mountain brew coffee shop

There are really times I fall for the hype especially when it looks good in photos (times I pretense low EQ).  And I can’t stop snooping every time I see some people I know checked in and spent time and money to a certain café. Maybe becos I know they wouldn’t go that far-off if there’s nothing really something special and delicious after all.

I love spending Monday’s going around my hometown and nearby towns, so there are really times I excuse myself from work just to pass time, take a pew and eat something light and different. Not that I find home cooked meals disgusting and boring already, it’s more like I need some time-out, feed my visual senses and collect some content out there.

Mountain Brew Coffee Shop keeps on popping to my feed and I can’t help but to always check what’s in-store —al fresco, delicious breakfast plates and scenic view of the mountainous Ternate and the ocean sea glistening from afar. So, during the first Monday of July I gave it a go with two of my constant accomplices —ze husband and the bigger kiddo.

Indang to Ternate is at 20kms drive and we arrived past 3 that afternoon. The coffee shop is just at the stretch of the highway if you’re going to Kaybiang tunnel, I used Waze to ensure we don’t miss it. At that time, the seats were almost occupied. Saved that inner spot where we initially sat.

At the counter, bigger kiddo and I went to grab drinks and food for that afternoon flight. We had brewed coffee (P80), iced latte (P100) and iced caramel macchiato (P100). We also had quesadillas, reasonably priced at P90 only and a cheeseburger at P110 (just becos the adjacent table had it and its patty looked plump and juicy). The forever sweet tooth ze husband had a piece of cookie, which according to him was so-so becos he’s biased to our home baked. Also, he got an order of that overly sweet chocolate brownie, skip this if you can becos it’s unpleasantly gooey. I had an additional order of carrot loaf becos it’s a clean slice, no crumbly mess, frosting is not too sweet, surprisingly it was a hit —moist, rustic and homey.

From our original seat, we moved to this corner soon as its empty. I have no complain, yes, the place gets romantic during sundown but becos I’m afraid to catch dengue we didn’t wait until it’s dark and the lights are on. Also, maybe becos its mango seasons the flies were all over the place. I even requested a candle to keep the flies away.

Btw, be our guest. This white hen was strolling inside the café, asking for fries. 😛

Generally, the visit was pleasant but if you’re coming from a distant I would not suggest the place. It’s probably a good stop if you’re visiting the area or just passing by.

MOUNTAIN BREW COFFEE SHOP

Nasugbu-Ternate Highway, Sapang 1, Nr Puerto Azul

Ternate, Cavite

 

P.S. No garlic cream cheese bun, ube cheese pandesal and chicken pie during our visit. Sayang I was really looking forward to taste those items pa naman. 

 

cafe agapita

Back in July last year, during ze husband’s trips to Cianan we passed by a well-lit establishment somewhere in Silang. We didn’t stop at first because it’s nearing curfew already and we need to catch an open supermarket in Tagaytay. The second time I tagged along, we put the place on our itinerary because I demanded the husband to date me. When you work from home and see nothing but blank walls, it gets too boring and tiring so once in a while I feel the need of a good distraction and the timing was perfect.

I’m almost and always fascinated to try out new cafes and who else doesn’t get attracted to a place that’s so instagram worthy. Cafe Agapita is from its facade, counter, dining halls and garden. No doubt that the place alone pulled a lot of passersby. The main dining area is a high ceiling loft type with big windows, big wooden tables and cozy chairs. If not humid that day we could have stayed in that area but over and above, dining al fresco is a treat and a safer choice. Besides, we didn’t plan to really stay long so we don’t need to be in a super cozy mood.

We really stopped for coffee and cake slices and then drooled over at the humongous burger platter served at the table near us. I bet it was deli but the house specialty called Agapita Bun, a soft bun filled with menudo, didn’t really make an impression because we make good menudo at home. 

Cafe Agapita can hold functions (if we’re talking about the normal), they have big function areas, ample parking spaces and again a picture-perfect background for your themes. Honestly, I’d love to go back and try other food but I have this thing realised when we exit the gates. The cafe sadly sits across a cemetery and it suddenly turns me off. Sorry it’s just me. Ö

P.S. I didn’t miss the foto op at their famed bamboo tunnel. 

 

 

 

Cafe Agapita

11 Kapitan Sayas St., Sabutan, Silang, Cavite

la kusineros

GCQ once again. After months in modified status already the government recalls due to the surge of new cases everyday. I wonder what will happen next with the vaccine scarcity, no doubt that community immunity will take time, much more time than expected, I think. 

Felt lucky that I was still able to go out and see friends last Saturday, following a stricter guideline today. Actually, we didn’t plan it sorta instant after we visited a wake. That afternoon was a breath of fresh air, an escape from the household and a much needed time to reconnect with my high school girl friends. Literally, a happy pill and I’m grateful we’re all healthy and virus-free to date. I suggested an eatery in one of the barangays nearby the poblacion. It was another newly-opened food hub with that neighborhood vibe. I like it that there is now a line of eateries nearby tho very amateur in terms of food prep, I guess these restos are better options now. 

La Kusineros is tucked in a residential area, only that the owner was fortunate to own a big property so the dining area was designed al fresco. It was very appropriate because the new GCQ only allow outdoor dining, plus points for them. The setting was very relaxed, with decade old trees surrounding the area, you can almost hear birds chirping. The offering is mix of Mexican and Indian food –nachos, tacos, shawarma, quesadillas, burritos, kebab and biryani.

I got us nachos, tacos, shawarma, quesadillas and sodas. Amongst, it was the quesadillas that was palatable. Between the tacos and open shawarma I can’t really tell the difference. 

El Toro Taco. Soft taco shell, Shred Beef Meat, Corn, Signature Sauce/Garlic Ranch/Masala Sauce, Tomato, Cucs, Lime on the side. What we got, ground beef, tomato, cucumber, I think it’s the signature sauce, all in soft taco shell. 3 pcs per order. P99

Shawarma. Pita bread, special spiced meat, tomato, onion, cucumber, special sauce. What we got is ground beef, tomato, cucumber, signature sauce and a pita bread which is the same as their soft taco, only bigger. No onions. Btw, you have to wrap your own shawarma. P99

Nachos. I did not touch this becos this was immediately consumed by my party but IMO my neighborhood nachos at P70 is better than this (free delivery pa sa balay).

Quesadillas. It disappoints my niece (I had her a to-go) just because her standard of quesadillas was that of Army Navy and ze husband was Silantro. The most decent looking palatable for me.

Overall, the food did not disappoint neither it pleases me. It’s average at least. I think I will come back just to try their biryanis if it really is their specialty. And I hope they would generously serve sauces and cheese. 

I read some displeased customer airing their bad experience, so here’s a handful of tips to avoid being pissed off.

• pick a weekday, or if it’s the weekend try not to come during peak hours. besides it’s safer to dine when there are less people around.
• if you still please to come during peak hours, message them for table reservation (and hope that your request will be penciled) 
• don’t come at pass 5pm or later, avoid catching malaria. the mosquitos are giant and thirsty.
• get the best seat. if you really want to observe social distancing, request the small patio with long benches, generally a bit distant from other tables.
• again, they are still relatively new (just abt 3 mos) so better to manage your expectation. bring with you a good dose of patience, you will never know unless you need it.

If you need just a good place to hang out, yes a breather away from your monitors, visit the place and pretend everything is delicious. 

 

 

LA KUSINEROS 

Buna Lejos, Indang, Cavite

 

 

p.s. current situation at home, freshly made cinnamon donuts! 

p.p.s. dear wordpress, this new look is giving me headache, much more the editing end. gawd, send halp!