Four men and a coffee shop

I love coffee. The stronger it tastes and the aromatic it smells, the better for me. That’s why I always enjoy a trip to coffee shops and coffee-tasting or cupping activities.

The Sunday coffee date with select friends from the media and blogging community was one memorable experience if only because we would be tasting coffee in Antipolo. Horray! Tayo na sa Antipolo… known for its manga, suman and kasuy.

If you have not been to Antipolo for the last 10 years, like my husband and I do, you will marvel how this area in Rizal have grown by leaps and bounds. There are now more malls around and various business establishments. But the best thing is the road-widening that took place in Sumulong Highway.

Coffee buddies and business paertners, from left: Dan Tarraya, Francis Guanco,
Joshua Tarrya and Jojit Restauro

Because it was a Sunday and our host, PR practitioner Ginny Guanco, provided van service for us, the travel from Cubao was a jiffy. In no time at all, we were ushered in to a homey, well-lit, Scandinavian design interior of The Daily Beans owned by childhood buddies turned business partners: Joshua Tarraya (Accountant), Dan Tarraya (Manpower Services), Jojit Restauro (Travel Sales Manager) and Francis Guanco (Creative Director).

Hubby and I with our photo bomber: Francis Guanco 

Why a coffee shop? The Tarrayas own The Daily Beans along Kilometer 56, Manila East Road in Barangay Hulo, Pililia Rizal. With a business name ready and a successful venture in that part of Rizal, they thought of branching out. And the result was the Antipolo coffee lounge and restaurant branch located in the bustling area of San Roque, Antipolo City, along the Sumulong Circumferential Road fronting Unciano Colleges which had a successful soft opening during the Christmas holiday.

 

The Daily Beans began its operation in 2011. According to store proprietress Sally Tarraya, the idea of putting up a coffee shop in the middle of a long road along Pililia Rizal, where daily commuters and travelers pass on their way to Caliraya Laguna, Quezon and other tourist destinations, was a smart move due to its ideally strategic location.  The new branch in Antipolo is in another strategic location, since it is fronting a school and a hospital. And in the EM Gems building where it occupies, it is the only coffee shop amidst the other eateries.

For the past 5 years, she said people of all ages have been frequenting this haven, where they can rest and chill while ordering their choices of freshly grinded coffee brewed and extracted on a daily basis, where they can select from Choco Java Chip and Mocha Peppermint Frappuccino, Cappuccino, Latte, Mocha for their Hot Coffee, with their favorite pasta or cheesecakes. The store has become a part of the everyday lives of its customers.

Frappes and smoothies in mason jars crocheted with various characters

For the opening salvo for the grand launch this New Year, The Daily Beans Antipolo has added more new features, an extensive variety of dishes, and a diversity of drinks ranging from coffee, tea, served either hot or iced, frappes to smoothies made from fresh fruits; each carefully brewed, blended and mixed to bring out the best soothing taste to compliment the Filipino palate.

As a treat, The Daily Beans offers a special limited promo for its growing clientele. For every P500 minimum purchase of any product, one gets a limited edition, original design T-shirt or coffee mug. 

With not much prodding hubby agreed to have an instant photo shoot with me (with myself directing and Ginny as photographer) to become the unofficial model of The Daily Beans for their promotional t-shirt! Obviously he himself enjoyed coffee at The Daily Beans though he really isn’t a coffee lover.

The Daily Beans has a wide assortment of food and beverages to choose from their menu.  There are pastas such as Tuna Casserole, Chicken Pesto, spicy Caliente or the all-time popular Spaghetti Meatballs. In the snacks section, one has a choice of Clubhouse sandwiches, Sloppy Joe nachos, Cheese n’ Chips and salads, among others. All-day breakfast favorites Beef Tapa come with free brewed coffee. Homemade pastries and cheesecakes of different variety with your beverage of choice are a must-try.

“One thing we are really proud of is that we do not use additives, seasonings like MSG or broth cubes. For our beverages we do not use pre-mixed powder. Everything is healthy and natural. We make our own chocolate sauce, sugar syrup and other fresh ingredients. Our homemade cheesecakes are authentic, rich and satisfying,” Dan Tarraya said.

Master Barista Dave Dource

Cofee cupping: enjoying the aroma

Moreover, the four friends themselves continuously undergo training as barista to make sure that quality and sincere service are given to their guests and customers. In fact, Master Barista Dave Dource of Barista Guild Asia PH, was special guest at the Sunday's Grand Opening showing guests how to differentiate coffees from Brazil, Costa Rica, Ethiopia and Benguet, among others, as well as the different brewing methods.

Overall, The Daily Beans coffee is smooth, the ice coffee is caramel-y but not sugary and the cappuccino is excellent with the coffee’s bitterness blending well with the foamy milk! Meanwhile, the crocheted mason jars for frappes and smoothies make the drinking experience more fun providing come on for the younger sets and the young at hearts.

The selection of pastries are excellent and the pasta dishes do not disappoint. With very reasonable price and big serving one couldn’t ask for more. Moreover, the homey feel, family ambiance, quality and sincere service, warm relationship with their crew are outstanding factors for repeat visits. 

So the next time you’re around Antipolo, or perhaps after a visita iglesia of the famous Antipolo Church, head to The Daily Beans for a relaxing cup of coffee. The presence of the four friends or anyone of them, who all agreed to be on hand in the business, would be a big bonus. The owners are more than willing to chat with customers regarding their coffee experiences. 

Look who enjoyed the coffee date on January 29: