Effective today, my reviews will be posted at http://stilljavajiving.blogspot.com/

It wouldn't be my usual choice, but instead of a cup of brew, one can opt to end a meal with a light coffee dessert -- i.e., coffee in some other form. At Tokyo Cafe, diners can have the same goodness as their brewed coffee, but this time refreshing and light, in the form of cold coffee jelly topped with whipped cream.

Have that after their big servings of salads, steaks, sandwiches, pasta or pizza, or even the fried chicken, which I notice majority of the diners order, and have the same buzz as a cup of freshly brewed coffee... if something cold is what gives you comfort after a meal. Not bad, at P38.

Tokyo Cafe is not a rare sight now in restaurant clusters or malls. Check them out.

For me, if a restaurant has the word "cafe" in its name, it has to have coffee. Good coffee, at the very least. Even if they've added the word to mean casual dining or to communicate the "diner" experience.

Although not the highlight of their menu (get ready, they don't serve traditional Japanese food) -- good chicken, steaks, pasta, pizza (they have salmon for the last 2, yes!), salads, and sandwiches -- Tokyo Cafe does have coffee. Very good coffee. I love eating at a restaurant that gives diners the added pleasure of staying in an extra half hour to cap a meal with their own house brew. Imagine how much nicer if they have a list of coffees! It's become a habit to move to another venue for coffee, but I give an extra star for those that proudly offer their own good brew in the menu. In the case of Tokyo Cafe, they really should, anyway.

They have other variants, and even a coffee jelly dessert, but I've only tried the three brewed coffees: Tokyo Blend, a sweet and "mild" brew, their "sour-ish" house blend, and their strong Sumibi Yaki, all very good, only making me always wish they offered refills. Just like their food, the coffee is not cheap at P89.00, but considering you won't need to line up and order a more expensive cup at the nearest popular coffee stop, it's not too bad.

I've only eaten in their branch at The Venice Piazza, McKinley Hill, at the Fort, but I've seen them sprouting up at other popular venues as well. No regrets, so far.

You have to find something good out of every potentially traumatic experience. A hospital visit. A trip to the supermarket. No? Try going on a payday, during holidays, or to high-traffic ones like Landmark Supermarket at Trinoma.

What good can wipe out the bad from grocery shopping there on a bad day? Coffee. Make that, coffee to the rescue! Do I sound like I'm madly addicted to coffee? There's comfort and strength to get from a no-nonsense dose of caffeine before reviewing your grocery list, or after that harrowing experience of lining up and paying for your essentials. Relatively low prices alone aren't enough reason to venture into a supermarket when it's crowded.

A few steps from Landmark Supermarket at Trinoma's basement is the refreshing and welcome sight of the Coffee Chemistry's counter. Yes, there are no easy chairs and couches, just the fast food area's typical fixed swivel-y hard dining sets. But easy chairs and couches aren't what you're on that floor for anyway, right?

Coffee Chemistry uses the siphoning technique to give us three of their specialty brews: Morning Blend for a kick, Afternoon Medley to cap a meal, and Midnight Express to savour the goodness of coffee. If I recall, those would translate to strong, medium, and mild, respectively. I've tried all three -- at separate times -- and they're all good AND affordable at P39.00. Good enough for my purpose there. I have yet to try their iced and blended offerings.

If you are, indeed, at that particular mall for your daily essentials, it's a treat not to have to walk to the nearest cafe, which would be crowded anyway. I hope enough people patronize the place so the gem of their coffee would always be a comforting prospect to associate with grocery shopping at Landmark Trinoma.

True, there are cafes near my other grocery faves like Unimart in Greenhills, outside nearly every Rustan's supermarket (but of course), but this one just leaps right out of the fast food melee calling out to you, and I, for one, can't say no to trying something new and not regretting it.

Did you know that "Luxe" -- that metal signage on dark wood background along Shaw Boulevard -- is Goldilocks Bakeshop's cafe? I didn't.

Work found me somewhere near there with about half an hour to waste before my husband would arrive to pick me up. I thought I'd get a slice of Egg Pie, one of my comfort food faves, while I wait. In the brightly fluorescent-lit canteen-like bustling shop, I wondered if they had coffee to go with the pastry. The lady at the counter helpfully suggested trying their "gourmet" coffee next door. Wha???

