Simplejoys Bakery and Cafe

Ever since I found out about Simplejoys Bakery and Cafe last year, my boyfriend and I have been quietly trying to hunt it down. The elusive cafe proved to be a challenging quest for both of us and it was only after our third failed attempt of locating it that we finally found it along J.R Borja and Burgos streets (close to the new bridge) in Cagayan de Oro City.

image

This whimsically designed concept café is a haven for those who love everything quaint and charming. Obviously, I’m part of that statistic. Hehe 🙂

image
image

Fully adorned with dainty decor, vintage finds, and shabby chic furnishing in pastel colors, it creates the perfect space to duck in for some afternoon tea and desserts.

image

Still full from our fill at Wild Onion, we opted to get some of their desserts only. We had their green tea gelato, chocolate avocado cake, and ube halaya frappe. While I genuinely enjoyed the ube halaya frappe and green tea gelato, the chocolate avocado cake is in a league of its own.

image

The cake comes with a chocolate coated breakfast cereal base and the middle is smeared with a silky, creamy avocado filling. Its topped with a rich chocolate ganache that has just the right amount of sweetness and then sprinkled with fine cocoa powder. This cake made a great impression on my first bite! I’m afraid to say that I’ve finally found a cake that I enjoy as much as Micky’s Cakes (if not, more).

Whoever thought that avocado and chocolate go well together is a freakin’ genius! If there’s only one thing you should try from their menu, it should be the chocolate avocado cake. For the love of everything holy, don’t miss it.

Simplejoys Bakery and Cafe should be expecting to see me more often. Not only is their place cozy and makes for great photo ops but the desserts are also worth the journey!

Bag of Beans Coffee Shop, Restaurant and Bakery

After our lunch at Hellenic Tavern Hotel, we took a jeepney and headed straight down to Bag of Beans to find out why there’s so much rave about it…

And when we got there, just judging it by its quaint entrance, I knew I was going to love the place right off the bat.

They have a shelf chockful of excellent quality coffee beans and some delicious pastry goodies.

If you can afford to try their expensive and globally-famous Coffee Alamid, I suggest that you give it a go. I heard this unique coffee blend has a sweet and dark chocolatey taste to it and it’s the best one they have. 

My boyfriend and I decided to have our coffee at the balcony (you too can read what’s on their menu here)…

Overlooking at their beautiful lush garden below.

Get it while it’s hot 😉

Chocolate mousse for dessert. It was gooooddddd.

Clearly, my boyfriend enjoyed his mug o’ coffee very much!

I say that no Tagaytay trip is ever complete without making a stop at Bag of Beans. Its cozy and homey atmosphere is the perfect place to retreat over coffee and dessert on a chilly afternoon. Located just along Aguinaldo Highway near the Mendez intersection, I promise, you wouldn’t miss it!