Instagram and Tumblr got Still JavaJiving

Ah, the convenience of advancing technology and the new media. It's awesome on one hand, but on the other - it made posting my coffee pics and short reviews so easy, I just kept pressing the snooze button on this blog till I got such a pile-up of coffee experiences and photos I was planning to share.

I'm going to do a feature on the best ones (promise!), but in the meantime, I'll just let instagram (and tumblr), with my handful of followers, take the rap for my delinquency.

What I can do for now is share some snapshots that I first uploaded via those oh-so-easy sharing apps. Hang on for a bit, because I'll be a better java jiver. I have at least a couple of new coffee places I just can't wait to share with you, plus the rest of the pics that have piled up. Very soon.

Stackers in Eastwood Mall

Gourmet-to-Go inside Rustan's Fresh Supermarkets

Packaging helps a lot. A present from my friend,
from Siem Reap.

French Baker. I love the presentation and the brownie on the side.

RUB Ribs, no other pic, sorry.

Pancake House. Sometimes very strong, sometimes not.

Stacy's in Capitol Golf. Nice country/vintage-y place. 

Their chai tea is fabulous, and so's their coffee. Not bad at all.

Fleur De Lys, Tomas Morato, Q.C. Very strong brew.
You'll need all the powdered creamer that comes with it.

Brewed Coffee from Le Maison, Cebu City, Cebu.
Strong brew, lovely restaurant.

18 Days in Cash & Carry, Manila. More about this stall later.

Solaire Hotel. Hotels should ALWAYS have good coffee.

IHOP's refillable brew. Diner-ish.

Il Padrino in Robinson's Galleria. Very affordable for good coffee.

Good way to end a hearty meal. Batangas Brew
from Corazon, East Wing of Shangri-La Plaza, Mandaluyong.

North Park. Yes, they have coffee. Already with milk,
served with simple syrup on the side.

MoMo, Eastwood Mall. Very strong, full-bodied,
almost cocoa-ish.

Chateau 1771. Sugar and cream needed, added,
and it's still that dark.

Sci-Fi Cafe. The experience of dining in the midst of
all those superheroes was better.

Soy Gingerbread latte, my first Starbucks Holiday2013 coffee.
Nutmeg powder beat the coffee into my mouth. 

Organic Pour-over Coffee at Wild Flour, the Podium Mall

Finally, Wild Flour opened somewhere a bit closer to where I live. It's easy to spot - right next to the ground floor escalators, where Cafe (Deli) France used to be.

A bit small, if you ask me, considering how the Wild Flour restaurant in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, is always packed (each time I pass it).

The good thing is that the place is so fabulously decorated, it doesn't feel cramped. More like cozy. You won't hear what the people next table are saying, and you won't have servers' elbows hitting you as they whizz by. A bottle of cold water gets regularly replaced, so you won't feel like they're rushing you to make room for the next batch of customers. That was great because I was there with a good friend and we had lots of catching up to do.

It was bustling with a quick turnover of customers from 4pm onward. Fortunately, we scored a table for two inside. We shared a grilled gruyere cheese sandwich which came with an arugula salad on the side, and we also each got a glass of merlot. Fab and light and perfect for our overloaded list of topics for the day *happy sigh*

Now for the coffee. My friend, who was coffee'd out for the day, got a decaf, and upon her recommendation, I ordered one of their pour-overs, the Organic brew.

Okay, I don't know if the barista actually poured the hot water over the freshly-ground coffee beans (hence the name, right?), but the coffee was served in a tall stainless steel (or silver?) french press. One order had enough for a refill, which I loved! Just to add a bit of sweetness, my friend and I shared a large chocolate chip cookie.

The coffee was very good: just the right strength and color. I almost always take my coffee with a splash of creamer, milk, or soya, but after a sip, I thought it could do with just a drop for color (to trick my mind, haha). I loved the place, the experience, the food, the wine, and the coffee. Another visit is absolutely called for. Now I have a new favorite place.

All about coffee... and tea ;-) A huge coffee machine sits on a place of honor on the beverage prep bar.

Leading to the stairs. Unfortunately, no 2nd floor
for more diners; just a stock room.

A lot of wall art on coffee even if they have
quite a selection of wines lining up the walls, too.

I asked the barista what coffee he used.
He presented me with this pack to photograph.

Americano at Chez Karine

It's probably been there for some months now, but I only had the pleasure of enjoying a cup of their wonderful coffee recently. A few steps away from sweet tooth-fave Cupcakes by Sonja, it was a delightful surprise that stirred my coffee desire, if I may call it that.

I came from a heavy lunch with the hubby, and even with just under 2 hours to spare (which I decided on spending in FullyBooked and/or Muji in the next mall complex), I needed a cup of coffee to break me out of lunch heaven. Their very charming, simple (meaning not rustic/shabby-chic cliche cafe) but inviting store facade called out to me, and I couldn't resist a few minutes (or more) inside the promise of a cool, airy, bright place to have my afternoon's dose. So in I went.

The seating area outside? That's the majority of it.
Inside, one would have to battle with a huge group to get any one of the 6 bar stools by the "bar". 

Upon entering, I got a whiff of javaroma, then the temptation from a whole glass display case of pastries to the right, but what got me and what could probably get you, should you be wary from hours of shopping or drowsy from a long, heavy meal - is a huge board with their Coffee list. A welcome sight.

Priced just right, I think.

