Friday, July 22, 2022

CITY OF PINES 2022: HOT CAT SPECIALTY COFFEE

I first heard about Hot Cat Coffee on the IG of food blogger JJ Yulo (nekkidchef) and was quite intrigued about the place. But it did not seem to be the type of place that showed up on online lists of 'best coffeeshops in Baguio' and that sort of thing, which piqued my interest even more. 
 
So on a Sunday afternoon, i literally ran out of North Haven Spa right after my message (ugh, not-so-good experience during this visit) and hoofed it to Hot Cat, as it was closing at 5PM already.   
 

 
I was pleasantly surprised that it was located quite centrally (rather near Burnham Park), and i actually stayed nearby during my previous last visit to Baguio a few years ago.  Another pleasant surprise was that the new location of Mt. Cloud Bookshop was right inside the same compound.  
 

Arrived at 4:45PM and i was expecting to see a quiet place with bored staff wiping tables and raring to close shop. But no! The place was bustling with what seemed to be quite a lively bunch of folks, such that i thought i had intruded on some sort of private gathering.
 
 
 
It did feel like everyone pretty much knew one another, and here i was, the anti-social lowlander, sipping my coffee and eavesdropping on the animated convo. Hehe!

The place itself is small, and quiet, almost like it was hiding in plain sight. If one wanted to read/work/hang out quietly, their outdoor seating area is quite conducive for this.

It rained that afternoon, but under fairer weather conditions, i can imagine sitting here soaking in the sunset.

Finally the clock struck 5PM and the staff did start clearing the tables.  The cute intern (who just started in her job a few days earlier) chatted a bit, and i remember she asked me why i was alone. Sadly, grumpy folks like me cannot generate instant witty comebacks just when one really needs them, and i proffered some lame reason. 

The next day (Monday), i was due to return back to Manila. After lunch with S. at Hatch Coffee [refer to one of the earlier posts in this series], i decided on impulse to detour to Hot Cat before going down. 

The place was much quieter this time; in fact, they forgot to flip the "Closed" sign. Whoops :D :D  Here's the friendly owner doing his thing, and a shot of the interiors.


Oh, and of course, i guess it won't be hot cat without the cats!

 
 
On a lone sad note, cute intern wasn't around, so my rehearsed witticisms to possible hypothetical questions went for naught ;-D
 

They are located inside the compound at Yangco Road corner Brent Road (literally facing the Brent School campus), and can be found on Facebook (Hot Cat Specialty Coffee) and Instagram (bahaypusa).

 

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