Wednesday, November 05, 2008 Coffee: the Asian mix By Luis A. Quibranza III
AN idea popularized in the western market, coffee drinking has undoubtedly become one of the Queen City’s favorite pastime affairs. With coffee shops springing up from almost every block possible, it’s very comforting to know that there is a place here in Cebu that offers the same experience, but only with an enticing Asian twist.
Kopi Roti is located in one of the latest lifestyle centers of Cebu, The Gallery along Juan Luna Ave. in Mabolo. As exciting the name suggests, the place offers a new option of enjoying coffee blended to perfection.
The concept was taken years ago from Singapore, when kopi tiams (the Malay word for coffee shops) were pressured to serve coffee prepared the Asian way to demanding consumers. The locals then knew what they wanted: good coffee at an affordable price.
“Having coffee doesn’t have to be expensive. All classes should be able to drink good coffee,“ explains Seth Tio, one of the owners of the branch. Affordable indeed, your hundred bucks can go a long way here.
Diverting from common cakes and sandwiches, this shop offers a more distinct, Asian-influenced array of appetizers to go along with your drink. One to mention is their Kopi bun, the house specialty. This is soft bread with a coffee flavored crust and filled with sweet butter inside. There’s also the Kaya and French toast served with the special Kopi Roti treatment. To end, the interesting soft-boiled egg served with special soya sauce and white pepper is a must try.
Here, not only do you pay for great drink and food at a very reasonable price (they prepare set combinations as well), the venue is also a good place to relax indoors or al fresco. Fronting the stretch of Juan Luna Ave., you can get the chance to slow down your pace after a busy day and enjoy life’s little pleasures, like a bite off a sweet bun or have a great conversation with a friend over a cup of tea.
The place is open from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. during Sundays to Thursdays. For Fridays and
Saturdays, they extend store hours until 2 a.m. And just when you thought hanging out in coffee shops was confined to only “after-work” dates at night: “We also serve a unique breakfast experience,” adds Seth.
How can we forget? A cup of coffee before the day kicks off is one of the important elements to modern man’s basic morning ritual.
