Cafes that heavily focus on slow brewing are not so common. The urban lifestyle is typically fast-paced, so it’s natural that coffee shops be compelled to match that speed. All the more reason to admire Narrative Coffee Company and their efforts to create a space where guests are unhurried and able to savor conversations. Since day one, they’ve successfully been operating as a slow bar, brewing every drink thoughtfully by hand. Even if though they recently acquired an espresso machine, they make sure to provide customers with the same experience. Having this set up in the lobby of an office building in of one of the busiest parts of Manila allows for people—mostly professionals and corporate workers—to push the pause button, take a breath, and enjoy a moment before jumping back into the grind. It is a brave move and an excellent culture that we believe should spread.
