Caffeine Fix@the City

Jose Karlo Coffee Shop (Paterno St., right across Sto. Nino Church)

Looking for the perfect cup of cappuccino in the city? Long before Starbucks became a byword, Jose Karlo has been serving this brewing hot concoction to its regular patrons who dropped by not just for a caffeine fix but hang out for some "people-watching". A few years back it held the exclusive right to being, as my friend would term it, the place to "see and be seen" on the coffee scene.


Jose Karlo Coffee Shop


But now competing shops have sprouted taking away some of its "older" patrons. The teens and younger set has remained loyal though, and it is still the most popular hangout for students. Every now and then, a few yuppies (twentysomething with gainful employment) hang out and do "babe"-watching.

Its attraction to its patrons lie in its pricing scheme. Most items on the menu has remained affordable to students whose social life still live by mom and pop's weekly allowance. A cup of frappuccino can be had at Php60.00 and a slice of banana cake at Php25.00 the last time I looked. Another thing going for the place is its homey ambiance complete with sofa and living room sets in its second floor. Clearly, the owner has splurged in its decor as lovely paintings and colorful bric a brac's adorn its fake wooden walls. My friends and I sometimes meet here when we prefer a long and unhurried stay. We love to lounge on its cozy and soft sofas as we sip on cappuccinos and make "turab Luzon" all afternoon.

Bo's Coffee (Avenida Veteranos, right across DWU)

My only misgiving when this place first opened was its acquarium look. What do I mean by this? You could be seen by everyone passing by as the whole of its front is clear glass. In time it ceased to bother me and it soon became our favorite "tsikahan" haunt. The coffee shop is a franchise from Cebu City so more or less its items and prices are pre-determined by people other than the franchise owner. Which explains its steeper prices compared to its oldest competitor. THe lowest priced item on its beverage menu is Php90.00 per glass. The dessert tray items of pastries and slices of cakes ranges from Php50.00 to Php90.00. Most of its regular patrons are from the late twentysomething to thirtysomething crowd. Since Internet surfing is free, expect to see most people here crunching over their laptops.

Gloria Jeans Coffee (Avenida Veteranos cor. del Pilar St.)

Definitely the most expensive, this coffee shop with an international brand is slowly building up its customer base. Most med reps (detail me for pharmaceutical firms) hang out here and do their reports taking advantage of it Wi-fi coverage. I have only been here twice as I prefer staying at the other place. In terms of ambiance, it is similar to its closest neighboring coffee shop.

...So there you have it. A rundown of coffee shops in the city. But then a cup of coffee is a cup of coffee is a cup of coffee. What matters is you have the company of fine friends and good conversation. THe cappuccino? It can be had anywhere.