Aficionado: Mary Grace's Capppuccino w Muoscovado and Chocolate

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Me-time is priceless to me and I usually spend them with a book. Mary Grace is one of my favorite spots for having my lone time and I usually order their carbonara. But just recently I decided to try their cheese roll and their cappuccino with muscovado and chocolate drink combo. Oh the grilled cheese rolls is a new favorite and their drink did not disappoint. I like it better than their signature hot chocolate. This pair might also be a new staple to my alone-time in Mary Grace but I should try their other drinks as well.

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Aficionado: Wildflour's Vietnamese Latte

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It’s all because of "girlfriend duties" that I had the chance to sip on Wildflour’s Vietnamese latte. Wildflour Salcedo has just recently opened and it’s nearby Luke’s basketball tournament venue. While waiting for his basketball game to start and while he was warming up, wanted to have a cup of Flat White from Toby’s but decided to try some coffee from Wildflour which I haven’t done even when I was still working in BGC. It was a good decision and their Vietnamese latte actually suited my taste buds' liking. =) It would have been better if I coupled it with some of their known pastry or something from their delectable menu. Maybe next time.

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Aficionado: Magnum Opus (BF Paranaque)

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Magnum Opus means "work of art". Naming it to a coffee shop automatically gives the notion that it is an artisanal one. This is another post on hopefully an endless series on my search for coffee shops and caffeinated drinks, locally and hopefully abroad (sarap pakinggan ng abroad!!) 

As I began searching for coffee places, most especially the third wave ones, I was so glad that one shop humbly sits here, down south. Yes, it's located in The Prime block in BF Homes Paranaque. Maraming salamat Aguirre avenue, you are a wonderful stretch of food and drinks discoveries. I did not have the chance to try it right away. It was only when a good friend from the north, had to visit my HQ and fit the dress I designed for her, that we both got the chance. We were like-minded on this as it's the same place we wanted to try bilang she came from the north and then she was currently in south that moment. We are so happy we did! It did not disappoint :) 

It's a tiny place with an al fresco area. Since the inside was crowded that time, and to give Arianne the chance to have a breathe of fresh south air hahaha, we stayed in the al fresco area. It was a good time to catch up. Medyo matagal din kaming hindi nagkita. When I am with Arianne, all of my travel and dining dreams resurface instantly! These are the common stuff (with Korean stuff as a bonus pa pala hahaha) that we normally chat about. We talked a lot on these matters and career, too. She's one person I thank God for --  we don't get to hang out always, and she has far closer and has the closest friends, but I know she is a friend of mine.

Arianne ordered flat white and I tried their bestseller Belgian Heartbreaker. I SUPER LIKED their Belgian Heartbreaker. No wonder it's their bestseller. Their cheesecake tasted good, too! With coffee/coffee-blended drinks, I always want a good blend of sweet and bitterness, ayoko ng masyadong matapang at lalong ayokong masyadong matamis for coffee. I guess Belgian heartbreaker had a good mix of milk, coffee and dark belgian chocolate -- yes the dark belgian chocolate was melted and mixed to the coffee drink. Sarap talaga! I am yet to try other drinks and hope I could be back soon for a solo session with a book, maybe? This is indeed a must-try for the south people. :)

 *visited November, 2014 (a lag post haha!)

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Aficionado: CommunePh

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I have a thing for coffee. I have to admit that it's close to addiction most especially lately that I have been really interested in trying all handcrafted coffee shops (kahit nga hindi handcrafted e hahaha). I even compiled and wrote a magazine article on the rising third wave coffee shops having tried some. One of them is CommunePH. It is located in Liberty Center along H.V. Dela Costa. Luke and I were looking for his friend's party venue more than a year ago when we stumbled upon this nook. Since then, I have read quite good reviews about this and latte arts from here were frequenting my Instagram feed. I then asked, Luke, one random Saturday of November to go back here. 

