Beanstalk Baguio

One of the newest coffee shops in Session Road is Beanstalk located at the new City Center Hotel. Bright lights, geometrical and spherical design give you its own over all look. They specialize in pastries and they have a wide selection of coffee and tea concoctions. (They have relatively affordable prices and they have a strong wifi lol)

This might be the shortest blog I did but will give you images courtesy of Beanstalk. I tried some of their drinks like Matcha green tea, vanilla latte, brewed coffee and I'd say it made an impression.

An overall rating of 9 for me :) You may want to check out their Facebook page>> https://www.facebook.com/pages/Beans-Talk-Bistro/445668518834769. They are open from 7:00 Am to 10:00 PM or contact them at (074) 422 3637

Photo courtesy of beanstalk Baguio

Photo courtesy of beanstalk baguio

Photo courtesy of beanstalk baguio

Photo courtesy of beanstalk baguio

Photo courtesy of beanstalk baguio

Photo courtesy of beanstalk baguio

Photo courtesy of beanstalk baguio

Cafe by the Ruins

You might have heard of it before but still thinking where it is; then it is time for you to meet one of the oldest coffee shops in the City of Baguio.

Café by the Ruins is located along Chuntug street, right beside Eurotel; fronting Baguio City Hall. A unique coffee shop touching our history that dates back to WWII. Ruins left by the war is still visible but constructed with indigenous materials for an exceptional ambiance.

Photo Courtesy of Chary Parnacio

The coffee shop is famous for their coffee, pastry and Filipino food. My favorite drink in this shop; it might be common for others, but it has a different package for me – is the Lemongrass tea served with a piece of lemon and honey.

However, if you want to taste their own blend, try asking the staff about “Café by the Ruins Blend/Ruins Blend.” The coffee is creamy and remarkably aromatic.

An overall rating would be 9 for me J

They are open from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM. For inquiries contact them at: (074) 442 4010 or email them at cafebytheruins@gmail.com. Check out their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cafe-By-The-Ruins/38813861009

Photos by Cafe by the Ruins

Cafe Lusso

(Photos courtesy of: https://www.facebook.com/lussocoffee and nicoolete.wordpress.com)

Finding a new place to hang out? A ‘Cheesy but classy’ atmosphere-like? Then Café Lusso can satisfy what you need. Located along the new building in General Luna Street, Café Lusso is the newest coffee destination in town where one may loosen up.

Café Lusso is an Italian term whose meaning I didn’t ask. Interior design may bring you to that place with cool mixture of light and dark colors, light dazzling and the photographs enchant one’s eye.

Located at GF EDCO Bldg., General Luna corner Mabini Street, Baguio City, Café Lusso caters students in nearby areas like University of Baguio, Saint Louis University, Philippine Women’s University and even hospitals like SLU and Notre Dame.

The coffee shop may seem foreign, indeed! Owned by a Korean national I heard. Their coffee beans according to the staff are mixed Arabica and Robusta exported all the way from South Korea.

Café Lusso has 3 areas. The 1^st one is the primary area for customers, right beside the counter; the 2^nd is the smoking area, an enclosed portion of the cafe, and the 3^rd one is the small section good for 5 people where you must have to take off your shoes. Low table and that you have to do the oriental way of seating.

I have been to Café Lusso twice. The 1^st time I’ve been there, I ordered the common latte. Served either in a ceramic cup or paper, the taste was ‘okay’ but the magic works after.

(MAGIC.  Let’s check on the title of this blog. After that latte, I went home, prepared my slides for tomorrow’s photography workshop then went to bed. The magic I’m referring to is; it won’t let you sleep for 48 hours! I went to my lecture without sleep literally and I felt like floating. I even watched the Hobbit, the 1^st showing at SM Baguio in the evening and thought I’ll just fall asleep but the coffee is still kicking.)

Going back, we asked for the best seller pastry and they suggested “Honey Glazed Bread.”
A square bread that looks like unsliced loaf bread smothered with honey and butter and some syrup being sold for P99.00 that can be shared to 2 persons. The bread tastes good and the aroma is enticing.

 

They have a common rest room (unisex), a wifi (working too slow when I was there) and they have the eccentric way of numbering, the vibrating way! They have the digital number, and it vibrates wildly if your order is already available. It looks like a flying saucer and some staff refer it that way too!

