Fiorgelato/Fior Cafe at Cash and Carry

I had my first taste of brewed coffee in college in this shop in a small hotel in front of my school. I frequented this coffee shop of all but 8 tables of 4-seaters, immaculately clean white table cloths, cushioned chairs (my first in a commercial establishment), well-dressed and well-mannered servers, and the best cornflakes with bananas I ever had. All 8 of us would squeeze into one table, kami lang ang mga kolehiyalas doon. Hotel foreigners were our daily breakfast mates. We were there for the relaxed feel and the pride of making tambay in an air conditioned shop. I of course was in for more - the smooth silver cutlery, the clinking of the ceramic cups and saucers, the comfort of being waited on by courteous waiters who made me feel beautiful, and the super sarap breakfast.

Soon I was frequenting the place alone for lunch. There was always something about each dish that made it extra scrumptious. Looking back, I guess it was the freshness and fullness of the ingredients and their presentation. Or was it just the ambience? Basta ang naaalala ko, ang daming sahog ng pancit canton nila compared to nearby Amigo Tea House at ang babango ng mga waiter. After college, I always insisted on having meetings in coffee shops whenever I can.

Nung nagsulputan na ang mga Starbucks at Figaro, nag-iba na ang coffee shop na alam ko.  Ako na ang kumukuha ng sarili kong kape at sandwiches. Wala nang table cloth. Naka chill or mina microwave na ang food. Masarap, pero... iba e.

Last Ressurection Sunday, we decided to try Fior Cafe at the 3rd Floor ng Cash and Carry. Hindi kami nagsisi! Nabuhay ang lahat ng naalala ko sa kung ano ang coffee shop - fresh food, great service, low price, and yes, shiny cutlery and clinking cups and saucers :)


 The chicken wings were divine - crispy and sweet-saucy. Pasta Carbonara was al dente and the sauce was malinamnam na hindi nakaka-uta. The square pizza did not scrimp on toppings and its crust was delightfully thin and crunchy. And the cheeseburger - hayyyyyy - walang extenders ang beef! Full of flavor! Every bite was dreamy. At ang laki ha. Humirit pa ako ng peppermint gelato - hit na hit sa init!

Hindi ko lang tatambayan ang Fior Cafe pagkatapos mag grocery sa cash and carry. Sasadyain ko ito para kumain - then maybe go shopping :)