Happy Foodies

Showing posts with label coffee. Show all posts

<div style="text-align: center;" class="alignwide"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAvL1qVb3ozYsJKvt8z0QsRvXz-YTGAIaGCl-NKv9TrnU5HWg7n1HVr8f1-yauXQFV13e17G0rWw-_COa-4vmUYegVlFhTUZBS7zq8ftLgBiFK5sA9M9kLMbrIKD44O_I-QEsoZck2KfyDKKI-gf7H9M743bh2kw-u1lc1lJkdKEQqhUUQmZUdCDX3Phw/s1280/bantai.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAvL1qVb3ozYsJKvt8z0QsRvXz-YTGAIaGCl-NKv9TrnU5HWg7n1HVr8f1-yauXQFV13e17G0rWw-_COa-4vmUYegVlFhTUZBS7zq8ftLgBiFK5sA9M9kLMbrIKD44O_I-QEsoZck2KfyDKKI-gf7H9M743bh2kw-u1lc1lJkdKEQqhUUQmZUdCDX3Phw/w640-h480/bantai.jpg" width="640"></a></div><br><div><br></div> <p>Whenever I visit a new location, I always make it a point to try the local cafes before I go for the commercial ones when I yearn for coffee. It’s always interesting to see the local culture and flavor in small and homegrown cafes. I used to shift back and forth to Manggahan in Pasig since I rented a place there before. And just in the neighborhood, right across the street where I stay, is <b>Bantai Coffee</b>. A cozy little cafe on the 2nd floor of a building is filled with charm, nostalgia, and good coffee.</p>

<div class="alignwide"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfbj46YmAm9jr7KK67q53A1gSbQ1YSjweDpgVyK6453KkbsrmIspYLMQh_VFcRhWTIuiGyBkiG6cVPSki10XiQVKBvjpDyYPzsjUj6QoS9Qa6l7nPfYcFtrHG_QI0vhWR15OOkWarva7BW8AokvYvj5ViRe7GWptByIRxEu5BG3ljTQJnoHzTzwVvps2g/s1280/agos-cafe.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfbj46YmAm9jr7KK67q53A1gSbQ1YSjweDpgVyK6453KkbsrmIspYLMQh_VFcRhWTIuiGyBkiG6cVPSki10XiQVKBvjpDyYPzsjUj6QoS9Qa6l7nPfYcFtrHG_QI0vhWR15OOkWarva7BW8AokvYvj5ViRe7GWptByIRxEu5BG3ljTQJnoHzTzwVvps2g/s16000/agos-cafe.jpg"></a></div></div> <p>I had an impromptu ride to Antipolo one fine Friday morning. The weather was ideal for a ride - cool with passing clouds. Being in Pasig, Antipolo was quite accessible. The plan was to ride up to Hinulugang Taktak and Antipolo Church and have brunch along the way back. Agos Cafe was noticeable on my way up passing by Hollywood Terraces along Sumulong highway. I thought it would be nice to have coffee and a snack here on my way down.</p>

<div class="alignwide"><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjclcYy4462-TXSXBtl8OPfi5nGz_6zh4D65ODsRFg69fH8cq3r5LFBMWMJgBASXUdAMOcxdojhIGb9_88Cp9t5nqL7XnPpLyAleBAVxJmyWf4TSYXSnub5bsQWuHIhrHUuygIg9DdVU5QFEjEmQZul4y9fPw0i5p-9_-5LGRT8vf7pz4Mz5vmXitG21Pw/s1280/fluff-koppi.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjclcYy4462-TXSXBtl8OPfi5nGz_6zh4D65ODsRFg69fH8cq3r5LFBMWMJgBASXUdAMOcxdojhIGb9_88Cp9t5nqL7XnPpLyAleBAVxJmyWf4TSYXSnub5bsQWuHIhrHUuygIg9DdVU5QFEjEmQZul4y9fPw0i5p-9_-5LGRT8vf7pz4Mz5vmXitG21Pw/w640-h480/fluff-koppi.jpg" width="640"></a></div></div></div> <p>Riding up to the mountains of Mabitac, Laguna is no walk in the park. Elevation rises up to at least 370 meters above sea level. And unless you’re riding a motorized vehicle along this winding Manila East road, the climb here can easily take your breath away. Not just because of the scenery, but literally. It takes effort and can take much from you. I’m glad halfway through this mountain road, the rustic white walls of Fluff Koppi Cafe drew my attention. Its Scandinavian-inspired meets Filipino bahay kubo’s cogon roofing seemed to stick out from all the surrounding greens. It’s interesting enough for a stop and much-needed nourishment.</p>