Only briefly noticing the signage as I approached, I thought it was some condo sales office/showroom. And since parked cars blocked part of their sign (the part that mentions, "by Goldilocks) and huge window showcasing fondant cakes and petit fours, you can't blame me for my ignorance.

So, in I went, happy to be allowed to take my plastic-wrapped slice of Egg Pie with me, and ordered a cup of coffee. I appreciated waiting in the warmly-lit, comfort of the smaller but definitely more posh place, with a counter of mini cheesecakes, mamon cakes (but, of course!), petit-fours, candied nuts and fancy boxes tempting me. It was a nice respite from the traffic noise of Shaw Boulevard and a better place to hang out than the bigger one next door. I got my hot cup of brew, straight from an espresso machine into... a styro cup with matching packets of Goldilocks-branded sugar and creamer. Awww. They should've gone posh all the way.

All in all, I was happy with my beverage and grateful to be allowed to enjoy it with my yummy as ever slice of egg pie. Oh, don't forget, I got a fork to eat it from the plastic package with -- posh.

Now I know. http://www.luxebygoldilocks.com.ph/index.php/about_us

A good number of my clients and siblings like dining in UCC restaurants and cafes, so I've had several opportunities to enjoy their coffee. Because their coffee is relatively expensive for the regular-sized cup they come in, especially if you're having a meal as well, I've stuck to the basics.

They have the "light" UCC House Blend at P109.00, their "moderate" UCC Blend at P139.00, and their strong brew, Sumiyaki, at P169.00. All three are are siphoned -- within full view at the beverage counter -- and watching them prepare the coffee makes you just a wee bit more excited to have a taste. As promised, these variants are "full bodied coffee with perfect levels of acidity, aroma, and smooth flavor intensity".

I've gone back several times, even on my own, of course, and even tried having a second and third cup when I had to hang out with a book once. I was coffee-solved for the day *tremors*, haha.

I saw a Bote Central booth at a recent visit to Mercato Centrale. They are the group behind the much-hyped and highly priced Cafe Alamid. Although I curiously browsed their display of the beans, as "discarded" by the Civet,and politely listened to them talk about the process, I was still unconvinced Alamid coffee would enhance my life. But... I pleasantly discovered their 18 Days Coffee http://www.arengga.com/index.php/18-days-freshly-roasted.mpc

The beans are ground on a certain date, then you have to consume it within -- you guessed it, 18 DAYS. This ensures you have the beverage at its best. They come in small packs once ground, perhaps to discourage overstocking. I tried a cup of the Robusta variant on the spot, and loved it.

I brought home a pack and wonder why they wrote to use a teaspoon per cup. I took it up on my next weekend visit at Mercato and was told that the ratio was not meant for drip type coffee makers, which I use more often at home. Ok. Got it... and got another pack while I was there.

I'm now on my second pack, which is actually going fast. I'm not sorry I bought it, especially since it doesn't cost that much. Can't wait for Mercato Centrale to go back to business in January 2011.

I was warned it would be stronger than the usual, and they made it sound like a disclaimer. And it looked very strong, but it was very good.

Cyma's Greek Espresso is an ideal end to what has only been wonderful, satisfying, glorious, and delightful food, so far. We love dining at this restaurant, save for the long queues and the occasionally startling, "Opa!" exclamations by the wait staff.

The Greek Briki is served in a demitasse (see photo, I positioned the cup next to my husband's hand to illustrate the size), and they discourage taking it with creamer or milk. Take their word for it -- a "shot" is all you need and the coffee is good and flavorful as is.

This cafe has been in Greenbelt 5 for some time now, but I only got the chance to try their coffee when I had a meeting there early this year. I've been back several times after that.

An initiative of the Department of Tourism, the cafe promotes the Philippines through coffee. They also promote and serve organically grown Fair Trade Philippine Coffee as their core beverage (so it says on the leaflet). How Filipino do they get? Their white walls are actually stamped with Baybayin, our ancestors' alphabet.

They have a choice of local coffees, and I've tried all -- Mount Matutum, Cordillera (both Arabica), and Premium Barako Blend (Liberica-Arabica). They are all very good and impressively served in a coffee press that comes with a sand timer in their earthenware set -- tray, cup, saucer, milk cup, sugar bowl, etc. -- and a cookie. My favorite has to be the Cordillera.

