UCC Coffee: Cafe Terraces

UCC Coffee Cafe Terraces in Ayala opened somewhere in April and I had the opportunity along with a few other bloggers to be able to taste their wonderful selection of breakfast specials and their world famous UCC Coffee.

When I first arrived in UCC Coffee: Cafe Terraces, the placed really amazed me. Contrary to the usual cramped up areas of coffee shops, this one had high ceilings and had a second floor to even add more space. Now, this is one cafe where I don’t have to worry about getting a spot.

We then met up, Abbey gave her brief history and discussion on UCC Coffee: Cafe Terraces and we tasted our different coffee and different meals.

UCC Coffee 101

Originally, this was really a coffee company designed to fulfill the needs and desires of those truly passionate for coffee. UCC stands for Ueshima Coffee Company The Coffee is designed in Japand and tasted by the masters of coffee tasting. Their beans come from places such as Hawaii and other exotic areas and are cultured and harvested from their very own plantations. Having your own plantation ensures quality control in your beans.

Later part, a certain coffee lover from the Philippines decided to walk in to the Japanese comapany to apply for a franchise because of his strong attraction to this special coffee, and so 20 branches later UCC Coffee arrives in Cebu.

What makes UCC Special

Apart from just the location of these coffee beans, UCC coffee was not just something they planted, harvested and brewed. If I were to describe the process of making the UCC coffee it would sound a lot like coming from a Laboratory.

From research on the good genes of the coffee down to the process of brewing it, UCC coffee is more than just your ordinary coffee. UCC aims to give the people a better appreciation of quality coffee.

Siphoning Method

A very interesting method of preparing the blend, it uses the concepts of physics and chemistry in blending its coffee at the same time making sure there is quality control in doing so. We’re able to observe the process and as suggested by the name, there is the

siphoning action of the special Flask and funnel. Instead of water going down, the water goes all the way up from the flask! And then comes down as freshly brewed coffee. Now that’s one interesting way.

Food and Coffee

They served a good selection of Breakfast delights for us and just like how Japanese are very well known for, the presentation was nothing short from superb. They were beautiful preparations and the visually we were already satisfied. They also had the Bangus to surprise us for their breakfast dishes but for me, the Shitake Mushroom Omelet was just to die for!

The Coffee part was the more challenging part for me. To be quite honest, I couldn’t really tell the difference from one coffee to another (heck! I don’t drink coffee!). They served us with Sumiyaki Coffee and UCC blend. They were good… I think. But when the Blue Mountain Coffee came.. now this was something worth its price. I tell you, it was something that truly impressed me. I would like to quote what Doyzkie said: “It has a winey taste.” And that is one taste I can relate to. Priced at 399 php, the Blue Mountain is a pricey little devil, but a taste one truly cannot forget. But be sure to try the caramel crystals in your coffee.

Location, Venue, and Wifi

The place had a nice ambience, not cramped, cool designs, and comfortable aura. It’s a great place near from the hotel and has nice spacious areas where you can meet. The wifi has a pretty okay speed, but when the Cebu Bloggers Society went there for their meeting, the wifi was always disconnecting. Hmmm.

CONCLUSION

Majestic place, impressive food, great coffee, however, the prices are to die for (literally). I believe that is the only drawback of this place. It already has pricey products and then it also has additional service charge. Solution? Not really a good place for students to study and drink (not unless you are one loaded child of a female Canis familiaris). But it would be a great place to eat with friends and have small discussions.

Last words: I wouldn’t mind going back there again for the third time, they have wonderful service!

Score: 8/10

Related posts:

1. UCC Cafe Ayala Terraces Revisited
2. Ayala Terraces: Seattle’s Best Pesto
3. SM City Cebu Free Wifi Launching
4. Mc Donald’s McSavers Gamble
5. Casa Verde I.T. Park



13 Responses to “UCC Coffee: Cafe Terraces”

1. Charles Ravndal says:

   August 5, 2009 at 2:07 am

   Now I am asking myself why I didn’t try UCC Cafe when I was in Cebu. My mum told me that they have good food aside from coffee since she had been there for a couple of times.. Well if ever I am going to visit Cebu again I’ll make sure to drop by there.
2. Charles Ravndal says:

   August 5, 2009 at 2:07 am

   Btw, nice new layout!
3. The Photoblogger says:

   August 5, 2009 at 4:21 am

   It’s really yummy there, but if you are going there be sure to bring at least 300php minimum cash to ensure financial security (toinks)
4. Micamyx says:

   August 5, 2009 at 5:48 am

   What caught my attention is you and your uniform! (woot)
5. winston says:

   August 5, 2009 at 6:07 am

   Woot! Astig ang review. From the place, coffee history, the coffee itself and the food.

   @micamyx yeah one (woot) for the Uniform. hahahaha.
6. eric says:

   August 5, 2009 at 6:21 am

   amfogi ng naka skul uniform…. sino sya? LOOOOOOOOOOOOOL
7. Ethelbert says:

   August 5, 2009 at 7:42 am

   great unabridged review…:)
8. Discovering Cebu: UCC Coffee Cafe Terrace at Ayala « EUTS: everything under the sun says:

   August 6, 2009 at 1:32 pm

   [...] UCC Coffee: Cafe Terraces [...]
9. Mikko says:

   August 9, 2009 at 1:33 am

   Nice review.

   Mapadpad nga sa UCC one of these days.

   @eric: Oi, di kita nakilala. Masyado kasing masculine, Eric! Di rin kasi obvious na ikaw yung nasa photo.
10. The Photoblogger says:

    August 9, 2009 at 1:42 am

    who? eric?
11. The UCC Coffee Café Terrace | Cebu Bloggers Society - Promoting Cebu Through Blogs says:

    August 20, 2009 at 7:56 pm

    [...] Vanjohn Mendoza’s UCC Coffee Cafe Terraces [...]
12. peenkfrik says:

    August 25, 2009 at 9:28 pm

    Thanks for mentioning it here. I would never have visited the place last weekend if not for this blog. I had green tea and it was pretty strong for me.
13. Paola says:

    November 8, 2009 at 3:00 am

    food looks great. nice shots, ev.