<div class="alignwide"><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIX8BBf448rDtCd8mW9wzC0AOVZXMNYu55_ePlIKSt4DH48GKiSmwau0uNlyjAMfs2VnAywp2mFVg9wAqk4tEbupweT4qN-FElGbj7gl5WRLOrf-pTaNQF76Uj7qbCke49sDKI9GJFcCtWHQPoxvH6TjOgVgW_WBFXw0PS9AhlE97D_7yUohIYP74JpxE/s1280/brewed.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIX8BBf448rDtCd8mW9wzC0AOVZXMNYu55_ePlIKSt4DH48GKiSmwau0uNlyjAMfs2VnAywp2mFVg9wAqk4tEbupweT4qN-FElGbj7gl5WRLOrf-pTaNQF76Uj7qbCke49sDKI9GJFcCtWHQPoxvH6TjOgVgW_WBFXw0PS9AhlE97D_7yUohIYP74JpxE/s16000/brewed.jpg"></a></div></div></div> <p>Being a coffee lover and cafe enthusiast, it’s funny how <strong>Brewed Specialty Coffee</strong> in Pasig has gone under my radar for months since it opened. It’s a short three kilometer bike ride from our house. It’s located in a commercial center along C. Raymundo where I frequently bike. It took a fellow coffee aficionado’s recommendation to check this place out. And glad I did as it’s a wonderful cafe to add to Pasig’s burgeoning coffee scene.</p>

<div class="alignwide"><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf-smQCiyV0dle9-Yp7daFZAOT2vPreUg6OKOJrFKynJNQsDYdrnvF0hKrUd3MTPPdEVjYWMxsyQLdatBCiGVi7uYkFl8zWov5b2fC_3M0jcVSefsOKcMlUL8ZaXcxGh8lPth7U9OESVpZxL6sJsPOPr46R_fx30QaSYlQTEb_YgoWIHa0rLfXyROVnog/s1280/bash-cafe.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf-smQCiyV0dle9-Yp7daFZAOT2vPreUg6OKOJrFKynJNQsDYdrnvF0hKrUd3MTPPdEVjYWMxsyQLdatBCiGVi7uYkFl8zWov5b2fC_3M0jcVSefsOKcMlUL8ZaXcxGh8lPth7U9OESVpZxL6sJsPOPr46R_fx30QaSYlQTEb_YgoWIHa0rLfXyROVnog/s16000/bash-cafe.jpg"></a></div></div></div> <p>It's always a delightful surprise to find a nice little cafe on some remote island that's quite good too. Cajidiocan in Sibuyan Island, Romblon seems to be shaping up as the island's food destination to complement the other municipalities' natural wonders. Bash Café in Cajidiocan, poblacion is the place to find quality coffee and pastries. It's a cozy place to hang out too.</p>

<div class="alignwide"><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuMtwsouKp-dKLKVGI1vCXdGe1nwzHCfg3SUuxYkNpEq7Jg2sBnJv6WWUV9iLvKRcuq8LUyhm03niXfLSo54zaqMzWPxJFjcrj5j6pekB01v3eX2CDIFAS8gXoZ4j-2Ten0iGCcD5yNRrzwht5W4XC4xOo86R06qRCBlH34QKVcOJB2Lq1s-1F7Gm9M8I/s1280/yani-cafe.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuMtwsouKp-dKLKVGI1vCXdGe1nwzHCfg3SUuxYkNpEq7Jg2sBnJv6WWUV9iLvKRcuq8LUyhm03niXfLSo54zaqMzWPxJFjcrj5j6pekB01v3eX2CDIFAS8gXoZ4j-2Ten0iGCcD5yNRrzwht5W4XC4xOo86R06qRCBlH34QKVcOJB2Lq1s-1F7Gm9M8I/s16000/yani-cafe.jpg"></a></div></div></div> <p>I didn't notice the sign on the building facade nor saw any on the stairs and hallway leading to the second floor (why no signs of the nice bird logo I wondered) but the spacious area fronting the Office Warehouse store could only be it. I'm rarely in the Pasig area but if I find myself here, Yani Café could be as good as any reason to do so.</p>

