Happy New Week, my coffee lover friends!
I ran some errands a lil a while ago and passed through an old ruins turned into a coffee shop. According to my old folks, this used to be a train railroad or something. It is closed at the moment is under renovation I think. But I've got a couple of photos from here saved on my gallery so let's go and I'll tour you around.
Kape De Arko
(Statue at the entrance gate)
While numerous coffee shops and restaurants open in conventional business structures, some business owners gamble and putting their resources into contemporary spaces, from old ruins and abandoned spaces into a stunning dining places. With groups of contractors and architects close by, these owners are rehashing these spaces into charming areas to flaunt their cuisines. Giving old spaces new life is important for the design development known as versatile reuse, which helps preserve history and wipe out the waste that is made by obliterating a structure and raising new development in its place.
(old ruins)
From extremely old railroad to a lovely coffee shop, this little piece of history of an abandoned brick building can make your coffee break dining experience even better.
Kape De Arko is located in the heart of town here in San Juan, La Union Philippines (northern part of the Philippines).
(the entrance)
(the entrance taken from the inside)
(the backdoor where they serve to-go/takeout orders)
(backdoor)
Sometime on a weekend before the pandemic, my daughter and I wanted to get some refreshment and thought of walking around the town and look for new cafes where we could eat and have some drinks. Of course, I wanted some coffee - iced coffee. We started exploring places close to our house. Then I saw this abandoned brick ruins just across our public market and they were open offering some filipino dishes/snack and coffee. I am a huge fan of old architecture, so this caught my attention. I asked the one of the staff if we could come in inside and she said yes.
(this is how it looks on the outdoor part of the cafe)
When we got there, coffee was not available. Sigh! So I ordered halo-halo instead. Halo-halo is a Philippine-style shaved ice made with fruits like boiled banana (saba) and jackfruit, sweetened beans, jellies, corn, root-crops like sweet potato and ube (purple yam) and topped with evaporated milk, leche flan, and ice cream. Yum! This is also one of their best sellers.
(my daughter @naniplayergamer enjoying her halo-halo)
So just before our halo halo was served, we took some photos around the cafe.
(paintings by customers)
If you are an artist or just want to try painting, the cafe provides all the materials you need and cost $10 per person. You have an option to bring it home or leave it at the cafe for display or for sale. My daughter wanted to try, but I did not bring enough cash that time.
(outdoor dining area)
The outdoor dining area is gorgeous and looks like you're chillin at your garden. It also has some clay pots and jars being displayed for sale.
And this is their simple indoor dining area. I love it. It is very aesthetic and vintage.
And this is their menu, They have pancit noodles, sandwiches, burgers, halo-halo, Filipino breakfast and their unavailable coffee hehe.
It is a good place for a quick snack and photos. My friend @leeart also visited the place one time with some of our friends. It was raining then though. We didn't get the chance to take photos.
Anyway, I'm going to check the place from time to time and see if the renovation is done and maybe soon, brewed coffee would be available. It's a coffee shop so.....Crossing fingers.
Meanwhile, making my afternoon coffee. Anyone?
One love,
@bloghound
You can also find me here:
Blurt
noise.cash
read.cash
June 06, 2022
Philippines
(All photos are my own and taken by me unless stated otherwise)
Copyright @bloghound 2022. All Rights Reserved.