coffee shop – Maistrang Laagan

I understand that everybody is talking over cafes and coffee shops these times. I, myself, have been hopping from cafe to another in search for the best place and best cafe to be. There’s this cafe somewhere in Capitol Site that until now I still can’t get over with, no jokes aside! Why? They serve the BEST FOOD and BEST CUISINES I didn’t expect to have on cafes or coffee shops, ever! THERE, I SAID IT, RIGHT AWAY! Capslock para intense 🙂

I tell you, these foods are yummier than you thought! I swear!

If you happen to pass by at the capitol, or if you are looking for a place to hangout or chill with family, friends and loved ones, consider dining at THE 8^TH MUG! You will surely love the place and the food, I assure you!

A Little History

The 8^th Mug was conceived on August 8, 2018, hence the name, obviously 🙂 But aside from that, they also offer 8 different varieties of coffee drinks, still sticking with its brand name – The 8^th Mug. They were opened for public last November 2018 with a coffee shop concept, serving the people with mostly coffees and simple meals with moderate prices. As time goes by, this cafe had evolved into producing and serving best, freshest and comparably world-class international cuisines while still having a Filipino palate.

Loving this frame I saw in one of the shelves. I guess these are the founding chefs?

The 8^th Mug gives you the feeling of a prim lady or gentleman in a modest industrial setting. The minimalist but elegant interior design gives you peace and serenity, just a perfect place for some ME time especially for students and young professionals, freelancers or digital nomads who just wanted a quiet place to be.

See the light and the elegance in this pic? I personally love the ambiance here. It’s very quiet. This girl has been here before we came to the cafe and was still here when we left. Really, she was having her time reading and studying, comfortably!

When you are at 8th Mug, you will surely feel this modest industrial setting.

The 8 different coffees serve here is reflected on this wall art. I find this wall very artsy and instagrammable.

The 8^th Mug takes pride of their high-quality foods because why not? They have 5 baristas in the cafe plus 6 chefs, with Chef Lehner as the head chef, who has been there from the start and foundation of this cafe. They are proud to say that the foods they serve are products of the creative conceptualization and imagination of some fine, young chefs of Cebu City.

The fries are the best! It’s a mixed of potatoes and sweet potatoes! I love the natural sweet fries from kamote (sweet potatoes). No dips needed! It just tastes good!

Beef Tapa Rice Bowl
Fluffy Cheesy Pancake
Fried Rice Omelet
Croque Madame
The bitten pancake 🙂
The 8th Mug Poutine

My personal favorite – Linguine X.O.P. This is a pasta with a twist of Filipino palate! It has a taste of dried fish. The one you see on top is a small dried squid.

These mocktails are worth a try – Tropical Cooler (left) and Safe Sex on the Beach (right)

Our fully-carb meals plus the mocktails: Tropical Cooler, Safe Sex on the Beach, Kiwi Lemon Soda and Strawberry Daquiri. Forgot to take a pic of my Mango Margarita.

Their foods are also claimed to be served as fresh as it could be, as they take the purchase of the crops, vegetables and meats, on a daily basis – all fresh, mostly bought straight from Carbon Market, supporting our local farmers.

The famous coffee drinks of The 8th Mug: Cold Brew, White Brew and The 8th Mug Lemon Brew

Cold Brew
White Brew
The 8th Mug Lemon Brew

THE MENU

OTHER INFORMATION:

Operating Hours: 8AM – 10PM

Facebook Page : The 8^th Mug

Instagram: @the8thmug

Email Address: the8thmug@thinkingmugs.com

Contact Number: 09158403528

Some Important & Fun Reminders:

Every Wednesdays, they have a “Trivia Night”, mostly about pop and culture.
Wifi is free but is limited for 2 hours only (unless you order gain to get another wifi code/voucher)
They accept exclusive bookings for special gatherings, occasions or events like meetings, seminars/workshops, birthdays, etc.
- 25K good for 50 pax good for 4 hours. Food is in buffet type which includes 3 meats, 1 soup, 1 salad, 1 vegetable, 1 pasta 1 cup rice and 1 dessert
- 15K good for 30pax only
They have coffee cart available for rentals for your special events like weddings, parties, etc.
Coffee Stall “Thinking Mugs” also available at SM Seaside
For the month of October, they have this “October Deals”
- October 1 – 3, 2019 (International Coffee Day) – Get 10% discount in any hot or iced coffee
- October 15-17, 2019 (Lunch Deals: 11AM-1PM) – Order any pasta and get FREE SIDE of your choice – Yam Fries, French Fries or Garlic Foccacia
- October 26, 2019 (1^st Annual Trick or Treat @ 6PM) – Kids Halloween Costume Party /Beer Drinking Contest/Spoken Word Poetry
- October 28-30, 2019 (Dinner Deals: 5PM-7PM) – Order any dish from their ALL IN and get 10% discount with free mocktail

Coffe on wheels perfect for events and gatherings 🙂

HOW TO GET THERE?

