Harlan + Holden is a lifestyle brand that’s expanding its reach from being a creative but simple and modern fashion brand to investing in the food and beverage industry. This branch, in particular, is called the Rockwell Glasshouse by Harlan + Holden. It’s a cafe in Metro Manila known for its magnificent play on interiors and its surrounding environment; comfy chairs paired with marble and wood tables, floor-to-ceiling glass windows enveloped by trees and plants, and natural light streaming from all corners. It was built to cater to the locals on the posh side of Makati City in the Rockwell area. Their best selling coffees—the cream and brown sugar lattes—are both on the sweet side of the spectrum. They have notes of molasses and milk chocolate that flood your tastebuds. People who don’t like a particularly dark coffee taste should appreciate them.
An interesting take on the classic espresso martini. EDSA BDG’s version is made with coffee liqueur, a shot of espresso, Tito’s vodka, and Disoronno. Pretty standard ingredient list, but it gets interesting with the coffee liqueur, which is made in house. They brew their coffee grounds with heated simple syrup instead of hot water. It’s an unusual method that yields a sweet coffee flavor, similar to Kahlua but with a more prominent coffee bean. It’s also a good way to reduce the oils that usually result from other types of brewing methods. Then they add a shot of their own signature espresso blend called the Dark Matter Theory, which is comprised of half Costa Rican and Colombian origins. The overall taste of the cocktail is sweet with hints of chocolate and cherry, and the texture is very creamy because of the foam that appears after shaking. Definitely a chill way to get some late night caffeine into your system.
Imagine having bags and bags of fresh, unroasted coffee (which are called greens) lying around in your room. That’s Plainsight on any given week. We recently joined the roastery for a cupping session and got to try their current offerings. It was an interesting table of selections, including beans from South America and Africa. There was a spectacular roast originating from Burundi, which stood out even next to the Gesha from Ethiopia, which is usually the star of things. It’s a reminder to see beyond the name of origin. It’s also why it’s a good idea to occasionally do blind cuppings, in order to focus on the taste of the coffee and not its reputation. The Plainsight cupping revealed the high level of professionalism of this young micro-roastery.
Not a vending machine. Through a Latin American restaurant and inside this vintage coca cola machine you will find an approachable cocktail bar that goes by the name RM-16. The interiors of this Metro Manila bar are well thought out, particularly considering the fact that the partners didn’t hire an interior designer. So what you end up with is a product that is reflective of the owners’ own tastes. It’s a solid spot for people around the Kapitolyo area to get after dinner drinks.
A drink here that’s a must try is the Mi Suprendes (Surprise Me), because it’s as much of an experience as it is a cocktail. After a brief and friendly discussion, the bartender chooses ingredients on the spot based off your feelings and personality. It’s a blind order, so you have to give complete trust to their skills in discerning what will best fit your mood. For our order, they pick black and white rum mixed with pineapples, honey syrup, and coconut liqueur. The flavors are refreshing and have a balanced sweetness. Ordering this is a game of chance, and the only way to find out if you like it is if you try one (or two) for yourself.
Brain food paired with brain juice. What we love most about Common Folk is that they have a steady supply of wifi and furniture that’s cozy — but not so cozy that you slack off — which is perfect for being productive! Working on your laptop or studying, this Chorizo & Egg Hash paired with a nice and creamy latte is a great combination to power your brain through hours of productivity. Usual cafe etiquette applies, of course.
One of the pioneers of specialty coffee in the Philippines, Magnum Opus is home to barista champion, Jonathan Choi. What we like most about Magnum Opus is that feeling of comfort you get staying inside their shop; tucked away on top of a building inside a neighborhood village. And as a neighborhood cafe, it is always filled with regulars from the area. The intimate vibe is perfect for working alone or bringing a date.
Tucked away in an alley along Maginhawa Street, you’ll find a three story gem called Driftwood Coffee. It’s the first born of business and real life partners, Louise and Michael. They decided to pursue their passion for both coffee and baking by merging them into a cafe. Their goal is to build an informed community of regulars by educating costumers about specialty coffee and offering short course workshops such as sour-dough making and coffee cupping. There’s a lot going on in this cafe but we find their approach to food and drinks simple, straightforward, and easy to like. Definitely one of the best places in the metro to pair freshly baked sourdough bread with coffee, ideally something similar to this latte which had a tasting note that reminded us of dark chocolate coated blueberries.
We visited the south of metro manila in pursuit of great coffee finds. Our first stop was Need Coffee, inside a village that spans 3 cities. Entering their shop will immediately give you a feel that there is already an existing community inside, most likely the outcome of having staff that’s comprised of young and friendly people. There is also a wide range of options for pour-overs roasted in different countries. If you want to introduce your palate to different origins of coffee, Need Coffee is a good place to start.
