Ang Dabawenyo

My good friend Rodney recommended this coffee shop to me recently, so I gave it a try yesterday. Actually, I’d already been to this place with some friends before, but all we did was drink beer, so no review then. But this time, I went to Bruegger’s Café because Rod said they’d installed wifi already (it’s free, of course), and that the food was really good.

Their house blend’s OK. Nothing to be too excited about, but it’s decent, and cheap (P30). The food, on the other hand, was a nice experience. I ordered their pork tips over rice. At P68, it was more than what I was expecting. The flavor was delicious, and the way it was prepared was impressive. I appreciate it when restaurateurs pay careful attention to their food presentation. Too bad I didn’t have a camera last night at Bruegger’s.

The place itself is not bad at all. The décor’s tasteful, although rather run-of-the-mill, but it’s comfortable, and there are nice little touches that please the eye. They have a preference for 80s music — which I love — and they even have a live performer on the guitar. I don’t know if they have one every night, though. Maybe Wednesdays and weekends. One thing I don’t like about its location, it can get pretty ear-shattering outside the coffee shop. See, the Wheels n’ More Drive compound has bars and small restos in it, and one bar in particular seems to believe that blaring music will bring in patrons. There was practically nobody in that bar the whole time I was in the coffee shop, by the way.

The service at Bruegger’s, however, leaves something to be desired. But, the waitress who served me was courteous and helpful, so I guess service isn’t really so bad over there.

On the whole, I’d recommend the place as an inexpensive alternative to Basti’s or Blugre. But if you don’t like noisy places, avoid this coffee shop during Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights. Oh but the good news is, they’re open 24 hours! Except Sundays.