Lumampas Kami!

* Yes. That's our problem too! Especially at night, it's very difficult to spot the cafe along the highway. Thankfully, we will install something outside tomorrow that will help you find us as you drive southbound or northbound. Drop by tomorrow (Sunday, June 9) and see for yourself!

The Aruguloink Pizza

PRESENTING our newest pizza! The ARUGULOINK (Php 295) - an interesting mix of tomato, onion, bell pepper, arugula, bacon, and mozzarella cheese! AVAILABLE NOW!!!

Kevin's Surprise Visit to CAnton

Craft Coffee Workshop's barista and PNBC 2013 champion, Kevin Fortu, delights the cafe staff with a surprise visit together with his brother.

Kevin tries to make a latte in our cramped coffee bar.

With all eyes on him, he was able to pour a nice latte for himself. We hope to see you again and maybe next time you can invite your family too!

Small Town Barista Jam & Healthy Luncheon Event

LET’S HAVE LUNCH TOGETHER AND PULL ENDLESS SHOTS OF ESPRESSO AND POUR LATTE ART (OR YOU CAN TRY OUR MANUAL BREWERS) TO YOUR HEART’S CONTENT IN THIS ONE-DAY OUTING AND BONDING ACTIVITY FOR FELLOW BARISTAS, COFFEE ENTHUSIASTS, AND FOODIES. REGISTRATION FEE IS PHP 1000 INCLUSIVE OF LUNCH, MILK, COFFEE BEANS, AND GIVEAWAYS. CONTACT 0906-455-0522 FOR RESERVATIONS.

This activity is open to all interested people, barista man o hindi!

You can deposit your payment to our BPI account:
Marisse Jubi L. Bonita and Jabez Joshua M. Flores
BPI Family Bank, Los Banos Branch
5805-0527-85

Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/525098587548515/?fref=ts 

Enjoying Our 5th Year of Wearing Aprons...and Wiping Tables

Historically, we're not really good at throwing parties and commemorating special occasions or holidays. Due to the F&B industry's repetitive, rountinary, and fast-paced nature, we often lose track of time. "Oh, it's 2013 tomorrow? I thought it was still 2009." When our manager/chef asked me to think of something for our fifth anniversary I told her that I've got nothing on my head at that moment. I'm just that kind of person who believes that ideas fall from the sky while brushing your teeth and not borne out of a brain-storming session inside a conference room.

Two weeks to go before our anniversary, I sat down and tried to come up with some ideas. I came up with 5 promos to commemorate our 5 years of existence. It was great but I knew deep inside that this still wasn't the "idea that fell from the sky." And then an idea hit me out of nowhere: commemorate all the people you've met and worked with for the past 5 years and make a Facebook yearbook. And that was the beginning of my 2-week quest of downloading and researching photos of the people who made Cafe Antonio possible. Thanks to my sister, Grace, for calling it a "virtual yearbook." It's cheap, saves printing, saves lay-outing, and it has amaaazing reach. 

I attempted first to write down a list of significant people who became part of the cafe. Realizing that this approach would be too limiting, I scrapped the idea and decided to cluster people into specific categories: employees and staff, barkadas, musicians, couples, families, etc. Each day our Cafe Antonio Facebook page featured one category of people (without revealing what the next day would feature) and posted individual and group photos of them accompanied with a brief inspirational writeup. After a few days of this "yearbook research routine" from morning until midnight, I realized that I still failed to feature everybody we met and made friends with. But then again, I really didn't expect myself to be a good  nostalgia sleuth so I apologize for that. Anyway, after all the researching, reminiscing, and thanking, the virtual yearbook experience brought me down to my knees and made me want to explode with joy and thanksgiving. As we watched our NHK documentary, "Asian Smile: The Coffee Prince"  with our guests during the anniversary celebration, I remembered the three reasons why I got myself into this business: to create jobs,  make opportunities, and give people a shot at life. The cafe has changed places, faces, phases, and coffee beans for the past five years but I hope and pray, in spite of the many changes, that it would still continue to accomplish those three things.

CAntoneers Jason and Jorge went with me last April 20 to Magnum Opus and Luca & Tosh's Coffee Tasting Event in Paranaque hosted by Jonathan Choi and Roland Rubin of Magnum Opus and JC Martinez of Luca & Tosh. In the event we tasted specialty coffees from Nicaragua, Guatemala, and Sumatra. The baristas showed us how to brew coffees using a siphon, pourover, and espresso machine. In the event we reunited with  PNBC 2013 finalists Andy Luyugoy and Larry "Blend" Andrada. Also, we met former Cafe Antonio workshop attendee, Migs Eslava. Hope to see you guys in Laguna!

