Sidetrip at Subic Bay

One would agree that Subic Bay Freeport Zone is one of the most refreshing places to go to in the country. There is nothing like the sea, the sand, and the numerous hotels, resto-bars, coffee shops and yachts scattered along the area that would make you feel like you are not in the Philippines, but in an another coastal country.

Gateway to Subic.

Last May, I blogged about my election stint in Bataan and I mentioned that I was able to take a sidetrip to Subic Bay with my legal team. It’s lunchtime at that time and since Subic Bay Freeport Zone is just a few minutes drive away, we spontaneously decided to take our lunch there.

One of our paralegal, Marco, suggested that we have lunch at Coco Lime.

We ordered Filipino specialties such as Pork Binagoongan and Sinigang na Hipon, and a Korean chicken dish.

After our savoury lunch, we went to take a stroll near the Lighthouse Marina Resort.

Subic Bay Park is a popular venue for weddings, and who would not want to take her wedding march with a view like this?

A day at Subic Bay would not be complete without dropping by at the Yacht Club. 🙂

We were at Subic Bay Freeport Zone for only a couple of hours but those several hours are time well-spend indeed. It is always a pleasure to visit this place–it would temporarily take you out of the real world and delight you with its seemingly coastal state charm.

Subi-Monte Cafe in Kawit, Cavite

Early this month, I attended a hearing at Bacoor City, Cavite. The hearing was conducted in the afternoon and after it was finished, my hubby and I felt that it is still early to go back to Manila.  And so we went to Kawit, Cavite to try and have coffee at Subi-Monte Cafe, a much recommended coffee shop by my brother-in-law.

There’s a souvenir shop outside

Amadeo Coffee

This coffee shop boasts of Amadeo Coffee, the name coined from the place, Amadeo, which is a municipality in Cavite hailed as the coffee capital of the Philippines.

The cafe also offers hot meals and pastries. For starters, we ordered their combo meals. The one that I ordered consisted of Chicken Alfredo, pineapple pizza slices and chicken lollipop. On the other hand, my hubby ordered lasagna with tuna sandwich and chicken lollipop. Both meals are reasonably-priced and delicious. 🙂

We also got to try their blueberry cheesecake, which my hubby really enjoyed. 🙂

Blueberry cheesecake

We spent the rest of the afternoon at Subi-Monte Cafe in order to relax and avoid traveling during a scorching, hot weather (yes, even if it’s July, it’s quite hot when we went there). The cafe has a shelf full of magazines and pocketbooks, all according to the interests of the customer. There is also free wifi. We were kept busy (due to reading magazines or surfing the net) while we were inside the cafe that we barely noticed the time. 🙂

While reading one of the travel magazines

Before leaving, we also tried their milk tea, or what they call “Subi-MonTEA”. They also have sizes available for their beverages, the biggest size is “Apo” (as in Mt. Apo, the tallest mountain in the Philippines), while the smaller size is “Mayon” (as in Mayon Volcano). 🙂

Apo size milk tea

While the teabag is still attached on the milk tea plastic container, I could not distinguish much the taste of the tea. It was overpowered by the milk.

Overall, the afternoon spent at Subi-Monte Cafe is worth it. We most recommend the Amadeo coffee and blueberry cheesecake. Plus the ambiance is really good, so there is nothing to lose with spending an afternoon at this cafe.

The branch that we visited is found at the Centennial Road in Kawit, Cavite (near Kartini Hotel). I was informed by one of the baristas that they have two more branches, one in the Cavite City proper and the other in Tagaytay City.

An afternoon hearing in Bacoor, Cavite

Early this July, I attended an afternoon hearing at Bacoor City, Cavite, before the Office of the City Prosecutor.

It’s my first time to appear at this city, which added to my excitement as I felt this is both work and pleasure–having been able to travel all the way to Cavite, as I have traveled to its nearby provinces of Laguna and Batangas. 🙂

We attended the hearing at the topmost floor of the building and from there, you will have a glimpse of the Manila skyline.

Since Bacoor City is a coastal town, you would feel as if it’s summer and not the rainy month of July.

After the hearing, we went to Kawit, Cavite to try a highly-recommended coffee shop by my brother-in-law.

