Thursday, January 11, 2024
There's something to love about an outdoor market teeming with aesthetically laid out goods like home baked bread and pastry, bottled fresh fruit juices as well as an assortment of fabulous impulse buys like handmade crafts, artisan treasures and limited edition apparel that appeal to both Generation Z and Titas of Iloilo.
I was lucky to catch the last night of Fresh Finds, a holiday outdoor market organized by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry-Iloilo last December 23, 2024. After some last minute grocery shopping, I dropped by the market to check out some of the coffee stalls for drinks and snacks. A lot of familiar vendors were present-Theo's, Coffee Brewtherhood, Courtyard by Marriott, and Richmonde among others. There were also new and upcoming vendors with exciting products and offerings.
Being a crafter and a lover of all things handmade, I gravitated towards the booth of Scibs Art Shop. They have the adorable Ichigo Strawberries, a product line inspired by cats and strawberries, Mako Makolit and Kumomaka Village illustrated postcards. I got myself some sticker packs, keychain, mini notepad, wearable buttons, postcards and the must-have 2024 Dragon Cat wall calendar.
Of course, there's my favorite homegrown coffee shop Coffee Brewtherhood where I got some whole coffee beans, a live coffee plant and a cup of hot matcha latte. I also tried the homemade donuts of Courtyard by Marriott. Their mango and chocolate donuts infused with batuan were the bomb!I look forward to another installment of Fresh Finds! Maybe at the Dinagyang Festival, soon?
Wednesday, November 22, 2023
Another requisite cafe to add to your list of secret but stylish hangout places. Manifesto Cafe at Citadines Amigo has a eclectic, casual feel and great food to boot. Away from the maddening crowd yet located in the heart of the city, one feels wonderfully insulated as one enjoys hearty all day breakfast plates and specials.
The Citadines Amigo branch in Iloilo City is Manifesto's first store outside of Metro Manila with branches in Makati and Bonifacio Global City in Taguig. Manifesto is definitely a taste of Manila in laidback Iloilo City. They also serve the best French Toast in Iloilo City and Flat White coffee! Said like a true Ilonggo, once I like the food and atmosphere I will surely be back again! I look forward to trying their breakfast buffet soon.
Citadines Amigo, Iloilo City
Sunday, November 19, 2023
I visit our ancestral house in San Miguel, Iloilo every weekend and every chance I get, I try to explore the new enterprises and shops around the quiet, sleepy town. I'm glad small towns like San Miguel now have cozy cafes and milk tea shops to cater to the younger set.
If you happen to swing by San Miguel town before heading to Alimodian or Bucari, drop by Sunrise Cafe, the sweet and cozy cafe in front of the now defunct town market. They have pasta, sandwiches and sides on the menu. They have coffee and non-coffee items as well. Since it was already too late in the evening to have coffee, I opted for the hot white chocolate drink which was absolutely heartwarming.
See you again soon Sunrise Cafe!
SUNRISE CAFE
Roxas St., 5025 San Miguel, Iloilo
Email: sunrisecafe1121@gmail.com
Cafes have been sprouting in the City of Love especially along the Diversion Road area. There's Cafe Augusto at Esplanade 2, Daily Buns Cafe & Bakery and cafes at the Atria Park District. If you're coming from the Espalanade area for your morning or evening walk, consider dropping by in one of these cafes for iced refreshments or a warming cup of coffee.
Nestled beside Greenfield Complex, Diversion Road (just outside Stella's) is Drip Cafe, a cute little hiding spot to enjoy coffee and other Earl Grey tea brews. I love the Japanese aesthetic of this cafe. It’s like I'm back in Tokyo!
Aside from the standard coffee menu, they have tea brews like London Fog and Autumn that go well with their pastries especially their Earl Grey Honey Cake. If you love hot tea brews, Drip Cafe is the place to be.
