If the most recent activity, in terms of traffic, in this blog is any indication, it looks like more than a few people will be flocking to Capisaan Caves in Nueva Vizcaya over the long weekend. And why not? It is definitely a must-see, and I actually envy those who will be able to as I, too, wouldn’t mind going back sometime in the future. To those who are going, I hope my post about my visit to the place was able to convince you to check it out for yourself. Oh, and let me know what you thought of it, aiight?
I was cleaning my phone’s gallery, saw these photos and decided to say a little something about it. After all, I love seeing small home-grown businesses start growing their wings.
It was a random visit, actually. More than a couple of weeks ago, my friend and now-travel-buddy, Lorie, and I met up on a Sunday afternoon to finalize the loose ends of our trip to Seoul. When we were done with our business at the money changer, rain started pouring, and we decided to look for someplace to just sit and chill. She suggested a newly-opened coffee shop just across the road.
It’s called Tanapew Cafe.
Tanapew Cafe derived its name from tanapew, or the Ibaloi word for “fern”. I could not help but smile when I saw the image of the tanapew on their menu, because they used to figure greatly in my childhood. Every summer when I was a kid, I spent the one-to-two month vacation at my Grandma’s in Atok, and there I met up with playmates who are the same age as me. In the morning, we would leave for an adventure, going into the nearby woods, climbing trees, scrambling through thick undergrowth, and collecting those small looped ends of the ferns. At dusk, we would trudge home, dirty and tired but happy, and our pockets filled with those tanapew bits.
At the end of one particular summer, when my parents came to take me back to La Trinidad, they were shocked to find my legs and arms filled with scratches, blemishes, and inflammations (marks and scars of which I carry with me to this day). I guess I overdid it that time. 🙂
But, back to the Cafe. From what I surmised in the bits and pieces I was told by Lorie, the owner of the Cafe was a former government employee, and also a CPA, who decided to set it up. So yes, it is also owned by a kailian (someone who is from the same town or province).
This Cafe also joins the growing list of coffee shops and food places that cater to health-conscious individuals, making use of healthy ingredients and fresh and organic vegetables from Benguet.
The Location
Tanapew Cafe is located at the 2nd floor of North Hills Bldg., Lower General Luna Road, Baguio City. It is that newly renovated building right across where Novo is located, and before you get to Health102 ReSTOREant. If you pass by the area, you just have to look up and see the signs. You won’t miss it.
I’d say this location is very good, since it is close to the University of Baguio (and also Saint Louis University), so I can totally picture the place being abuzz with college kids. It was a Sunday afternoon when we were there, and it was also raining, so except for a couple of tables occupied by other customers, it was relatively empty. (Sorry, too, that I wasn’t able to take more and better photos. I’ll try to do that next time.)
The Resto
The place is quite small, but they were still able to arrange the interior so that it wouldn’t be cramped. Props to those who thought of installing bamboo decorations, because it helped in adding an illusion of breadth in a space that would have looked narrow.
The Food
Since it’s a cafe, we should try out their coffee, right?
We ordered their brewed coffee, and it’s not just any brew. It’s the Kalinga Brew, which I fell in love with after spending a couple of days in Tinglayan, Kalinga, drinking nothing but the stuff. The owner apparently makes it a point to specially order the Kalinga Brew that they serve all the way from Kalinga, so it’s the real thing.
Aside from coffee, they also have other offerings. I went for their Kale Smoothie, which came in a mid-sized Mason jar. 🙂
I love chocolate when it’s the dark kind, and it is bitter rather than sweet. I had a taste of the Chocolate Cake, and I thought it was just right. I wanted it a bit more bitter, but I don’t mind the small amount of sweetness present in this one. Originally, we were told they’d top it with strawberry or kiwi, but the prices of those two were jacked up at the time, so they improvised and topped it with dragon fruit instead (considering how overly-sweet stuff don’t sit well with my throat, I don’t mind at all).
The Mango No-bake Cake, though. I LOVED. Now, normally, I’m not a fan of ripe mango. You know, because of the sweet factor. But the blending of this one was just right, so it wasn’t as sweet as I thought. Plus the crust, which I think was a mixture of crushed graham and crushed cashews (OHYES) had just the right amount of crunch and flavor to it. I could do without the whipped cream on top, though. 🙂
Aside from no-bake cakes, they also offer baked cakes and even pasta. They also serve salads and greens, as well as healthy sandwiches (meaning they use gluten-free and healthy ingredients).
This was one of their salads, which was modified, because it included native red rice. If I’m not mistaken, balatinao. VERY FILLING. Loved it.
I will definitely go back to try more of their salads and other offerings one of these days.
The Price
I thought the prices were very reasonable. Their brewed coffee was around Php50.00, if I’m not mistaken. I think the no-bake cakes were priced at Php70 to Php100. I don’t think I saw any dish priced above Php150.00 or Php200.00.
If you ask me, the brew alone would convince me to hang out here. Just sayin’.
The Service
We were personally served by the owner, whom Lorie knows. She was very friendly, and chatted while we waited for the downpour to let up. The waiting time was not too long, either, but I cannot really be objective about that since we were the only ones there at the time.
I love seeing homegrown coffee shops springing up here and there. I think we have grown too used to the Starbucks culture and we forgot that local or native coffee is actually better than those too-commercialized (and ridiculously priced) “cups of joe” that they peddle.
Will I go back?
I sure will. And soon!
Check out Tanapew Cafe in these places: on Tripadvisor, Instagram, Facebook. They also do catering, so call them up at (074) 422-7368 or +63-93-9914-5343, or email them at www.tanapewcafe@yahoo.com
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