Basti’s Brew
(For the life of me… my favorite coffee shop and I haven’t even blogged about it yet this whole time! Oh I’ve mentioned it here and there, but I realized just now that I hadn’t given Basti’s Brew its own post here. Shame on me!)
Basti’s Brew Coffee Station has a role in the history of wifi in Davao. It was the first coffee shop that offered wireless Internet connection in the city via Globe Innove — this was back in 2004, if I remember right. For a year the Internet connectivity was offered for free, and so it was Basti’s that “educated” the Dabawenyo to mix coffee and laptops. Then Globe started charging for Internet access (P100/hour!!), and people started going to a new coffee shop that was already offering free wifi. Eventually, Basti’s got its own provider and started broadcasting its wifi signal for free. By then, nearly all coffee shops had installed their own wifi routers to entice Dabawenyos into their establishments. Today, it’s de rigeur in Davao City for coffee shops (and even other kinds of establishments) to have free wifi.
If you observe Basti’s, you’ll see that it’s always full. Rare are the days that Basti’s is quiet. That’s the downside of it, though: I miss those days when I was practically the only one with a laptop in there, and most patrons were chatty but not noisy. Anyway, the place is packed most days (except Saturday nights, lately). The reason for this success, I believe, is that Basti’s has hit on the perfect coffee-shop formula.
Here’s that formula. The house brew is a delight (the strong blend, however, is a tad bitter), and the cappuccino and latté are truly enjoyable. What’s more, their food is really good. My favorites are: Chunky Chicken Sandwich (it’s already a meal!) and the Carroza. I also recommend their Filipino-style square pizzas, especially the longganiza. Plus, the price is very reasonable. For example, a Chunky Chicken Sandwich and a refillable iced tea would set you back only P145!
Plus, the service is excellent. Not perfect… but whose is anyway? Of all coffee shops I’ve been to here in Davao, Basti’s is the best in terms of customer service. Why? Because it’s not only the customers who’re happy, but the staff as well. You’ll really see a difference when the waitstaff and clerks and kitchen personnel are happy with their jobs — and this is evident at Basti’s. Kudos to the people behind Basti’s!
Here are a couple more pictures of yours truly @ Basti’s. Photos by Tianx.
Christian’s attempt at an artistic composition. Not bad at all, for a novice photographer.
The blogger at his favorite spot.
July 21st, 2007 at 12:32 pm
Hi Blogie - I really like Basti’s too. The coffee is good there, and as you say the food is excellent too. My only small complaint about the place is that I feel that the furniture there is a little bit uncomfortable. Other than that A+!
July 21st, 2007 at 1:26 pm
Yeah, the seats are rather hard on the butt, no? And yet, people spend time there. I do.
July 23rd, 2007 at 12:05 am
Hello, Blogie. I miss Basti’s! I miss the Cafe Mocha-strong (yes,I like it bitter hhehe) and that sinfully large block of choco icebox.
It’s funny how you said that wifi was free and then they charged for it then it’s free again and now almost all coffee holes offer free wifi. Now that the wifi factor is out of the equation, it boils down to good coffee, good food and good service–reasons why we hung out at Basti’s since even before they tried putting PCs in there hehehe.
Right on the price too! and I’m not afraid to say this (yet again if I said it before) Blu Gre is ridiculously overpriced.
I only hope they would operate for 24hours! Now that would be perfect! =)
By the way, say hi to Roy for me when you see him or if he’s still there. Roy and the rest of the staff have always been friendly. And they’re one big reason why we keep coming back there. They should be given a big raise every six months hehehe.
July 23rd, 2007 at 12:13 am
Hey Jap! Yeah, Roy’s still there. There are also new staff, and they’re just as friendly. Basti’s takes care of their people well, and it shows in the level of service. I just wish the other coffee shops (and restaurants, for that matter) will follow suit.
August 12th, 2007 at 12:31 pm
Now I have something to look forward to when I go home to Davao. No, not the delightfully brewed coffee but the free Wifi access. Hehe.
August 12th, 2007 at 12:35 pm
@Abaniko — Let’s get together when you’re in town!
January 3rd, 2008 at 9:55 pm
I love bastis. I miss the couch inside the smoking area though. I guess they took it out a long time ago. I haven’t gone back to Davao for a long time. Bottomless iced tea please. ahehehe
Good site!
January 4th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Thanks, KurastDocks!
Yeah, they’ve removed that couch a long time ago. On the upside, the smoking area is bigger now.
March 13th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
[...] so rare for me to even think of going to NCCC — I go to Victoria Plaza most times (because Basti’s Brew is [...]
March 14th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
[...] Spa just yet — no budget! So a friend of mine suggested I try this new place right beside Basti’s Brew. [...]
March 21st, 2008 at 9:51 pm
i love basti’s…i love the ambiance and i like the crowd there coz most of the customers are yuppies…and aside from that i get a 10% discount on my bill because i have an aap card…hehehe