The coffee shop is open every day from 7:00 AM until 12 midnight. For an overall rating of Café Lusso, I’d say it gained 8 from me. For more info of this coffee shop, you may contact 0917 798 0444 or email them at café.lusso@gmail.com

Kape Umali

Kape Umali, No. 1 Nepal St., Shangri-la Village, Baguio City

After a couple of months looking for this coffee shop; Finally, a touch down has been made. Kape Umali is a famous coffee supplier in Baguio city since 1948. One may find the name "Kape Umali" familiar, it's because they're one of two stalls located near hangar market where we usually buy our coffee beans.

Since 1948, Kape Umali supplies tons of coffee beans not only in Baguio City and some parts of Luzon but to some countries as well. Having their own farm and roasting facility, Kape Umali serves dozens of different concoctions in different cup sizes.

Kape Umali can be easily found since it is located at the back of Cooyeesan Hotel Plaza, entering Shangri-la Village, right beside Casiciaco Recoletos. Kape Umali not only serve coffee for they have snacks and few grubs from their menu. Plus, a training and machine package for all those who would love to put up their own coffee shop like us. (That day was meant for us to visit Kape Umali for we have been planning to put up our own. Thank goodness, Mr. Rondel Olarte, store owner heard of us and offered their services. Stunned and awed, we immediately drafted our coffee shop concept.)

Friends and I ordered wet cappuccino, french vanilla and mocha java. We only waited for few minutes before sipping our orders since technically, we're the only customers that day but we heard that CSI staff and Koreans swarm the shop at times.

Cozy atmosphere welcomes you to the store. Couches entice you at the upper floor right beside the counter where coffee magic happens. They also have a private dark room for friends who want to be with folks on a private moment.

The shop also has a mini art gallery where photographs are displayed. On the basement, the setup of tables surely says 'We serve beer as well!'

Going back to our coffee, my wet cappuccino has a great aroma with a just right blend. French vanilla is already sweet without the sugar (they serve muscovado) and mocha java is perfect! The aroma and taste want you to order more.

Along our coffee, Rylene (one of my coffee buddy) ordered tuna sandwich which can be shared to a maximum of three persons. The mayo dressing is the best part, a bit sweet and garlicly (?)

Talking to the store owner, it made us realize how little we know of coffee since he emphasized that coffee bean variety may come in eight other different roasts.

Now, our task is to look for our own coffee shop. Our game plan is friend A will supply coffee, friend B and C will be in charge of the business processes while I do our interior and advertising.

Once we mix up all those plans, "CAFECHINO" will be THE next destination. :)

Finally, my grade  for Kape Umali (from a range of 1-10, 10 the highest) I'll say the shop made an impression, thus, I'll give it a 9!

Basement - Mini Bar

Counter - basement

My wet capuccino

Check outtheir website: http://kapeumali.webs.com/
facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kape-Umali-coffee-shop-caffeine-addict/202071806484469?fref=ts

Birth

Photo courtesy of: http://thebestcoffeeintheworld.wordpress.com/, 

The word 'kape' or coffee is addictive. Add the liquid and it turns out to be drug-like. The sensation, the aroma, the caffeine and the story where the beans came from will bring you in a state of bliss; well, that's what I think of.

My friends and I equate 'kape' to eat out or dine in a restaurant but not necessarily just to order coffee (because we love beer too!) Get something from the menu that we think would satisfy our craving along with the chosen beverage, definitely 'kape!'                                                    
                                                                                                                           
Friends and I had an idea to do a review of coffee houses or restaurants that offer different concoctions since we had a problem finding a place we haven't been or actually dined.

There's only a thing we at times forget; to take actual pictures of the place, the facility, the food and the liquid we're referring to because we don't usually plan ahead of when and where to go days before.

The formula? Contact friends an hour before thru social media or thru text brigade. Ask them if they're free; if yes, request them to tag along others; if not, tell them maybe next time but do not set any particular date or time as we usually do (trust me, it's effective.) There goes the term 'agad-agad' commonly stated by my folks if I do the planning.

Drinking coffee dates back to thousands of years. A tradition we still practice today. With innovations, humans created various flavors and concoctions we enjoy. from latte to capuccino to espresso to as simple as brewed coffee, we enjoy it any time of the day.

I hope I can publish the 1st review soon before Christmas!  May we all meet and do the coffee convention, if so, NIRVANA!