The place is relaxing, with a choice of low and relaxing tables and chairs, higher sets, warm lighting, and muted music. It doesn't get very noisy, even when bustling with customers. I will definitely suggest this cafe for my next meetings in the area or when taking a break from shopping, so I can have their coffee and yummy Pinoy desserts -- try the quezo de bola cheesecake and the suman with tsokolate -- again and again.

It's no longer a treat to get good coffee in hospital premises, and that is really super. For years, I've had to take those from vending machines, mostly Nescafe and even more of instant concoctions from the canteens. But good hospitals know how much good coffee is appreciated, if not by patients, then by their companions.

I discovered GreenBean Organic Coffee at the ground flr of St. Luke's Medical Center CHBC in Q.C. The coffee is good enough, and certainly a lot better than instant or brewed but sitting for hours in some hospital restaurants. Their coffee -- Exotic Blend and Organic Decaf -- is imported from the Irving Farm Coffee Co. in NY, U.S.A., and served always freshly brewed, hot or ice blended, with creamer, milk, or soya. Your choice.

I just think it's so appropriate to have organic stuff in a place promoting wellness. Bravo to Dr. Bunagan who I was told owns the coffee station. How about going all the way and serving the coffee in recycled paper cups?

Nothing can be worse than a pastry or confectioner's shop serving bad coffee, or none at all. I wouldn't have dared having any of Sonia's delectable-looking cupcakes with their choice of toppings, had I not noticed the choices of coffee they had on their menu board.

So I tried their house brew. They serve Lavazza coffee and the blend and variant they served was just so good. The right strength and flavor to go with the sweetness of their specialty cupcakes. So good, in fact, that I had to get one -- not the ones with butter icing *shudder* or whatever else they top most of the cupcakes with, but a cheesecake swirl (sorry, couldn't remember what it was called) to compliment my coffee. If you haven't tried the pastries or even visited the place, Sonia's Cupcakes is at Serendra, The Fort, Taguig.

It's here! It's back! Starbucks heard our wishes and hopes and gave us back the joy of Peppermint Mocha. I've had only this since I heard about the return. Will I go through the entire process of collecting stamps for the diary that will probably run out?

The Starbucks diary is a secret fetish because I got one every single year but never got to use any of them beyond March. Well, once till June. Don't ask me why -- maybe it's the size, then when they made a skinnier version, it competed with a really fab notebook I got that Christmas. Maybe it's the lined pages. Still, I couldn't help but feel compelled to get one again this year -- sucker, I know -- because I like that it's covered with fabric and especially after the cute hard-sell of the barista: "We brought back the coffee coupons!"

Soon I will have for a collection, partially-filled in Starbucks diaries. One day, I will use them for telephone messages, scratch paper or as a scrapbook. Who knows? In the meantime, I will have a Peppermint Soy Mocha as much as I can this Holiday season. Then, I'll start hoping and wishing for the joy of Gingersnap Latte for next year.

Yep, I went back yet again. And ordered coffee, yet again. How many times do I have to tell myself: Order. The. Specialty. Will I ever learn?! **

I ordered the basic brew this time. The caramel/dulce de leche and whipped cream in their Cafe Panna y Leche stole the spotlight from the flavor of coffee (not that it wasn't good. If you like your coffee sweet. If you like it warm, almost room temp. Ok, I'll stop.), I just had to find out if their coffee was really good. I opted for the house brew over the Cordillera variant.

So! I love the place -- an old early 70's split level house with many familiar details that that just brings back so many happy memories. As a friend once tried to rationalize, every other one of us who grew up in the 60's and 70's must've had a home or a relative's home with at least one detail in it that's found in this place. I love the colorful Moroccan-ish lamps -- I've been wanting to buy one and here at the Loyola Heights branch they have over a dozen! Unfair! I love the signs they put up. I love the furniture, the earthenware cups and plates. I love that they're a wifi hotspot.

But the coffee brought visuals of ash to mind. Oh, but I like the place! I therefore make the resolution to have their famous chocolate concoctions the next time I visit, because I will definitely go back to Cafe Xocolat, just not for coffee.

** note: see my previous Xocolat review.

Yep, they're one and the same. Sweet Inspirations, that Katipunan, Loyola Heights landmark, is the coffee shop-restaurant behind Cafe Azul in Ateneo's Moro Lorenzo gym.

