Bread and Coffee

It’s already the middle of week three under enhanced community quarantine. I am the family tribute so to speak. I am the one buying food for the household. This is not a problem for me as I am naturally a foodie. And I’ve been missing the outside world a lot.

I am lucky to have a bakery and coffee shop inside our neighborhood. The cafe is run by a charity that employs people with special needs, so this makes me really happy.

I bought bread for the week and also got myself a coffee jelly. It was lovely to have barista-made coffee after three weeks at home. It was simply amazing.

I will never take food and coffee for granted again.

Indulgent Wednesday

Last Wednesday, I got to eat, drink; and spend time with my Canadian cousins. It was quite a feast, and here were my favorites.

Chicken bowl from Souv

This filling rice bowl with chicken, vegetables and fries on the side has been my go-to order at Souv for quite some time now. The Greek dish is good for the soul as well as one’s health. It is truly delicious.

Spanish Latte from Arabica

This version of the classic latte is made better with some spiced milk. A yummy twist on my favorite caffeinated drink that I will surely enjoy again.

Gibraltar from Toby’s Estate

This coffee has helped me go through bad days and sleepless nights. It is my favorite off the menu item of all time.

Gallo Merlot from Grape Escape

It’s my favorite red wine, and I love how it tastes even better with pizza or tapas.

We live in trying times, but that doesn’t mean that I should quit indulging. I am blessed to have the means to do so, and I will continue to enjoy life because it is indeed too short.

Katha Kape

Yesterday, I swung by Katha Kape for a latte after walking around Intramuros. The cozy interiors instantly picked me up, and I then ordered a latte.

Their latte was strong and flavorful. It was the perfect respite from the heat outside. Trust me, a hot latte can really work wonders to your mood during the summer heat.

I loved the vibe of this cafe and I’m always at Intramuros to walk around its heritage buildings. I’ll definitely be back!

Cafe Quezon

Last Sunday, I started my 21 Coffees with Sam project. The plan is to have coffee by myself for 21 days in order to enjoy my own company. Don’t get me wrong, as I’m an only child so I’m used to being alone. But this time, I want to celebrate being by myself with coffee and the occasional dessert.

Last night was day 3, and I chose to have mango cheesecake and brewed coffee at Cafe Quezon. The combo was a comforting hug in dessert and caffeine form. I loved it, and I was charmed by the homey interiors. I will surely be back!

Do check out this cafe next time you find yourself in Maginhawa.

Coffee with Clapton

Yesterday was my second visit to Old Congress Coffee. My first visit was a memorable quiet afternoon with Bread, so I savored this visit for another peaceful solo date.

Again, I crocheted while having my delicious americano. This time, I paired it with a slice of their New York cheesecake, which was yummy! I will definitely have this combo again.

This visit was particularly noteworthy as it was the first time that I listened to Eric Clapton’s Unplugged album on vinyl. I finally got to listen to his track Layla for the first time on this medium, and it was a surreal experience. I love this song, and hearing it on a different way was magical.

This cafe has soul and vintage records. I will definitely be a regular here.

La Cathedral Cafe

Yesterday, I had an iced latte at La Cathedral Cafe. It is located right beside the Manila Cathedral, and its roofdeck has become internet famous for the view. I was not disappointed during my visit, and since I wasn’t planning to stay for long, I opted to just hang out at the roofdeck without a table.

The roofdeck gets full easily, so it’s best to go there early and list yourself so you will surely have a table. However, it is also fun to just drink coffee while basking in the view of Intramuros whilst standing up. I enjoyed a few minutes of peace while sipping their surprisingly excellent coffee. It was a relaxing experience, which I definitely recommend to you all!

Check this cafe out on your next visit to Intramuros. You will surely be in for a visually pleasing treat and have some strong coffee while doing so.

BFF Day

Last night, I got to have dinner and coffee with my college best friend Janis. We had burgers, then proceeded to Sunnies World for honey lattes by Cup Point.

I love this place for its unique aesthetic and retro interiors. The coffee is also delicious, and Sunnies everything is sold onsite.

We bought matching Silvio sunnies and had a good time.

And Janis cheered me on as I took a photo on Sunnies Face’s iconic floor.

She also took this photo of me just having fun at the store.

