It seemed like De La Salle University-Manila and College of Saint Benilde students are now lucky to have so many nice hangout places around their campuses and school buildings where they can huddle and conduct group studies, do homeworks and chill to let out stress. Not students but still look like students, we burst into one of the cool cafΓ©s in One Archer’s Place (along Castro Street adjacent to DLSU Gokongwei Building) last Saturday.
Where exactly? CafΓ© De Seoul. Purpose? To try drinks and delicious pastries, relax and just have fun even without the booze at this Korean-style cafΓ©. π Let me share with you my review of this place which started its operations only last March 1, 2013.
Review of CafΓ© De Seoul (One Archer’s Place, Taft Avenue, Manila)
Ambiance: β β β β β
CafΓ© de Seoul might have opened in the last three months, but so many diners have already caught word. We went there during lunch time and while the place was not busy, CafΓ© de Seoul never ran out of customers. From the entrance, guests walk into a sleek hall whose walls are posted with pictures of happy customers side by side with the cafΓ©’s Korean owners.
A number of tables with embedded Samsung Galaxy 10, matched with high chairs, are available so dine-in guests can use the tablet’s full functionality and at the same time utilize free Wi-Fi connection (ask password from the “counter guy”) without bringing in their own device.
With European fine dining infused with modern Korean popular culture theme, CafΓ© de Seoul offers spacious accommodation with different stylish and quirky pieces of furniture for seating. The ceiling is a mirror which reflects everything on the floor.
Snag a window seat and you can see the busy Agno Street and go people-watching. π
Couches are comfortable and music is not obtrusive, so you can expect to see folks taking a nap inside. While waiting for orders, you can view books, Korean magazines and other items displayed on the shelves along with pretty cute CafΓ© de Seoul mugs and tumblers that are on sale.
(Promotion: Buy a tumbler and get a drink for free! Also, get discounts when you bring your own CafΓ© de Seoul tumbler every time you buy a drink.)
Service: β β β β β
Three versatile staffs go around to take orders in the cashier counter, prepare beverages and snacks, and fulfill any request asked by seated customers.
Because we’re not familiar with the name of the drinks in Korean and not sure which ones to buy, the staff was kind to suggest the best recommendations (for selection of cold, blended and hot drinks) without blinking an eye.
After ordering, just like in most coffee and tea shops now, customers receive a gadget that buzzes and lights up when order is ready for claiming.
Waiters were gracious to take our picture and serve us free kiwi yogurt to taste. I commend this team for the warmth of its service.
Food/Drinks: β β β β β
CafΓ© De Seoul features its menu on the screens behind the counter, like other fastfood restaurants do (e.g. Jollibee, Red Ribbon, KFC, etc.). I remember it was written on one of the animated projections there that their coffee is made with 100% arabica beans developed by the best brew master from Seoul, South Korea. These coffee beans are nourished, pruned, picked and perfectly roasted from the best selection of coffee beans from five major countries:Β Brazil Santos No.2, Guatemala SHB, Costa Rica SHB, Tanzania AA, and Kenya AA.
However, I ordered something else, as I am not a particular fan of coffee. I followed the staff’s best bet for mocktails. Mocktails, by the literal sense of the word, are “mock cocktails” which are actually fruity non-alcoholic mixed beverages. I had the Ddalgi Sonagi (PHp 155 for small, PHp 165 for large) which is a mix of strawberry, kiwi and blue curaΓ§ao (liquer-flavored dried peel of the laraha citrus fruit). This drink translates to “Strawberry Rain” in Korean and true enough, the taste was strong in strawberries with a hint of citrus/orange-ish taste.
I find the three colors intermingling in spiral form awesome. The combination is genius yet uncomplicated. It makes me realize that drinks don’t need to be having only singular focus on ingredient but can be a lot more if you put your thinking hat on.
H had the Caramel Machiatto (PHp 140 for small, PHp 155 for large) drink, a blend of espresso and steamed milk with vanilla flavored syrup finished with sweet caramel drizzle β perfect to be paired with the Chocolate Lava Cake (PHp 145). This moist chocolate cake with light soufflΓ© that has a spongy texture is one of their best sellers.
G had another type of mocktail, the Honey Yuja (PHp 145 for small, PHp 155 for large) drink, which consists of thinly sliced Korean citrus fruit and rind infused with sugar and honey stirred in water. I felt somewhat invigorated after a sip!
Click here to view more items in CafΓ© de Seoul’s menu.
Price for Value: β β β ββ
With super nice and dainty ambiance, excellent service and drinks and food to crave for anytime, CafΓ© de Seoul is a great venue I admire. I have yet to try their ice cream, sandwiches, Gangnam balls, waffles and other gourmet products next time. π
Prices are competitive with similar high-end coffee and tea joints like Starbucks, The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, and so on. Bring your bills because they are a little on the pricey side and the joint accepts cash only!
