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