The last time I went on a bonding session with my friends Kim and Beth happened seven months ago. Despite regularly catching up with each other via Facebook and Messenger, we all feel that there's a significant difference with spending time together in person. Before this meetup, these two ladies originally planned of doing an online writing workshop through Google Meet. However, the plan got scrapped out two days before the event. Instead, Kim suggested that the three of us meet for coffee. I thought it would be great to have them around because next to getting to bond with them, I would need the help of these two ladies as I have some questions related to my ongoing writing project that needs their "expert opinion."

No one goes to coffee shops without having anything caffeinated from the menu. So despite trying to avoid caffeine loading after 4 pm, I went on to try their Iced Hazelnut Coffee. I'd say Kopicure keeps their menu simple because all their drinks are available in uniform size of Venti. The price for their coffee (hot or iced) ranges from 120 to 160 pesos. They also have ice blended as well as non-coffee-based drinks priced at 180 pesos. Non-caffeine drinks such as peach tea, matcha latte, berry hibiscus, and dark choco are also available at the price similar to their coffee-based beverages. If there was one that sets Kopicure apart from the previous coffee shop that occupied their space, it's having bread available on the menu. I got the Korean garlic cream cheese bread (for the sole reason that I love anything with cheese!) to go with my iced coffee. And while I am not a fan of garlic, this one won me over. I love how the combination of saltiness from the cheese and a bit of sweetness from the bun combine with the taste of garlic. At 85 pesos per piece, I'd say it's worth it.

While we were hoping to hang out at Kopicure a little longer, Beth requested if we can go somewhere to get a serving of hot coffee. Apparently, her order came out iced when she asked otherwise. But going to three different places inside the nearby SM Center Angono was an unsuccessful attempt. I was already thinking of bringing them to our house as a last resort! But I remembered Music Wizard Café could give Beth the hot coffee that she badly wanted.

Lo and behold, they serve hot drinks including the Americano that Beth has been wanting! I was not informed that that weekend trip was not just for caffeine loading but for carbo-loading too! So I ended up consuming more calories than I was supposed to.

While I've been familiar with Music Wizard Café since I frequented this place several times for after-work dinners with friends from the academe when I was still a paralegal, it has been a long time since I last gave the place a visit. Our trip from two weeks ago made quite a revelation as this place has improved since. And maybe, because of the ongoing pandemic, their service somehow got polished up too. Next to their food and drinks, I loved how the lighting and the interiors make a good backdrop for Instagram-worthy photos.

Even if the excessive caffeine screwed up my circadian rhythm the whole weekend, that Saturday was still well-spent. Next to the coffee and pastries, I had a great time discussing several things with these ladies especially getting some advice related to writing fiction! Yay for having writers and authors for friends. The two ladies are cooking another round of adventure this weekend. What and where to is something that you need to watch out for on this blog.

(Huge thank you shoutout to Kim for the photos.)

Kopicure

E.C Valle Commercial Center, 

Baranggay San Isidro Angono, Rizal

Music Wizard Café

CPV Business Center 

Manila East Road cor Col Guido Street, 

Barangay San Roque, Angono, Rizal