Where to eat in San Juan, Batangas: Cafeño

A Cafeño visit would be very easy to squeeze in the itinerary.

Walking distance from Alps bus terminal, just across Petron gasoline station. 

This summer season I seem to have put my quest for quirky, cozy, and inexpensive coffe shops to a rest. Not because of summer being hot and all, coffee is a staple for me no matter how unbearably scorching summer gets. exagg? :P It's just that these days I've been allocating the funds on beachineering, huzzah! hahaha With my recent escapade to Batangas, the land of kapeng barako, it would be a sin not to have a sip of the trademark drink though; hence, the sidetrip to Cafeño before going back to the concrete jungle.


We did not just chance upon the place. I saw it in a blog and thought that the place looked familiar even though I've been to Laiya just once, and seven long years (or so) at that, hah! Too bad, I wasn't able to salvage pictures from Friendster days. The then and now images would have been nice. But here's how the cafe looks now: 

The sign by the door says: home made ice cream :)

Know your barako...

How do you like them sweets? 

Cafeño mugs for sale

Antique sewing machines adorn tables, or rather tables were antique sewing machines so handle with care.
   

Because coffee is our fuel...

Anyways, other reviews did not clue us in on how much to shell out, but it seemed budget friendly (and if this is the cafe I've been to way way back, then it IS budget friendly) so into the itinerary you go Cafeño. ^^ And I believe the girls enjoyed that we did drop by. 

The aftermath...pardon the messy table. hahaha

We left Naambon on full tummies so we just planned on having light meals here. And, here's what we had:

Almost half of us ordered pasta of the day: Puttanesca P90

Quesadilla with Eggplant P100

Eggs Benedict (with rice) P135

Barako Float P135

Barako Condensada P85
One shot of Kapeng Barako + condensed milk = love in a cup 

Halo-Halo P150, good for sharing
What would summer be like without you, halo-halo? hehehe

Chicken Burger P120

Grilled Cheese Sandwich P85

They also have an art gallery which, by the time of our visit, was closed. We were told by staff that it houses works of local artists, and said paintings were already sold. Great for these artists, too bad none for us to see then. hehe  


I don't know when I'll be beachineering in San Juan again but I'm sure there's one place my sixth sense (coffee sense.haha) will be pulling me ~ Cafeño. Hope to see you again next summer! :)



Cafeño

9 Gen. Luna Street
Poblacion, San Juan, Batangas

budget per person: P250

Weekend Eats. 14 Four Cafe

It's been a while and now I'm back with another one of Rizal's 'hidden' gems of a hangout. I've got friends who have been to 14Four and I have been wanting to go there, too. Unfortunately, I haven't had that opportunity until now. My sister's been there a couple of times or so but it would have been awkward to tag along with her gal pals (and their respective hubbies) lest they make me the designated photographer of the bunch. I'll say nay to that. Heh 


So. 14Four. A couple of years ago, their Stick Designs gallery was open to the public. I have friends who were lucky enough to have seen the furniture showroom. However, by the time of our visit, they no longer allow that, viewing is now by appointment only it says so on their website, too. It's still good though 'cause the outdoor seating area is also cozy. The view would keep you from getting bored while waiting for your food to arrive since you would be occupied snapping pictures of each available space you could manage to strike a pose at. We went there on a whim, unplanned, so all we had are our phones for the photo op.Hehe And my sister's photography hobbyist husband was not with us. Hence, no professional looking pics here guys. Here's what we happily snapped photos of. Heheh   

This guy. Because even plumbing is an art. :) 

I don't have a clear picture of their gate. And that one was pretty neat, too, like a puzzle of some sort but don't worry, it's simple enough to open. Heh

Who wouldn't be relaxed if you have these in your yard? 

Sorry, not sorry.Hahaha Above is our GGSS shot :P

In the middle pic is the cafe's full view while reclining in these chairs. Oh, the peace and quiet less than 30 minutes away from the metro...

