MNL Ice Cream Cafe

MNL Ice Cream Cafe

     After two failed attempts, we were finally able to eat at MNL Ice Cream Cafe last Tuesday. This cafe opened just 6 months ago, last October 8. They're open from Mondays to Saturdays, from 10am - 8pm.

AMBIANCE

Sumptuous Meals

     The space used to be a shop where car parts are sold. Now it's an ice cream cafe serving delicious snacks and desserts! The mustard yellow walls are adorned with photos of their mouthwatering dishes! Not only do they offer a feast for the palate, but for the eyes as well.

Food Pics

Red & Orange

     The small area is made bright and cheery with the red and orange chairs and white tables. On the left corner of the space is a red desk with a laptop, some magazines and radio. On the right is one long, red, comfortable sofa.

Tea & I

Tealiciously different! :)

     It was a hot afternoon and we were raring for some refreshing time out of the sun. We spotted a small tea house and were soon heading up to see this new place.

Tea beckons us to enjoy quality time with

friends and loved ones, and especially to

rediscover the art of relaxed conversation.

- Dorothea Johnson

     Tea & I just recently opened in this not readily noticeable location. It's located at the third floor of Zen's Building along Ayala Highway. They open at 10am until 10 in the evening.

AMBIANCE

Warm & Cozy

     The place is simple, with a relaxing ambiance perfect for enjoying your cup of tea. On the left side of the room, as you enter is a table by the wall with high seats. In the middle is a round table coupled with soft cushioned seats while on the far end is a small seating area good for a group of 4. There aren't many decors yet as the store has just opened last March 25.

Good for 4 :)

The Candlelight Cafe

Coffee - Food - Candles - Art

     This small cafe caught our eye when we were on our way to the city. The place looked inviting with the warm exterior and the eye-catching mural on the wall. We thought there were no other new restaurants/cafes in Lipa so we were really happy to have come across Candlelight Cafe.

Candlelight Cafe

     Candlelight Cafe is owned by Morten and Marichu Carstensen, coffee and candle lovers. They first thought of opening a cafe on this site since there are no coffee shops yet on this side of town. And because they also manufacture candles, they decided to combine coffee and candles in one shop! They are open everyday from 7am to 9pm. 

THE AMBIANCE

     The feel of the place is warm and cozy, perfect for enjoying a nice cup of coffee. They have simple, wooden chairs and tables, as well as some warm colored seats. Near the entrance is a coffee table and a comfortable sofa with a magazine rack on either side. 


     On the shelves are the candles/works of art! The place also smells of coffee and scented candles -- kind of relaxing and soothing! On the far side of the shop is a mural that seemed like a garden walkway, also pleasing to the eyes.

Warm and cozy

Comfortable seating

     Some of the noticeable pretty artworks / candles are the big cakes, pastries, christmas trees, animals like chickens, rabbits and elephants, and the big white chair fit for a queen! Vibrant paintings are also displayed around the cafe. :)

Casa de Segunda

Casa de Segunda

     Inspired by Sir Christian l Lakad Pilipinas' blog posts of Historical Houses from his Taal series, we also went on a trip to this house called Casa de Segunda (named after Segunda Solis Katigbak) in Lipa, Batangas. Like Pinto Art Museum, we had to ring a bell to let the homeowners know we're outside. We paid a minimum amount of 20php to tour the place. :p

Strong, sturdy

National Historical Institute Marker

     Casa de Segunda Katigbak was the ancestral house of the reputed first love of our National Hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal. The Katigbaks was a prominent family in Batangas, the house is located at 198 Calle Rizal, Lipa City, Batangas. At present, the house was transformed by Didi Dimayuga, a great granddaughter of Katigbak into a museum. The casa was declared by the National Historical Commission as a heritage house for having harbored generations of artists, poets, and persons of learning and distinction. - from WikiPilipinas

Zaguan = silong

Luz - Katigbak Family

     On the first floor, framed photos of the Luz - Katigbak family are displayed as well as a bust of Manuel Luz, photo albums, native fans and a compilation of stories of the family. It felt cold inside the house even if it was really hot and sunny outside.

     This two-storey ancestral house is a typical "bahay na bato", which reminds of the country's past history. On the left side of the house is a dining area with a long wooden table. The door at the end leads to the dirty kitchen.

The Shop Around The Corner

The Shop Around the Corner

     Before going back to Manila, we decided to have snacks at this intriguing shop around the corner even if we just had late lunch. Haha! We've come across this place many times and wondered about it, so now, we got the chance to eat here! Finally! :p

Up the stairs

Welcome! ^_^

     The Shop Around Around the Corner (TSAC) is a simple cafe in Lipa City, literally on the corner of CM Recto and Kap S. Luz streets. The entrance is on a busy street and up the second floor of the building.

Cozy place

     TSAC is not your ordinary cafe. It offers a cozy place to hang out and relax. They have a spacious area with a mix and match of furniture which makes for an interesting lay out. There's also a nook where they sell jewelry and other goodies. Artworks are also displayed on the walls. Simple home decors adorn the cafe.