The Australians are known for their quality coffee and amazing customer service that it was difficult for Starbucks to enter the Australian market. So when we heard that an Australian coffee company was entering the Philippine market caught our attention immediately because we felt that it has the potential to add more value to the coffee experience the Filipinos deserve!

Located at Pearl Drive!

The Ambiance

Marcel's interior design emphasizes on elegant lines and accents that stand out. These accents vary from old world and from the modern world. These are made mainly of concrete, wood and steel. Thei colors also stand out with bright yellows, oranges and blues that catch your attention and brightens your mood.

Diligence is a virtue!

The Coffee, The Beverages and The Service

The entire speciality coffee experience is affected by several factors. A couple of the factors I find important are the beans or the blend and the barista's skills. The blend itself will manifests on its own from the cup but can change and will reflect the skills of the barista.

What I find compelling about Where's Marcel's coffee are their blends. Especially the 'Evolve' blend which is the most balanced blend I have ever had. I mean this in terms of the different flavors, the textures, the body and the acidity. So In choosing your ideal cup, I recommend trying the same drink from the different baristas and find that cup that resounds to you the most.

By mhille

They pride themselves with their crop to cup service ethical responsibility and their authentic Australian roots. They make sure that their farmers and the environment is taken cared of while their beans are blended and roasted in Australia and shipped to their branches while maintaining the best quality beans as possible.

The Revel Bar!

Aside from the usual espresso based beverages, they offer hot or iced teas, pressed juices and ginger beer. For non-beverages they have a selection of smores and sandwiches that will cater to your appetite and will partner well with their coffee. I personally love their s'mores.

Iced Green Tea!

 The Price

Espresso starts at Php 100 while the Iced White will set you back Php 150. A mocha is Php 160 while the Matcha Latte is Php 160. Their drinks are priced in between the Php 100 to Php 200 range. The Sandwiches ranges from Php 125 to Php 200 while their sweets ranges from Php 25 to Php 200.00 All are reasonably priced and you won't find anything here that will hurt your pockets. 

Overall I love their cappuccino and bulletproof coffee! I highly recommend trying the balanced evolve blend and find the barista that can brew a cup to your specifications! See you on the next one!

Do you want to Contact 'Where's Marcel?'

Address: The Pearl Place, Pearl Drive, Ortigas, Pasig City, Philippines
Telephone number: (02) 535-0621

Instagram: @WheresMarcelPH

 Operating Hours: Mon-Sat 7AM to 10PM; Sun 7AM to 4PM

The great thing about San Juan is the proximity to different cities like Manila, Quezon City, Mandaluyong and Pasig. Manila is also beside the edge of Makati specifically the Chino Roces Side. When I found out that a several coffee shops will be opening there I was thrilled! 

The first of the two is Restock Curiosities which is from the geniuses of Magnum Opus and several partners. The second one, is Habitual Coffee which I will be writing about soon! 

Restock can be found along Guijo street that intersects Kamagong. It is right across from the famous 12/10 restaurant. 

The Ambiance

As you walk along Guijo, you will see a building painted in dark blue with some plants infront of a huge window with the sign 'RESTOCK.' The entrance is a pair of thick wooden doors with small windows and thick pipe handlebars. 

Once inside you will be greeted by a collection of art in many forms. Furniture, knick knacks, paintings, drawings, craft bags and the like which mostly are made in the Philippines. Yes, feel good for patriotism!

The feeling of creativity exudes from every corner which truly gives you a wonderful relaxed feeling. If you need to work but need to think of Ideas, Restock is one of those place you should go to. 

Warm and inviting!

From the door, to your left is the bar. It isn't the most complex and expanded bar you will find but that the magic that happens here is just as amazing as any long bar you'll find around.

What I love about this place is that you are free to walk around and check what items that have been curated by the partners. They are priced reasonably well and I will bet you that you will find something you like.

The Coffee-Tonic is a great unique way to have your Coffee!

The Coffee, The Beverages and The Service

The bean blend they use are sourced from the finest sources that is delivered fresh every week. I encourage you to taste each one and find what you like! When you do find the blend that you love, the hard part comes next because would you take your coffee the classic way or a creative way?

That is the appeal to the beverages of Restock. There are the usual latte, espresso, mocha and etc., but there are also the bipolar, the flight and the coffee tonic.

The Malagos Mocha of Restock!

I personally love the Coffee-Tonic and the Malagos Chocolate Mocha because of the unique characteristics of the tonic and Malagos that perfectly blend with the beans! 

The Coffee-Tonic was interesting because the contrasting flavors of the beans and the earthy ingredients of the Tonic blend so well but are really distinct to the characteristics of the beans.

The Bipolar! Have your Coffee two ways!

They also offer Pizzadillas which is an interesting partner to the coffee when you're hungry or when you're with your friends.

They offer products from the Lost Nomad, Magnetic Poetry, Where to Next post cards, Satchmi Vinyls and a lot more. I encourage you to visit and see for yourself.

The staff are open and kind. They willingly, and happily assist you whether it be about the beverages or the curated merchandise. In fact at one point I just decided to come up and talk to them about random topics and the story of how the place came to be. It was a nice little change of pace!

The Facade! Restock Curiosities

 The Price

The coffee starts at Php 100 and can go up to Php 300+ for the flight! The Bags, Postcards and the rest of the curated merchandise vary depending on the item. It is best to come over and try and feel them for yourself.

Do you want to Contact 'Restock'

Address: 7635 Guijo St, San Antonio Village, Makati City, Philippines
Telephone number: (+63) 917-663-1011

Instagram: @restock

 Operating Hours: Mon-Sun: 12NN to 10PM

When I began my foray into specialty coffee, I thought I had finally found a coffee shop that served wonderful cups of caffeine water that was near my workplace. Unfortunately, as we discussed in my Department of Coffee article, DOC was moving and I had to quickly fill that void. I turned to Google.

