HANOEL CAFE - feels like home in Antips

Antipolo is bursting with new businesses which makes it more than just a pilgrimage city. Before, I used to search online for places to go to in Antipolo (aside from the usual OL places i.e. Padis Point) and they're usually found in the most hidden spots of Antips which makes me lazy to visit. Perhaps it started two years ago when I began to notice several coffee shops near the church and it made me giddy because I won't have to go to Figaro Sta. Lucia to find a place to contemplate my thoughts and write. The main bayan in Antipolo has enough coffee shops to offer with good ambiance for intimate talks, peace of mind while having your daily caffeine fix, and even hookah :D (Seisha anyone?)

Just last Friday, I really wanted to try this young coffee shop called Hanoel Coffee and Restaurant so I dragged my teenage cousin with me. Hanoel is along Circumferential Road, near Shopwise and across Mercury Drug. Its a two-story building, where the restaurant is located at the second floor and the Hanoel is on the first.

 Wooden tables and shelves

Opening the door and having a quick glimpse on the place, its really homey. Wooden furnitures, a working piano on the side, and a double deck on the other corner.

We decided to choose the bottom floor of the double deck and I absolutely love it! Its like your little intimate nook where you can just sip your drink and write in peace or even sleep, haha.

 cozy double deck

The friendly staff gave us the menu, and since its a Korean coffee shop I wanted to choose something...well, Korean. So instead of coffee, we picked their Patbingsu their Korean version of Halo-halo (P150 each).

 Patbingsu!

It came in a huge glass of shaved ice drizzled with strawberry syrup, fruit ring cereals, nata de coco jelly, pineapple slices, sweet red beans, and topped with a hefty scoop of vanilla with choco syrup. I was so intrigued with the pineapples so I decided to have a taste after mixing the ingredients. It's not as sweet as our version of halo-halo because it doesn't have milk and sugar. It's the red beans which gave its sweetness plus the refreshing tangy taste of pineapple makes it more tropical --- suited for our weather. I love this kind of halo-halo! I've seen other versions of Patbingsu online and they usually comprise of more fruits like strawberries, kiwi, mangoes, etc.

While eating, my cousin instantly spotted the Korean guy in white polo shirt (who I recognize as the owner of the shop from other blog entries) and she persistently asked me to have her photo taken with him. I chose to ignore her and after a few minutes, the music being played inside the cafe stopped and it was followed by a slow piano piece. Chris Lee (the owner's name) was playing the piano and he is really good at it. I was mesmerized by the way he plays and can't think of a single doodle to write on the green stick note I got so I can post it on the freedom board.

 Freedom board

Chris oppa (haha!) played a couple of songs and my cousin never ceased to insist have a picture with him. In the end, I gave in. After getting our bill, I asked one of their staff if my cousin can take a picture with him and Chris oppa (haha!) gladly said yes.

Cy with Chris Lee

Overall, Hanoel is definitely worth another visit. The double deck is something I find unique and I would love to grab the same spot we chose every time I'll go there. Next time I might try their green tea and eat at their restaurant on the second floor (hopefully they have jajangmyun). Ambiance is good, the staff are friendly, the owner is very accommodating and his piano-playing alone can make you want to come back.

Oh how it would be nice for Antipolo to be the coffee shop capital of the Philippines (minus the usual Starbucks of course) where people can visit esp. during cold days just to hang out in quaint cozy cafes and indulge in the ambiance and the company.

Hanoel fighting! XD








-J-