[OK na Kape Trip] The Curator Coffee and Cocktails

Intro:

guy and pip at the Curator

Still a part of our cousin's quest to introduce us to third wave coffee experience, we landed in a speakeasy-esque cafe slash cocktail bar very close to the office but we never know existed until lately. Kaya manghang-mangha kami na after working around the area for a couple of years, may hidden haven pala along C. Palanca street where we can spend time to escape the rigors of the daily grind and enjoy a good cup.

Hello, The Curator!

on one of their walls

On the Table:

• Tapa Sandwich
• Belgian Chocolate Cookie
• Espresso Number 2, Lamill Bliss (espresso + milk)
• Iced version of Espresso Number 2

taptilog = tapa, tinapay, itlog

Who would have thought of creating a sandwich out of tapa and itlog? Parang tapsilog ito na tinapay instead of sinangag. The beef is a bit on the chewy side but we love the whole idea of tapa on bread and it tastes great, so we're good with it.

kape at tsokolate

We also loved the chocolate cookie. Manipis nga lang. Pero can't go wrong with the belgian chocolate. I cried manly tears in sweetness.

Just like in most third wave coffee houses, better talk with the barista on how you want your coffee prepared. Mas educational din kung magtatanong sa kanila about the whole coffee-making procedure. They are very willing to discuss it. For my cup, I've always wanted it not too full bodied and less yung bitter taste dahil hindi naman talaga ako kape adik, so I told them about it. The staff suggested I might be looking for their YKW blend (made from fruity and sweet beans). Kaso it's seasonal at wala nung time na nandun kami. 

the menu

So I settled with the lamill coffee, a dark roast variant pero may sweetness pa din. Take note, kapag sinabing "sweet" on most third wave coffee offerings, don't expect Starbucks-sweet. Hints lang talaga ang tamis neto and the coffee is still coffee, meaning mapait pa din. It's always your prerogative to sweeten it up to your liking and in the case of the Curator, they offer sugar syrup interestingly encased on a rack of test tubes. Nakaka-aliw.

latte

cold brew

I can talk all day about their coffee and third wave coffee in general but to cut it short, it's an experience to try for posers like me and a good find to satiate caffeine fixes for real deal addicts. 

Here's something I snatched off the interwebs to give a more visual idea about coffee variants. Para hindi masyadong mangmang, like me.

know your coffee

Kaching:

Halos ka-presyo lang din ng Starbucks, kaso mas konti ang servings at walang sandamakmak na asukal. So kung kaya mo magpa-konyo ng araw araw naka Starbucks, bakit hindi na lang subukan yung mga ganito. Mas may kokonyo pa.

Coffee starts at around P130. Yung food ang mahal. Isipin na lang na ang binabayaran dito ay hindi lang yung kape but the overall experience.

alam mo na

Chechebureche:

The Curator will always pop-up in the mention of "speakeasy" places around the Metro. It's deviously hidden inside a winery. Nung unang salta ko, akala ko papunta na ako sa kusina nung wine bar. Pero pag bukas ng pinto, biglang teleport kami sa isang windowless cafe.

the bar area

By the way, the Curator is a cafe by morning and a cocktail bar at night. We haven't tried going there at their "night" mode which usually starts at 6PM onwards on weekdays, pero inabot na kami dun minsan ng past 6PM at dumadami na yung mga taong mukang naghahandang uminom. LOL. 

Ang kulit din kasi nung way para malaman kung open na sila for coffee or cocktail mode na. Meron lang nakapaskil na chalkboard sa window pane nung adjoining winery na may naka-drawing na logo ng Curator at may nakasulat na "may kape sa loob". That's "coffee time". Very discreet. Kung wala naman yun, ibig sabihin "night" mode na.

that's their logo

The interior design is a queer art by itself. Surrounded by unfinished walls and ceiling, the decors are quaint and easily piques interest. The lights are dim which makes for a good relaxing feel. Walang orasan sa paligid kaya talagang "escape" siya from the bustling "outside" world.

The staff are all willing to converse about their coffee and it can be educational. May kakilala pa si Kat from them from highschool who gave us names of the other third wave coffee places around the area.

a wall of whatnots

Personally, I'm indifferent on writing about this place and contribute to more people finding about it because frankly we don't want its vibes spoiled by being overcrowded. Think Starbucks on a payday Friday night. Kablam! But that part of us who wanted our awesome experiences shared with others won so there. Go!

In Short:
A sweet escape from work.

this sweet

Rating:
5.5 out of 7




[obi.March]