I always order coffee there, no need to move to another place for that after a meal. I also always have coffee there when I have a slice of their NY Cheesecake, a 'super pwede-na' not-necessarily-gourmet-or-the-best-in-the-metro good cheesecake, which I happen to love.

That they are a no-pretenses cafe (group) that serves good food with student-friendly prices has always been a dependable fact. For under P150.00 you get a satisfying brewed coffee-NY cheesecake fix. While waiting for someone at the Ateneo, while taking a break from the traffic along Katipunan, to end one of their tummy busting meals (esp their famous mongolian barbeque), but please, not after working out at the Moro Lorenzo Gym.

Their coffee is always freshly brewed, very good, and for the price, I'm not complaining. When I'm in any of the two branches, I can fool myself into thinking I'm a student busy with a book instead of a mom waiting for her kids to come out of school or just needing a coffee-cheesecake fix.

Being in any Xocolat branch has its unique feel, it's so tempting to spend hours there just absorbing the smells, transported somewhere else by the character of the mismatched colorful warm and arts and crafts-y decor, and surrounded by the relaxed and home-y comfort brought on by the people who love being there. You just have to join them and feel like a chocolate lover yourself. Oh, and the Loyola Heights branch I am especially drawn to has wifi, yay! I can stay there for hours!

Now for the coffee... They have quite a selection, should chocolate not be the thing that lured you in. I asked for help in choosing a good one, and the person behind the counter recommended, with such conviction, the owner's favorite -- the Cafe con Leche y Pana, a dulce de leche concoction.

It took some time to prepare, but it did look pretty and very rich. I loved the cup and saucer, they so matched the place. It was just warm, warm enough to drink bottoms up, if you were inclined to. But it was good, if you like sweet coffee. But I don't. The coffee got lost in the sweetness of the cream and dulce de leche, it was almost like blended leche flan. And it was just warm.

I went back another time and ordered it again -- I know, right? -- and it still took some time, and it was just warm (should I just say room temp?). But I love it there, I would go back another time, sure. For a quiet chat with a friend, working on deadlines, time alone, for the comfort food, the reasonable prices, but you know what I resolved to do --- get chocolate when it's the specialty of the place.

I love crepes. It's one dessert I can really whip up well, and the first I ever presented my then-future in-laws with. Easy to prepare comfort food. For me, they're better than pancakes.

So it's really a treat to have good old dependable Cafe Breton for both yummy crepes and excellent coffee. Is it a wonder they're a hit wherever they set up shop? Their coffee is strong but very good... freshly made all the time. There's also something about the dishes they serve the food and warm beverages in that add to the comfort feeling.

A perfect combination for me, which I order all the time -- La Pinay and Breton's house brew.

I had the opportunity to try the coffee at Cravings again, this time during an interview over brunch. Without mentioning my previous bad experience and that I review coffees I get to taste, I ordered the basic brew. It was steaming, it smelled fantastic, and tasted really good. I just needed to get a refill to find out if it was a fluke.

Nope, Cravings coffee as I remember it -- prior to my bad experience last year -- is as good as ever. My bad experience before was probably the fluke.

One more fab update is, CCA, the school owned by the same group, just opened a branch in Eastwood, where they offer the same culinary programs, and -- ta-dah! -- food writing and coffee courses! Worth checking out, and definitely good news for me.

What can I say -- I'm easy to please :-)

I haven't been drinking a lot of coffee out lately -- save for the Starbucks fix I get when I have to wake up while shopping or in a meeting -- because I have the best brewed coffee right here. Mountain-grown Arabica, as fresh as I can get it, the way I want it. A 1/2kg bag for under P250!

I got it from Boyd's Coffee Philippines, where I saw for myself just how fresh a bag of ground coffee beans go into a bag ordered. It's a thrill for a coffee lover like myself to make a trip to their Coffee Factory-Store on Sheridan St., Mandaluyong, because I get to sample their coffees before I decide on which blend to purchase. I have been fortunate enough to have owner/coffee expert Robert Francisco join me a couple of times to demo, give a short lecture, some tips, and take a whiff, s sip (actually, more of a slurp), swish it around my mouth, and ingest the different variants on hand. Never knew coffee can be fruity, woodsy, etc. More of this coffee tasting bit can be experienced in their coffee workshops at the end of each month.

