Cozy Cafes and Christmas Conversations at SM

The holiday season is here, and there’s no better way to celebrate than catching up with friends and family over warm drinks, sweet treats, and heartfelt conversations. SM Malls in the East Metro are home to an array of cozy cafes perfect for those much-awaited reunions. Whether you’re planning a gift exchange, reminiscing over coffee, or simply soaking in the festive vibes, here’s your ultimate guide:

A Warm Hug in Every Bite at Mary Grace Café
Where: SM City Masinag

Mary Grace Cafe

Step into the cozy charm of Mary Grace Cafe, where every dish feels like a warm hug from home. Savor their signature ensaymada paired with rich S’mores Hot Chocolate or explore their menu of hearty meals and delectable pastries. It’s the perfect spot to share laughter and stories with friends.

Local Flavor at Zullo Coffee & Loaf
Where: SM City Marikina

Zullo Coffee & Loaf

If you’re looking for a café that combines comfort and creativity, Zullo Coffee & Loaf is your go-to. Savor your preferred caffeine fix while enjoying their delicious pastries and loaves. The relaxed yet chic ambiance sets the stage for reconnecting with old friends. Don’t miss their limited-edition leather notebook, which you will get after completing 12 stamps when you purchase in store.

Classic Comfort at Starbucks
Where: SM City San Mateo, SM City Masinag, and SM City Marikina

Starbucks Coffee

Starbucks never fails to bring people together during the holidays. With its cozy seating and the irresistible allure of their seasonal drinks like Peppermint Mocha and Toffee Nut Crunch Latte, it’s the ideal place for a Christmas catch-up. Grab your favorite holiday treat, exchange gifts, and savor the joy of togetherness.

Sweet and Simple Catch Ups at Famous Belgian Waffle and Pickup Coffee
Where: SM Center Antipolo Downtown

Famous Belgian Waffle

Enjoy the simplicity of sweet moments. Treat your friends to the crispy, golden waffles of Famous Belgian Waffle or grab a quick cup of Kastilla coffee from Pickup Coffee. These spots offer the perfect mix of casual vibes and festive treats for laid-back reunions and gift exchanges.

Sip & Bond at the Taste of Czaczacza
Where: SM City Masinag, SM City Marikina and SM City San Mateo

Czaczacza Cafe

Known for their creative donuts and classic coffee mixes, The Taste of Czaczacza Café is a must-visit this season. With fun and festive treats that double as conversation starters, this café turns your Christmas get-together into a flavorful celebration. Don’t forget to snap some photos for memories—and your Instagram feed.

Celebrate Togetherness This Christmas
From indulgent pastries to creative donuts and cozy coffee nooks, SM Malls in the East Metro offer the perfect venues for rekindling connections and celebrating the season. Plan your next café meet-up today and make this Christmas extra special with your loved ones.

Head to your nearest SM Mall now and let the holiday magic brew!

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One last sip: SM malls' Coffee Fest on its last weekend

Reconnect with your fellow coffee lovers at the ongoing Coffee Fest at SM malls this July.

Comforting words these days often sound like “Tara, Kape!”. SM Supermalls in the East invite shoppers to take a breather from their busy days and reconnect with friends and family over coffee. Patches of indoor garden and cozy nooks are found in SM City Masinag, SM City San Mateo and SM Center Angono to provide relaxing ambiance while sipping a cup of coffee.

A cozy garden setup for Coffee Fest at SM City San Mateo

A family takes a group photo at SM City Masinag’s Coffee Fest at the Mall Atrium

This July, SM Supermalls celebrates Coffee Fest with exclusive deals and promos from coffee-serving tenants, Instagrammable spots, heartwarming brews from coffee MSMEs, chill acoustic performances, latte art and so much more.

Enjoying the coffee of your choice from participating cafes and restos in the mall

Catch the final weekend of Coffee Fest at your nearest SM Supermall until July 31, 2022.

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Gladecover

I visited the new lounge and coffee place beside Kutis Filipina in invitation by the owner, Dr. Laurence Tan. Though the place is in its soft opening, I enjoyed my stay sipping a cool blend of Java Chocolate with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and drizzled with chocolate syrup.

Other than enjoying your tall glass of blends, lattes or warm cups of coffee beverages, you may like to stay for longer while playing their in-house games which you can borrow for FREE when you order a beverage. I'll be bringing my friends for some games here soon.

They have lots of games and for starters and even advanced gamers. I'm considering myself a newbie again after not playing board games for a long time. Dr. Tan and I played Fold It and Animal upon Animal which took more than 3 tries to perfectly stack up all animal pieces on a stable tower.

 

The place is very cozy and would accommodate I think around 30-40 pax full. They also have very good internet and they can also accommodate corporate meetings.

Image from Gladecover Facebook Page

Gladecover is located just beside Kutis Filipina, above Omakase corner of Redwood St and Gil Fernando Ave in Marikina City. Call 0917 583 7586 for private party hosting reservations.

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Drinks and desserts in UP Town Center

Drinks and desserts in UP Town Center that you can enjoy any time of the day.

Baker & Cook
Baker & Cook is new to the Bistro Group and they focus on bread and pastries that can give you a comforting afternoon and great menu to match with coffee. They also have amazing desserts that play with our taste buds to cap off a satisfying meal. Chocolates, custard, jams and more can contribute to a tea party and fun conversations.

Instagram: @BakerandCookPH

Shakeaway
The biggest milkshake store that I've been because it can create many of your desired milkshake flavors in one place! And they named their milkshake very unusually: think of any boy's or girl's name and they will have it crafted for you -- complete with chocolate or candy sprinkles over a tall cloud of whipped cream! They also have healthy options like granola and oats too. Just find the huge white place near Gringo's.

Instagram: @ShakeawayPhilippines

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
Probably where I can be spotted when I'm at UP Town Center, sipping coffee, chatting or making myself busy with the reliable internet, thank to my Swirl card perks. CBTL is a comfortable meeting place for people of all sorts. Whether it's coffee, frappe or tea, it is always a must-try. Lifehack: refillable hot water when you order tea.

Instagram: @cbtlph

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Casa Vallejo's HILL STATION

After we are done with the short photo session at Mt. Cloud, I got a bit hungry and I don't have to trod longer because Casa Vallejo offers another surprise within its doors. The Hill Station serves more than just the ambiance of Baguio City, it also provides delectable desserts that we have to try.

Stepping into the cafe gives a very homey feeling. The shiny wooden floors reminds you that you are in a great country getaway. Welcoming us at the counter is a shelf of yummy desserts and I said to myself that I have to stay and try one of those.

Exit Mt Cloud to the right and enter Hill Station's Cafe Area

The dining area is a great ballroom overlooking Session Road and when you turn around is a huge staircase leading to the quarters also available for tourists. Its walls are decorated by old photos by which if they can talk, you will learn more of the history of the place and appreciate the heritage it offers.

We stopped in Hill Station longer and ordered yummy desserts. It is not too pricey and I was really satisfied with my Chocolate Lemon Tart. The citrus kick at every bite is very interesting and smooth. Perfect to match with a steaming Cordillera Coffee.

Clockwise from top right: Chocolate Lemon Tart, Lemon Meringue, Cordillera Coffee and Chocolate Cake

After this break, we went back to Azalea Residences and we formally started our itinerary for the next 2 days. Please click here.

