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. Don Day Fresh Korean BBQ Restaurant

The restaurant was located on the second floor of the building in front of Budgetlane in Antipolo at Circumferential road, across the street from Seisha and Max's. 


Well, hello there Antips, we meet again! Heh I have made it a quest to try out different restos at least every sweldo weekend. I'm just so happy that my friends have the same interest - food trip! And this time our palates are craving something Korean. (Well, I kind of influenced them into craving something Korean.kkk) 

There are a lot of choices in Makati and Ortigas area. However, it's a weekend and I make it a point to shun Ortigas Ave or C5 since traffic is terrible no matter what day it is. Such. A. Horror. Story. (I know, it took you longer to read that.kkk mianheyo) The savior: Mareng Google who pointed us to the right direction that is LA, Lower Antipolo?hahaha Antipolo City is just less than half an hour away. Don Day Korean Restaurant is the one nearest my place, so Don Day it is. 


Don Day offers buffet lunch and dinner. The price though, is really not that buffet-ish.Hahaha I mean, starting at P239, this is a deal you should grab, right? 

Their price list. Posted by the (mini) buffet.

So after the Cell Group sesh at church, I made yaya my friends to have dinner in Antipolo. An easy feat, I must say, since it's just near Seisha in circumferential road. It's a coffee shop we used to frequent. Hence, finding Don Day is easy peasy. We left Cainta at past 6 pm and we were already at Antips at around 7. We still had 3 hours or so to enjoy our Korean dinner. So without further delay, tada... The food...

The rate posted above was actually still slashed for their 2nd year anniversary.
We had the Regular buffet + unlimited samgyeopsal (pork belly) which was originally for P335 but we just paid P299 each. The staff is unsure though when asked how long this promo will last. 
As of our time of visit - February 1, prices were:


Regular buffet                               P199
(lunch only)

Regular buffet + unlimited pork     P299
Regular buffet + Pork (5 plates)     P399
Beef (5 plates; combination)
Shabu Shabu                                 P399
Regular buffet + Shabu Shabu        P447

This was how round one looked.hehe Yeah, the plate looked bare. I didn't want to cram everything since I could just go back. We're having a buffet, and you know there's some reminder/tip about not eating too much before sleeping, right? Might as well do some leg workout by going to the buffet table for ... times :-P So what were in it? Banchan: pajeon, kimchi pajeon, baby potatoes, gimbap, tamagoyaki (egg rolls), and chicharon (because who passes up on chicharon?haha) Spicy fried chicken, jeyyuk bokkeum, bulgogi. 

Unli Samgyeopsal, yay! That's Meann's plate at the corner. They also had japchae but I passed on that. I'm not a fan of the sweet potato noodles. 

Others that I didn't try were mandu (dumplings), spring rolls, sisig (by the looks of it, it was definitely sisig but I'm also not sure if they have a version of that in Korea. I might need to ask my students to confirm.kkk) and the other leafy banchan. There were also two kinds of soup, egg and kimchi chigae according to my friend who did try them. 

 

Fresh fruits for dessert. They also had Bingrrae ice cream, frozen yogurt, and popcicles which were priced cheaper than other Korean restos I've tried.hehe Above: Frozen themed strawberry yogurt P60, and coffee flavored ice cream P30.

Flashing the "V" sign while munching on something.kkk Annyeong Haseyo! :) 

Ahh...mashitaa ^^ There were no more pictures of the succeeding rounds. I just had two. And after the ice cream round, I was done. I don't usually go to buffet restaurants because  feel like I can't get the value of my money. But then again, P330 for a filling dinner plus ice cream is not bad. So, where will our hungry tummies and happy feet take us next?.. Did anyone say Marikina? :) 



Don Day Fresh Korean BBQ
Cicumferential Rd.
11 am - 2 pm; Lunch
5 pm - 10 pm; Dinner

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