CRISTY IN THE CITY

Sunday, May 29, 2022

Weekend hangout at Barber's Ground Coffee

Some of the coziest cafes can be found just in your neigborhood! For people living in Jaro and Tacas area, this modern rustic cafe located near the entrance of Alta Tierra Village can just be the perfect place if you're looking for some sweet coffee escape. Books and coffee style vignettes adorn dark wooden shelves and if you are Team Kahoy just like me, Barber's Ground Coffee is just idyllic. A lovely place that serves good, no-nonsense coffee, check out their latte range (the butterscotch!) and their wholesome Pinoy breakfast/brunch sets that are hearty and totally friendly on the pocket. For Happy Hour you might want to check out their craft beers- vanilla and caramel beer infused with fruity flavors like lychee and peach.

Barber's Ground Coffee is uncrowded on Sunday mornings, just the perfect place to have breakfast after morning mass or maybe after a haircut at your friendly neighborhood barbero. Do check out the shelves for coffee inspired mementos and souvenirs. They also offer takeaway coffee and grub via Grab Food.

Barber's Ground Coffee

Entrance of Alta Tierra Village, Jaro, Iloilo City

Shop hours: 8 am- 8 pm

Sunday, May 15, 2022

Al fresco delights at CINCO Cafe

Do you like plants? Do you like coffee? Then you would love hanging out in the garden cafe of CINCO, a neighborhood hotspot located at Gran Plains Subdivision in Jaro district. Lush plants greet you as you enter the sanctuary like garden. The place is small and intimate yet very serene- a secret garden if you will for those who want to sip their iced coffees in private. An ideal date place for friends and lovers and plant lovers especially.

Cafe comfort food like grilled cheese, pizza and pasta make up the simple menu. I love a cafe menu that is straightforward and familiar. There's nothing more satisfying than melty grilled cheese washed down with iced Americano. That and between bites of homemade pizza, the cafe life is just best enjoyed al fresco.

CINCO Cafe

Block 6 Lot 4 Phase 5 Daffodils St.

Gran Plains Subd. Jaro, Iloilo City

Shop hours: 2 pm- 10 pm, Wednesdays to Sundays

Sunday, April 10, 2022

Meet you at the Esplanade

I'm fortunate to live in a city that has an incredible view of a mangrove lined river that undulates into bright horizons and spectacular sunsets. With the pandemic turning us into outdoorsy kind of people, we look forward to leisurely strolls around the nose shaped river (Irong-Irong is Iloilo City's old name) every weekend. There's nothing like open air and warm sunshine to soothe a pandemic weary soul.

On a carefree weekend, I would go for brisk walks along the 1.2 kilometer promenade that ends at Carpenter Bridge that connects Molo and Mandurriao districts. Iron park benches at the foot of the bridge invite one to sit and linger while watching a lonesome tiny banca glide through the river, its surface scintillating in the early morning sun.

The warm, heady fragrance of flowering trees (fire trees and ylang ylang) that line the side of the the brick paved road is a tropical olfactory sensation.

Monday, March 28, 2022

Postcards from London

“I like the spirit of this great London which I feel around me.”
-Charlotte Brontë

At long last, a bit of overseas travel after 2 years of being confined in a fishbowl. The pandemic is not yet over but travel restrictions are being eased up with more people getting vaccinated and protected. One can travel safely now as long as health protocols are religiously followed.

During the first week of February, I had the opportunity to travel to the UK to visit my sister who just completed a post graduate course in one of universities in London and also to meet a dearest friend whom I haven't seen in ages. I haven't travelled anywhere since the pandemic started so stepping into an airplane for a long haul flight was quite anxiety inducing knowing that the coronavirus and its mutations are still airborne everywhere. In London, I still wore a face covering even if the indoor mask mandate was already lifted. Like they say, better travel safe than sorry!

Thanks to stringent health protocols and careful planning, I made it to London and back- safe, sound and COVID free! Yay and thank God!

I have two words to describe London- pure magic. The city is unbelievably beautiful, inspired and exhilirating. Visiting London is totally worth all the hassle of getting a UK visa with all its requisite tediousness and stress. The sensory overload that London offered very well compensated for a week’s worth of terrible jet lag and paltry sleep. While in the UK, we took an 8-hour train ride to charming Edinburgh to see for ourselves the enchanting medieval townscape and of course taste some yummy shortbread biscuits and buy real Scottish tartan. Again, it was raining eighty percent of the time but that didn’t stop me from enjoying a cone of Parma Violet gelato on a freezing rainy evening.

Storm Eunice kinda ruined some of our itinerary plans but we got the must-see bases covered. I will someday go back to see the British Museum!

Enjoy these travel snaps!

The highlight of this London trip would have to be the West End musicals. I thoroughly enjoyed watching Mamma Mia, The Lion King, & Juliet and Cinderella. Super stellar shows!