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your stomach-friendly coffee

i am a coffee-drinker myself. i can actually consume 2 servings of coffee drinks a day, whether hot or cold. this is to keep myself perky and active while i do my tasks and avoid getting drowsy throughout the day. coffee, for a fact, helps in avoiding certain diseases like Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, dementia, heart and cardiovascular diseases, stroke and cancers of the liver, kidney and prostate.

but everything has to be taken into moderation. unlike others who have low-tolerance in acidic drinks like citrus and even coffee. many people can't even drink more than a cup because they experience stomach pain due to hyperacidity.

then an innovation in coffee specifically targeted to this kind of drinkers is made by premiere coffee brewer, KOPIKO. introducing the first low-acid mix coffee, L.A. Coffee. coming in for only Php 6 per sachet, you can enjoy the convenience of having your own coffee cup anywhere you go without worrying about stomach pain. "this is a healthier choice for coffee drinkers" as Michael Tandas, Kopiko brand manager, said.

enjoy the 3-in-1 goodness in packet from selected grade 1 coffee beans, roasted in a controlled process to reduce its acidity. smooth and with the right sweetness, a person with a sour stomach will just love it and have more as he likes.

right now, i am enjoying the treat of this coffee paired with  my favorite sweet snacks. the KOPIKO L.A. Coffee is available in leading supermarkets nationwide. manufactured by PT Mayora and distributed by TriDharma Marketing Corporation.

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CAFFE BENE now in Manila

Caffe Bene, Koreans' favorite coffee place has now opened in Eastwood City. with its first branch opened, we are invited to taste the rich blend from medium-roasted coffee beans and enjoyed the treats they have.
but how do we really know coffee? most of us don't really know the difference. but the executives of Caffe Bene has introduced us into the strength of the ground coffee -- by its texture, color and even the taste. the darker the roast, the stronger and more bitter the taste. the medium-roast coffee that Caffe Bene has, has fragrance and with the right texture and taste.
and to enjoy their wonderful coffee, they also serve special breads and pastries for everyone to share. honey breads, waffles, and also cold drinks for a friendly chill-out like mocktails, yogurt smoothies, teas, Bingsu (Iced Parfait).


with several outlets nationwide, feel the cozy ambiance with the vintage European design accentuated with cute designs. a soft place to lounge while enjoying your favorite cup of coffee.

Caffe Bene's first store is located at Eastwood Citywalk 2 with another branch at SMX Convention Center.

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Figaro holds 2nd year of social responsibility

we consume coffee everyday. some may even consume more than a cup to make themselves preppy for the whole day. but as we enjoy every sip, we should also be thinking how it's made and who makes it. so Figaro Foundation Corporation takes on an act to give back to the farmers and to Mother Earth by conducting the second year of their tree planting activity in Alfonso, Cavite.

i learned different stories on the origins of coffee in the Philippines. also that coffee is not really from Batangas. instead, it was from Amadeo, Cavite where it was seeded by a Spanish priest, and cultivated by his helper who later brought it to Batangas when the priest died. it was also introduced in the galleon trade. and for some time, the Philippines was #4 in coffee exports worldwide.

speaking of number 4, there are really 4 coffee varieties: Robusta, Arabica, Excelsa and Liberica. and the Philippines is a very fortunate country to be included in the "coffee belt" - the region of the world above equator where coffee can grow okay. Cavite and Batangas grow most of Robusta and Arabica since coffee can grow well in the climate of these places.

going back to the tree planting activity, the community of Barangay Esperanza Ilaya in Alfonso, Cavite has allowed the Figaro Foundation Corporation to plant seedlings in vacant lots. a special Memorandum of Agreement is signed for formality between the two parties. thus, making Figaro's way of providing livelihood and bringing back the title to Alfonso, Cavite as the number 1 coffee producer in the country. 500 seedlings of Robusta and Arabica are planted and the community will take charge of growing it. a number of seedlings has grown more than 3 feet already since it's planting last 2009. i was able to plant Arabicas and Robustas and proud to be part of this activity.

with the continuing efforts of everyone to save the environment and the coffee industry in the country, Figaro Foundation Corporation invites everyone to participate in planting seedlings, not just for coffee but also with other crops for sustainability.

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