As much as I love coffee, I am no expert on the brews and the beans and my decision whether I like a certain drink or not is purely based on what my unique set of taste buds signal my brain cells. Hindi ko kayang alamin kung arabica beans variety ba ginamit or robusta variety. And despite still, I easily palpitate on coffee. How ironic no? But I don't stop trying. I also make time to read the menu carefully, then listen to the barista's recommendations and comments. In my case, while I like being alone in coffee shops, having a company would allow me to taste another variety, bilang madali ako mag-palpitate and ordering two or more drinks for the sake of trying might not be good for my heart not to mention my pocket.

That afternoon, we didn't enjoy much what we ordered. Haha! We tried their cafe au lait and cafe mocha. Baka not in the mood din ang mga barista. 

Luke opted to try their apple pie as well and still he didn't like it hahaha!

Though we were not satisfied with what we ordered, for me, it is always worthwhile staying in a coffee shop. CommunePH is still worth a visit! Try it for yourselves. =)

P.s. That same night we had our annual tradition of watching the light and sound show at the Ayala Triangle. 

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With Andrea

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Back when we were taking photos of these I was already composing in my mind a journal entry like "who says one can't enjoy summer in the city??" And who am I kidding now it's almost the end of the year but my blogging motto says "Better late than never." Haha!

After our learning experience at the Mind Museum, a hearty lunch at Elias followed through. We indulged ourselves on some Filipino dishes. 

Again, meet Andrea, Luke's pretty niece. It was her first time at BGC and what to do but stroll her around. It was a good thing that High Street had these stuff that made the place feel summery. We ended up abusing them and taking photos. 

We also did a lot of shopping all because of those back-to-school stuff. It was fun and tiring, oh you know how shopping goes. Thanks Boss Amo Luke for our treats!!

Our last stop during that day was in Cafe Pascucci. It's becoming a favorite coffee place for Luke and I. My favorite is their cream cheese pan de sal and I still ca't decide on what my favorite drink of theirs would be. Haha! We just had this time to relax ourselves from all those standing and strolling and walking yada yada yada...

It was a fun experience spending the day with Luke and Andrea. Looking forward to our next. 

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41st

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I love you x 41 x everyday x always

Do the equation, Mr. Luke Salud haha! And since we’ve watched The Fault in Our Stars on this very day of our monthsary, allow me to get the hang of it. While you really didn’t respond ‘Okay’ to my ‘Okay?’ even though you already knew, I would just take that whatever your response be would always mean our “always”. Hahaha! In our current state, we now have a bigger infinity than Hazel Grace and Gus has in the book, for this infinity I am grateful. Hahaha! Anyway, thank you for watching this movie with me and good thing that you liked the plot.

As mentioned, we indeed watched this tear-jerker movie's last full show on our monthsary. It was already stipulated in our contract as soon as the news of the movie adaptation was released. Haha! No choice si Boss Amo. I recalled every emotion I felt when I first encountered this novel in 2012. It's heart-breaking. Yes, while others went 'meh is this the movie that's supposed to make me cry??', I got almost dehydrated and drenched at the same time because of crying. Luke somehow made fun of me but c'mmon Luke, admit it you almost cried hahaha! It was good to know that even during the time I was just reading the novel, there was something with Mr. Augustus Waters that reminds me of Boss Amo Luke. Indeed, after the movie, he felt like a part of him related to Gus. 

Anyway, just inserting this me-time moment photo while waiting for him this afternoon. I missed this CBTL place. 

We also had our dinner at San Mig Pub in ATC. Yay!! I really like it when we “date” on this side of the Metro. Haha south forever!!! Plus there was a live performer singing good songs while we were eating, what a bonus! Parang anniversary date tuloy hahaha! We just have to choose a place that we could stay a tad longer while waiting for the last full show. 

We've gone past a month after 40 and I pray for stronger months ahead of the both of us. Life has somehow became more interesting and challenging but through Him, we'll manage. I always thank Him up there for Luke, for us. 

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