Cool guitar store - Filipino made by Ramon Jacinto (RJ) . Limited selection of nylon string…read moreguitars though but I really love the game workmanship and beauty of the mahogany wood and appliqués of the steel string guitars that RJ made.

RJ Guitars is the place to go if you are looking for affordable musical instruments. Last year, I…read morechanced upon RJ's birthday sale in Robinson's Galleria with my girlfriend. They had this promo where every hour, from opening until closing, the discount gets bigger. Since we were there near closing, the discount was already at a whopping 40%. She didn't think twice to fall in line and choose among the instruments propped up against the wall. Although the selection was a bit limited because they were almost closing, they still had a few items that were worth lining up for. The line wasn't that bad, by the way, and the salespeople tried their best to help out everyone even if the store was a bit crowded. In the end, we were able to buy a pretty decent ukulele that was imported from Korea for around 3,000 Pesos. For starter musicians, I suggest putting RJ's birthday on your calendar because the sale definitely worth it.

Good: Nice ambiance…read more Not Good: Really really bad service. I don't want to get into all the details but basically... barista was not welcoming and was very rude. I ordered a Chai Tea Latte, paid for it. I was served... a green drink... a Matcha Latte. I asked about it. The answer I got was "ah! Wala kaming chai tea latte today. Narinig ko kasi matcha latte. Sorry." And he leaves for the back room. I sit there... trying to figure out what just happened. By myself. I feel bad. Very bad. I got excited to have a chai tea latte. I paid for a chai tea latte. I got a matcha latte instead. I try it anyway. What else was I going to do. The barista was gone. It was bitter, like matcha usually is. But a matcha latte isn't usually that bitter either. It was okay. I've posted on their FB. They've contacted me too. It's good to see there's an effort on their end to make things better. The person I chatted with has apologized for my experience and has made an effort to make it up to me. Hopefully their service does get better. Hopefully no one will ever have to start their day the way I started mine today.

Whenever I need to grab a cup of coffee that isn't the commercial kind, I run to Third Cup Cafe. I…read morealso like that on my previous visits, it's never too noisy or filled with college students hanging out or studying. My favorite drink at Third Cup Cafe is the Mochachino. It has the right caffeine punch to keep me awake in the afternoon (to be honest, after lunch carb sleepiness is counterproductive!) The drink itself isn't too sweet and the blend of chocolate and coffee is just right. The cafe's interiors are also very conducive for studying and working. Although sockets for laptops are a bit hard to come by, it's either you seat yourself by the window or on the couches so you can have access to the socket. Also, WiFi is free, but you'll have to like them on Facebook first to be able to access it. Overall, I really like Third Cup Cafe. It's not too expensive and the coffee is really good. The ambiance is also nice for a quick chat with a friend, or if you need to work or study, and if you want to go solo flight and just cozy up with a book.

I was about to give a 5 to this coffee place while enjoying my coffee, Americano, when suddenly a…read moreguy was asking for money, and he would never leave unless I gave him something. Customers, I believe, wants to have coffee and enjoy quality time with friends or just time for themselves. Should discourage those panhandlers coming in!

I have always seen pictures of this place taken by my classmates. I love the atmosphere inside. Not…read moretoo noisy. Music is chill. They also have lots of tables. The place is surrounded with flowers. As for the coffee, I ordered a white chocolate mocha. It was ok. I didn't enjoy it as much as I do at Starbucks. I was hungry and ordered a mushroom pesto pasta dish. It was delicious! My friend ordered the fish and chips and that was also very good. The portions were pretty big as well. Definitely will remember this place. It's a good study spot for sure!

Cool looking coffee place that also sells all kinds of interesting crafts. See, feel, touch, or…read morejust fine surrounded by fanciful objects from the imagination of local artists! Great event space too

Such a charming place! From the beautiful trees and spacious parking lot, the lovely simple…read morebungalow architecture, the welcoming interiors. There's lots of eye candy to be had and by that I mean the cool knick knacks you can find in the store. I'm not sure if the wire faux taxidermy is for sale, but do wish I had space for that in my place. What else... saw some nifty clocks and animal figures, fun stationery and funky dolls. There's just so much cuteness inside. The cafe area is pretty sweet. They have the Herman miller eames / modernica style baby blue chairs which are somewhat cushy. There's lots of spaces for a big party. So don't sweat it if you're worried about finding a chair to park on. The coffee was ok. They use a nespresso pod, if you're into that. The tea was also good. It's something you might have at home, like strawberry kiwi which I just had at my sister's place. But nice to know they have it! We tried the ff: Spaghetti meatballs- ok Beef brisket sandwich- lotsa melty cheese on a buttery slice which was sinfully good Niçoise salad- ok Beef w rice and onion rings- ok Chocolate cake- whoa! Red velvet cheesecake- ooh! I'd go back for those brisket sandwiches if I want to eat guiltily and treat myself. I'd probably hang out here again for a chitchat w friends and order a cake and coffee/tea. I would also come out here to look for cute gifts. Overall, nice quiet spot at addition hills.

