Edge Davao 8th anniversary special
By Antonio M. Ajero
FROG KAFFE and Roastery established just a few months ago along Florentino Torres St. on a spot facing a branch of Yellow Fin Restaurant was voted No. 1 coffee shop by habitues in Davao City.
FROG which means Fresh Roast Of Great is owned by Markus Ableitinger and fiancée Gina Ellorango.
The limited opinion survey was joined by some 30 coffee drinkers among business executives and media practitioners who are mostly local editors.
The café habitues who picked Frog said they were impressed because the coffee shop attendants roast their own coffee, while the baristas are well-trained and consistently make good coffee. One editor said that the interiors of Frog are relaxing.
The second choice is world-class Starbucks, followed by Blooming Days, another newbie like Frog along Loyola St. in Barrio Obrero.
No. 4 is The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf at Abreeza Mall and Gaisano Mall. Bo’s Coffee Club with outlets along F. Torres Street, and Abreeza Mall, is voted No. 5.
Figarro, with outlets in Gaisano Mall, Abreeza Mall, SM City, Chimes, and Felcris Centrale, placed No. 6, followed by Café France found in Gaisano Mall, SM Lanang Premiere, The Manila Bulletin Bldg., and Davao Doctors Hospital, is No. 7.
No. 8 is Chicco di Caffé along Roxas Avenue and Gaisano Mall.
Comments
One respondent explained that she picked her top 8 “because of the wifi connectivity, matagal mag close, at masarap and kape.”
“I always prefer their cappuccino. It suits my taste unlike the others whose coffee is bitter, like you are taking expresso with little cream,” another lady editor said.
An insurance firm executive and Rotarian said he goes for good ambiance, good coffee, variety and affordability.
“I also go for good wifi connection, good coffee and nice ambience,” said a lady social media manager.
Next Top 8
The next top 8 choices of those polled are Caffe Firenzo (No. 9), J.CO Donut and Coffee and Kangaroo (10), Blugre (11), Krispy Kreme (12), Basti’s Brew and Kopi Roti (13), Café Demitasse (14), and Green Coffee (15).
Others picked by the survey respondents but didn’t make it to the Top 16 were Zabadani, Java Jive, Miko’s, Karl’s, Mister Donut, Annie Pie, Go Nut Donut, Fagioli, Yellow Haus, McDonald’s, Euro Baker, Coffee for Peace, Jollibee, Habi at Kape and the hotel coffee shops — Macro’s Polo’s Lobby Lounge, Grand Menseng, Royal Mandaya, Apo View, Waterfront Insular, The Pinnacle, and Park Inn by Radisson.
Earlier, it was reported that Davao City is host to about one hundred coffee shops, either standing alone or “embedded” in malls and hotels. █