I was happy to spend a few hours with my best friend. She saw me grow from awkward college kid to someone who just wants to make the most out of the life I have.

I hope to see her again as every reunion turns me into a better version of myself.

Old Congress Coffee

I recently visited Old Congress Coffee along Visayas Avenue, Quezon City. I went there for the coffee and vinyl records, and I was not disappointed.

The cafe has an extensive coffee menu that happens to include light food pairings

The cafe also has cakes to go with your coffee

They serve Yardstick Coffee, and I got a taste of this smooth blend when I ordered my americano. My sardines pasta was deliciously al dente. It was a pairing that I will definitely enjoy again as it was flavorful and awakening.

The cafe plays vinyl records on their Pioneer sound system

As for the vinyl records, I enjoyed the Bread and Coldplay songs that I heard during my stay. It was quite an experience to listen to songs which happen to be my style on HiFi.

The author’s crochet project with her sardines pasta and americano

I will definitely go back to this magical place!

Sunnies Clarity

I spent my holiday Tuesday at Cup Point SM Megamall. I ordered their bestselling honey latte, crocheted, and had some custom Peggy specs made in rose taupe.

I like having different pairs of specs because it makes me feel like I’m in control of my look. Glasses for me are a style statement. They’re an easy way for me to highlight my features without spending a fortune or putting on a ton of makeup. They’re also risk-free and functional, as it corrects my low-grade astigmatism.

I am glad that Sunnies Specs at Megamall has Cup Point as it makes the 20-minute wait for my specs sweeter. I got to crochet and people watch. Before I knew it, my glasses were done and I already had another pair to use.

I will definitely be back for more clarity and coffee!

Vigan By Night

I recently got to explore the Hispanic city of Vigan, Ilocos Sur. It was a dream come true to tour this place, as it has always been on top of my must-see spots before I die.

I started my evening tour with a kalesa ride to Calle Crisologo.

The author enters Vigan’s town center by carriage

Calle Crisologo is filled with shops and restaurants.

The author at Calle Crisologo

The author checks out the shops along Calle Crisologo

I had the best vigan empanada i’Ve ever had at Irene’s Vigan Empanada.

Irene’s Vigan Empanada is a popular eatery along the famous street

Irene’s famous empanada does not disappoint

i had sorbetes along Calle Crisologo for dessert.

The author tries the sorbetes at Vigan

Cheese, pineapple, and ube sorbetes at Vigan

A cold beer at the ROOFTOP of Hotel Luna is a good idea.

The author’s favorite beer at the Hotel Luna roof deck

Leona Florentino’s monument at Vigan

I got to explore the famous monuments at Vigan’s city center.

Jose Rizal at Vigan

The Dancing FoUntain Show was a trippy experience after dark.

Vigan’s Dancing Fountain Show

The fountain show features popular songs along with its water features

The author enjoys Vigan at night

Ilocos Sur continues to attract both local and foreign tourists with its Old World charm

After walking around the plaza, i Looked around antique shops. Lucy Chan’s Antique House has the best selection of trinkets and home fUrnishings from another era.

Antique jewelry on display at Lucy Chan Antique House

Lucy Chan offers unique antique home furnishings and trinkets

I relaxed with a cup of hot rice coffee and some balikUtsa, a local sugarcane candy at coffee break Vigan.

The author enjoys rice coffee and balikutsa, a local candy made of sugarcane molasses

It was a comfortingly delicious treat.

Good night, Vigan!

I hope to be back soon, Vigan!

Binondo Dumplings and Tea

I was craving for authentic Chinese dumplings and noodles after my Chinatown Museum tour, so my friend Mitzie and I walked to Tasty Dumplings.

It is located beside Binondo Church, and is unmissable with its distinct black and yellow signage. I ordered the house special, which was dumplings with tossed noodles.

It was served with the noodles drenched their special sauce, with flavorful clear soup on the side. It was a delicious dish, and I enjoyed it with chilled soy milk. My meal only cost a little over Php200.

Tasty dumplings and tossed noodles

The author enjoys Tasty dumplings with her friend Mitzie

Our second stop was Eng Bee Tin, which is next to the other side of Binondo Church. It is known for ube hopia, so I ordered their ube milk tea.

It was the best milk tea I’ve ever had, hands down!

