Coffee Shops

My first taste of gourmet coffee was in 1995. I had a dinner date with a friend and her Japanese husband who was working at Shangrila Makati.After the dinner we tried Starbucks coffee located at the 6750 building in Ayala Avenue. The feeling was intimidating because you have a Barista who speaks English and who has a lot of questions about your order. You have to tell what type of coffee, cold or hot, iced or frap and so on...after that first experience,I told to myself that drinking coffee will be the another status symbol in the coming years.

Indeed, after the opening of Starbucks in 6750, many more branches opened. Different coffee brand opened after that. We have the Filipino owned Figaro coffee, Coffee Tea and Leaves, Gloria Jeans Cafe, UCC coffee and a lot more...

Ever since then, you will never call it a date if there is no coffee, hot or cold....After my years of drinking gourmet coffee, I come to compare the different coffee shops and I came to like the best which met my standard...

FIGARO cafe came to mind...They have more choice of foods. From pastries, pasta, pizza, sandwiches and coffee. The place is not crowded and there are no students hanging around. You can see yuppies, executives eating their lunch or desserts, there was no loud voices and laughter. You can see and hear people talking about business. They have courteous staffs as well and clean restrooms...best of all good food and nice.

I felt so unfair with Starbucks but I think they have become a household name, brand for the
trying hard to be and a meeting place for everyone. I still like their coffee though and sit
there while I do my reports and blogs.

Figaro or Starbucks...it is up to the drinker...