Exact Location: Ground Floor, Dacay Bldg., 72 N Escario St., Capitol Site, Cebu City (fronting AXA Building) – few walks across the Capitol Building

BY JEEPNEY: Ride any jeepney going to Capitol or jeepneys that pass through N. Escario (Axis). From Ayala, you may ride 12L or 14D jeepney, ask the driver to drop you off at AXA near Capitol.

BY CAR/GRAB/TAXI: Navigate with Waze or Google Maps and just search for “The 8th Mug”.

Below is the map when you travel from Ayala Malls to the 8th Mug.

For a detailed “moving” experience about The 8th MUG, watch out for my vlog soon on my channel Maistrang Laagan.

What are you waiting for? Tara Lets na, mga Laagans!

How many of you love the atmosphere of working in a café? Perhaps for some, they love the smell of a brewing coffee; others may after the air-conditioned place that makes them stay cool and comfortable; some would love the cozy background perfect for their social media posts; or for most, they seek for the strong internet connection they need for their research and other stuffs.

For a person like me who originally came from South of the Philippines, Zamboanga and Basilan, studying or working in a café is a new thing to do. When I first came to Cebu to pursue my higher education, I didn’t know this thing is a trend! When I was studying in college, I remember working for my school-related stuffs and studying for my exams either in the boarding house only or in the school library. We only had internet shops then where most students indulge in playing online games or doing some research for a school project.

When I came to Cebu to study, I had a hard time doing my school works, reading hundreds of pages of articles, writing my papers and meeting my deadlines because I had one nursery and two pre-schoolers who would always interrupt me when I am about to work. Then, I was able to enter this very cute café (that was my first) and I had a pleasant stay there studying and working on my school notes.

I realized that there are actually many cafés in town, and the choices are limitless! In my 11 months of stay in Cebu now (as of this writing), I had been hopping from cafés to another in search for a perfect place to work. I was never satisfied for the total service of each of these cafés. There are those with little space that gets crowded when too many gets in. Others also may have a nice, instagrammable ambiance but offers a poor internet, which is a sad thing for me. For most of the cafés, students who get in are merely chitchatting, others in high tone that distract others’ work. For these reasons, my work is always interrupted and I cannot perform at my best and fullest potential.

“The only way to do GREAT WORK is to do it with GOOD COFFEE”.

At last, I Found You!

Just 2 months ago, my husband’s classmate introduced us to this café in F. Ramos. Those were the days when our finals were coming, and the school year is almost to end. We had a lot of papers to do – strenuous writing that needs 100% concentration. The first time I went here, I posted it already in my Facebook account because I was so happy and satisfied. Since then, my husband and I have been coming here whenever we needed a place to work.

I posted this as one of my 365 photo challenge in my FB Personal Account

Even if it is far from our place, Bacayan, we don’t mind coming to this place because nothing compares the comfortability and super-fast internet connection that the place gives!

Friends and laagans, I introduce to you my favorite café in town – WORKPLACE CAFÉ! Everything in my checklist, things that I look for in a café, are all present here, with still a lot of things to offer that makes us a happy and contented customer.

What Makes Workplace Café Different From Others?

Workplace Café is the first co-working café in the Philippines and is such a best place to study and work while you are enjoying a coffee shop ambiance. I have enumerated below the things I love about this place – the reasons why I always love to come back whenever I have a serious work to do.

1. Super-Fast Internet Connection

This is my topmost favourite reason why I love coming back to Workplace. They actually offer a fiber wifi connection that is super fast and super strong. With Workplace, you will never be disconnected!

Two voucher codes for your two gadgets valid for 20 hours

2. Power Outlets

Whenever I go to a café, I always position myself to a table close to a power outlet. Here in Workplace, wherever you are seated, power outlets are present! You will never have a problem charging your mobile phones, laptops or any gadgets you’re bringing.

Outlets, everywhere! Meanwhile, MM in front of me studying for his comprehensive exam.

3. Comfortable Seats

I love the swivel chairs here. I always feel comfortable even if I stay and sit for long hours. I never feel any discomforts.

You are relaxed 100% with this type of chair

Restobar-like chairs for those who woul just want to chill

4. Cozy and Peaceful Ambiance with Cool Interior Design

The place and its interior design is very relaxing, and upon your first step in the café, you’ll say that the people here are very engrossed with whatever they’re working. It inspires you to work harder, too. You’ll hear no shouting or talking in a loud voice – peaceful, indeed!

