Hotel Lorenzo's Cafe

The other day’s city-wide black out combined with the hot and humid temps took me to the café part of Hotel Lorenzo in Avenida Veteranos. I was desperate for a cool ambient indoor space while walking around town hence, the impulse to come here. Hotel Lorenzo’s set up is pleasant enough and has the "big city" hotel feel up with its luminescent tiles, chandeliers and tall glass doors. One gets the feeling of Joe Firday’s “Just the facts Ma’am” attitude here, though yes, it has a homey touch to it too.

The café serves daily breakfast buffet to the tune of P280 I believe, but I was too late for that. When I came over, breakfast was being served alà carte and I ordered a light one with the Caribbean French Toast and un petit taz cafe creme. On the whole I believe the eatery exists to cater to the guests of the hotel, wi-fi connectivity is well accessed, and the staff was amiable enough. What can I say, the place was comfortable, straight to the point and clean.

Location: Avenida Veteranos
Prices: Varies, is wide range as menu extends from variable cuisines, all sorts of beverages and so on.
About: P85 - the mid 300’s

Perhaps I’ll come for the buffet breakfast next time, yeh? 

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That Spicy Addition to Tacloban City Named: White Spice

By far, my most favorite interior in all the independent business eateries here in TC is that of White Spice’s. It has this streamlined, clean, minimalist look about it that’s very well made. Stepping into it makes one think of the contemporary diminutive cafés in the word's metropolises that one will endear to because of it’s coziness and intimate atmosphere.

It helps that the food served here in White Spice are delicious. The menu is also a choice few but I believe is what they do best. So far, I have sampled the Fish and Chips and their version of the Baby Back ribs and I have no complaints. The staff is polite and professional, and I even got to chat with one of its partners. He informed me and my companion that proprietorship is shared by four young gents in their 20’s and they came up with this idea of White Spice. He further revealed that they will be opening a… wait for it… a grilled seafood place somewhere in the Marasbaras area. Coming soon!

I cannot recommend this place enough to people because in the relaxation-while-dining scale, White Spice was up there, no screams, no cacophony, and that was on a Saturday night . Dining here was enjoyable, focused and easy. There is no Wi-Fi connectivity though, because they encourage everyone to just converse amongst each other and perhaps read, that and eat more!

Location: MH del Pilar (below Opa Korean Restaurant)
Prices: P90’s - P270’s. 

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Âyo Cafe: Something Pleasant Away from the City

Away from the bustle of Tacloban City proper and along Apitong Road sits this attractive café named “Âyo.” Nestled in a strip mall structure area, it’s a good place of reprieve when one is traversing the diversion road on the Maharlika Hwy. The resto has a mixed fare of Filipino and international cuisine, pasta and sandwiches, drinks are served primarily in pitchers and the clientele consists of people who only know where it is. To be candid, it’s making me wonder whether the proprietors (which are also the owners of Sunzibar and Canto Fresco) consciously opened this eatery here especially for customers who do not want to be bothered by the agitation in the city. Be that as it may, it is enjoyable as a place to eat.

Âyo does have tasty preparations but the Chef’s specials on the board is pricey as they come understandably because the ingredients are a rarity in Tacloban and Leyte. Example: Lamb Chops w/ Couscous Salad for P800, special cuts of beef and other entrées prepared with international flair for just as much.  Happily, these are not all that they serve. On the menu are more reasonably priced items which share an affinity for the items served in Sunzibar. Parking is not hard to come by because as I mentioned, Âyo is not at the hubbub of TC.

Location: Apitong Road, towards the right if you are heading north of Maharlika Mwy
Prices: from the P150’s to the higher triple digits

PS: Âyo was named after the Cebuano/Visayan word for “good.” if you don’t believe me, check out the decal of the word's definition on the upper right of the wall of the place (pictured on the collage). A clever touch yes?

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The Delightful K Patisserie:

At the counter...

A very pleasant pastry shop with delectable desserts but I like it here mostly because the Spaghetti Bolognese is made just as how it should be! K Pat as how I believe people have nicknamed the place is pretty and refreshing. The flavored ice teas and smoothies are notable and the cupcakes are flavored just right.

You'd have to bring your own pocket Wi-Fi because this is not offered at K Pat, but if you do, all the other elements in this eatery will compliment your visit. 

The Spaghetti Bolognese I rave about.

Looks like an international clientele.

K Pat's attractive interior deco

Location: Corner Gomez and Paterno Sts.
Prices: from P80s - 130s average

I dare say, K Patisserie is a wonderful addition to our Tacloban City!

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