Even before this latest addition to Davao’s coffee culture opened, I’d already heard about Spro Coffee Shop via its very own blog. The owners had been blogging about this café from the time they started conceptualizing it, and the blog was featured for a time at the Davao Blogspace. Read more »
Aside from having excellent (and affordable) Jamaican Blue Mountain or Kona coffee, a dream coffee shop for me would be what the Japanese call manga kissa — basically, a café with lots and lots of magazines. Such a place would have an atmosphere that, to me, would be conducive to the consumption of huge amounts of that liquid they call black gold. And it would be a comfy hangout, too.
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. Read more »
The Damosa area used to be a dusty, neglected-looking part of Davao, until recently. This part of Lanang was almost exclusively for warehouses and industrial-type buildings. When the Mindanao Kokusai Daigaku (Mindanao International College) along Mamay Road was established in 2002, its first batch of students found the area dreary and rather isolated. But things started happening a couple of years ago when the Damosa Gateway was put up.
A client asked me to a meeting last week, at a coffee shop I hadn’t been to yet. It was all business so I wasn’t able to sample anything other than their house blend, though. So yesterday, during a lull in my schedule, I headed for Café Palma Gil to check it out in earnest.
I was at Netfront Coffee Shop & Internet Cafe last Friday, to talk to the owner and managers regarding the Davao Bloggers Party #1, which they’re sponsoring. I was with Kim C., who took this picture here. This new café is owned by a Korean who calls herself Janice. It’s interesting the way Koreans choose an English name for themselves. Somehow it shows an eagerness to learn the English language. But I don’t really know; I have virtually no Korean friends yet.
In my old blog over at davaoenos.blogspot.com, I ran a poll called "Which is the best wifi café?" Well, here are the results after 41 votes. Of course it’s not definitive, but it does give you an idea, not of the best coffee in town, but of how many people access the Internet in coffee shops and my old blog. Hehehe! 
Yeah I know, I write a lot about coffee shops. What can I do? I love coffee!
I’ve been preoccupied with my Japanese clients lately I haven’t had time to check out Davao’s newly-opened restaurants and cafés. But it hasn’t stopped me from noticing them. As soon as I have the time — and extra cash — I’ll sample all of these new places and their offerings.
There’s Barbecue Boss over at the K1 compound, F. Torres St. It’s an open-air affair and specializing in — you guessed it! — grilled goodies. If I’m not mistaken, they opened before Valentine’s. Read more »
Last night found some of us tech-heads at a new coffee shop called Bruegger’s Café (yes, they will also have free wifi in the very near future). It’s in the Wheels n’ More Drive compound, beside another new establishment, called Hpnotiq, an interestingly-designed bar.
Can’t say much about the name of this hotspot, but Wheels n’ More Drive is an exhilarating night spot during weekends. Being there on a Friday or Saturday heats up your blood, is what I mean. That’s because it’s jampacked with young people — not quite yuppy yet, still somewhat wet behind the ears, but definitely partying.
This was my first time to be in that area on a weekday for a lo-o-ong time, and I must say, it’s not bad at all. Weekends it’s overflowing with our younger cousins (dare I say, nephews…? noooooo!!). But on weekdays, apparently, the place is quite relaxing and frequented by after-office types.
Bruegger’s coffee is, well, not bad. But honestly, we went there for ‘washing’, or the night’s last couple of beers. That’s the way we Davaoeño IT types wind down… before winding up again for the weekend!
When I asked a Japanese tourist to describe Davao in one word, without hesitation she answered, "nonbiri". Relaxed. She was describing the general atmosphere, the pace of life, the way she feels whenever she’s in town. Many more visitors to our city feel this way. No surprise then that a coffee-shop culture has emerged here.
At my last count, there are now no fewer than 25 coffee shops in Davao’s urbanized district. For someone who’s been passionate about this heavenly brew, it certainly is a delight to witness the mushrooming of coffee houses just in the last few years. Compared to the present, my coffee moments at dear old Café Josefina in the mid-90s now seem so subdued, quiet. And there wasn’t much choice in the matter, either. Today, coffee lovers have a healthy number of choices — not only in the blends, but also in the character of the café that suits them. Here are a few of my haunts:
Basti’s Brew. The first word that popped in my head as I wrote this was ‘convivial’. Basti’s @ Victoria Plaza possesses an air of friendliness, and has such a great following that many can say that they’ve made friends with other patrons right there. While it wasn’t the very first honest-to-goodness coffee shop in Davao, it certainly was the one that pushed forward Davao’s coffee culture, in my opinion.
Blugré Café. This is most probably Davao’s pioneering coffee shop. Blugré was most likely the one that set the bar for all other shops to follow. While Basti’s has a relaxed atmosphere, Blugré has a decidedly business-like impression to it. Indeed, it’s a perfect venue for capping that deal, or for treating a client to a cappuccino break.
Bo’s Coffee Club (on F. Torres St.). Bo’s exudes a certain worldliness. It’s the one that’s probably closest to Starbucks in terms of appeal (well, it is a franchise itself). Most café goers might describe Bo’s to be exclusive, or in the local parlance, sosyal. So it might present itself as rather off-putting to the easily intimidated. The other Bo’s Coffee Club, the original franchise located in SM City, has a more affable charm.
51 Coffee Shop. They serve an exquisite Americano at 51 (pronounced five-one, by the way). They import their beans from Japan — thing is, Davaoeños might find the blends a little on the thin side. The owner runs the place like a typical Japanese coffee house, where you can expect the proverbial "Irasshaimase!" greeting. 51 Coffee Shop is huge, and is probably the most quiet of all.
Karl’s Koffee Korner. Now with 3 branches, Karl’s is the coffee shop that could possibly be known as a local franchise. However, its down-to-earth, gritty sort of appeal might not come across all too smoothly among coffee connoisseurs. But, it’s a comfortable place, especially the one in Buhangin.
The other coffee shops, like Copa Bossa, Formula Pete’s, Kasagingan, they all have their peculiar personalities as well. Some are easy to take; others take some getting used to. Some are instantly likeable; others, you have to let them grow on you. And all of this makes for an interesting café-hopping experience, don’t you think? Whatever your trip, I’m sure you’ll find that snug little café that fits you.
Ang Dabawenyo © 2007-2008, Oliver "Blogie" Robillo. | Nursing Board Exam Results June 2008
