Two Oriental Coffee Shops Being Raved in the Metro

  Japanese Inspired Cafes:  Akiba Cafe  and Cafe Zenses

Akiba Cafe, SM Megamall

I asked my 16 year old son and 14 year old daughter about how well they know the Japanese word "akiba."  Danie my daughter (shortened from Danielle, she made her own nickname) said that it might mean something like "otaku."  Otaku on one hand means nerd or weird or strange, according to them.  I don't actually question them on their credibility when comes to anime and manga or stuff like those, but hehe I still considered Wikipedia.   Then I found out that Akiba is shortened from Akiba-kei, apparently is a street word of "Akihabara style" of men who seemed to be rather odd with their time being spent much of "fantasy things"  anime, manga, idols and computer games.  Thne I remembered the Meidolls, another cafe of that sort with staff garbed in ludicrous anime costumes.

So it just came to me, Akiba, the cafe in busy MegaMall is not weird at all.   If it is to some, then odd can be good.   The open-spaced cafe is an eye-catcher to passers by.   It had me though.   You won't only be drawn to the strong aroma of the coffee wafting around it's area, but the zen-like feel of it with the glass showcase inviting you with its delightful sweets to partner their coffee and tea concoctions which I found quite unusual.   And let me reiterate, can be quite good!
Like for instance the slice of cheesecake on top, it's Green Tea Cheesecake.  If you happen to love or like teas and green tea in particular, you will definitely love this.   It's a cheesecake alright, except it has a nutty, earthy and the slightly bitter after-taste with a hint of floral.   Not too sweet which I like but creamy and lightly cheesy.   So the question is, did Mom-gastronomer and Dad-gastronomomer liked it?  And the answer is:  We LOVE it!

For hot coffee, we were advised to have Nutty Macadamia Kohi.  So I think that was what we ordered.  I wasn't able taste the frothy top, but the mid part of the cup only, so I guess I didn't experience the sesame seeds on his coffee.


I was on a predicament actually when it was my turn to choose a drink.   I know their triffle teas are being raved for, but I mis-looked on it and ordered instead Chiru, yogurt Chiru.  Perhaps we need to go back so we can check on that.

I found Choco-mint Yogurt Chiru interesting but a bit odd really now.   So I got a cold Japanese Choco Yogurt Chiru.   A perfect health-giving bacilli rich drink that's chocolatey.   Careful sipping too much and don't get too excited like me, or you'll end up getting brain-freezed.   So it's a mix of yogurt, chocolate, cream and love!

Contact  Number:  0947 344 1025

Email    akibacafe@yahoo.com

website    http://www.theakibacafe.com

  
Cafe Zenses, SM City  Bicutan

 

Finally,  another one out of the bin.  My friend and I met at SM Bicutan to exchange stories and have our bonding moment.  So last December, we met at Cafe Zenses.   I love SM Malls being WiFI and all but mostly how they cater to not only franchised food estabs but to indigenous non-franchised foodie fares, like Cafe Zenses.   Actually their restaurant may have a little of the Zen-feel inside, but I guess it's in the food.   Unlike Akiba Cafe, which only have sweet pairings, Cafe Zenses have sandwiches, pasta and a lot more, of course we can't put aside the fact that coffee's are a must on a cafe.

It was a rainy day that time when we met, I came first and ordered the lavander-infused coffee.  I was asked if I want it to be decaf.   And there it was my hot Decaf Lavander Cappucinno, The picture of it was the one on the top most part of this blog.   This one however is what my friend Julie had, Cappuccino.  

  

Chicken al Pesto Pasta, may I say is one of the best Pesto pasta I've tried, not even Bravo can beat it.   I like the flat pasta and lots of gooey greens on it.   The grilled chicken which was tender and right on the salt complemented  well with the whole dish..   The sauce was rather oily but, fret not let;s just hope it's EVOO (extra-virgin olive oil), which I thinks so.   Please I dare not say the toast was also good, or was it garlic bread.   The pasta serving was good enough for two.

																	Green Tea and Chocolate Ganache.   I guess by now you might say that I also love green tea.   Well I also love unfamiliar sights of pastries or food for that matter.   Green tea happens to be the best-selling tea in Japan and China.   Not only for the know remedies and relaxation effects it brings out, you also have to have an acquired taste to foods that have it.   The slice however is a butter-cake flavored with green tea with a caramel crunch topper over a velvety layer of chocolate ganache.   The butter cream icing as well is flavored with matcha green tea.   Don;t you want to bite into that layers of green tea cakes and chocolate ganache?   It's heavenly, let me tell you, earthy-heavenly!