Yoji and the Foodies

I was hungry. I was in a hurry. Ordered Starbucks Mocha Frappucino. Saw the Grilled Tuna Wrap. Compared it to the sausage sandwich. Decided on the bigger wrap. Asked the barista to re-heat the tuna wrap. Took a bite.  Surprisingly good…

It has a hint of (very mild) curry that oddly goes very well with what seemed to be the tomato sauce/salsa used.  Strangely delicious. Either it’s really good or I was too hungry to make an unbiased “review”. Will try this again under normal conditions.

Divas Kaffe is a little coffee shop inside SM Center Las Pinas. I keep postponing my review of the place for the simple reason that there’s really nothing extraordinary about the pricey coffee they serve. In fact, the experience is so disappointing that I have nothing good to say. And we all know that if you don’t have anything good to say, then shut up. So I’ll try to be as brief as possible.

I wanted this:

However, the barista said that their machine is not powerful enough to crush ice. (Pls. file this one under WTF). So, I was forced to order the “bestseller” – iced mocha Irish creme. This is what I got:

This is 93 pesos. I could have bought a 3-in-1 coffee and shove it in the freezer for a few hours and I would have the same effect, or even better.

(If a beverage meant to be consumed while window shopping reaches home almost untouched, it’s an indication of how bad it tastes).

No, I have not started my Barista training and I doubt if it will happen this year. All my culinary-related endeavors have come to a screeching halt. There was an opportunity that was tossed my way and I just couldn’t pass it up. It’s like Don Vito Corleone made me an offer I can’t refuse. With that said, I had to say goodbye temporarily to kitchen duty. If it’s any consolation, my dad seemed very pleased that something got me off my preoccupation with being a barista. He knew it was just momentary insanity.

Anyway, my new job has a crazy schedule so I need something to perk me up during ungodly hours. I actually found this a month ago and little did I know that it will figure prominently in my “job of the moment”:

S&W 100% Arabica French Roast

This has got to be the best tasting expensive ground gourmet coffee I have ever tasted. If you want your coffee dark and flavorful, this is your best bet.

**Little Turtle on top of container is sold separately.

When I told my dad I want to train as a barista, he probably thought I have gone bonkers. It was also not a good idea to break the news over dinner, when the chance of choking is pretty high. He tried to sound supportive, but I think he was crying inside over the wasted investment sending me to college haha. I am not completely turning my back on my career. But come to think of it, there was never really a solid career to speak of. Changing jobs 4 times in 10 years is hardly considered a career. While that’s not going to convince my dad, I believe in doing the things I want to do before I’m too old to do it. Besides, what the hell is wrong with being a barista? I think they are awesome, but not as awesome as chefs :p

I just don’t understand people who look at jobs in the F&B industry as something so beneath their stature. If you ask me, I’d rather cook than sit in front of a computer from hours on end. Training to become a barista is just one of the many things I’d like to do before I hit 40 (I have about 9 years to make this happen lol). Back when I was in my 20s, I said I’d be a millionaire by 30. Of course, that didn’t happen but it’s not the end of the world. I reckon there are still ways to enjoy life even without a lot of money.  That’s what credit cards are for! Hehe.

The training is scheduled before the year ends. It will take some preparation because I’m torn between having it here or in another country. So, before the training, I will be going on coffee shop-hopping tour with my friends. This is not just going to be a fun experience, it will also be blog-worthy material. Let’s just say this is my tribute to the one thing that keeps me awake during deadline  – the coffee!