cafe – CITY OF NAGA

A taste of Americana hits the streets of Naga | Weekend Burger

CEPPIO Naga — Wed, 22 Feb 2023 08:32:15 +0000

It’s quite rare to relive that nostalgic diner feel here in Naga. Though the diner aesthetic has been co-opted by Bigg’s Diner here in Bicol, sometimes you look for a different Americana vibe that’s a little bit more youthful than usual. This is when we came across this quaint burger shop along Magsaysay that makes you feel like the weekend every day: welcome to Weekend Burger.

Weekend Burger is a restaurant focused on the classic combo of burgers, fries, and milkshakes. This is no surprise. Even the interior of their shop is highly reminiscent of a diner. One of my coworkers in the office brought up Pop’s Chock’lit Shoppe, a fictional diner from Archie comics, and to the younger generation, the CW show Riverdale. And you know what we see the resemblance. The pink, vapor-wave walls and the neon lights bring out that vibe, especially at night.

But it’s not all about the aesthetic, the burgers are ridiculous. Like in a good way! Flame-grilled patties at a reasonably priced range, topped with ingredients that are unique to their style of burger. Cheeseburgers, smash burgers, even chicken sandwiches. You name it, they probably have it. The secret to a great burger is the quality ingredients used and the thought put into the preparation of it, and with Weekend Burger, it shows.

Even though they shine with their burgers, they also have sides that pair well with these greasy creations. Fries topped with melted cheese and bacon, nachos with a tangy cheese dip on the side. They even have rice meals if you are so inclined to have a filling lunch.

And of course, we can’t forget about the staple of any burger joint: the milkshake. It is so hard to get a proper milkshake. Like an actual milkshake, with chocolate ice cream and chocolate fudge as the main shake ingredients. Eat your heart out Shake Shack. Weekend Burger already has you beaten. And if this sweet treat isn’t more your style, try their alcoholic creations or maybe a coffee to cap your day off, featuring coffee from Haldao, a local coffee provider here in the city.

Weekend Burger is such a treat. Their food items are some of the usual fares, but they make it so well and each burger creation has personality with the taste to back it up. It is one of our favorites here in the office and we are so happy to put them up in the spotlight this week!

Weekend Burger is open every day. Mondays at 3:00 p.m. to 12 midnight and Tuesdays to Sunday at 3:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.

(Agnete Jonathan Noble, CEPPIO.)

Rich cacao tablea flavors and an even richer history | Tsokolattehan

CEPPIO Naga — Thu, 16 Feb 2023 09:00:48 +0000

We all love a hot cup of goodness now and then. And with the unpredictable weather, recently it’s hard to gauge if you want to grab a hot cup or an icy one. But really, there is no right or wrong answer, especially when you crave a good chocolate drink with a local twist!

Tsokolattehan is the best place to get your tsokolate favorites. With servings of your classic cacao tablea drinks to one that leans into more modern coffee traditions, Tsokolattehan innovates on an old classic. Cacao tablea is a way of processing cacao beans through a series of fermentations, roasts, and grinds into the cacao nibs, molded into tablets or tablea. Usually served as hot chocolate drinks or in certain Filipino desserts. Paired with traditional kakanin desserts like ibos, arroyo, and latik, they are all perfect pairings to munch on for an early breakfast or an afternoon merienda.

For those looking for more western dishes to pair with their tsokolate, dive into their pasta dishes that will surely satisfy your savory craving. Balance out the perfect sweetness of their Tsoko Nut with a hot plate of Italian Tomato Pasta. Or perk up with a Tsokospresso and Carbonara to power through the day with a filling meal and a jolt of energy.

Tsokolattehan also stands as a homage to the history of the family behind it. Roger Villamor, a patriarch of the Villamor family that owns Tsokolattehan, used to make cacao tablea back in the 80s. Today, as a tribute to what their father had started, they established Tsokolattehan where they based their cacao tablea recipe to the one Roger perfected and sold all those years ago. This rich and heartwarming history makes Tsokolattehan to be a truly unique spot, as it proves to be a testament to the perseverance of homegrown businesses that run deep throughout Naga. Together with their collaboration with Kape Duman, a local coffee provider that ethically sources beans from all over the country, Tsokolattehan is a true local spot put together by passionate individuals.

So whether you’re cooling down or warming up, nothing beats a cup of cacao. With sweet offerings and rich history, this hole-in-the-wall spot deserves a definite spot in your coffee runs.

Tsokolattehan is open every Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

(Agnete Jonathan Noble, CEPPIO.)

The American dream is a plate full of ribs | American Ribs and Wings

CEPPIO Naga — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 07:00:46 +0000

Ribs are a true American staple. Though popular in the US, the dish actually dates itself back to its Caribbean and Spanish origins. When it was brought over to the US, the dish became synonymous with southern cuisine and is enjoyed by people all over the world. So it’s no wonder that even here in Naga, everyone is enthralled with ribs as a dish that is enjoyed by families and large gatherings. And where else to enjoy such a delectable experience than at American Ribs and Wings!

