Coffee Caramel Frost Light to beat the heat

Figaro, Sta. Lucia (4th flr., cinema area) branch

Looking for a way to beat the heat? That's what we've all been asking this summer. Whether it's a trip to the pool or a trip straight out of this hot, humid mess, everyone's looking for a refuge from the intense heat here in Manila. Well, Figaro has something good to offer to make you feel good during this hot season, the Figaro Frost.

Similar to Starbuck's frappe, they come out in several based drinks. Most of which consist of an espresso shot, crushed ice, and other various ingredients, topped with whipped cream, and a drizzle of either chocolate or caramel syrup. They also have non-coffee based blends that are fruit formulated.

Coffee Caramel Frost Light (125php)

Surprisingly, with the many times we've spent at Figaro, I still haven't tried all their Frost because whenever we visit their shop, I usually just settle for their Coffee Caramel Frost Light. Obviously, it's my favorite among their selections.

Basically, like their other Frost blends, this is also a blended ice drink made with espresso, sugar, milk, flavored syrup, topped with whipped cream, and more caramel. Also, Figaro has always made our drinks to be well presented, almost to the point where I didn’t want to drink them anymore. It's interesting how much detail goes into some drinks and how baristas can really turn coffee making into an art.

But more important than looks, how does it taste like? One word, GREAT! It's sweet, rich, and thick. I could almost feel the espresso on my tongue. It had a bold but very easy to drink taste. The hint of caramel is just right; it’s not overwhelming where it hides the coffee.

Toby, chillin' with his Frost

So, to make these days a bit more bearable, we recommend Figaro Frost blends to quench your thirst and to keep you cool for the rest of summer.

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A good deal on KFC Flavor Shots meal

When you're on a tight budget and you're looking for something to tame your hunger, then you should head to KFC and have a fill of their Streetwise selection. At 50php you can already have a decent meal. Their Flavor Shots with rice and drink is, I assume, their best seller since this is what most of their customers order whenever we decide to eat at KFC.

Flavor Shots meal (50php)

On our last visit at their Robinson's Galleria branch, we actually had a taste of their 50php worth of rice meal. Since Toby had requested for this and I guess he was just short on cash, I agreed to try it with him even if I was a bit hesitant. The food was okay, it was worth the price. Their chicken cubed breaded shots were tasteful especially with mushroom sauce poured on it. The gravy makes a big difference, too. Like Toby and a lot of people, they usually let their rice drown in gravy. Other meals there are very affordable as well. They have chicken burger and spaghetti meals, all at reasonable prices.

Two thumbs up for Streetwise meals

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A hidden cup of Hanoel

Hidden beyond the busy streets of Antipolo is a very interesting coffee shop known as Hanoel. At first, it looks like a native restaurant because of its old-fashioned exterior, but it's actually a Korean themed shop. Despite of it, the shop doesn't really stand out and unless you had an early survey of Hanoel's location, chances are you're going to miss it.

Hanoel's cozy interior

For the tight budgeted, Hanoel may be your alternative if you want to relax over a cup of coffee. Like any other coffee shops, they also offer various coffee concoctions, only cheaper and, well, a bit crummy. But the place is fairly commendable; it's relaxing, and has a homey feel in it. As you enter the premise, you'll be greeted by its Korean owner who happens to be the barista, and my future husband. Hahaha!

Caramel Frappe (120php)

Caramel Macchiato (90php)

During our stay, we ordered a steaming cup of caramel macchiato and a cold and creamy caramel frappe. Both of our drinks tasted average, Toby said it was delicious without cutting your budget which I didn't agree with. I just didn't think there was anything enthralling nor Korean ish on the taste of our coffee. I found it to be actually bland and vapid. However, on the bright side, the sizes of our drinks were considerably generous and satisfying enough to last us an hour and half stay at their place.

They also offer free Wi-Fi which you could enjoy with your cup of coffee.

I take my coffee drinking seriously

Hanoel may be flat on their coffee but they compensate with their effort to be different. It was worth the try and we're happy that we had the chance to unearth a place as good as Hanoel.



Hanoel Coffee Shop
Circumfential Rd., Brgy. San Roque,
Antipolo City

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Cappuccino ala Figaro

One of our favorite things to do as a couple, besides eating, is to enjoy the company of each other and talk about endless topics over a cup of coffee. And our favorite place to do this is non other than Figaro. We love how cozy, comfortable, people friendly, and intimate their place and service are. Not to mention their very interesting selection of coffee and sandwiches which are generously served and are good to share.

Figaro's Cappuccino (119php)

Their hot cappuccino is our usual order whenever we visit Figaro. It has a deep and rich flavor, it tastes smooth, and I like how thick its consistency is. However, there were instances when they served us unconcentrated cappuccino at their Sta. Lucia branch. We brought the issue up to the management and it was good that they resolved it immediately.


Overall, their cappuccino is good, sweet, a bit neutral on caffeine, and not necessarily remarkable. It wasn’t bad, neither was it great but we still adore their drink because a large cup of this would already last us an hour or so of quality time at their shop.

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Chowking chow down

Toby's been craving for Chowking these past few days and has been requesting that we have lunch there during one of our dates. And so, on our latest visit to Sta. Lucia, we made a trip to Chowking for a fill of their lauriats.

Their lauriat meal is a combination of 5 different delicacies, it’s like a Chinese version of the Japanese bento. A typical Chowking Lauriat consists of pansit, siomai/gyoza, their signature Chicharap crackers, a roll of buchi, and any of the available main dish you desire (chicken, pork, fish, shanghai, and beef brocolli). Served with a cup of yang chow fried rice, this is certainly a treat for the hungry.

Toby's Shanghai Lauriat (135php/meal)

My Breaded Pork Lauriat (135php/meal)

It was actually my first time to try their single feast meal and I was amply satisfied with their food. The variety of eats in my plate made my meal more enjoyable and interesting. However, because of Toby’s dismay from their shanghai rolls, he said that Chowking's quality of food has been going down bit by bit. Luckily their lauriat meals are saving them from their degrading food quality issues.

Also, another concern that we had was their poor customer service. It took them almost half an hour to serve our meals which was irritating considering that we were scheduled to watch Hunger Games after having lunch. Toby had to make 3 follow up calls to the waiters, which I found all to be inefficient and very disorganized, before our orders were dish upped.

All in all, I guess Chowking is good enough for their affordable and filling meals but definitely not for a commendable dining experience.

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