Starbucks JP Laurel and the new Crème Brûlée Macchiato

I first heard about Caffè macchiato from my 7 year old niece Anya - she is an experienced Choco-coffee drinker in Australia. It is also known as espresso macchiato, a coffee drink made out of espresso with a small amount of milk.



And there is no better place to learn and taste a macchiato than in the new Starbucks JP Laurel store. It is a historical place which has been restored by Starbucks instead of doing full alteration by exposing the high ceiling, restoring the original wood moulding that wraps the soffit and keeping the wood sun breakers behind the store’s perimeter glass wall.

The building represent the distinct look of 70’s architecture. And to complement the look and feel of this heritage concept store, the following elements were used: high wainscot wrapped around columns, high backed banquette and large framed photographs of Manila during the '70s.



It's a good place to pause and reminisce about the old days. When people were unhurried and enjoyed learning. Perfectly match the experience with the warm creamy mix of crème brûlèe flavored syrup and freshly steamed milk marked with bold Starbucks® espresso - topped with velvety foam and finished with a roasty, dark caramel drizzle on top.

Crème Brûlée Macchiato is also available as iced and blended beverage, but for old time's sake - I always prefer hot drinks during down time.



If you are feeling the classic vibe of the JP Laurel store and want to let your coffee take you back in time, then try the Starbucks Anniversary Blend. This coffee is aged for three to five years prior to roasting. The aging process adds depth, smoothness and complex flavor to its already full-bodied, smooth character. Perfect with the buttery taste of French Toast (also from Starbucks). Match made in heaven.



But for the new branch, I propose a toast for one of the most memorable and Pinoy New Breakfast Items from Starbucks:



I've enjoyed this too with the Starbucks Anniversary Blend (at home) and it was a delightful feeling <3 If you don't have a French Press or Coffee Maker, you can still get Starbucks VIA Instant Brew.



But then again, nothing beats the Starbucks experience especially on a branch that is brimming with heritage. Customers can enjoy a unique Starbucks Experience at this store as early as 6:30am during weekdays and 7:30am during weekends. The store closes at 1:30 am on Fridays and Saturdays and 12 am during the rest of the week.

Until the next coffee break :)

Lady Gaga, Frappucino, and Starbucks

Lady Gaga is taking over Starbucks in the US, meanwhile in Manila - YOU can take over your own Frappuccino.

Starbucks Philippines launches the new However-You-Want-It Frappuccino® blended beverage, allowing customers to create a blended beverage that is uniquely their own. Customers can tailor their Frappuccino® beverage with a variety of fresh milks or soy, choose the intensity of their coffee and pick any combination of syrups or toppings – the same way they customize their favorite Starbucks® espresso beverage.

Among the thousands of new combinations, Frappuccino® blended beverage creations includes my dream come true!



Soy Green Tea Cream Frappuccino® blended beverage

A delightful treat, this beverage is made with matcha powder and soy milk, blended with ice and topped with whipped cream. I've been looking for matcha powder drinks and eversince Matcha Cafe was gone, I wished that a bigger player would take on the flavor. Starbucks did! :D

From soy combinations to those that limit the number of calories, customers can now select their favorite ingredients to find a Frappuccino® blended beverage to meet their dietary needs. By choosing nonfat milk with sugar-free syrup, a Tall (12 fl. oz) blended beverage has only 100 calories, while doubling the Starbucks® Frappuccino® roast coffee and skipping the syrup will intensify the taste, without increasing the sugar.



Customers can connect with Starbucks about their new, However-You-Want-It Frappuccino® blended beverage at Frappuccino.com.ph.

My Seattle's Best Coffee Slam Book

Like Cristalle Belo, my favorite cup at Seattle's Best is their Chai Tea Latte.

When I saw Cristalle's Seattle's Best Coffee tarp at The Philippine Stock Exchange Building, I gave Chai Tea Latte in the Philippines another chance.



Joyce's SBC tarpaulin.

I've been desperate in finding hot milk tea that compares to the one I had at Chulalongkorn Uni.



Eric, Alvin with Doz.

I just think that tea, mixed with a little milk won't make me fat and even help me burn some.



Joyce with Alvin and Eric.

I've been a fan ever since and can only wish I can have my own SBC tarp too!



"Hi I am Lace, 25 years old. Been drinking SBC for (can't remember). My favorite drink is Chai Tea Latte, served hot. When I am bored and need a break.

For a quick snack/break I eat Big Breakfast number 3!"



Soft scrambled eggs, meaty sausages, crispy bacon, wheat bread, and pancakes served with butter and marmalade.