<div class="alignwide"><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQi83duwW79gThIFqLHXMXXCZWNQqvtVck-HjJv-RhkXiDiLkEjcRdFrLM8L6tnm5qcSJ55bQTxLIgj03SWZ-OH6zEmLGgMvlvW5zwXQ2FyftTnC9MBXWwTlTUVIGxF0bxLoJWHiWFtlxIn0MpMJ7DkjEkIp7NegD0v5i7aM07a-g5QvKkyfg6BDJz_fo/s1024/hiap-yak-tea.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQi83duwW79gThIFqLHXMXXCZWNQqvtVck-HjJv-RhkXiDiLkEjcRdFrLM8L6tnm5qcSJ55bQTxLIgj03SWZ-OH6zEmLGgMvlvW5zwXQ2FyftTnC9MBXWwTlTUVIGxF0bxLoJWHiWFtlxIn0MpMJ7DkjEkIp7NegD0v5i7aM07a-g5QvKkyfg6BDJz_fo/s16000/hiap-yak-tea.jpg"></a></div></div></div> <p>There's a small, non-descript coffee shop named <strong>Hiap Yak Tea Shop</strong>, tucked somewhere in the alleys of Indian Street in Kuching, Sarawak, where the hot, steaming coffee is still served with a pat of butter. Of course, it makes for a creamy, buttery, if a bit strange, brew but there's an interesting backstory (or tale, if you prefer to think it's part-fiction) to why in this small shop, the coffee not the bread or biscuit is buttered.</p>

<div class="alignwide"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC6nMiU2q4_zPU-fGKK6BhrXZkjdbySggjt8GDvB7Wl4VLBdEWTrMx1bWU_Ls8C2Rb_HAyYywnSGJYJJ4LSHrCAwjAqncvrlk7BGVpWAGDhm1kjo6o_Lo4vOsKXE_HiOuyuMTvF_WaDOrmazZfgdQGQhAdwJLOGTACRJ4GXkTZ19N2nLzYUjg75XCsV0I/s1280/black-bean-coffee.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC6nMiU2q4_zPU-fGKK6BhrXZkjdbySggjt8GDvB7Wl4VLBdEWTrMx1bWU_Ls8C2Rb_HAyYywnSGJYJJ4LSHrCAwjAqncvrlk7BGVpWAGDhm1kjo6o_Lo4vOsKXE_HiOuyuMTvF_WaDOrmazZfgdQGQhAdwJLOGTACRJ4GXkTZ19N2nLzYUjg75XCsV0I/s16000/black-bean-coffee.jpg"></a></div></div></div> <p>Happyfoodies had a blast covering the <a href="https://www.ironwulf.net/2019/10/3rd-kuching-waterfront-jazz-festival.html">Kuching Waterfront Music Festival</a> in Kuching, Sarawak in the eastern part of Malaysia. In between tasks and barring rain, we had occasions to wander off into the side streets and small alleys at the waterfront area leading to the bridge and parliament building. One of finds is this small coffee shop along Ewe Hai street, <strong>Black Bean Coffee and Tea</strong> shop while waiting for the sunset to shoot.</p>

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjtLoQvaesExg3g1XSBGIJg-sxGN5WvCCsleWmdk0-rss1Om8WS92i0b0rGofJqtknIxpmcAH5uVIsYAY7FJL_jDLECurhKrMSGIqPzBH28ADzRjnhE9YnhbhsTBzsgjWHkZdb4p3ACSWUIxrc9dS2S2ml1ENEeo8Vzp4UGoosnf1O5S5SOahKmkXekG0/s1024/kape-agape.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjtLoQvaesExg3g1XSBGIJg-sxGN5WvCCsleWmdk0-rss1Om8WS92i0b0rGofJqtknIxpmcAH5uVIsYAY7FJL_jDLECurhKrMSGIqPzBH28ADzRjnhE9YnhbhsTBzsgjWHkZdb4p3ACSWUIxrc9dS2S2ml1ENEeo8Vzp4UGoosnf1O5S5SOahKmkXekG0/s16000/kape-agape.jpg"></a></div><br><p>Amidst the small town of Anao, Tarlac, is <strong>Kape Agape</strong>, a small community cafe inspired by the highest form of love “agape” - the love of God for man and of man for God. Located at the heart of town abundant with ylang-ylang trees, the cafe not only serves nourishing food for the tummy but also for the soul.</p>

<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuQc_RrZtXO2RRi1TRJUb2Aem7rWVCeK9RJ9rbeDlW-xmgdpW-RSx4ofiDj06yKxN8JK19EhIDEAFrpqebwzAkkPwzw7XD4hx7F8Pt9eukKB8bJPx7UDlESkFfxxRY0dneOmwUwVLEcCUHhKN2UzDuLtkVIPOYO90UnstEGYajLFvYo_DBIJMX6UgFdMg/s1023/el-union-coffee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="682" data-original-width="1023" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuQc_RrZtXO2RRi1TRJUb2Aem7rWVCeK9RJ9rbeDlW-xmgdpW-RSx4ofiDj06yKxN8JK19EhIDEAFrpqebwzAkkPwzw7XD4hx7F8Pt9eukKB8bJPx7UDlESkFfxxRY0dneOmwUwVLEcCUHhKN2UzDuLtkVIPOYO90UnstEGYajLFvYo_DBIJMX6UgFdMg/s16000/el-union-coffee.jpg"></a></div><br>I have a friend who’s known as the “Sound Check Guy”. He’s musically inclined and decided to live in La Union for good, finding he felt more at home there. He worked as a barista for a small coffee shop for a while and that’s where I first heard about <strong>El Union Coffee</strong>. This small cafe run by Kiddo and Sly sources locally grown coffee beans from around La Union. Their signature blend became a hit among the locals and tourists alike. The cafe quickly outgrew its original site and had to move to a new location along the MacArthur National Highway.<p></p>