More reasons to get my coffee from them, from http://www.boydphil.com/about.htm:

* Boyds coffee beans are specially selected, picked, and graded by hand. They are meticulously chosen from only the best supplies the country has to offer.
* Coffee is always freshly roasted and made especially for YOU. Our beans are roasted locally and packed only upon order of our clients to assure fresh quality beans.
* Our coffee is roasted by batch. This procedure allows the beans to roast evenly to guarantee that each bean is as flavorful as the next.
* As part of our quality control, we clean and calibrate our roasters, scales, grinders, and machines daily and randomly cup our batches of coffee to ensure our customers of the best quality coffee.
* As part of our daily ritual, all staff drink coffee from what has been recently roasted.

Then there is the other treat I get when I want more coffee from Boyd's. They deliver! Fabness!!! (632) 746.3253; 746BOYD.

Now back to my coffee.

My husband and I accompanied our son to U.P.'s Vargas Museum to view some of the works of Amorsolo and his contemporaries during WWII, part of the Amorsolo Retrospective 7-Museum Exhibition. It was a school requirement, but a good time as any to infuse some culture into our weekend.

It was such a treat for me to discover an al fresco coffee place right there at the left corner of the museum calling to me as we got off our vehicle. Cordillera Coffee, hmmm, seeing it printed on all the canvass umbrellas over each table. I've heard and read only good things about this coffee brand so far Coffee for a cause, if I recall. I just had to try it.

The thought of savoring a steaming cup of the local brew didn't leave my mind throughout our educational half hour or so in Vargas Museum's 2nd floor. Sorry F.C. Amorsolo, sir. So right after re-claiming my purse at the reception area, I headed straight for the cafe.

Ok, I won't get too effusive about the service, which was not so great, or the food, which was not so great, but the ambience -- how cool can it get? Right outside a University Museum and with lush greenery running along the driveway parallel to the side dining area? Beautiful wooden tables and chairs, and runners with the unmistakable weave and colors of the North adorning each table. No smoking allowed, even if it was outdoors. I see why. It's a good venue for quiet talks, post-exhibit discussions, moments of solitude, writing, or just finding some creative inspiration.

The coffee? Super! I got an Americano, and it was delivered to our table with steamed milk and muscovado. I was not disappointed at all. It was full-bodied, looked like it was very strong, but was actually very flavorful, and almost cocoa-ish. It didn't have any of that acidic aftertaste of some full-bodied coffees I've had. A really pleasurable brew.

Now I know. I'll definitely crave for this coffee, so I know I'll be back there. I will absolutely get myself a pack of their coffee for my own use at home next time.

I wish I didn't have to take so much time setting up for the photo. By the time I took the shot, the froth had already began to subside. My apologies.

I love little reminders that Christmas is coming. One of them would be Starbucks Coffee's Christmas Specials (or whatever they call them). Allow me to do a top 5 here even just for this single entry in my caffeine fix section.

Though they've been available for some weeks now, I didn't rush to try them out as I used to. Nor do I have any compelling reason to go get a cup every day. Here are my top 5 reasons:

1. There wasn't much fanfare. At least I didn't get to hear of any fanfare.
2. The planner you get for free after consuming X number of a variety of Starbucks beverages is not as instantly appealing as those in the previous years. I only filled out a few pages from this year's planner, so I don't exactly see how I can use another set next year. I noticed there were more colorful pages and beautiful illustrations in this year's offer, and it's less bulky, and -yay!- they brought back the ballpoint pen. But I think I can do without one in 2009. What if... they try doing away with lined pages next year? Then we can actually doodle and do mind maps and such.
3. Didn't they already offer the Toffee Nut Latte before the season began? It's not that special then.
4. The Praline Mocha is not such a great Christmas beverage. It's good and you can really appreciate the extra nutty flavor, and it offers a good break from my usual soy mocha, but it doesn't take me to any Christmas place or bring about any feeling of Christmas, unlike the Gingerbread Latte and the highly popular Peppermint Mocha (to mention just a couple) of seasons past.
5. The Dark Cherry Mocha is good, but nothing I would look forward to having everyday, every other day, or even once a week.

Sorry, didn't mean to come across as a disgruntled customer. *gasp* Am I turning into a scrooge?! I was just hoping they would have better coffees to offer. But, to each his own Christmas fave. I say, bring back more Christmas-y Coffee specials! Bring back the Gingerbread Latte!