Annipie: Haven of good eats

AMID the hustle and bustle of Malvar Street is a coffee shop that offers you a haven. At Annipie Cafe, you can relax, hang out, and enjoy your coffee with their famous cinnamon rolls. Or you can choose to have a snack or even a delicious meal.

Annipie is a welcome sight in this busy location packed with schools, restaurants, hospitals, even a church. Once you get inside, its attractive decor and calm ambiance give you the perfect setting to unwind.

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Annipie was a pleasant discovery for me when I was told to wait for my checkup at a nearby hospital. The thought of staying at the clinic waiting for hours for my turn didn’t sit well on me, so I left searching for a more relaxing place to stay.

Walking along Malvar Street, amidst the many establishments, the raucous traffic and the dizzying mass of people hurrying on foot, I saw the familiar signage of Annipie, and hurried over to escape the hurly-burly.

I say familiar because I’ve been a regular customer of their bakeshop and fast-food joint at Governor Duterte Street way back in the late '80s. Annipie has been serving delicious baked goods since it was first opened by the couple Lawyer Antonio and Nelia Partoza.

The first shop was a bakery and grocery store in Lanang at the corner of Nova Tierra in 1987. They also opened a takeout bakeshop in Ecoland in 2001. In March last year, the couple's daughter, Andrea Partoza A¤onuevo and her husband Erwin opened Annipie Caf‚ at Malvar.

It is no surprise that Andrea engaged in the family business. With a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management at the St. Scholastica's College Manila, and training on Basic Commercial Baking Course at the Bakery Training Center in Davao, she was more than qualified to run the business.

Andrea also took a certificate course at the Center for the Asian Culinary Studies, as well as Cake Decorating Courses at the Heny Sison Baking School. She is currently an active member of the Davao Baker’s Club, an association of bakery owners in the city.

Andrea revealed that the concept of opening a shop that specializes in cinnamon rolls was first introduced to them by renowned Davao artist Vic Secuya, a big fan of Annipie’s cinnamon rolls, who later on helped the couple in their marketing needs.

Annipie Caf‚ has a stylish interior with a cozy air to it. At the back, you'll find a pleasant al fresco hideaway, with comfy tables and seats under a tree large enough to offer shade and fresh air. The coffee shop was designed by a friend of Andrea's family, Architect Sylvia Rieta.

I could see their famed cinnamon rolls at the display, beckoning me to sample their different flavors such as classic, cappuccino, choco mocha, caramel crunch, nutty cheese, and the cinnamon glazed.

Equally inviting are their all-time favorites: choco caramel cake, brownies, and other specialty cakes and pastries.

Annipie's new offering is a luscious-looking ensaymada that comes in two flavors: classic and special with sweet ham and salted egg. For the Valentine month, they have chocolate rolls in cookies and cream, black and white, and choco chip flavors.

But wait, upon further inspection of their menu, I found they also have meals for all times of the day. The Pinoy Adobo is described as a Filipino favorite simmered to perfection in a concoction of carefully selected condiments and spices.

There is also the sweet, salty, and spicy Binagoongan, and their newest item on the menu, the Chicken cordon Bleu? Chicken fillet rolled with ham and cheese and cooked to perfection.

If you want something more exciting, try Annipie’s specialties: Zesty Lemon Chicken, Lengua Con Cetas, Dumont’s Beef Stew, and Hungarian Sausage. There are more items in their menu that cater to every food craving.

So next time you wish to relax and have your cup of coffee, or want to bite into luscious cakes or cinnamon rolls, or you simply want to enjoy a satisfying meal, head off to Malvar Street. Annipie Caf‚ is waiting for you.