Tipsy Beans: Redefining Your Coffee and Treats

It is such a wonder to discover a place that grows in you.  Such is the case of Tipsy Beans in Mandaluyong City.

Located across David's Salon - California Garden Square branch, at the 2nd floor of RL Building.  This coffee shop is something that you would definitely miss if you are not looking for it but once you get to find it, you would definitely have a change of heart about it.

It's a small coffee shop on the 2nd floor of RL Building.  You can even tag it as a somewhat a hole in the wall establishment.  Not because it is bare but because of it being small.  The signage on the street is small and high.  The logo of the shop is not that eye-catching because of the size, plus it is on the second floor.  When I entered the shop, my first thought was "Is this new, like 3 - 6 months old only?". Everything was simple and I would say near to being bare.  Simple round glass tables, metallic chairs, no bold decors on the wall and the counter was small. The reason as to why I went to this place is because I encountered them during the Yummy Eat 2014 event at the Metro Tent and they made a mark on me in terms of their offerings which led to me mentioning them in my blog (see blog entry about Yummy Eats 2014), which resulted to an invite coming from Mr. Alvin Gueco, for a new coffee experience.

Tipsy Beans is a product of two brothers who wishes to open a bar - initially. But since they got a place that is not suited for it, they decided to go for a new type of coffee shop - coffee + liquor.  All items on their list are self-created.  And being true to their calling, they try to mix liquor in most of their offerings. Already on its 1st year, Tipsy Beans is now located in two main cities, namely Mandaluyong (home store) and a kiosk type in Makati City. The Madaluyong location is open until midnight since it is located on a business site and across a residential place unlike the Makati location which in a food place in a business building.

The team who created this place are brothers who has the love of food, coffee and liquor.  Alvin Gueco is a batch 2006 from St. Benilde major in  HRM.  He created some of the offerings and even his present partner helped in by providing one of the treats for the shop - Minty Brownie with Chocolate Ganache.
                                            *                             *                          *

Even before I became a blogger, I always try out different food establishments even if it means I have to spend for it.  I try to discover good foods and establishments and share my experience to people who knows my love for food.  Add to that the fact that I am a good home cook and a baker, my taste and level of food appreciation is different from that of a regular food lover.
                                           *                              *                           *

Back to my Tipsy Bean's experience.  Since it is a coffee shop, my first test to know if it is good or not is by trying out their cafe latte.  Let us face it, cafe latte is one basic coffee drink and if get to do it wrong then there is something definitely wrong with your place.  I paired it with one of their sandwiches which is Deli Tri-Cheese.  Why that sandwich?  Simple, I am a cheese lover!

Coffee came out in a regular sized glass cup. Nice even milky brown color, hot but not piping hot with a small carafe of sugar. I was hoping for an artwork but alas, none. The coffee was good. Their blend is a mix of robusta, arabica and baraco. One for flavor (arabica), one for aroma (robusta) and the other for body (baraco). The milk level is right for the cup size.  I just wish they have brown sugar instead of washed (white) cause the coffee flavor in a latte is much different when brown sugar is used.

The Deli Tri-Cheese is presented with two triangles of bread grilled with light potato chips on the side.  For a cheese lover, it took me sometime to fully taste all the types of cheese used for it was in three different form.  They have the mozzarella, cheese sauce/mayo and cheddar.  It was a good but dangerous starter. Good because the bread was grilled nice and they did use wheat on all their sandwiches.  The cheeses was of good variety.  I won't say high variety, for that would definitely change the price of each item, but definitely good. The way it melts when you take that first bite . . .heaven! The chips were light and crispy.  Enough to cleanse your palate.  Dangerous because of the bread used.  It is wheat and it is one heavy type of bread when it hits your stomach and I still have some offerings to try on.




Next pair is the Drunken Hungarian Sausage with Mushroom and Shark Infested Lemonade.

The Shark Infested Lemonade is one drink that I will not recommend to a kid. It's a spiked drink.  Light liquor, blue colored lemonade to create that ocean image and a shark shaped gummy on top of the ice cubes; served on a amply sized jar. It is one refreshingly playful drink. Refreshing because of the ice and lemonade. Playful because of the color and that gummy shark piece that will sink at the bottom thus making it your treat at the end of the drink.

The Drunken Hungarian Sausage and Mushroom Pasta is a mix for me.  It has a light sauce made from sauteed onions,, Hungarian sausages, sliced button mushrooms, mixed with a light alcohol making the taste a little bland even if spices where used.  The parmessan cheese added some flavor making it an interesting pasta creation. Served with 2 perfectly grilled garlic bread - the garlic flavor is just right, not over powering - it helped make this dish complete.










3rd pair is the Irish Coffee on the Rocks and Minty Brownie.

This was supposedly my closer but the one who gave the invite finally caught me and we went for a chat about the place as I taste their offering.  This pair was the same offerings I tasted during the Yummy Eats 2014 event.  Why am I trying it again?  That was just a taste; this is the real deal.

Irish Coffee on the Rocks.  It is a cold drink best for chill moments.  Like any irish coffee, it definitely has alcohol but the only thing different is it is served cold or with ice.  Not frappe but simply iced.  You get the rich flavor of coffee and cream, that warm effect of rum but counter with the ice. No worries of any froth leaving a mark for as the ice melts, the more flavor is released.  Served on a normal rum glass, its a drink truly set for relaxation.

The Minty Brownie with Chocolate Ganache is one treat for all ages!  It is moist, chocolaty and minty.  A classic brownie combination! The mint is placed between the brownie and the choco ganache which makes an interesting piece when presented.  The brownie is of right cocoa level, not bitter nor too sweet.  The mint is good.  Combined with the brownie and the ganache, the marriage of flavor is right.











To fully round up my visit, I was treated to their Potato Nuggets with either Garlic or Cheese Dip and Chocolate Jalapeno Shake.  12pcs of  Potato Nuggets is served on a long plate along with the dip of your choice - garlic or cheese, it is up to you.  I am not a garlic fan but I will strongly recommend the garlic dip.  The garlic flavor is not that strong and it blends well with the nuggets.  The oil from the potato is controlled by the garlic dip making it a match well made for food lovers.

Garlic Dip

The Chocolate Jalapeno Shake is not for those who can't take heat.  The heat is not strong but it gets you as it slides down your throat.  It is not something that will make your mouth burn.  Instead, you get that warm feeling as it slides down your throat.  It is one drink perfect on a cold weather because of the warmth it gives but it is also refreshing making it good during those sunny days.  Please note that I said sunny and not humid.

                                         
                                               *                         *                     *
Earlier I mentioned that it is small and somehow bare in looks but as you spend time some time in this place, you see the beauty of it.  It becomes somewhat cozy because it is not that busy with people going in and out.  If you became a regular, I somehow get the feeling that you will know and meet other regulars as well.  With that factor in mind, the place becomes a second home or a place for relaxation from the busy world outside it.  True you get to hear the vehicles passing but somehow, you get to remove it from your space while you are there enjoying your coffee moment.  It has a beauty and charm of its own.  Like a child growing infront of you wherein you see its joys and stumbles, Tipsy Bean has that appeal.  That beauty of something about to bloom and spread its aroma to all wanting something different from their normal coffee brew.

Come and visit Tipsy Beans  and have a new drink to all your own. Coffee and liquor, anyone?

Photos:
(All pictures used were personally taken by me during my time in Tipsy Beans)

The place:

1/2 of the Creative Mind Behind Tipsy Beans:

Mr. Alvin Gueco