A cold cup of ube milk tea can be purchased for Php75 at Eng Bee Tin’s takeout counter

The Great Buddha’s latte and Eng Bee Tin’s ube milk tea make a lovely combo

Mitzie and I both had coffee and hopia at The Great Buddha Cafe, which is located at the second floor of Eng Bee Tin. Not only do they serve coffee, they also have hot food and Chinese souvenirs such as lucky keychains and ornaments.

My latte was rich and strong. It was the right partner for my whole-wheat ube hopia, which we purchased at the ground floor.

The author enjoys whole-wheat ube hopia with her coffee

The author and her friend Mitzie take a photo with the Great Buddha

No visit to Eng Bee Tin is complete without a photo with the Great Buddha at the cafe. We posed for good luck and prosperity this 2020.

I hope that you will also have a Binondo food trip soon!

Mint Organizer

I have been collecting Starbucks planners since 2006. It has become a part of my Christmas traditions, and accomplishing something involving coffee is totally worth it. It has helped me get through the grief I felt when my close friend Diane died in a car accident in 2008. Recently, this tradition has been a comfort as I am still processing my father’s passing last May.

I was determined to make the most out of the holidays despite the personal pain I still carried in my heart. Coffee and a planner definitely sounded like a good idea.

Midway through collecting stickers for the planner, I fell in love with the mint travel organizer. I decided to pursue it instead for a change, and I needed a notebook cover to begin with.

The travel organizer did not disappoint! It was worth all the cups of coffee I sipped while running holiday errands and finishing year-end work.

I have also finished crocheting my last scarf for this decade in Starbucks branches.

Some people may laugh at the idea of collecting stickers for a travel organizer, but for me it is a personal ritual to get over grief. The organizer is just a simple reminder that a new year is just around the corner. A new beginning is possible, and it helps to plan, sort through my priorities, and power my way through my goals.

For everything in between, there will always be coffee and notebooks to help me through the new decade.

Kamayan Christmas

Yesterday, I spent some time with our loyal helper Racquel for a simple Christmas treat. I took her to my favorite restaurant Gubat, where we got to eat with our hands.

I had the longganisa (again!) with additional salted egg and burong kanin (fermented rice). It was perfect with my beer.

We took a quick stroll around the Diliman Bonsai Society after our meal. It was hard to believe that we were still in the city.

We also had some Starbucks coffees, and watched Sunod, starring Carmina Villaroel. It was a beautiful horror movie which was shot at Escolta, which we visited earlier this year.

I later finished crocheting the scarf I have been making all throughout the holiday season. It is finally done, and I am ready to begin again with a brand new colorway.

Christmas is better when with local food, handmade hobbies, and simple joys. May you find the season to be merry and bright with those who have been loyal to you.

Doggo and brew

I am not a big hugger with people, but it’s the complete opposite when it comes to dogs! I am a total softie when it comes to pups, and this is evident in every visit to Barkin’ Blends Dog Cafe. I can’t resist their dogs, and each visit uplifts my mood.

I also enjoy a cuppa, whether it’s the weekend or not. If it’s a Sunday, you can usually see me sound tripping on ‘90s throwback FM while sipping my coffee. The combination of sentimental tunes and strong coffee just relaxes me.

I look forward to my next weekend with the same enthusiasm for my usual activities. I hope that you have also perfected your off-duty routine, as this will save you precious free time and energy.

Have a pleasant week ahead!

Coffee Holiyay

This year, I am continuing my tradition of collecting stickers for a Starbucks planner. Eighteen stickers correspond to one planner or travel organizer. I am aiming for a travel organizer for a change, and it’s been fun to drink coffee while running holiday errands so far.
Why a travel organizer this time around? I am open to different possibilities this 2020. I am hoping to explore and meet more people, and I already have a Sunnies Agenda. This would be totally fresh and yes, I do hope I can travel next year.
A new twist on a tradition I’ve been following for eleven years can spell beautiful change. I can’t wait to see where this will lead me to!

Truffle Lengua

Yesterday, I had lunch with my cousin Van at Lola, a Filipino restaurant at The Podium. We had truffle lengua, keso de bola fries, kimchi kaldereta, rice, coffee, and beer (for me). Everything was delicious! I’ll definitely go back for more of their food.
After our lunch, I went to UP to drop-off my gift for Nicole, a friend I met online. Then, I had dinner at Gubat, where I had my favorite carbonara and another beer to commemorate my dad’s seventh month anniversary.