The cafe would like to officially welcome our newest barista, Dada! She used to be our OJT from TESDA but after completing her required hours she applied for a spot in the bar. As of now, we're still training her to make drinks. She teams up with Elmer upfront in the dining area.

This is Matt, our Farmer of the Week. He and his friend, Jess, provided organic lettuce for us for a week. Hopefully in the future, we can meet more organic farmers and gardeners and provide them with extra income by supplying organic produce for our cafe. As of this writing we have sourced local organic produce from my small circle of farmer friends: Brian Belen of Ato Belen's Farm (cherry tomatoes); OJ Gomez of Maquiling Hillside Delicacies (feta cheese); Edu Foronda's garden in Jubilieeville (tomato and basil);      Dr. Bes Calub and Hansel Calub's farm in Tarlac (basil and lettuce); Mon Garcia's backyard in Bay (honey); and my personal backyard in Bonita Compound (thai basil).  We're very amped to see local and independent backyard farming getting some buzz here in Laguna!

Meet Chef Marisse! A civil engineer by profession, Ate Marisse, just finished her short course in culinary arts this April at the International School for Culinary Arts and Hotel Management (ISCAHM). Congratulations and continue to cook more awesome stuff!

One of our Chef's Specials for the month of May: Beef Wellington (Puff Pastry stuffed with Beef Tenderloin and Mushroom Duxelle) with Red Wine Sauce served with Blanched Green Asparagus,        Php 289. All Chef's Specials come with a FREE boxing session coupon from Red Gloves Boxing Gym,        Los Banos.

Promoting Good Health to the Community through Physical Fitness and Proper Diet

* THIS SUMMER, ALL RED GLOVES BOXING GYM MEMBERSHIP CARDHOLDERS WILL GET A 10% DISCOUNT ON ALL CAFÉ ANTONIO FOOD AND BEVERAGES FROM APRIL TO MAY (SINGLE RECEIPT PURCHASE ONLY); NON-MEMBERS CAN AVAIL OF A FREE RED GLOVES BOXING SESSION COUPON FOR EVERY PURCHASE OF A CAFÉ ANTONIO CHEF’S SPECIAL MEAL OF THE MONTH.

* Special thanks to Mark Arago of Red Gloves Boxing Gym for partnering with us for this very special summer promo to encourage healthy lifestyles and healthy eating habits. 

See related link: Stay Fit and Eat Right! 

http://cafeantonioelbi.blogspot.com/2013/02/stay-fit-and-eat-right.html 

Red Gloves Boxing Gym - Los Banos

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Red-Gloves-Boxing-Gym/130351557011443?fref=ts

Red Gloves Boxing Gym - Calamba

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Red-Gloves-Boxing-Gym-Calamba-Branch/318855281496630?fref=ts

FIVE WAYS TO CELEBRATE OUR 5TH ANNIVERSARY ON APRIL 14, SUNDAY

Number 1. Canton Classics: Savor and enjoy once more our classic pastas for one night only! Get a FREE bowl of Pasta Bolognese and/or Pasta Alfredo for every single receipt worth 500 pesos. Or you can order ala carte for the original price of Php 75.

    Number 2. Bring Back the FOM! “Like” the FOM that you want to be available on April 14. We will post photos of our Flavor of the Month Frothiccinos on our Facebook Page this week. The photo with the most “Likes” will be made available on the day of the anniversary from 11 am to 10 pm.* (Final tally will end on April 13, 11:59 pm) 

    Number 3. PAK PAK POOM 2: Missed our famous late night eating challenge? Here’s your chance to try it again! Same rules apply: 300 pesos down, finish the meal in 10 minutes, refund your 300 and win a 150 peso gift certificate from Café Antonio!

Number 4. Really feeling nostalgic? Wear ANY Café Antonio T-shirt and get a 50% discount on any coffee-based beverage!

Number 5. And finally, a contest! Post a photo of your best Café Antonio memory on our Facebook page and tell us why you love the café. The top 5 entrees with the most “Likes” will each win a gift certificate and a fresh bag of our Owltonio Blend coffee to be claimed on April 14.** (Final tally will end on April 13, 11:59 pm)

  

Thank you for your undying love and support for the café all these years. We couldn’t have done it without your help. “Like” our Facebook Page and follow our daily posts as we commemorate and honor the people, places, and events that have been part of the Canton Family. God bless you all!

Holy Week Schedule

Hello friends! We will be open on MONDAY, MARCH 25, 11 am to 10 pm.  