Daily Brew Café is a cute, cozy coffee shop in Greenwoods Executive Village. It's a little snug,…read morebut it's more than made up for with its cheap prices and comfy seats. There's also a few under the radar books they provide, like travel guides and photography books to keep you busy for a while, whether you're in there alone or waiting for a friend. It wasn't too noisy when I went, so I called a friend from a nearby house and caught up with them, and the Daily Brew Café seemed like a great place to do so. I enjoyed their wintermelon milk tea, but I can't say it stood out very much from other milk tea establishments. My friend got a cappuccino that was brewed well enough and kept me alert. I also availed of their unli-waffle promo, and for a mere P150 it was a great deal. Thanks for the chill afternoon, Daily Brew!

Here's a coffee shop that will cost you just as much as Starbucks would, but at the standards of a…read morehotel, and with a chocolate-dipped croissant that will surely make it known far and wide. Cafe Pronto is the bakery and cafe of Marco Polo Ortigas Manila. It's right on the driveway of the hotel so you can't miss it. A large selection of pastries including the chocolate-dipped croissant, savory sandwiches, and salads to-go are available at the counter. Beautifully decorated cakes and red velvet chocolate cupcakes are enticingly displayed. (My daughter and I had a mini argument when I told her she could not have a cupcake for breakfast.) The ambience is nice and bright. I chanced upon some #TitasOfManila when I was there on a Sunday morning, and a few professional women probably talking business over coffee on a weekday afternoon. For the price of the sandwiches and coffee, both of which range between 110 to 180 pesos, it really is a decent alternative to Starbucks if you're ever looking for a new menu with the same price range.

Yummy ensaymada..come after 7 and you can get it 50% cheaper..all breads are all 50% off by 7..pan…read moreau choclat is great too

On Sundays at Shangri-La, there's only one place to go for merienda for my family - Figaro. I could…read moreprobably recite the menu items like I could a nursery rhyme. The food items I usually get are the arrabbiata. Yes, Figaro made me eat pasta! The tomato sauce is just so good and flavorful, but it isn't so spicy like how arrabbiata is supposed to be (unless you put chili flakes). Of course, you cannot leave this establishment without trying the Vanilla Pudding. It's a small rectangular bread pudding bar drizzled with thick, delicious vanilla cream. Ugh, divine!

Back when I was still active in a poetry org, this was where we had our meetings. It was perfect -…read morethough it was in the middle (like an island in the middle of the mall, or perhaps, an oasis), it was in such a location that it was still quiet and intimate. Though the potted plants here are not real, they make for a refreshing look. And, it doesn't get at all crowded unlike Starbucks so we were confident we would always have a table. We just usually have some coffee here, then a late dinner somewhere. As I'm not really a coffee drinker, I usually just get the sweet and classic-tasting iced chocolate. Sometimes, I get the hot chocolate instead. Of course they have lattes and frosts (this is what they call the frappes), and for those who want to eat something savory, they have sandwiches, pastas, pizzas, and yes, even rice meals.

I've been a loyal customer of Blenz Coffee in SM Megamall for a long time now. I like the area…read morewhere the coffeeshop is located for its usually quiet ambience. For some reason, only a few people hang out in that part of the mall's The Atrium area. Every time I order my drink, I'd talk with the barista at the counter. At one time, I even suggested that they open a café in Salcedo Village in Makati. Well, I'm happy to say that they finally heeded my call and opened up a store in my area. I really hadn't noticed it until I visited the Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel at the Banco de Oro Corporate Building on HV de la Costa Street. At first glance, the coffee shop looked tiny because only the counter could be seen when one peeks through the shop's door. But there's actually a big sitting room at the back, separated by a wall. I estimate that around twenty people can fit comfortably inside the café. The best news is the fact that the place opens at 6:00am and closes at 2:00am every day during weekends. Though, it's a bummer that they're closed on weekends. My favorite, as always, is Blenz's Green Tea Matcha Latte but I can settle for Café Mocha using Dark Chocolate. The last time I visited the place, I had a latte and I tried the Salted Caramel Cheesecake. They were, as expected, good to my taste.