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DRIP CAFE Coffee and Community
GF, Greenfield Complex, Diversion Road
Mandurriao, Iloilo City
IG: @drip.ilo
Wednesday, November 15, 2023
Here's another beautiful heritage house transformed into a cafe/restaurant/gathering place for the denizens of Iloilo City. We visited Balay Remedios along Bonifacio Drive one lazy, sunny afternoon for merienda as we were aching for cold refreshments and snacks. I have heard of the opening of this Filipino-Spanish cafe and museum restaurant from the Facebook page of the good mayor of Iloilo City. I have always been intrigued by this house as the facade is beautiful despite its faded antiquity. You can see the full architectural view of this house framed by native trees when you visit the rooftop of National Museum- Western Visayas Regional Museum.
With Chef Miguel Cordova at the helm, Balay Remedios serves elevated lunch hour Spanish-Ilonggo heritage specials like Native Chicken Binakol, Paella Negra, Remedios Pollo y Chorizo, and Costillos de Muscovado among others. Merienda selections are quite limited so we decided on ordering the prosaic Bam-i, a mixed noodle dish served in Ilonggo homes, carinderias and in your local school canteen. With the Balay Remedios touch, this ordinary dish turned out to be the most flavorsome Bam-i we have ever tasted.
We would love to come back again to try the lunch hour or breakfast specials! If you have a sweet tooth, their coffee accompaniments like table mousse cake, bibingka cheesecake, calamansi leche flan, banana cake and chocolate custard cake will literally take the cake.
The old rich charm of this dining set-up attracts Iloilo's young, old (and sometimes very old) foodies who yearn their hometown's nostalgic culinary treasures, ambiance and how Iloilo's elite probably wined and dined.
See you again soon, Balay Remedios!
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BALAY REMEDIOS
183 Bonifacio Dr, Iloilo City Proper, Iloilo City, 5000 Iloilo City
Email: balayremediosiloilo@gmail.com
Saturday, November 11, 2023
One of the must-visit places if you're visiting Guimaras Island is the Trappist Monastery in Jordan municipality. It is home to the monks of Cistercian Order of the Strict Observance. I have visited this monastery many times in the past when my mom was still alive and it has given me spiritual refuge when the tempests of life leaves me vulnerable, weak and drained. A visit to the chapel for introspection, contemplation and nuggets of spiritual advice from the Cistercian brothers always renews one's spirit.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, inter-island travel came to a halt and I have not visited ever since. My very recent travel to Casitas de Palma gave me the chance to once again visit the monastery even for just a short while.
To my dismay, the old Trappist Monastery gift shop I knew was no longer existent! The doors were bolted and locked and it looked like it has fallen into decrepit. I felt a surge of panic and sadness as monastic products like bakery and jam products were goodies that I had to bring home everytime I visit the mango province. I simply can't go home empty handed!
We discovered that adjacent to the chapel is a new building that houses the Trappist gift shop and behold, a Trappist Cafe! From a bamboo hut gift shop in the 90's, the Trappistines have indeed grown and evolved their enterprise for sustenance and dedication to the Lord's work. Talk about progress in the Lord's vineyard!
The new building that houses the Trappist gift shop and cafe were designed in the style reminiscent of European Cistercian architecture. Gray, somber brick walls, high ceilings and dark wooden furniture devoid of superfluous ornamentation were evident. True to the Cistercian way of life, churches and abbeys should be simple enough to not distract one from prayer and contemplation.
We regret we did not have time to sit down for a cup of coffee as our schedule did not permit but nevertheless we filled our baskets with take away goodies to be enjoyed and savored at home. If you're a coffee connoisseur, you should be familiar with Monk's Blend Premium Coffee, a product of Transfiguration Monastery, a Catholic Benedictine Monastery in Malaybalay, Bukidnon famous for their mountain grown coffee. Trappist Cafe uses that blend for their hot and iced coffee preparations and recipes.
I should go back another time to have coffee at Trappist Cafe as one should be unhurried and unfettered by the evils of urban busyness. Once in a while, one should contemplate life over a cup of mountain grown coffee amidst the stillness of a monastery. Drinking coffee in such setting is contemplation in action.
Oh, the cafe's coffee menu is extensive so methinks many scheduled visits to the Trappist Cafe should be in order! I would love to try every hot or iced coffee blend in the menu especially the Mango Matcha Mamboo which I'm sure tastes divine!
Guimaras, my Middle-earth! I will be back soon! In the meantime, eat, drink coffee and pray.
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