Holy Week Schedule:
March 25 to March 27 - OPEN
March 28 (Thursday) - CLOSED
March 29 (Friday) - CLOSED
March 30 (Saturday) - CLOSED
March 31 (Easter Sunday) - OPEN at 12 pm
April 1 (Monday) - CLOSED | Start of Summer Coffee Workshop Batch 1

Company Fitness Program, Women's Day; Start of Summer Coffee Workshops

March 2, Saturday

Company Fitness Program in cooperation with 

Red Gloves Boxing Gym @ Monde M.Y. San Corporation, 

Carmelray Industrial Park 2, Calamba, Laguna

Red Gloves Boxing Gym owner, Mark Arago, believes in a holistic approach to fitness and health. Good health is not just about your exercises and workouts, it's about your lifestyle. And food is a major part of our lifestyle. That's why in his  fitness program for the employees of Monde M.Y. San Corporation he included us in his presentation for the meal planning aspect.

That's me discussing the importance of diet in lifestyle modification and how to prepare simple, practical and healthy snacks after a workout.

Mark integrates the workout aspect and diet aspect of the program before we let the employees taste the free snacks that the Cafe Antonio staff has prepared.

Employees sample our basil, tomato, and white cheese on Skyflakes; tomato and onion on Skyflakes, and simple mandarin orange garden salad with garlic mayo dressing. Yum!

March 7 - 8, Thursday to Friday

International Women's Day Health and Wellness Fair @ International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Los Banos, Laguna

The Gabriela Blend Coffee by 18 Days Coffee Roaster was a hit during the 2-day fair! Many people were looking for local coffees and when I told them that the blend has four species of Philippine coffee in it, it wasn't that hard to sell. Buyers were given a free brewed cup of coffee after the purchase. I used our new manual brewer, the Clever Dripper, for this gig by Coffee Unplugged. It was our first time not to bring Hario V60s or Melittas drippers. The coffee bag labels were made from recycled cardboard boxes.

This photo was taken on Day 2 of the fair. I didn't have time to cut out cardboard sleeves so I just wrote the labels in pink paper and stapled it on the bag. We ran out of Gabriela Blend coffee so I just sold our regular trio of blends (Owltonio, Sleepy Time, and Hardcore) and some single origins coffees from Luca and Tosh Coffee Lab.

A women's livelihood group from Rizal, Laguna asked us to display their handmade quilts at the cafe. Coincidentally, I saw the announcement for the Women's Day fair so I thought it was an appropriate venue for such wonderful works of art. The quilts were meticulously hand-stitched by 4 talented women trained by Ruth Mauk of Rizal Re-Creation Center.

Here's the very simple setup: Sealer, water heater, grinder, Clever Dripper, and digital weighing scale. I must say, the Clever and the box was an eye-catcher!

Attention! All aspiring coffee entrepreneurs, baristas, coffee enthusiasts, and home brewers, this fun workshop is for you! 

agKAPEtayo Cafe in Agoo, La Union. Owner, Rem de Leon, was our student last October 2012. Glad to see him having fun in his shop!

April 1 - 5, Monday to Friday 

Summer Coffee Appreciation and Barista Workshops 

(1st Batch)

April 15 - 19, Monday to Friday

Summer Coffee Appreciation and Barista Workshops 

(2nd Batch)

April 29 - May 3, Monday to Friday 

Summer Coffee Appreciation and Barista Workshops 

(3rd Batch)

May 13 - 17, Monday to Friday

Summer Coffee Appreciation and Barista Workshops 

(4th Batch)

Please e-mail us at cafeantonio_elbi@yahoo.com for full schedule, rates, and training packages!

Chef's Specials and Lenten Season Menu for the Month of March

Japanese Sesame Crusted Fish with Herb Rice served with Mango Salad (Php 230)

Crispy Fish Burger with Tartar served with Potato Chips (Php 250)

Lemon Garlic Shrimp Spaghettini with Foccacia Bread (Php 275)

* Get a FREE boxing session from Red Gloves Boxing Gym for every purchase of our Chef's Specials. Stay fit and eat right!

LENTEN SEASON MENU

Crispy Calamari - 199

Lime-Baked Fish - 220

Fish n' Chips - 250

Mushroom and Tofu Steak - 200

Seafood Spinach Fettuccine - 275

Spicy Tuna Pasta - 220

Tuyo and Black Olive Pasta - 220

Tuyo and Black Olive Pizza - 270

Seafood Pizza - 315

Spicy Sardines Panini - 150