Continuing my Seattle's Best Slam Book now, when I want to talk I ask my husband and/or fellow mommy bloggers to come along.



I actually ate 2 Breakfasts at SBC that morning with them, I can't remember what number this is except for it has two sunny side up eggs. That's all that matters.



Brought our flip along to document the commotion. I forgot to have my SBC Christmas card stamped though.



Love how coffee shops know how to dust some holiday spirit.

Check out Seattle's Best Coffee on Facebook.

BEAUTY: Firm up with a Coffee Facial from Makati Wellness Studio

A friend has been telling me about coffee facial and how it is diuretic, and we just love everything diuretic and anything that sounds like diet. She would give the experience high levels of consumer product ratings if she could because the coffee facial leaves her skin smooth and firm.



Makati Wellness Studio is located along JP Rizal Ave. where my favorite skin clinic and dermatologist also hold their clinic. I am dropping by soon to try what my friends have been bugging me about. Apparently, there is a promo going on where guests who avail of two Coffee Facial Treatments for only P998, get a 1-hour Swedish or Shiatsu Massage for free! pretty sweet deal if you ask me :)

But I read how affordable a relaxing massage is at Makati Wellness Studio which are all less than 400 bucks. They have the traditional Filipino massage hilot and even accupressure perfect for any tensed person.



If you want to try Makati Wellness Studio's services for yourself, please contact (02) 403-7564 or (0905) 314-1592. Makati Wellness Studio is located at Suite 208, 2F 1113 J.P. Rizal Ave. cor. Antipolo St., Makati City.


This post is brought to you by best dating websites and top online fax services.

FOOD: Starbucks Ready Brew now in Manila!

I'd die for these ready brews! Thank you Starbucks for making the Philippines the second country (next to Japan) in Asia to enjoy the Starbucks VIA® Ready Brew.

Before we only have the 3-in-1's, I admit I am a sucker for those sachets but I am kinda embarrassed to let others see me using it. Just says I don't know how to make my own coffee.



Put the Starbucks logo on anything and you get a stylish, up another level, product. I'd be proud to have not one but several Starbucks 3 in 1 (if I may call it that) anytime! More than 10 million sticks have already been sold in Starbucks stores throughout Japan.

Starbucks VIA Ready Brew Teaser



I say, just wait 'til the Pinoy caffeine addicts including me and you, get our hands and mugs on them Starbucks Ready Brew. I will find these sticks handy whenever I visit desserts shop which is quiet often, yet most of them don't have a decent cup of joe. Just ask for hot water, voila - Starbucks wherever.

“We know there is a significant opportunity in the Philippines marketplace for Starbucks VIA® Ready Brew since nearly 100 percent of retail coffee sales come from instant coffee*,” said Howard Schultz, chairman, president and ceo, Starbucks Coffee Company. “We know rapid innovation for Starbucks VIA® and creating opportunities to further increase awareness and trial of Starbucks VIA® broadens our overall customer base both in the U.S. and in international markets.”



Dear Mr. Schultz, please send me a VIA Bearista :)

Make Coffee like a Starbucks Barista

Enjoying coffee is a favorite pastime of stressed individuals, no wonder everyone huddles near the coffee vendo. Probably, coffee's relaxing aroma and invigorating taste transports everyone into a perfect moment! Just like what those commercials say.

However, there's always a big difference between instant coffee and freshly brewed ones. At the Starbucks Coffee Appreciation night, coffee experts revealed how to make a perfect relaxing cup of coffee from fresh coffee beans.

The easiest and most relaxing/zen way to make a cup is through a coffee press also known as the French press. This is widely available in coffee shops like Starbucks where you can get some like these:


Before using the coffee press, you'll need to grind your coffee beans first. From my personal experience at Starbucks, I recommend the coffee beans from Sumatra. You can purchase this from the coffee shop too. For coffee press use, coarsely grind the beans for 6 seconds.

1 cup of coffee = 180mL water + 10 grams of coffee.

Now you can pour the coffee beans first inside the coffee press sans the stainless steel mesh filter. Pour hot water and let it steep for 4 minutes. Now you can push down the stainless steel mesh filter down to the bottom. This method will give you a richer and thicker coffee.

I like using small coffee cups and never mugs for that relaxing and stylish coffee experience. Coffee is best with something sweet or nutty like a Chocolate Chantil Cake or a Caramel Cream Cheese Cake. Adding sugar or cream to your cup destroys the original flavor of coffee but enjoying it with desserts compliments the taste.

This is heaven inside your own home. Enjoy life with every sip!

Special thanks to Starbucks Rockwell Drive and Spot.ph