See my next post about our coffee experience in Subi-Monte Cafe. 🙂

Hot beverages at Chocolate Fire

After having dinner at Joel Torre’s chicken inasal resto at Malugay St., my hubby and I spent the rest of our Friday night last week at this chocolate haven found at the corner of Leviste St. and Rufino St. in Makati City. 🙂

Aside from couches and coffee tables which can be typically found on cafes, what Chocolate Fire boasts is its delectable display counter of mini chocolate bars, cakes and pastries. Taking pictures of these items are not allowed but to summarize, I would say it’s a choco-feast.

Being a coffee lover, I ordered the Vienna Coffee, which is topped with a fancily decorated whipped cream (which crumbled after taking this picture). 😀

Vienna Coffee

 

On the other hand, my hubby ordered hot dark chocolate, as he says, it seems as if a visit on Chocolate Fire would not be complete without tasting what is evidently their specialty–Chocolate.

Hot Dark Chocolate

 

While I was really content with my Vienna Coffee and its rich taste, my hubby told me to take a sip of his cup of dark hot chocolate. And voila! After one sip, I   forgot all about my coffee. Chocolate is truly the house specialty.

Hot chocolate is a bit pricey, as compared to hot coffee. But, once you take a sip of the hot choco, you would agree that the price is worth it. It’s sweet without being overboard, with just right foamy thickness. There are add-ons free of charge, such as cinnamon flavor. The price of other add-ons ranges from 30-40 pesos.

My hubby really enjoyed his hot chocolate (though I stole a few sips myself). 🙂

Since we were full from our dinner, we just ordered hot beverages while we were there. From the menu, we saw that there are also available hot meals and all day breakfast.

And of course, the seemingly endless chocolate bars in various shapes and sizes. 🙂

 

 

Java Jam Cafe at Balanga City

From the bustling city of Balanga in Bataan, there exists a snug coffee shop along Capitol Drive.

For me, coffee shop is not just about good coffee: it’s also about the ambiance of the place which would make me stay and forget the hours for awhile as I indulge in drinking coffee and relax, while reading magazines or scrolling down my Blackberry to read the latest on social media.

This cafe has a windowsill, which I am really crazy about.

It was late summer when we went there and I could just imagine if it’s already early June and there are raindrops falling on the windowsill. I am just a sucker for windowsills. 🙂

The mugs used by the cafe are customized to the coffee flavor which you ordered. My hubby and I enjoyed our Cafe Mocha and Cappuccino. While I browsed through the magazines, my hubby enjoyed the music being played inside the cafe. There are also outlets available for those who want to charge their electronic gadgets. 🙂

Price of coffee is reasonable, there are two mug sizes to choose from. There are also pastries offered to match their awesome coffee. 🙂

Alitagtag, my Dad’s Hometown

Last weekend, my family went to Alitagtag, Batangas to celebrate the birthday of my late father. 😦

We were surprised at the developments in the area because we were there just last January of this year. There is now this landmark spelling out the town of Alitagtag. This is found near the public market, public cemetery, and Justice Hall of Alitagtag.

Across this is the huge Alitagtag Church called “Invencion dela Sta. Cruz Parish Church”, which is still under renovation.

Invencion dela Sta. Cruz Parish Church

 

The firefighter’s coffee shop at Ongpin: Cafe Mezzanine

Firefighter’s hats lined up on the ceilings

Ongpin St. is known for authentic Chinese restaurants, charms and crystal havens, and food shops selling delicacies like hopia and tikoy. Among the gems found on Ongpin St. is a coffee shop dedicated specially for volunteer Tsinoy firefighters. This is Cafe Mezzanine, owned by Gerry Chua, a volunteer firefighter himself and a descendant of Chua Chiu Hong, the person behind the famous  “Eng Bee Tin” hopia. Last month, my hubby (who is a Tsinoy) brought me to this place and highly recommended the cafe’s unlimited coffee. The cafe offers unlimited coffee, named “Mezza Blend”, which my hubby ordered. On the other hand, I ordered one of their flavored coffees. The cafe also offers iced coffees and other sumptuous dishes which would go best with coffee, such as sandwiches and dimsums. Any coffee lover would love the bottomless coffee offered by the cafe. It is not too strong so as to discourage a 2nd or 3rd cup. 🙂 The place is very interesting. Perched on the walls are fireman’s hats and awards and recognition to firefighters. The cafe is found on 2nd floor, above the Eng Bee Tin Chinese Deli. 🙂

The oldest Chinatown in the world.