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.

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.

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!

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!

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

Making Mistakes

I recently finished making this crochet sampler featuring the alpine stitch. It was a few rows in before I realized that the stitch was not fun for me to execute. I knew then that I was only making a sampler, and not a scarf. And that’s okay. 

Making mistakes isn’t supposed to be some awful sentence. In fact, it is just a normal part of the journey. I made mistakes in the sense that I chose a stitch that I didn’t like, and the yarn I used was prone to knots. Now, I know which stitches to stick to, and what yarn will work best for my lifestyle. 

And if I will make mistakes, I know that learning from them makes it all worthwhile. It also wouldn’t hurt if I have a cup of Sagada coffee by my side.  

Here’s to more learning and awakening! 

Yarn and Healing

Yesterday, I had to sort out some personal challenges. After I got those out of the way, j rewarded myself with lunch at Embrace Cafe.

The cafe employs marginalized and disabled staff. I admired the staff’s positivity and excellent service, despite their circumstances. It is clear that they feel empowered at work.  

I had a delicious plate of carbonara and a cold glass of coffee jelly.  

I knitted and at the cafe for hours, so I ended up eating spaghetti for dinner there. 

Sometimes, I just need to be exposed to people who feel empowered with opportunities to know that I am also capable of improving my life. I know that I am doing my part, and with consistency, I will be one resilient woman.