Coffee at Dal Cielo, Los Banos

Aside from the Rice World Coffeeshop at IRRI, I discovered a small coffee and pastry shop right at the main road leading to UPLB. Dal Cielo is in front of an elementary school and is about 4 corners before the main gate of the campus. You won't miss it as it has this huge umbrella at the al fresco area.

It's a bit pricey compared to the Rice World but they have more choices - more pastries, meat pies, pasta, and of course coffee. Boyet likes their coffee better than Rice World while I particularly like their lemon squares and cream puff. As for coffee, I would give it the same score I'd give IRRI's Riceworld - best ones so far in LB.

One that intrigued us and  which we eventually tried was their sugar-free sansrival.  I didn't quite like it though maybe because i'm really a sweet tooth. 

Dal Cielo is rather small.  The dining area could be about 20 to 30 sqm only.  Despite the size, their airconditioning unit is not able to make the place cool.  It's fortunate that that at the time we were there it was rainy.  It is tastefully designed though and the toilet, though tight, is well laid out that it looks rather larger than it really is.  The verdict - if you like coffee and pastry, try it.  but if you're on a budget, just go in and buy their lemon squares and other small pastries.

IRRI Coffeeshop at UP Los Banos

One place that I do not miss going to whenever I'm at the University of the Philippines in Los Banos, Laguna is the coffeeshop at the IRRI. It's a cozy establishment but it's nicely decorated with some painting of rice fields. The resto has glass walls that where one has a view of the vast, usually green and not too distant ricefield and the mountains and hills beyond it. The sight is perfect during an overcast. Picture perfect I should say.



I love their food there. They're cheap and yummy. The coffee ranges from about 30 pesos to about 60 when you have one of those fancy ones with ice cream on top of them. Their formulation is at par, if not better than, the more popular coffee shops I have gone to. It's perfectly brewed and its aroma fills the air. I just love the smell of fresh coffee. Brings back so much memories of family and friends.

In addition to the brew, I normally order one of their pastries that are chewy and not so sweet but which have a lot of flavor. I have mine with ice cream on top. The pasty costs about 40 to 60 pesos. The ice cream costs an additional 15 pesos. perfect. I love their carrot cake. But of course, my daughter said my carrot cake is definitely better. Well, she's my daughter. What do you expect. hah!

Their sandwiches are muy delicioso too. I've so far tried their chicken sandwich. It was very tasty - has enough creaminess and less salt and a generous amount of chicken. They also have pasta and other dishes in their menu but I've not had the chance to be there to eat lunch or so. Maybe next week.



The coffeeshop has managed to stay at the top of my places-to-go list. However, I'm tempted to suggest they feature at least 2 rice based treat. Maybe rice coffee and a rice puff pastry? Perhaps I should go write the owner. Ah yes, that I will do next time I'm there. Wouldn't it be nice to be called the Rice coffeeshop at the International Rice Research Institute?

Pantoja Bakery - Goodies for Less

Have you been to a Pantoja Bakery yet? I suggest you do.

We went to one last week while on our way to fetch my daughter. This one is at the corner of the National Highway and the main road in Los Banos. It's right across Jollibee.



I was told about it by my mother-in-law when she saw the bakery 2 weeks ago. So, we paid it a visit a week later and voila! the goods were so cheap. And what's more is that their products are good too. So far the ones I like are the loaves and the crackers. need to go back there to check out the other stuff.



Another thing I liked is the idea of how they encourage people to bring their own shopping bags - they give a rebate of .50 centavos for each bag that is saved. Quite a good deal don't you think?

Mt. Makiling Hike

Ikee's going to Los Banos. It is time that we explore the place while she's there. First, since UPLB is at the foot of Mt. Makiling, we should start our discovery of the area there. Mt. Makiling is one of the most significant dormant volcanoes in Laguna, a province in the Southern part of Luzon island, Philippines. It is the reason why Los Banos has a number of hot spring resorts. Not just that, Makiling is a mystical and mythical mountain that is believed to be protected by a goddess named Maria Makiling. According to legend, she was a generous, kind-hearted yet possessive goddess.

I heard and read about the tourism in the area of the University and it seems like a good place to have a family trip. We may in fact join the Hike organized by NACCI this June 4, 2011. Of particular interest to me are the national forest reserve, the museum and the botanic garden. We'd probably book a room at the SEARCA Residence Hotel. It's currently priced at 1900 php for an overnight stay for two. I heard this is better than Trace College Hotel. Can't confirm that though because I only got to stay at SEARCA.

If you would like to take a tour of Makiling, you may get in touch with Nature Awareness and Conservation Club, Inc (NACCI) or the Pinoymountaineer. NACCI has an organized hike this June while Pinoymountaineer has a blog on do's and don'ts and what to expect in Makiling. I suggest you browse through it before you go.

Might you wanna join us?