CafΓ© De Seoul
Unit 12, 2F One Archers Place, Green Podium, Taft Avenue, Manila
Facebook, Twitter
Email: cafedeseoulmanila@gmail.com
Store Operating Hours:
Mondays to Thursdays 8AM to 1AM
Fridays to Sundays 9AM to 12:30AM
About Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco
Health and technology freak. Food and lifestyle blogger with a large appetite for food and travel.
A very comprehensive review on cafe ring especially for students. They have the best service they could get so far from this cafe de seoul. Is this own by a Korean?
Yes, this joint is owned by Koreans. They have a contest ongoing – post a creative photo (no edit, must be taken via smartphone cam) on Facebook with their logo – and win bing soo (ice cream) or some other sweet treat. π It’s until Monday – 6/24 (Manila Day). You may want to join!
Delicious food and a modern setting with embedded tabs in the table. Wow! This place is an amazing choice for young professionals and tech-savvy diners π
Yup! Too bad they didn’t have Gangnam balls when we visited. I hope they will be available in our next dine-in. π
all I can say is wow. I like the idea of the tab thing. I haven’t been to a place who give a gadget that lights when the order is ready, maybe because I dont really go out much but the Idea is so nice to avoid the “excuse me miss pa follow up po ng order” thing.
Hehe yup. My first ever encounter of that gadget that lights up when order is ready was way back in MEDZS, Orchard Central, Singapore. It was awesome! π
I’ve actually read this cafe at sumi’s blog. Being a La Salista myself, I could help it but to envy you guys, who now have the comforts of those cozy cafes near the universities. Back then, when I was studying, there’s only Aristo, McDo and University Canteen…Must visit this place ASAP.
I first also read about this cafe on Sumi’s blog so let’s thank her for inspiration. π
i love the place and once i am here, for sure, i’ll do my outfit post inside.:)
Korean cafe + Korean look of yours = Perfect. π Sure, come visit next time — speaking as if I’m the owner. ^_^
such a lovely place to hang out with friends!! love the tab too! so modern and love how neat the whole place is!
When you see the cafe from the outside, you will be instantly struck because the glass is transparent and everything is bright! π
their interior looks so classy but still stylish.. the bookshelf looks so cool!! the Honey Yuja looks so intriguing..
Hey Justin, you might want to go shooting your fashion photos here. Nice background would give out a compelling effect. π
Looks classy! I definitely visit them one of these days with my friends and this could be a good place to stay and blog for a while because they have free wi-fi. β₯ By the way, I like the style of the tumblers.
Yup, Aylin, you can stay here for hours. I saw a girl blogging from the time we came in to the time we left! π I want one of those tumblers, too! But I’m using a UNIQLO tumbler now – fairly new – so I must make the most out of it. π
whoa! what more can I say.. great food. ambiance is good and the TAB boom! I just wish I knew about this when I was in college. Will drop by their store once I go to TAFT maybe next month π
They have just opened their doors recently and probably that’s why you have not known about this cafe. π
The ambiance looks every inch a winner. Near enough from our place in Manila to drop by one of these days.
Yup, that’s true. So if you’re tired from visiting the usual coffee and tea shops around your area, this space says hello. π
Wow I wanna try their Honey Yuja, looks yummy. Natutuwa naman ako sa tables ng CafΓ© de Seoul sobrang astig free use of tablets pa. π
Yup, Honey Yuja will refresh your senses. π Hihi ^_^ It tastes cool!
wow! social ang dating ng interior.. And seems your order is always in good hand. Next time, I’ll go to St. Scholasticas College, mag drop by ako riyan.
Have a drink and snack and watch the people going by and be seen. The location allows for plenty of people watching so that’s definitely a must-do when you visit this cafe after St. Scho. π
Nice one! another place to check out..
I just wish they are open as early as 7AM.
I can bring my rowdy team in here. Looks like a cool place to distress
7AM why so early ah? Haha this place can serve your first meal of the day to your last (desserts in the evening) so just watch out for their operating hours and choose anytime they are open.
I’m a sucker for mirror ceilings and classy interior designs. I swear ikaw na talaga ang the best in venturing all good places to chill-out and dine in the metro!!! I should visit Cafe de Seoul soon. *sigh* Namiss ko bigla ang school! And One Archer’s, all the good times in McDo and Starbucks. Haha :’)
Haha what. You are the master in attending and covering events naman with tons of celebs and famous personalities. These are all great experiences! π
I made a review of Cafe De Seoul just last month, and I just love their ambiance more than any other cafes’ I’ve ever been to! Btw, try their Bing-soo if you visit again. It’s a really good shaved ice dessert that I prefer more than our local halo-halo. Their fruit-flavored rice cakes (mochi) are quite good too! π
Yup I want to try all of them next time – not all at once though ’cause I’m afraid of sugar rush and diabetes. π