friendship

Mocha Blends, IT Park, Cebu City

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 03:28:23 PST

It's my first time to come across coffee shops that open for 24 hours (I'm not aware of any 24-hour coffee shop here in Davao), which really exhilarated me. So I turned my demise of not being able to go back to sleep (after always waking up at 3 AM at the hotel) into coffee shop escapades. I visited the first coffee shop I found interesting in IT Park. If the coffee shop were a type of music, it would be between alternative rock and metal - expressed in semi-dark interiors and surrealism art pieces. The drama was enhanced by rock music played on the background. They also had some interesting pastries and I bought some as a peace offering to my room mates (Nutty Choco Teardrop: Php 15 each; Double Choco Cupcake: Php 70). The medium-sized Cappucino (95 pesos) was a perfect blend to perk me up in my sleepy situation. I was happy to see that they were several people in the coffee shop also up early in the morning - either discussing work or just having intellectual conversations.

It's a coffee shop with simple concepts but memorable experiences…

Figaro Coffee Shop

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 03:27:48 PST

This is probably the only coffee shop I know in the entire Davao City that makes Latte Art...My mouth began to water the moment I saw their newly opened shop at the mall...Even though the coffee is way over my budget, splurge ra gihapon! I chose something that has latte art (85 pesos for a teensy-weensy cup of latte) and a blueberry cheesecake (cupcake size for 59 pesos! man! that's equivalent to 2 days of lunch money!). So if you're the kuripot type, don't step into this place. If you're the splurging-once-in-a-while type, then you'll find the place enticing...

My heart was filled with joy looking at my latte-art coffee...I so want to get a job as a barista. It took me a while to drink it, because I do not want to destroy the froth. So next time I get my latte, I will request that they put in the sugar first. So after 15 minutes of staring at my latte, I decided to stir in the sugar and destroy the art, but the froth was still there. The combination of the coffee and the blueberry cheesecake brought tears to my eyes (yep, mababaw ang kaligayahan ko sa world). Literally, kasi mainit pa yung kape. Even though the blueberry cheesecake's consistency was like that of a bubblegum, it was okay. It was different from the usual bbcc that I buy. The sweetness and bitterness combined...plus the warm feeling it gives you inside...Coffee shops are enlightening...

But I do wish that I did not tell those figaro guys that I was making a review - because they were suspicious at me the whole time I was there. They kept looking at me, asking me questions ("Mam, naga manage ba kayo ng coffee shop?" What the F! Do I look like someone mature enough to manage a business? I can barely even manage my studies!!!). I do understand the fact that they can be protective of their own recipes and company secrets, but if I were a spy, I wouldn't be stupid enough to say I was taking pictures!

So they ruined my spiritual experience with coffee, but they did compensate for the headache by inviting me to join the figaro coffee club. I was excited for all the benefits joining the club does...All coffee shops should have their own coffee club, noh? And I'm going back there...and I'll just pretend the figaro guys don't exist...Coz I'm still planning to try their interesting coffee and sweet cakes...Plus, I'm buying one of their coffee beans - they have interesting packaging =>

Ciao for now!

Bo's Coffee Shop

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 04:57:47 PST

After I "escaped" from the formal dinner in our architecture students' convention, I went to IT Park to meet up with my friends who also "escaped". Since the park doesn't have benches, it was a good excuse to lounge for a little while in BO's. The coffee shop layout and design is a little bit Zen - which makes you feel at peace and clear-minded (definitely the perfect place to work). I ordered the frappuccino on the first poster I found on their counter - the Mochaccino Peppermint. They use Torani Peppermint Syrup on this. When my friends came to fetch me, we walked, bonded together, and took photoshoots at the IT Park while I was enjoying the coolness of the peppermint. So that was bliss for me all over again - enjoying the company of friends and frap.

Bonding at its finest…