Hello Hive!
I have been blessed with constant companions in life and I couldn't ask for better friends than them. We have been friends with @glecerioberto and @ivanafrey24 (Yes! She finally agreed to create a Hive account after my continuous barrage of persuasion to sign up) since college, and we were always together in escapades, staycations, and even just weekend hangouts in a cafe somewhere in the city.
One weekend, we decided to do yoga at Asmara Urban Resort. After the yoga, we decided to chill somewhere, but we didn't know where exactly. We just decided to take a taxi and go to IT Park in Lahug, Cebu City. While in The Walk, we immediately saw this cafe that we haven't tried before. It looks so spacious even from the outside. We decided to give it a try.
As I have mentioned in my last post here in Cinnamon Cup Coffee, I'm not really a fan of coffee. I love its aroma, but I'll palpitate when I drink even just a few sips, so I often go for caffeine-free choices on the menu. Good thing the community is inclusive so I can still share my cafe adventures even if I'm not into coffee and Coffee Bay is no different.
Just from the looks outside the cafe, I was able to discern that the cafe is spacious with an awesome ambience. I already knew I would feel relaxed even after yoga. 😂
It's really a hassle to sign the contact tracing form because I don't know what will they do with data they have gathered. It might be used in data mining to extract customer information. But we have to follow protocols or we won't get inside.
I was planning to write something just to be productive while in the cafe, but I also knew I'm really at my most unproductive state when I'm in a cafe so I didn't have my hopes up when it comes to posting something while we were there. Anyway, let's check the interiors of the cafe.
Interiors
I noticed those Korean characters at the entrance and some parts of the cafe and I initially thought that maybe they're for Koreans who are staying in Cebu. Pre-pandemic, if you've been here, you'll know that Koreans are one of the highest tourists and ex-pats in this part of the country. But upon further research about the cafe, Coffee Bay is really a Korean brand that is now expanding overseas, particularly in Asia and the US.
As I've speculated above, Coffee Bay is really spacious that if there was no pandemic, it can accommodate a lot of coffee and cafe lovers. The design is very modern and industrial with exposed plumbing and fixtures in the ceiling. I don't know why, but it seems almost all of the new cafes popping in the city have this kind of design.
The dominant colors that could be observed inside the cafe are gray and brown with some red tones that are consistent with the brand. I find it relaxing to the eye which is probably one of the reasons why I can't seem to be productive inside the cafe. Of course, the smell of roasted coffee always makes me feel sleepy.
At the corner near the counter, they have their signatures of merchandise like tumblers, mugs, and other assortments. I just find them too expensive for me. Besides, I don't drink coffee so I'm not inclined to buy their merchandise.
Menu
As a non-coffee person who frequents in coffee shops, having an extensive selection of non-coffee drinks will really make my day. Often those non-coffee choices are not available especially now, but I'm surprised by Coffee Bay's staples of smoothies and teas for non-coffee persons. That's of course on top of their hot and iced coffee choices.
They have cakes, selected pastries, and even sandwiches.
The price range of their selection is Php 100.00 - Php 200.00. I think that's a standard range as with any other cafes in the city. Considering the ambience and myriad choices in their menu, I believe it's a good place to chill. I have to say I got comfortable in the cafe because even if there were a handful of people, social distancing was properly imposed.
I guess that's all for this post. How about you? Did you have a cafe experience during the pandemic? Anyway, see you in my next posts! As always, I'm grateful for the support!
Kim Ybañez
Welcome to Kim's small corner in Hive. He is a chemical engineer by profession, but a blogger by passion. He is a wanderlust and an adventure seeker. Join his quests as he visits secluded destinations, climbs mountains, tries new and exotic dishes, and explores his country (The Philippines). He's also a trying hard photographer so stay tuned as he shares his photos and his thought process while creating them.
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At first glance, Coffee Bay seemed familiar and I was trying to recall where I have seen it. And then when you said,
I remembered the Kdramas I've watched, particularly Something in the Rain where Son Ye-Jin's character worked as an employee in the popular Korean coffeehouse franchise. I didn't know there was one in Cebu. I'm excited to try it one day.😍
Their first franchise in Cebu is in SM Seaside and then that in IT Park is the second branch here in the Philippines. So it's really famous in Korea.
Ah, yes you're right, I have passed it a few times but weirdly didn't make the connection until you mentioned it. Happy Easter!
Happy Easter! It's still Black Saturday tho. 😂
Haha 😅 excited ako masyado 😂
Excited din ako for tomorrow! Although wala naman masyadong ganap. I just loved the break this Holy Week. Maybe we'll go to a cafe somewhere and Hive. 🤓
@ybanezkim26 Awesome post!
It's nice to see you again!
I like the other varieties for non-coffee drinkers, as I think the overall setting and ambience of coffee shops is the perfect hanging out spot to catch up with old friends.
I'd agree that browns, greys and reds are warm colors which compliment coffee shops nicely.
Looks like a perfect spot, and I like that even though it's spacious, it still has a warm vibe.
Thank you for stopping by :)
Thank you! 🥺🥺🥺
I felt so welcomed in this community even if I'm not a coffee drinker. I think @glecerioberto will fit in here because he's a coffee addict.
I will still drop by to share my cafe adventures even if there's no coffee involved. 😂
I'm always happy to see you :)
The cold drinks and pastries look awesome.
Can't wait for this pandemic to be over!
Really can't wait! I'm excited for the possibilities!
I like the site that I see in your post, it looks spacious, clean, organized, some people wear the mask, I think it is nice to enjoy a coffee either alone or in the company of other people, I really like coffee even in candies
That's true. I'm usually anxious when I'm in a public place, but not on this one. Makes me feel at ease with that space.
Well done on boarding. I've managed to do some of that myself during our time here. This community's pretty great. I gotta go, now I'm hungry. And I want an iced coffee too.
At first I was like, "Whut?" And then I was like, "Oh!" You just want some iced coffee. 😂
Slept at a coffee shop. The irony though. Hahaha.
I just subscribed to the Community. I think I'll post some of my coffee stories there. 😁
I'm sure you have a lot of coffee stories. And oh! We still have the evidence of the crime scene. How was the meeting? 😂
That coffee looks so delicious that it makes me want to order one right agaw! Even if it's 6 PM... Lol
😂😂😂 If it's still possible to order, you should order now or be haunted by coffee in your sleep. 🙈
Most likely that will happen haha
Which one? Hopefully you already ordered something. 😄
I haven't, now I wait to fall asleep and be haunted the whole night by coffees 🥺
🤣🤣🤣 Good luck! Although it doesn't sound like a bad thing to be haunted by coffees.
This is beautiful coffeeBay
Hello @ybanezkim26
Thank you so much! Very much appreciated.
I never expect that coffee bay has a cozy ambiance. thanks to your post :)
hello @ybanezkim26 ,
it's a beautiful place I think if I lived nearby I would use it as an office and for important meetings, where I live there is nothing like this, so seeing these pictures I love it, thanks for sharing them.
I'm promoting That curation trail on HIVE and it would help me a lot if you forward it, You can also check it yourself: you might find it interesting to join, I'd love to hear your comments.