<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcrsSnDk2jDPSiWod_MlOiV3DUNPK-81GGJ4vrOgcYK6Rv2RjkSdr040GpgBUx4GLSus3b7XAu-fWoDAl2Wg233owN4uCK9oZm6i_pZPAOrNVapYPh3nO37doTtd8XH3PdRENC6TyyGfyBKH1vvnTyniJ9Oz95ut2vaUNgfW0S7r798yDUm1kHkb3PtcM/s1023/cafe-pho-co.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="682" data-original-width="1023" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcrsSnDk2jDPSiWod_MlOiV3DUNPK-81GGJ4vrOgcYK6Rv2RjkSdr040GpgBUx4GLSus3b7XAu-fWoDAl2Wg233owN4uCK9oZm6i_pZPAOrNVapYPh3nO37doTtd8XH3PdRENC6TyyGfyBKH1vvnTyniJ9Oz95ut2vaUNgfW0S7r798yDUm1kHkb3PtcM/s16000/cafe-pho-co.jpg"></a></div><br>There is a certain zen moment that I like about Vietnamese coffee. The time I wait for the coffee to brew and drip from the <em>phin</em> (a small Vietnamese brewing device) to my is a quiet still moment I savor every morning. I like the unhurried air it brings. There’s also the yin and yang combination from the ironically smooth yet strong coffee and the creamy sweet layer of condensed milk. Their perfect blend is just a satisfying reward for that short wait. More than the coffee, I also appreciate the surroundings of the cafe which adds to the experience of drinking coffee. That’s why in Hanoi, <strong>Cafe Pho Co</strong>, was a delightful find, tucked deep within rustic buildings past the souvenir shops fronting the streets. Ancient walls, a charming cat, unique coffee with egg, and views one can get lost in moments.<p></p>

<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuiP-qbgTmxpTnkCb1uK4nXnHGL-zQngj2Js7l9QSCxVs_k5nePPbHvbw46Smr23dy3N8FBPvvMX6J_GP29Brpq1NQHyDxFw-5C6EuVe3flwBjyQrNPV-XV4qxto53zY7bJN1IigyxYhhl0DTHcfRv-hBrhGVqu00OFsHgyRm9LQ_q9BiAuTdMvvPSb2k/s1024/goldfish-cafe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuiP-qbgTmxpTnkCb1uK4nXnHGL-zQngj2Js7l9QSCxVs_k5nePPbHvbw46Smr23dy3N8FBPvvMX6J_GP29Brpq1NQHyDxFw-5C6EuVe3flwBjyQrNPV-XV4qxto53zY7bJN1IigyxYhhl0DTHcfRv-hBrhGVqu00OFsHgyRm9LQ_q9BiAuTdMvvPSb2k/s16000/goldfish-cafe.jpg"></a></div><br>It became my temporary office in Bontoc. The cozy sofa and chairs, the tasteful interiors heavy on the travel theme coupled with beautiful photos of the rice terraces and people of the Cordilleras is truly inviting. My almost weeklong stay in Bontoc finds me at <strong>Goldfish Cafe</strong> catching up on work and the online world. For Bontoc standards, <strong>Goldfish Cafe</strong> is the fanciest cafe in town. For a town whose local coffee culture is quite predominant already how does Goldfish Cafe's specialty coffee offerings fare?<p></p>

<figure class="wp-block-image alignnone"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ironwulf/5389593401/in/set-72157625909902752/"><img alt="Hot Choco at Soul Cafe" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5132/5389593401_1e94bac272_b.jpg"></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Hot Choco at Soul Cafe</figcaption></figure> <p>Food discoveries during travel have always been the heart of <strong>Happyfoodies</strong>. And during this Lakbay Norte 2, a familiarization tour of select places in Northern Luzon, we get to try out some interesting food stops on the way to Baguio from Manila on our first day. We had breakfast at <strong>SOUL Cafe </strong>in<strong> La Union</strong>, snacks at <strong>Cafe Isabelle</strong> and dinner at <strong>Hotel Elizabeth's Flora Cafe</strong>.</p>