So I did a google search of coffee shops nearby. I was in luck there were several of them in the vicinity. Some had their own websites and some had not. One in particular was EDSA beverage design group. It had this refined aesthetic feel to it that got me curious, and so I went in for a visit.

I took note of their address and planned my route with Google Maps. The landmarks were a Shell Gasoline station that was a little away from Connecticut street corner EDSA and the Sambokojin beside a Kia and Mazda dealership. In between those landmarks is the CLMC building with a Metrobank at the ground floor and design studio at the second floor. 

The Arena sits at the center of the studio where most of the beverages are made.

The Ambiance

When I arrived at the CLMC building, I saw three establishments on the ground floor, a Metrobank on the right, a Tile Gallery on the left, and EDSA BDG in the middle. It's quite easy to spot because the facade is basically a glass window and a huge glass door with their motto 'In Pursuit of the Noble Beverage.'

As you step inside the first thing you'll see on your left is the Roasting Lab and a lot of containers. This is where they roast the beans. At the end of the hallway is the stairway into the studio.

As you reach the end of the stairway is the Logo of the company ready to greet you. On your left are the different coffee and beverage making instruments that they sell which is complete with price lists.  On your right is the the studio, specifically the Arena where most beverages are made fresh as you order.

The studio is divided into sections that cater to your current mood. Each section maintains the artistic, repurposed aesthetic but gives emphasis on the customers needs like the one with a couch, the one with the work desk, the one with the bar counter and the al fresco set up.

The Coffee, The Beverages and The Service

If you look closely the arena is with little obstructions that encourages interaction with the EBDG's team. In fact they are really courteous and open to your questions and curiosities about their services and expertise. 

YKW beans are a mix between single origin beans like the Carmen Estate Panama beans and blends like the Dark Matter Theory and Winds of Winter that I had at Satchmi and the Curtator. 

You have a choice to have your coffee as a shot...

I personally love the latest blend of Dark Matter Theory for its balance. Normally when I have my cup of Joe, I take little sips but Whenever I have the DMT, I end up drinking a third of the glass full of it. It is just so smooth especially when made into a Latte. 

...or the choice of a Latte!

They also serve dishes that match their coffee, craft sodas and better common cocktails. Feel free to ask the team if you feel like your confused with your beverage or your meal pairings.

Below is a sneak peek at how they do their magic in the studio. 

Aside from their coffee, they serve other beverages like the craft soda line COO (a play on CO2), the Better Common Cocktails and the TBGB Ginger beer.

I've had the Long Tory Better Common Cocktail that hits you with a hard buzz while going down your throat smoothly, and the PCR COO craft soda which is a totally new way of refreshing yourself. You may stop drinking mainstream sodas like Coke and Pepsi if you keep on having this.

A new way to refresh yourself with the PCR! (Pamplemousse, Citron and Rose)

The Price

Their espresso coffee starts at Php 100.00 and can move up to Php 120.00 for their Latte. Their craft soda and craft beers start at Php 250.00 per bottle and can max out at Php 300.00. They serve pasta like Gnocchi and Aglio Oglios that start at Php 280.00 and can max out to Php 450.00 like the poached salmon with citrus Vinaigrette.

Do you want to Contact 'EDSA Beverage Design Group'

Address: 209 Edsa Southbound CLMC Building, Mandaluyong City
Telephone number: (02) 631-9035
Website: www.edsa-bdg.com
Instagram: @edsabdg
 Operating Hours: Mon-Sat: 10AM to 11PM; Sun:10AM to 7PM

Department of Coffee Philippines was kind enough to do a quick video about brewing your own coffee at home with both the Pour Over Method and with the French Press. In the video we show you step by step on how to get your caffeine fix at home. This recipe is for one cup of coffee.

They have a wonderful shop near Tomas Morato, and you should see there interiors on our article on DOC.

The Ingredients

• 15 grams of Coffee beans of Choice
• 230 ml of Hot Water

The Equipment

• Grinder (Preferably Burr type)
• French Press
• Kettle (Electric or Stove top)
• Scale (with Tare Option)
• Countdown timer

I can't thank Department of Coffee enough for letting me learn from them up close. I hope you can visit them too! They are very open to your queries and suggestions!

Do you want to Contact 'Department of Coffee'

Address: 87A Don Roces Ave, Kamuning, Quezon City
Telephone number: (02) 374-6194

Instagram: @departmentofcoffee

 Operating Hours: Mon-Sun: 7AM to 11PM

Department of Coffee Philippines was kind enough to do a quick video about brewing your own coffee at home with both the Pour Over Method and with the French Press. In the video we show you step by step on how to get your caffeine fix at home. This recipe is for one cup of coffee.

They have a wonderful shop near Tomas Morato, and you should see there interiors on our article on DOC.

The Ingredients

• 15 grams of Coffee beans of Choice
• 260 ml of Hot Water

The Equipment

• Grinder (Preferably Burr type)
• Kalita 102 Dripper and Glass Server
• Kettle (Electric or Stove top)
• Scale (with Tare Option)
• Countdown timer

I can't thank Department of Coffee enough for letting me learn from them up close. I hope you can visit them too! They are very open to your queries and suggestions!

Do you want to Contact 'Department of Coffee'

Address: 87A Don Roces Ave, Kamuning, Quezon City
Telephone number: (02) 374-6194

Instagram: @departmentofcoffee

 Operating Hours: Mon-Sun: 7AM to 11PM