5. Power Nap Station

When you feel sleepy and drained from long hours of working, you certainly would want to pause, take a break and take a nap. Don’t worry there’s a place, too, where you can comfortably close your eyes and sleep. The last time we went here, I honestly had taken a long nap! Haha

6. Open 20 Hours Daily

We don’t need to worry on rushing things thinking that the café will soon close at a specific hour. In most cafés, they are only open until 12MN or 2AM at most, the next day. At workplace, they operate from 10AM to 6AM (the next day). Usually, MM and I come to Workplace even at 8PM or 9PM because we know we still have long hours to work.

7. Buying of Foods Not Compulsory

Most of the cafés will require you to buy and order food first before you can use the amenities. Here at workplace, you’re not required to buy, you can actually bring your own food if you don’t like to buy. You only have to pay here their hourly/daily/monthly rates and you’re good to go:

Hourly Rate: 60php on the first hour and 40php on the succeeding hours.
Daily Rate: 320php (best for those staying 8 hours or more)
Monthly Rate: 5000php per month inclusive of a locker

The rates you pay include a complimentary drink, either an iced tea or a brewed coffee. Paying the rates above will grant you access to the amenities offered by Workplace.

SPOTTED! A regular monthly customer who just celebrated her first year as a happy and satisfied customer!

8. Delicious Meals and Snacks that Support Local Products

They may not require you to buy their food but in case you want to order, their menu offers palatable meals. Aside from this, their coffees are fresh from Bukidnon Farms and their signature chocolate drink are chocolate tableas from cacaos harvested from a local farm in Argao, Cebu.

9. Conference Room

When you are in a small group who would want to hold meetings, conference and workshops, Workplace also has a conference room that caters to this kind of event. Check out the conference rooms and its rates below:

F. Ramos Branch:

1 to 8 pax
550php first hour
450php succeeding hour
One-time consumable of 200php worth
40php/hour per person in excess of 8
Maximum chair capacity is 12

Mandaue Branch:

Up to 20 pax
750php first hour
650php succeeding hours
One-time consumable of 300php worth

Banawa Branch:

Meeting Room (Ground Floor)

Up to 15 pax
650 php first hour
550 succeeding hours
One-time consumable of 200php worth

Meeting Room (Second Floor)

Up to 20 pax
750php first hour
650php succeeding hours
One-time consumable of 300php worth

10. Friendly and Approachable Staffs

It is important for the customers that the staffs are very warm and friendly and they have it here. The guard in fact is very welcoming as he opens the door for you.

11. Systematic Ordering and Checking-in

When customers get in, they log in and are given a certain number and the voucher code for the wifi. When this customer will order food from their menu, the orders are registered systematically to their computer with the customer’s corresponding number. Payments will be settled upon the checkout of the customer.

You will be given a number upon checking in.

Log in your number, name, hourly/daily rate and chosen drink (coffee/iced tea)

Three Branches to Choose From

Choose which place is near you and experience studying and working in a coffee shop vibe:

Ramos Branch (Main Branch)

#4 Yap Building, F. Ramos St., Cebu City
(032) 401-3324
10 AM to 6 AM (nextday)

Banawa Branch

#2 Autogas Station, Banawa, Guadalupe, Cebu City
(032) 328-8829
10 AM to 6 AM (next day)

Mandaue Branch

Jamestown, Mantawe Ave., Tipolo, Mandaue City, Cebu
(032) 326-1245
8AM to 4AM (next day)

A Tour at Mandaue Branch

Mandaue Branch’s Napping Station

How to Go to Workplace Cafe?

If you’re bringing your own vehicle, or riding a taxi or a grab, the place can be navigated using Waze or Google Map, just search for “Workplace Café” and select the location of the branch you would like to go.

If you are riding a jeepney, you may follow these routes:

F. Ramos Branch:

Ride a jeepney going to Ramos and tell the driver to drop you off at St.Paul College which is fronting Workplace. Ride a 14D jeepney (from Ayala), 17C if you are from Lahug and 13B jeepney from Talamban.

Mandaue Branch:

From SM City or E-Mall, ride a 01K Jeepney bound for Parkmall.

Banawa Branch:

From Ayala, ride a 12L Jeepney bound for Labangon and ask the driver to drop you off at 7-Eleven Banawa.

Wait, There’s More!!!

Avail Workplace Café’s promo now of unlimited brewed coffee and/or iced tea when you check-in the café anytime between 10AM to 12:00 NN. Promo valid until July 31, 2019! Come and visit at the branch near you!

Something To Share?

Tell me about what you think of the place. If you have gone here, share to me your experience or your pictures working on this cafe! Enjoy wandering and happy working, laagans!!!

Tag: coffee shop

The 8th Mug: Your Industrial, Elegant Cafe and Diner