Luis A. Quibranza III

IN the middle of a very fast-paced section near downtown Cebu, is a café that dares to “slow things” down a bit. More than just serving good food here in this place, the customer’s holistic satisfaction is of greatest priority.

he new Elicon Café is located at the corners of P. Del Rosario and Gen. Junquera Sts., Cebu City. “We serve something more than just food,” owner Joel Lee explains during the opening.

Besides the obvious that they cater a sumptuous menu, the place is also an information center where health, environmental and spiritual issues can be shared. It’s a permaculture resource center with books, CDs, magazines, technical manuals and information on local and international permaculture events. And as if that’s not enough, the café aims to become a venue that will feature the works of local artists and environmental art, spiritual documentaries and films. The place is also a haven for those seeking to play foosball and board games.

This new hangout can also be mistaken as a garden. Plants fill the joint and that’s because one of the café’s thrusts amongst a handful, is to promote permaculture (as you may have already picked up from above). That’s why stepping inside the café feels like walking into an organized diner in the middle of a rainforest. It’s a shot at nature confined in four walls.

And speaking of walls, glass panels substitute concrete slabs. This is to allow and maximize the use of natural sunlight from outside to brighten up the café.

According to owner Edna Lee, it’s also a “high-oxygen area.” And why wouldn’t it be? The area is constructed in such a way where it is properly ventilated and a natural mist-cooling system is adapted. No air conditioners? No problem. The place still feels fresh even if it is jam-packed with customers.

And in case you find yourself strolling on the streets nearby, with the sun beating the back of your head, you might want to
drop by and try their gelato priced at 20 bucks. Not bad at all.

In one word, this is what the place is all about in a nutshell: chill.

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