hazelnut – Jellybeans in the City

Counter the summer languor: 5 ways to cool down with Stay Up Espresso Bar

The onset of rain showers and the lingering summer heat in June can often leave us feeling lethargic and unmotivated. However, there’s a delightful solution to counter both the heat and laziness: an iced espresso drink from Stay Up Espresso Bar.

With a refreshing menu of espresso-based beverages which have iced variants, this newly opened café in Kapitolyo, Pasig is the perfect spot to chill out and enjoy a rejuvenating coffee experience during the last days of summer.

About Stay Up Espresso Bar

Located along United Street in Kapitolyo, Pasig, Stay Up Espresso Bar boasts neat and cozy interiors with a minimalist aesthetic. It offers a welcoming space for coffee lovers to work remotely, find moments of leisurely solitude, or gather with family and friends while indulging in their favorite brews which are all freshly made upon order, handcrafted from roasted select local beans.

Before setting up their café in Kapitolyo, Stay Up Espresso Bar initially opened a to-go coffee bar in Las Piñas and a convenient grab-and-go outlet in Katipunan.

5 ways to chill out while perking up at Stay Up Espresso

There are so many ways to pass the time here at Stay Up Espresso Bar, and best of all, you can do these while enjoying an iced espresso-based beverage, such as:

Wakey Bakey (Hazelnut)

Start your refreshing coffee journey with the Wakey Bakey iced espresso drink. Infused with the delightful flavor of hazelnut, this beverage provides a balanced blend of sweetness and the rich, robust notes of espresso. Sip on it while working remotely, and let the aromatic hazelnut aroma fuel your creativity.

Awaken (Breve, Espresso, and White Chocolate)

For a decadent treat, try the Awaken iced espresso drink. Combining the smoothness of breve, the boldness of espresso, and the creamy sweetness of white chocolate, this beverage is a delightful wake-up call for your taste buds. Indulge in it while learning a new skill such as pottery, and let the foamy texture and rich flavors spark lively conversations. (And yes, Stay Up Espresso Bar collaborates with other establishments such as Reine’s Pottery to bring fresh experiences like Coffee & Clay pottery classes to its patrons.)

Hello Good Morning (White Chocolate Mocha)

If you’re seeking a luxurious pick-me-up, the Hello Good Morning iced espresso drink is a must-try. Made with white chocolate mocha, this beverage offers a velvety texture and a harmonious blend of sweetness and espresso. Grab a seat, enjoy a moment of solitude, and pair it with a good book or some journaling to kickstart your day on a serene note.

Up All Night (Café Latte)

When you’re in need of an energizing yet comforting drink, the Up All Night iced espresso drink is the ideal choice. With a classic combination of steamed milk and espresso topped with frothed milk, this beverage provides a smooth and velvety texture along with a bold espresso kick. Savor it while catching up on your favorite novel or engaging in a relaxed conversation with your loved ones.

Off to Mars (Affogato)

For a unique twist, the Off to Mars iced affogato is an absolute must-try. Combining the indulgence of generous dollops of vanilla ice cream with the refreshing chill of iced espresso, this beverage is a delightful journey to another world of flavors. Enjoy it as you unwind while listening to a relaxing playlist or simply appreciate the serene ambiance of Stay Up Espresso Bar.

As the summer days wind down, there’s no better way to cool down and perk up than with an invigorating iced espresso drink at Stay Up Espresso Bar. So, head over to this charming café in Kapitolyo, Pasig, and savor the last days of summer while powering up with a freshly made brew.

Stay Up Espresso Bar is located at 16 United Street, Barangay Kapitolyo, Pasig City, open Tuesdays to Sundays from 8am to 10pm. For inquiries, contact +63 905 3935274.

Know more about its menu and offers by following Stay Up Espresso Bar on Facebook and Instagram.

Holiday kakigori flavors at Shari Shari, BGC

Given that we’re in a tropical country, we shouldn’t have to wonder why ice-based desserts have so much appeal.

Even now, having entered the supposedly “brrrr” month of December, we can still find the metro’s heat and humidity quite oppressive.

Yes, icy desserts are definitely the way to go, and luckily, all kinds of these frozen treats are readily available in the metro.

The kakigori, for example, is fairly new to Pinoy foodies. This shaved ice dessert originated from Japan and has been around since the 11th century when blocks of ice saved during the stockpiled during the winter months are shaved to a snow-like consistency and served with sweet syrup to the aristocrats during the summer months.