American Ribs and Wings have built themselves to be good at two major food groups. Pork ribs and chicken wings. Their name wouldn’t make any sense if that wasn’t the case. Their ribs are smoky and saucy! Their chicken? A crispy and flavorful affair. Pick one strip, two strips, or an unlimited number of them. Whichever one you pick, we won’t judge! They are absolutely addicting to munch on!

If ribs and wings aren’t your thing, they also have other American favorites. A Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich? Yes please! A flame-grilled burger and a savory spaghetti for the young ones are also on the menu. But trust us when we say that you have to try the wings. It is definitely a must try!

American Ribs and Wings is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. and is located at La Piazza, Magsaysay Avenue, Naga City.

(Agnete Jonathan Noble, CEPPIO.)

The cold weather calls for something warm and filling | JCJ Food Hub

CEPPIO Naga — Mon, 06 Feb 2023 08:30:03 +0000

There is nothing better than a hot bowl of soup to warm up. The cold weather pairs well with warm and filling food and so if cuddling up with someone is out of the question, then why not try having a bowl of Bulalo at JCJ Food Hub!

We know that Kinalas is one of the more well known soup-based dishes in the city, but Naga is no slouch when it comes to other iterations of well known Filipino specialties. Including ones from Batangas, we’d say that our shared Southern Luzon brothers and sisters would agree! JCJ Food House serves Bulalo or their Bone Marrow Stew as the house specialty, as it started its roots as a simple bulalohan. And over time, with the success of their quaint business, they grew into a full blown restaurant that serve an assortment of sizzlers and dishes that pair well with their delicious bulalo.

Since their bulalo-centric days, they’ve expanded their menu to primarily sizzlers. Porkchops, sisig, liempo, and tenderloin tips. Mix and match their viands and with some java rice, veggies, and some bulalo on the side: that sounds like a combo to us, all at an affordable price point! If drinks are more your thing, their Little Hood Café serves some sweet and refreshing drinks that will cool you down after a long day at work. Something hot for the cold, something cold for the hot. Something tells us the JCJ is all about balancing their options.

JCJ Food Hub is a great place to get some delicious bulalo and just to get together with friends. Feast in their restaurant and feel that smokehouse vibe that they have going on. It really gets you in the mood to eat! We’ll be rolling out to a lot of local spots soon so if you’re looking for places to bring your special someone in, keep an eye out as we feature the best of what Naga has to offer!

JCJ Food Hub is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and is located at Main Road Zone 3 Dayangdang Street, Naga City. (beside Red Corner Hotel & Residences).

(Agnete Jonathan Noble, CEPPIO.)

This nationwide coffee franchise is fueling college students | But First, Coffee

CEPPIO Naga — Fri, 03 Feb 2023 07:10:02 +0000

Late nights, strong coffee, and impending deadlines. Let me tell you, nothing reminds me more of my college days than my caffeinated stupors back in the day. You’d think as we get older, we would ease off on the late-night coffee run, but there is something about having a cup of hot java that pairs well at any time of day. Sure enough, But First, Coffee is here to satiate that need for caffeine!

Located near one of the most well-known universities in the city, the Ateneo de Naga University, But First, Coffee is a popular spot among college students. Who can blame them? Coffee is one of the staple drinks of any college student who would want a pick-me-up before, during, or after class. And with its affordable offerings, the value for money is almost too good to believe. But what did we expect from a coffee place that expresses the fact that “good coffee doesn’t have to be expensive.”

True enough, their coffee is indeed both affordable and certifiably delicious! With coffee made from locally sourced beans, But First, Coffee is on a mission to make sure that its coffee is accessible without compromise. Take your pick between drip and espresso-based drinks. Go on ahead and explore their menu. Trust me, as a plain black coffee guy, I don’t care much for all these fancy variations to my favorite drink, but I enjoy a good Vietnamese-style coffee or even a Caramel Macchiato now and then. And their take on these coffee traditions is incredible.

Not a coffee drinker? I get it, some of us palpitate like there’s no tomorrow. But if you crave a sweet and satisfying drink while you work, their milk-based drinks are no slouch. And if, for whatever reason, you love their drinks enough and you want to drink more of them. Among the usual 12 and 16-ounce cups that they serve their drinks in, maybe you’d be into drinking 500 ml or even a liter of this stuff! Mind you, we don’t recommend you drink it all in one sitting. But if you want to enjoy But First, Coffee’s drinks at home, now you can order one-liter concentrates!

We are at an age where cafés are more accessible than ever. Flexible hours, with delicious drinks that won’t break the bank. There’s something about it that is attractive to a lot of people. Sometimes people see coffee as this super fancy concoction that’s exclusive to the fancy types. But really, that shouldn’t be the case. Because after all, good coffee doesn’t have to be expensive.

But First, Coffee is open from Monday to Thursday (10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.), Friday and Saturday (10:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.), and Sunday (10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.).

(Agnete Jonathan Noble, CEPPIO.)