Pose pa more :P Okay. Will spare you of the other pics since 'incidentally' the rest of the pictures include our fezlaks na. hahahaha 

Now The Food. We had: 

Aligue and Tuyo Pasta (Family Serving Size P420) 

The menu says it's good for 2 - 3 people but it was large enough for the five of us to share.   

14Four Tapa P210 

Homemade tapa, garlic fried rice, fried egg

Adobo Flakes and Kesong Puti Panini P180.

Savory adobo flakes and Laguna white cheese in two pandesals. Served with nachos and lettuce. 

Cinnamon Bun Pancakes P190. 

Because I heard, they're a must-try, and they are. I'm the type of diner who'd automatically flip the menu over to the desserts section and think I know my sweets, hun. The pancake itself was already a treat, but with the custard sauce (cream cheese icing), you're a goner. Haha  And you don't have just one, you'd get three fluffy cinnamon swrled pancakes so go ahead and share some sweetness. ^^ 

Country Fried Chicken P250 

One big chicken leg with a generous serving of creamy mashed potatoes and toast. Delish and filling. 

Sesame crusted Dory P195

Pan-fried dory, herb aioli, steamed rice, cucumber salad

Right: Dalandan Juice P190

Left: just plain water, like what the bottle says. Cute, eh? Heh

Because we were full. We no longer had room in our tummies for more sweets. I guess I'll just have to go back for their cakes (price range P98 - P120) and coffee some time.



What we liked. 
Well obviously, the place itself is a winner. Something I want my lola's house in Antipolo to look like.Hehe We were seated outside but the heat wasn't a problem (dunno about summer time though) the fan mounted on the nearby tree was enough to cool us allowing for a pleasant late lunch meal. 
The food, although not the best we've tasted, were good. Well, I just had the chicken, pasta, and pancakes, so those I could vouch for. ^^ Others. We just find the menu limited. It was my first time but my sister's been here more than a couple of times. And while she's not complaining, I think it's still good to expand the menu, just sayin'.Hehe




144 Magnolia Lane, Barangay San Isidro,
Gregoria Heights Subdivision
Taytay, Rizal, Philippines 1920
Friday & Saturday: 10am - 10pm
                Sunday:  10am - 9pm
P200 - P300 / person

How to get there: 
If you are commuting via Ortigas Ave Extension, tell the driver to drop you off at 'Singer' / Tropical Hut. 14Four Cafe is just one tricycle ride from here. More directions if you'll bring your own vehicle here.


* Date of visit: January 25

Caffe Bene

I love Eastwood on Sundays! Hehe So not crowded.

Coffee Time

Tea time. Tea flavors displayed at the counter.

Like most coffee fans out there, my go-to cafe is Starbucks. When almost every street corner in Makati (where I work) has one, it surely is the easiest answer to your caffeine fix. But I also made trying out other coffee shops before planner season starts, which is this November already,  a goal. So today's cafe of choice is ta-da... Caffe Bene. I would've already sampled their bingsu had the shop not been under renovation some months ago. And because I've been busy too I only got to come back now. A day before I start collecting SB stickers, which yay! ^^ 

Sweets galore: waffles, honey breads, and gelato FTW!

I know we should have eaten lunch earlier so that we'll have more space in our tummies for the waffles. I've seen pictures online and oh, they do look yummeh! But it's just coffee and bingsu for now. Pfft 

I got a regular hot White Mocha P145 

And because we eat with our eyes first (right?) she ordered a Large Strawberry Patbingsu. Patbingsu is a Korean dessert made of shaved ice and red/adzuki beans. Similar to our halo-halo. At Caffe Bene they offer them in different flavors and we're happy with our choice, not only because it looked great in IG but also because it truly was a winner in taste! And like a special halo-halo, it was topped with a scoop of strawberry gelato which, yay since a small order would of gelato would cost you P150. 

Their bingsu comes in two sizes - Large, which is big enough for two, and Huge, dunno how many can share it, though. 

Jessa's Large Strawberry Bingsu P230 was big enough for us. :)

We only got to try these but we'll be coming back for the waffles and mocktails. Soon. :D

Caffe Bene merchandise. Cute mugs and tumblers adorn one shelf by the corner. I like the hand drip set but it's pricey, around P3,000 and the lolli cups with straw.

