Caffe Ti-amo: Where Elegance Meets Warm Comfort

Between bites, Mars Cel and I talked about Asian TV Dramas. She shared her fascination with recent Korean hits such as Secret Garden, Daemul, and Dream High. On the other hand, I can't stop gushing over Takuya Kimura and how wonderful he was in Moon Lovers, Pride, and Change. We couldn't have picked a better place than Caffe Ti-amo, a trendy South Korean coffee chain brought here to the country by Jollibee Foods Corporation and local entrepreneur Pamela Tan.

 

The elegant interiors in a wash of vibrant earthy tones drew us in as if waiting to embrace us under the warm glow of the gorgeous cream-colored lamps. We saw how friendly and dedicated the staff members were across from where we were seated. They didn't even know that in my book, they already gave a new meaning to customer service.

Affogato (Php 99).

A famous Italian espresso-based treat featuring a scoop of your favorite gelato topped with some slivered nuts and paired with a shot of hot espresso. The smell of finely brewed coffee fills the air when the hot mixture is poured over the cold Italian confection.

 

Mars Cel knows good coffee. That's why when she said that the affogato here is perfecto, there was no doubt in my mind that she was telling the absolute truth.

Choosing from this panoply of gelato flavors was incredibly overwhelming--in the most beautiful way possible! The colors, textures, and designs make you want to finish every inch of these fabulous desserts, from sun up to sun down, if diabetes is just a figment of my imagination.

Waffle Gelato (Php 95).

Warm and toasty, the waffle is topped with green tea gelato drizzled in caramel, with a dusting of confectioner's sugar, and served with whipped cream, a slice of kiwi, and strawberry on the side. The waffle is made just as I like- crunchy on the outside but delicate on the inside. The waffle and gelato combo provides a surprisingly comforting fusion of hot and cold goodness. The whipped cream and the tangy taste of the fruits make this dessert experience truly memorable.

Days after, I brought Bala and Tutapel to this place to try at least two more selections from their menu.

Caffelato Frappe Green Tea Grande (Php 135).

A lovely blend of green tea gelato topped with whipped cream and drizzled with caramel. If you like your frappe semi-sweet and not too rich, then Caffelato is for you. But if you want your frappe richer, creamier, and much sweeter, this selection might not ease your frappe craving. When I tasted it, I thought that something was amiss. After eating the Honeybread Gelato, I figured it out. This selection will taste much better by adding a tinge of jelly to spruce up the gelato. But that's just my opinion.

Honeybread Gelato (Php 120).

A thick slice of butter-soaked bread toasted in honey and topped with two gelato flavors (blueberry and tiramisu) drizzled with caramel. It served with a dusting of confectioner's sugar and cocoa. The bread is warm and toasty, providing the perfect structure for the dessert. The jelly cuts through the gelato creating a burst of flavors in my mouth. This simple confection is just like an aria in an opera--expressive and heartfelt.