I attended a meeting somewhere in Ortigas and I was mortified. The decisions and future plans, plus an energy quagmire for me because it was one rainy late afternoon and I barely slept at all last night.

I want to drag myself outside. I’d been thinking on how to escape from the meeting room – what a nightmare huh. But they gave me an opportunity to be flee before I pass out.

I want to take a walk and grab some coffee and probably some sweets to perk-me-up. Since I was in Ortigas, so why not grabbing some brewed coffee in one of the artisan coffee shop nearby?

The Craft Coffee Revolution

While having a long rainy afternoon walk to the store, I’ve been imagining that I’m already sniffing before sipping my favorite brewed coffee haha. As a coffee lover, you know, the feel of smelling it first how strong your cup of coffee is. I’ve finally set my foot in Podium. I hurriedly went upstairs to Craft Coffee Revolution.

Craft Coffee Revolution which was formerly the Craft Coffee Workshop in 66 Broadway Avenue, corner E. Rodriguez Kristong Hari, Quezon City. For an art lover, this is a must-visit as they also have workshops here.

The Services

Now, the company already has three branches including their Podium Branch. You may find it in 2/F The Podium Mall. You may ask their well-trained baristas to have your coffee craft, yeah leave it to them if you are too sick and tired of your everyday cappuccinos, lattes, mochas or the likes you may also choose from their “brew bar” menu if you want something new or you are adventurous.

Read: Food Find: Roasted Hazel Nut Coffee from Malaysia

While chitchatting with their barista about what I’ve picked on their “brew bar menu” I was also busy picking some sweet and upon looking with their cakes display, this one classic cake that caught my attention.

In brew bar menu I choose the “choose your origin” section. I ordered Nicaragua Finca El and Bacon Chocolate Cake. Nicaragua Finca El (in my own understanding the meaning of Nicaragua Finca El is from the farm of Nicaragua) Nicaragua is in Central America.

Nicaragua Finca El

I want mine to brew in cold and with lower acidity. However, the barista told me that the beans are well balanced — mild body and mild acidity. They still my request, though. While cupping (sipping and sniffing), I could still taste the kick of the caffeine, it was so strong but I could manage it without sugar. True, it has a mid-intense acid with strong sweetness. The aroma? It’s still there. The fruity flavor remains in my mouth after swallowing in every sip but I couldn’t taste the flavors coming from the roasted beans (this is what I like about the Alamid coffee/ Philippine Civet Cat Coffee, that you could taste the freshly roasted beans).

Nicaragua Finca El is worth P100+ per cup. As a coffee junkie, the price is still worth it and will definitely try all their coffee.

Bacon Chocolate Cake

It may sound weird and sinful (haha) but if you are looking for something a little different and indulgent, try the Bacon Chocolate Cake. The salty and sweet combination of it is perfectly well for my mood at that time. I can’t stop picking the bacon strips, because I just love the texture of the cake and the chocolate frosting.

Bacon Chocolate Cake is worthy. Not too good for people who are on a diet.

The Craft Coffee Revolution at the Podium is one heck of a coffee shop. The prices are ok and it’s worth it.

This is a re-posted archived article.

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I have been to Gayuma ni Maria back when I was in college and never had a chance to try it again. It is located in #123 V Luna Extension Sikatuna Village, Quezon City (Near Maginhawa).

There was one time I felt the need of love from someone I can never have, I was feeling lonely. I shared my innermost feelings with my cousins at that time because I knew that they could help me ease my grief and get over it.

My cousins suggested that I need to give myself a treat by comforting my stomach first, the best way to dwell over the things, and deal with the pain. Ya, we never seem to talk about anything so serious but for sure thing they will treat me to dinner what a hate and love relationship we have.

We made our reservation (cause it was Friday night and payday) in Gayuma ni Maria for dinner. I think it’s a perfect place for a broken-hearted like me.

Read: Samgyupsalamat Don Antonio Review

I let them choose what to eat because if I will be the one to pick over the Gayuma ni Maria’s menu it will be horrible. If it’s me, I will choose everything.

The Appetizers

“Tuliro:” Nachos and lettuce topped with meat and fresh fruits with sour cream and cheese sauce. Unfortunately, they served everything. In short, they forgot about our nachos. So we canceled it.

The Mains

“Cuz I Care:” Bangus kare-kare. Fried bangus (milkfish) with peanut sauce, shrimps and veggies, and their specialty bagoong (shrimp paste). We thought that it was just a peanut sauce and a fried bangus on top but it comes with some shrimps. It was just fine. I just love the bagoong and how were the veggies cooked. The price is reasonable if they will give justice to why its Bangus Kare-kare – not just because it comes with the bangus on top, it should be fish-based in a kare-kare and it would be great if they will blend more peanuts.

“Secret Lovers:” Gayumatized beef kaldereta with grilled vegetables. But I was not gayumatized, I haven’t heard my cousins about the kaldereta, it was too sweet, and the grilled vegetables, it was all carrots.

“Hotsie:” Hot and naughty shrimp pasta with garlic pandesal toast. It was good. It’s Maica’s favorite; she loves how spicy it was, but I don’t like the oil they used. The price, on the other hand, is reasonable the serving is big and they’re pretty generous with the shrimps.

The Desserts

“Beats Sex Anyday:” You be the Judge! Rich chocolate cake mercilessly topped with butterscotch, cream and chocolate bits. My cousins Maica and Yeye love the sweetness of the cake but for me it was just a classic chocolate cake, I don’t even like the texture. I didn’t even tasted the butterscotch, and even the cream, it doesn’t comes with the chocolate bits. I’m so confused it feels like we ordered chocolate cake.

“Pa Cute:” Mango cheesecake. I and Mark love their cheesecake, I love the mango on top, but for me its too pricey, its not reasonable.

I could come up our orders in a sentence, “cos I care, tuliro ako sa hotsie na secret lovers na ito na they beats sex anyday masyado kasi silang pa cute.”

My cousins don’t like the place, but for me its perfect. This features a rustic vintage house with a creepy smell. We’re glad that the bill doesn’t comes with a service charge because we’re not happy with the service.

It is time for me to sum up, my cousins and I still enjoyed our dining experienced in Gayuma ni Maria, notwithstanding, the poor service. And maybe because It was new to them. We went home having happy tummies. They said, they are satisfied with what they have eaten there and I am happy for them. I don’t feel lost and empty anymore because they made me feel I am loved.

This is an archived post.

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