Hand drip coffee set


Caffe Bene 
Eastwood Citywalk 2 
Open late:  M, T, W, Th, Su: 7:00AM - 1:00AM
F, Sa: 7:00AM - 3:00AM

Hello November! Our Post Halloween Sister Largey

New month, new schedule for my default weekend buddy - Jessa. Hehe So much for happy weekends as she'll say goodbye to her Sat-Sun days off, aww. Our girls, Jo and Krystal, have their own largeys so she's stuck with Moi! Hahaha 


Now off to Eastwood! er, She works in the area so this weekend's nothin' special, really. Heh My suggestion to zeh gels was to try #EastwoodTWDHorrorHouse however, (as mentioned above) we were the only ones available so we figured it'll be more fun if there's more of us so we'll make do with pictures (blurry ones at that :-P) na lang. And hopefully, we'll be able to go back the following weekend when the gang's complete uhmm, minus one since pregnant women aren't allowed. Also, I'm not scared easily but I'm very jumpy, more friends mean calmer nerves for me. :P

We were at Eastwood early but a crowd has already started started building up by the entrance. This picture was taken at the side, just before they discovered the better photo op spot. Heh 

At around 6 pm people have started lining up for the prison house. It was already drizzling by this time and in a few more minutes it would rain. I think it was good that we decided against going after all, Heh. 

The prison watch tower.

And side trips to the malls. Because you're never too old for the giant pumpkin, right? 

Fan girl mode. The hunt for anything CNBLUE. 

And our coffee time at Caffe Bene, finally! *huge goofy grin* 


#EastwoodTWDHorrorHouse 
Eastwood Central Plaza
October 31 - November 9, 2014 

Weekend Eats: AngNewNo Arts. Design. Cafe

One more resto crossed out.hihi This weekend's tipid restaurant of choice was AngNewNo arts.design.cafe - a three storey building along Manila East Rd. I thought the place was hard to miss because of it's signage as seen in previous images from the net. However, it's now partly hidden by vegetation. We went past it because we told manong jeepney driver that we're going to Balaw Balaw another popular restaurant in Angono, and I hope we get to visit that one, too soon. ^^ 

Outside seating. Ideal for a hanging out on a chilly night. With coffee, or a bucket or two to keep you warm.hehehe 

Now back to AngNewNo. We came at lunch time, around 1 pm I think, and there were only two groups dining. Well one actually, since the two men on the second floor were downing buckets already.hehehe I so like the ambience of this place. I think it has the same relaxed feel even when patrons flock for a drink or two at night. Their music choice was something to our liking, too - covers of Bruno Mars, Lorde, and the likes' songs. (I just don't know about the guys though.hehe Meann and Daleth, the mommys to be, were with their respective beaus.) 

 More tables on the second floor. 

Jo lounging around the second floor outside seating area.

They have a third floor but it was closed during our visit since there aren't that many people at that time.

Our food! ^^ [Sorry fo the pictures, though. I was hurriedly snapping away because everyone (especially zeh boys) was already very hungry.hahaha I didn't want to cause any 'more' delays, you know, hungry people = grumpy people.]

Set A Sisig + Veggie Pastel + liempo 500

Set E zesty chicken + Sweet and sour pork P525

* Set Meals include a pitcher of iced tea and a platter of rice good for three persons. Upgrade plain rice to AngNewNo fried rice (P85), fried rice with alamang and pineapples, for an additional P25. 

I have to come back to this place and try their other pizza (P160 - P220) flavors namely Itik Pizza, coffee starts at just (P60 for an espresso - P160 for the frappe I think), desserts, and maybe even some cocktails (P85 - P150), too. So who wants to go? ^^ 

What we came here for: Tinapa Pizza P165

Cheese, tinapa flakes, and itlog na maalat makes a good pizza. Just the right mix of salty. Yummy!

AngNewno arts. design. cafe 
Manila East Rd., Angono, Rizal 
Budget: P500 for 2