Running through the list, I chose an Americano, which I loved. Coming from an espresso machine, it was hot enough, had enough froth, and after a sip, didn't disappoint. I believe that once a coffee place's basic coffee is good, there will always be another time to have a dressed-up one. So the rest of the coffees on their list, plus some pastries, of course, if I deserve it, will have its time. Can't wait :)

Post-sip verdict: Very Good Coffee!
Gotta try the Royal Puddings or Panna Cottas next visit.  Soon.

Americano at Cafe del Sol, Boracay

After that amazing omelet and great coffee find at Real Coffee, we had just a few hours left before flying out of Boracay, our white sunny, white sand, clear sea haven for the last 3 days. I thought I was done with coffee, but after all the shopping and sunbathing there was just this one more stop I wanted to make. Cafe del Sol. We'd passed that conveniently-located cafe so many times, whiffing the inviting aroma along the way, it would be a shame to not even have a taste of their coffee.

Although all the pastries looked so delectable, I could still feel my breakfast, so I opted to pass. What could they have that I couldn't get in Manila, anyway?

So coffee it was going to be, and coffee it was... I ordered an Americano, thinking I could sit outside and bask in the sunshine one last time, but all the tables were filled, so I plopped down the comfy two-seater couch at this one and only table inside the place to take a breather before heading back to the resort for a quick nap before packing up.

I ordered an Americano to-go, just in case we didn't find a seat.

My coffee, creamed-up.

While not the best I've tasted while on this particular vacation, their coffee had the right strength, flavor, and temp. I liked it enough to linger and enjoy, Ok, those are three sharp moves this place has made, and it's no wonder they're a hit in station 2.  Too bad I was leaving soon after.  I love Boracay, and I'm glad Cafe del Sol does, too *wink*

Real Coffee at Real Coffee & Tea Cafe, Station 2, Boracay

During my recent 3-day vacation on Boracay island, I had the opportunity to get my fix in several places, even in Starbucks! But I thought, why go all the way to another island -the world-renowned white sand beach- just to have the same things you enjoy everyday where you live? Where's the beauty of traveling in that?

So,ok, I had my standard grande soy mocha, but just that one time.

Apart from that one fix, I tried to get coffee only in places that are unique to the island. A friend who has been a frequent visitor for years, and knowing my love for the beverage, suggested a visit to Real Coffee. I totally missed checking out the place during my trips (for work) last year, so I swore I won't go back home this time without having tried their brew and breakfast.

My husband I decided to have brunch there on our last day. We were told it was on Station 2 (the more commercial and populated area), but very close to Station 1 (where the beach is not as crowded, and places more posh). We almost missed it, because several establishments have mushroomed and crowded the area, so it was a real mish-mash. Thank God we saw that relatively teeny-tiny sign, because we were already famished by then.

Go into a narrow alley where...

a larger sign tells you you've arrived.

It's a hut dominated by a bar/work station, made cozy with books,
photos, mismatched dishes, and artsy lamps.

Put up by a mother-and-daughter (Ms. Leigh and Nadine) team from San Francisco, this cafe has a cult following of Boracay residents and regulars. It's been around since 1996 (as the sign says),when the beach front was less cluttered and commercial. I think what really adds to its appeal is the mix of bamboo and rattan seats, barstools, wooden tables, and counters, make the cafe more ideally beach-front than most establishments' metro-looking appointments. Icing on the cake would be the pictures of past and fave customers displayed on an area above the kitchen prep/bar showing just what a "pioneer" this place is, Boracay-wise.

After a quick browse of their menu, I decided to order Real Coffee, a concoction of brewed Baraco and Arabica with a shot of Espresso, the latter, brought in from wherever the owners traveled to last, according to the staff. It was different, full-bodied with a kick, but very good. Good enough to jumpstart my day and a perfect match to my breakfast omelet of tomato, onions, and cheese, buttered toast (they bake the bread themselves), and mango jam. The omelet was heavenly - the eggs perfectly browned outside, but creamy, cheesy and moist inside, and the veggies cooked just right.

The place is known for their Calamansi (Philippine lemon) Muffins, which I had ordered for delivery to my resort-hotel during one visit last year. Since I didn't find it quite what people raved about, I opted not to have it this time. It didn't matter, because I finally tasted their coffee and discovered their omelet. Those were enough reasons to make a promise to myself:  another visit to enjoy the same breakfast, though at a more leisurely pace, and perhaps take a book to read while enjoying another cup of coffee, another time soon.

Brewed Coffee w/ Breakfast at Palay, Asya Premier Suites, Boracay

Finally, a vacation without the kids for the hubby and myself; the first since our honeymoon! We didn't want to waste any time so we caught the earliest flight out and was in the beach resort Asya Premier Suites before 9am. We were still in time for their buffet breakfast at their Palay restaurant. Asya has very good coffee, designed and delivered fresh periodically by Boyd Coffee Philippines, so that was first on my list.

My first vacay coffee w/ buffet spread choices of frittata, toasted cheese bread, and fruit

...then a refill with my main breakfast, Eggs Benedict.

and yet another one at the beach front, while waiting to be checked into our casita. Coffee, my vacation read, the sun, the sand....

For our second day, we knew we just had to have breakfast at the same place.

The view from our casita. Palay is somewhere past the pool area (Adlaw  lounge/bar and the beach)

 Coffee #1 bright and early. This time, I was having an American Breakfast after my buffet treat.

our view from Palay

Coffee #2 and #3

By then, after updating our kids online, we were ready for our second day of enjoy the white sand and clear waters, and exploring the shores and restaurants of Boracay.