water and power usage in the maintenance of the golf course.
The management was also forthright in admitting that they had not yet achieved net-zero emissions, but that they were actively working toward reaching that goal.
It was a lovely day indeed. A filling French brunch and a golf cart stroll through rolling greens of grass and century-old Acacia trees. Who knew, maybe the next time I went back, I'd tee off some shots and hit a hole-in-one—or maybe, sit through another round of French brunch at Baker J Café. That sounded fine with me.
Restaurant Fact Box
Friday–Sunday: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Must-Try Dishes
- ⭐ Butter Croissant
- ⭐ Pain au Chocolat
- ⭐ Eggs Benedict
- ⭐ French Onion Soup
- ⭐ Duck Confit
- ⭐ Beef Brisket
- ⭐ Giant Croissant
- ⭐ Signature French Pastries
- ⭐ Mt. Apo Coffee Blends
Nearest Attractions
Nomadic Experiences Take
What lingered with me wasn't only the buttery croissants or Chef Jean's French classics, but the contrast. Outside the windows stretched one of Clark's oldest golf courses; inside was the unmistakable aroma of freshly baked bread that could have come from a neighborhood bakery in France. Baker J succeeds because it doesn't ask diners to choose between café culture and destination dining—it offers both. Even if golf isn't part of your itinerary, the café is reason enough to make the drive to Mimosa.