Today, icy treats are a lot more accessible to us year-round, thanks to technology (yey for refrigeration!).

And with specialty shops like Shari Shari, we Pinoys get to have a taste of authentic kakigori.

This dessert shop was founded in Hong Kong but soon found its way to the Philippines. It opened its first shop in Serendra, BGC where it serves bowls of its signature shaved ice desserts. Using special ice custom-made from different kinds of water, shaved with a special machine imported from Japan and flavored with syrups made fresh everyday has allowed Shari Shari to offer kakigori with the look, taste and texture consistent with those in Japan.

And you would be amazed at the sheer variety of flavors possible with the kakigori: from fruity versions like strawberry, melon, mango and banana; classic dessert flavors like chocolate; to more exotic variants like Coffee Tiramisu, Earl Grey Milk Tea and Matcha Cream. There’s something for almost every sweet craving at Shari Shari.

Plus, be sure to check out Shari Shari special holiday flavors available beginning December 1:

Pistachio Raspberry topped with whipped cream and a candy Santa. This combines the nutty taste of pistachios with the sweet and fruity tartness of raspberries.

Choco Hazelnut topped with whipped cream and a chocolate gingerbread man. Dessert lovers would really go for its combination of nutty and cocoa flavors.

Every spoonful is a burst of icy sweetness in my mouth, a great way to relax and cool down, warm weather or not!

And what a sweet and cool (or icy!) way to get in the holiday spirit!

Shari Shari Kakigori House is located at Ground Floor, Serendra, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

Disclosure: I visited Shari Shari during its mini blogger get-together where the holiday kakigoris were served for free to facilitate an honest review.

European lunch at Vanderlust Bistro, Tomas Morato

Europe’s rich and diverse culture is made manifest in its cuisines. While I wouldn’t mind traveling across The Continent to sample its gustatory pleasures, the expedition would surely be costly. Luckily, with Vanderlust Bistro, I can get a taste of the cuisines of various European countries all in one place.

And that is exactly what I did for lunch together with my officemates one fine day. Armed with our Zomato Gold memberships, we set about discovering what Vanderlust Bistro has to offer.

The place is cozy with limited seating at the ground floor but more tables available upstairs. The interiors are sparsely decorated, other than the wallpaper with miniature Eiffel Towers, approximating the simplicity of European bistros.

Its food offerings are focused on German, Italian and Spanish cuisines, giving us varied flavors to explore and satisfy our cravings. These include:

Fish and Wedges (Php238). Beer-battered fish and potato wedges served with aoili.

Catalan Baked Fish with Potatoes and Asparagus (Php458). Baked white fish with herb crust served with olives, sauteed potatoes, asparagus and roasted tomatoes.

Mon Cheri Poulet (Php458). Honey and red wine-glazed chicken thigh placed on top of a spinach omelette and a strip of smoked bacon.

Cacio E Pepe Mushroom Truffle (Php398). A classic Italian pasta dish of cheese and pepper with mushroom and truffle sauce.

Espaguetis con Chorizo (Php278). Pasta noodles tossed in a sauce made from simmered tomatoes and Spanish sausages with a bit of paprika.

Tuscan Chicken Spinach Pasta (Php348). Herbed chicken tops a pasta dish with sauce made from spinach and sun-dried tomatoes.

Gianduiotto (Php195). A chocolate dessert originating from Piedmont, northern Italy, which got its name from gianduja, a chocolate spread containing hazelnut paste.

Spanish Churros (Php98). Six pieces of freshly fried churros which we requested to be served with a chocolate dip (Php50).

I used to find European restaurants intimidating; I thought that menu items would be staggeringly expensive. At Vanderlust Bistro, however, European food is packaged more affordably and made more accessible to the Filipino diner.

This Vanderlust Bistro branch is located at 100 Scout De Guia corner Tomas Morato Avenue, Quezon City, open Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from 11am to 11pm, Fridays from 11am to 2am, and Saturdays from 11am to 1am. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 9540401.

Another branch is located at Fifth Floor, The Podium, ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City.

Since Vanderlust Bistro is a Zomato Gold partner establishment, our group got some of our food orders for free!

Zomato Gold provides members with 1+1 (Buy 1 Get 1) deals on food or 2+2 (Buy 2 Get 2) deals on drinks. All you have to do is sign up for a Zomato Gold membership here. Use my code JELLYB to get 20% off the membership fee.

You can also book your table at Vanderlust Bistro using Eatigo to get up to 50% off your food bill. Sign up using my referral link to get additional perks.