? THE BEST COFFEE IN TOWN

Last night I wasn't really ouit to do coffee tasting, but what do you make of such claims you see on the wall? I had to come in and give it a try... there's no any other way about it...

The place is a well known destination amongst budget backpackers, and their coffeeshop opens almost all the time. It is also christened the Backpackers Museum, showcasing war and post war memorablias, what caught my attention most are the war poems posted along the stairs, under a big bright neon caption "Lest We Forget Your Sacrifice". Nice.

They seemingly have quite a good variety of food on the menu, but since last night I was quite single-minded to get some fried rice from another place, I ordered something light... and so surprisingly cheap...

Even Coffee Bean can't beat the decos they have here... authentic. Love it.

I had bottled coffee RM1.00 and charcoal toasted bread, also RM1.00. The coffee is just plain chilled sweetened americano presented in a green bottle, but the idea is really pleasing. I've not seen this done elsewhere.

Dim lighting and conducive ambiance for deep chat with friends (or date)... Definitely will be back.

Bread toasted on charcoal, then slapped on butter and sugar... nice.

Determined to come back for an interview with the Boss.

After that, I walked down to another cafe that I've discovered much much earlier, The Yesteryear Cafe. The first time I came they were playing jazz in the background. Quite crowded with locals and foreigners alike downing away sets of beer and stouts.

Lately the ambiance has been a little less than favourable for my liking, mostly because the last 3 visits they have been showing Wrestling on their 2 tvs. The plave is fast losing its attractiveness as an escapade for me to run away into a little world of my own.

But the main reason I come back is this, Lagi Aramaiti fried rice (with sausage, egg, pineapple and mixed vegetable), with sunny side up and a piece of chicken wing RM7.50. The iced coffee is just so-so. RM2.00.

THE APPARENT BIAS ?

Many have asked whether or not I have any strings connected to Starbucks because of the amount of coffee tasting I've done there and not much I've said about the others. Well, I just want to make clear, that I am not in any ways affiliated to Starbucks, though much that I want to... the reason I am there most of the time is because of their client friendly policy and of course, the coffee there is good. Well, better... is many sense.

This is of course not to say that I've put down the rest of the coffee giants for good. For instant, honestly, I seldom go for Fraps at Starbucks, simply because I think Coffee Bean makes much better Ice-Blended drinks. Well for SanFran, I'd go there to glut on their salad, and when you're really thirsty and you want something icy with a kick, Mo'Mocha provides a better uumph than any of the other two giants....

But still, Starbucks gives its patrons a reason to come back... We at Philosoffee share the same sentiment about coffee... that is it more than just a drink, it is supposed to be an experience. An enjoyable one at that. Amen.

A LIL BIT TOO MUCH MOCHA

Attending a meeting over a 3 nights stay in Labuan - the land of cheap booze, cigarettes, textiles and of course, chocolate - I picked up a goodie bag full of the stuff worth more than 50 bucks. And all of them as you may have guessed it correctly - are in someways and somehow flavoured with coffee.

Stay tuned till I find the opportunity to have my caloriextravaganza, and celebrate the second Easter this year doing something I'd regret - trying out my coffee chocolate.

But a coffee maestro's gotta do what a coffee maestro's gotta do... oh well.

SWEET SWEET COFFEE

It's been a while since I last had a good cup of black coffee. Last week, when I was at UPM attending the National PROSTAR Convention, I had to endure 3 full days of absurdly sweet americano or kopi-o that was dispensed from a leaky plastic container every time we had a break. I swear that would be the last time I will put up with such insult.

Anyway, congratulations to Starbucks KK for the opening of its third branch at KK City Mall. Why do we need another Starbucks I do not know, but I am not complaining, in fact, I think we can never have enough... I just think that Berjaya Group should be careful of over-domesticising the brand because the way Sabahan or rather Malaysian mentality as a whole, appreciates the exotic more.

BEYOND SIPPING IN STYLE

I have grown to appreciate the subtle pleasure of knowing my coffee much more since the time when everything was black-and-sweet. To mark another level of complexity, I've asked to join a cupping session, held very regularly at Starbucks Coffee outlets. I am very honoured to be invited to a coffee cupping session for the first time today at Starbucks@Warisan Square.

Starbucks partners

Amongst those on trial: coffee, and a variety of desserts

It was a very interesting experience, plus I got a Passport to stamp the 'journey' through discovery of brews and flavours. Felt like I've been granted another nationality - Coffeeland. Now it's official - I am going to blog about the experience - and stay tuned for everything and everythang coffee...

The passport

Starbucks @ Warisan Square organises cupping sessions on a daily basis at 10am and 7pm. Ask for Ronny or Eddy for further information.

PHILOCOFFEE REBORN

Homosapien coffeephillus

I've taken in coffee ever since I could make sense of my memory. Cooled and heavily sugared was the preparation of choice (as it was made for breakfast) and though it was believed to stunt someone's potential height, I got my way around and still have to sit at the back of the class in school.

Coffee has accompanied my days (or rather nights) preparing for exams throughout secondary school, and those days, I prepared black coffee by the pot. Seriously, a whole pot just for myself. I believe by this over-exposure, I don't get caught up with sleepless night even if I take it for supper.

Appreciation for designer coffee started during Uni days when opportunities and choices were plenty. Just then I swore off Nescafe or any other kind of instant coffee for good. Though not allowed in the dormitory, I kept a drip machine in the room to have fresh brewed coffee every morning. Nothing beats waking up to the smell of real coffee.

For the past few years though I shamefully admit that I've switched back to 3-in-1 just for the sake of convenience. Yea, excuses-smexcuses, I know it has to stop. It's time to get real again.