Happy Foodies

<figure class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2M-V8TgAOEQ76dnAgxKWQJlJNXsAGAAEIeG9LfM0urYE2zaN1MJjwj2I2wDo1K0-BI2cpNSodI1mfM68eNFVR1ljXWIstnI2_XAJpiEoE1ajmdcx7g_RW5rPdk3mrWqmtkTohf801i65dxic1BXwYEeNUwFSsHitmTeNSs202eq-FsVEGwx9RRrMcDy4/s1600/kwentong-dagat.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2M-V8TgAOEQ76dnAgxKWQJlJNXsAGAAEIeG9LfM0urYE2zaN1MJjwj2I2wDo1K0-BI2cpNSodI1mfM68eNFVR1ljXWIstnI2_XAJpiEoE1ajmdcx7g_RW5rPdk3mrWqmtkTohf801i65dxic1BXwYEeNUwFSsHitmTeNSs202eq-FsVEGwx9RRrMcDy4/s16000/kwentong-dagat.jpg"></a></figure> <p>When I found out we would be making a side trip to Liwliwa Beach before heading home from <a href="https://www.ironwulf.net/2024/04/discover-serenity-of-lake-mapanuepe.html" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Lake Mapanuepe</a>, I had to check if we could stop by <strong>Kwentong Dagat</strong>. It's a lovely beachside resort with rustic and charming A-type cabins serving 100% plant-based meals. So after enjoying the expansive shoreline and playful waves of Liwliwa Beach, my companions and I decided to have lunch there.</p>

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Dg9b7jSIXlGUSvJSNyErADXcx6U-G5JBLlwflx3RnkuVbvzpersP1VwPzZuIoSz0mZx6f5BDOhu300SyRPsg6qaSwHKbUqZJMSi_Dt-Nu3KFM5HJRfZ0LEivgF0qMSg3MCmuV2Zi8iIwCQpEUmjuKy8Mrs9rf7ISoJlG2aGLlick-oT8oDdFvCnf9uI/s1600/the-farmaccist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Dg9b7jSIXlGUSvJSNyErADXcx6U-G5JBLlwflx3RnkuVbvzpersP1VwPzZuIoSz0mZx6f5BDOhu300SyRPsg6qaSwHKbUqZJMSi_Dt-Nu3KFM5HJRfZ0LEivgF0qMSg3MCmuV2Zi8iIwCQpEUmjuKy8Mrs9rf7ISoJlG2aGLlick-oT8oDdFvCnf9uI/s16000/the-farmaccist.jpg"></a></div><br><div><br></div> <p></p>“We are driven by the knowledge that food is medicine. Beyond just food, we serve nourishment.” This is one of the core values of <b>The Farmassist,</b> a new restaurant in Pasig. Don’t be misled by the name; although it may sound like a pharmacy, they serve affordable plant-based meals. In 2024, Happy Foodies will start featuring establishments and products that promote vegan, vegetarian, plant-based, and healthy food, beginning with this neighborhood find in Pasig.<p></p>

<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirKzhkaNqN_obE9kpq2Bv0k9qBNGx4MJXMY4R7Y3TFKsFJzm3IMgKOFrRwK3fmk6zonfSbcd5gyQvBaDTcjvaO7iClVejA70TN_MHifDw54lcOUOJE-wZ3bSKIQU9_rmMbePm_p-6R9yKtJaR5OsEsVEUuy5cajh4FrHTA2LuY-FSn3YPs9jD7Ly2cNrg/s1600/7-cafe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="895" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirKzhkaNqN_obE9kpq2Bv0k9qBNGx4MJXMY4R7Y3TFKsFJzm3IMgKOFrRwK3fmk6zonfSbcd5gyQvBaDTcjvaO7iClVejA70TN_MHifDw54lcOUOJE-wZ3bSKIQU9_rmMbePm_p-6R9yKtJaR5OsEsVEUuy5cajh4FrHTA2LuY-FSn3YPs9jD7Ly2cNrg/s16000/7-cafe.jpg"></a></div><br>If you are on a hunt for some good coffee places, that come with good food and a good ambiance, then you can rest your hunt with this article. This article lists some of the best coffee places spread across the length & breadth of the country. <p></p> <p>You will find cafes that serve some exceptional coffee blends and side food dishes that go well with coffee. Check out the list and let us know how many have you visited!</p>

<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>

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIfv46Dk6qq6WpjMRbi9-Y_dZZLTBhn-ah5P9z0ZUEZQvwGrRXMQThvo1i-ltZEibJGALz9HmeLK7KBJyjFocsVFfg9IlXHtimQgdw1Ex4bb3tCV4gbxhXRQ7CINhpVE0Shm4NesSDigTHL3hYdd1UkDUyksZZQTa8430fGHGCyAUGk4IZnLbQtGjITGA/s1280/gubat-qc.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIfv46Dk6qq6WpjMRbi9-Y_dZZLTBhn-ah5P9z0ZUEZQvwGrRXMQThvo1i-ltZEibJGALz9HmeLK7KBJyjFocsVFfg9IlXHtimQgdw1Ex4bb3tCV4gbxhXRQ7CINhpVE0Shm4NesSDigTHL3hYdd1UkDUyksZZQTa8430fGHGCyAUGk4IZnLbQtGjITGA/w640-h480/gubat-qc.jpg" width="640"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table> <p>It was hidden in plain sight. The “Gubat” signage is even so inconspicuous I passed by it twice and didn’t easily notice. Little did I know, that ensconced behind the bamboo walls and door, there’s a little al fresco dining restaurant inside. <strong>Gubat QC</strong> does feel like being inside a forest (<em>gubat</em> is a Tagalog word that means forest) with its lush environment surrounding the wooden tables and benches of the dining area. Everything feels organic. From the food, the banana leaves as plate and even the way people eat - <em>kamayan</em> style (with bare hands).</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>