I look forward to more great company and yummy food this holiday season and beyond. Cheers!

A Nitro 7 Christmas

I was recently invited by Nitro 7 to try their coffee and Christmas drinks at their Megamall cafe. As a coffee lover with GERD, I was curious because their coffee is low in acid but rich in flavor. I was up for the challenge!

According to Nitro 7’s founder Richard Torres, the brand was borne out of a mutual love for coffee between the owners. The were challenged to “think of something new”, and they stumbled upon nitro, which was was invented 2012 in the US. Nitro is a method of preparing coffee, using nitrogen. In this case, air nitrogen is utilized. Pressurized air makes the taste of the coffee better and more flavorful. Beer brewers actually invented the nitro way of brewing, and the process is similar to draft beer.

Nitrogen will make your coffee a little thicker in the mouth. It subdues the bitterness of the coffee. Hence, the sweeter notes of the coffee emerges. 

Nitro coffee is best enjoyed black, but Nitro 7 offers ice blended drinks to cater to the sweet palate of Filipinos.

The brand emerged in 2016, and it is 100% Filipino owned and operated. Their selling point is affordability. Their completion sells nitro coffee for Php180, while Nitro 7 offers their signature Black Nitro for only Php120. The relatable price point does not compromise the quality of their coffee, though. Richard says that they pour two days of process or two days of love in every Nitro 7 coffee.

They also introduced their 16 oz. Christmas drinks just in time for then holidays! The Chocolate Berry Snow has no coffee and will surely appeal to chocoholics. My personal favorite is the Magical Cherry Mocha, as the rich coffee taste personally appeals to me. Their Orange Joy Milk Tea is also delicious, with its refreshing flavor.

Their drinks are best enjoyed with their pizza, which is freshly baked onsite. I have tried their pepperoni and Italian sausage pizzas, and they were both superb! 

They also have delicious hot-pressed sandwiches. I have tried their tuna, corned beef, ham and cheese, and my personal favorite, three cheese! They definitely go well with their coffees.

Lastly, I have tried their Nitro black, and I have not experienced hyperacidity with any of their drinks! It was also the best cold brew I’ve ever had in my life.
With Nitro 7, it is possible to enjoy a better tasting cup within reach!

Nitro 7 currently has 7 branches, 8 of which are franchisees. They are open for franchise.
They also do onsite catering at events, where they bring their coffee cart and pizza oven.

They are also available on Grab Food, Food Panda, and Zomato.

Instagram: @nitro7.coffee
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nitro7.coffee/
#Nitro7coffee

Health First

Yesterday, I ate at SGD Coffee with my mom. I had the Sagada Omelette and SGD black, while my mom had chicken tocino. For dessert, I had a lemon square.
I am currently struggling with jobhunting, and I don’t have a lot of people to count on. Good thing my mom was free and she was able to treat me to a healthy lunch. Putting my health first amidst the demands of jobhunting and working freelance is my current priority, and that involves the food that I eat.
I’d say that I am currently winning on this aspect!

Museum Hopping

Yesterday, I went to the National Museum of Natural History to watch Bird of Prey, a documentary on the Philippine Eagle. It was a beautiful film that captured the majesty and vulnerability of this regal animal.

After the film, I walked around Manila and went to the Metropolitan Museum of Manila to catch a lecture on Rembrandt’s life. It was also my first time at the museum, so I also viewed their modern art collection.

I ended my day with some cheesy gojuchang pasta and americano at my friend Bea’s cafe, Blocleaf. It was my first time to be in that cafe, and I loved the ambience, food, and coffee. I know that I’ll be back someday!

It was a treat to go museum-hopping and have some delicious food and coffee. Art, film, food, and coffee are affordable ways to enjoy life. These things make my life and heart full, and I am grateful to be able to delight in them.

Self-Care Friday

I have been taking care of myself since getting rejected from this job I’ve been applying for. Everything happens for a reason. The best way to move on is to practice self-care.

I went to a waxing salon, then I watched LSS starring Gabbi Garcia at UP. I enjoyed my me-time and I realized that life isn’t too bad at all.