#NCDfoodtrip: White Bean Cafe

#NCDfoodtrip Sain kita makakan? A simple question yet difficult to answer if you are in Naga City. Sa ka-centrohan kan ciudad, may White Bean Cafe'.

What’s the first thing in mind when you hear about White Bean Cafe? Me, it’s pasta. The first time I blogged about White Bean was way back 2012 and pasta has been one of the reasons I always come back. This time we had Gambasetti 🍝Yum!!! Just look at the serving size.

Being one of the dainty cafés in the downtown area of Naga, White Bean also serves rice meals that are actually just waiting for you to discover. Just look at White Bean’s Beef Kare-Kare. Not only that it is plated well with Puso ning Batag (Banana Flower) but it’s very delicious, with a serving size for one person and can also be shared should you have other dishes.

Beef Kare-Kare

White Bean is also known for sandwiches of different kinds commonly paired to their pastas just like the Chicken Pesto Tomato. 

I can still remember that White Bean was also one of the first cafes in Naga that introduced the Italian Soda. White Bean’s coffee has also been established well when it comes to getting that perfect brew whenever you are in the busy streets of Naga.

At White Bean you can actually enjoy their food and drinks in a pleasant interior, light to the eyes and just right enough to enjoy a quiet meal. Oh, did you know that they also serve Kakigori? 🍧A Korean shaved-iced dessert that would really delight you if you’re craving for something sweet. Link to post 

Did you know that even though White Bean is in CBD I, they actually have enough parking spaces at the back of Nagaland Hotel? While Centro Naga is now becoming a “walking city”, meaning, it’s better for you to walk it off to reach a certain establishment, White Bean is right where you need them to be.

Blue Raspberry

Ceylon Black Lemon Iced Tea

Cafe Latte

I have always been proud of homegrown brands like White Bean, because they are now time-tested despite the many other cafes in and out of the city. (Wasn’t able to take photos of the whole place because there were other customers )

Sabi ngani kaiyan, Naga may be an inland city, pero we are known to have sooooo many restaurants, homegrown that is, maiba-ibang klase, mamili ka sana. And I believe this is one of the reasons why Naga is called “An Maogmang Lugar”, yes we are happy to welcome national and international brands, but at the end of the day, we Nagueños keep coming back to our homegrown brands that they become our comfort foods and White Bean is one of them. ❤️

White Bean Cafe

Ground Floor, Nagaland Hotel, Elias Angeles Street #NagaCity

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Bingsu, now available at White Bean Cafe

Naga City - Summer is here! Is someone still "Bingsu-cold" to you? I think it's about time that I share to you this new "foreign" dessert now available at White Bean Cafe called the Bingsu which I tried last February. Bingsu is a Korean dessert usually of shaved ice, milk, syrups, fruits, and other ingredients which is appetizing to look at and will give you the chills. For White Bean they preferred to market the Bingsu having the shaved ice as "snowflaked ice / snow ice", because their ice has this very fine texture, so yes it can be likened to snow.

When I first heard that White Bean is now offering this dessert, the first question that came to my mind is that how will it be at par with the "Kakigori" of Iro Iro. Again it's a foreign dessert only that this time the Kakigori is a Japanese version of the Bingsu. Actually if you are a foodie you can add up to the list, the shaved ice dessert version of Hawaii too or even the sherbet of Daet.  

The Bingsu offered by White Bean has a finer ice than that of the Kakigori of Iro Iro. Which reminds me, Korean Kaz Cafe in Ayala Malls Legazpi also offers Bingsu, so add that to your foodtrip list when you travel to Albay. 

White Bean offers three flavors of Bingsu namely mango, oreo, strawberry (new) and injeolmi which is the Korean word for soy for a price of P160. I tried the Injeolmi for a change. 

First impressions. Serving Size with the Price ★★★☆☆. I had high expectations on this dessert when I first heard about it. Probably if White Bean was the first one to offer the shaved ice dessert in Naga, I can say that the P160 is worth it. Since there's already one shaved ice dessert in the market, my tendency is to compare the Bingsu to the Kakigori of Iro Iro. Back in September 2016 the Kakigori of Iro Iro is priced at P130 and the serving size is actually good for sharing (click HERE for reference). While the Bingsu (as shown below) of White Bean, the serving size seemed a little small and I was able to consume it on my own. While it might not be right to compare the shaved ice of the two desserts, still they will boil down to the same category in my opinion, shaved ice dessert. While cashew nuts are expensive, then I can say that P160 is justifiable, but for the mango and cookie flavor, I think it's not worth it.

Taste ★★★★★. I liked the Injeolmi, since I'm a fan of the "not the usual" flavors, I loved how the flavors complemented with each other including the cashew nuts. I have high tolerance for sweetness, I guess the condensed milk was not enough for me when it was mixed with the ice. I did not ask for an extra serving though, so I'm not sure if there will be an extra charge for that. I still have to try the Mango and Oreo flavor some other time. I almost forgot, don't expect too many cashew nuts, it's always different when you see it in menus, any restaurant for that matter.

We also ordered this delicious sandwich for our snack

Hope to try the other flavor soon! Share us your thoughts about these Bingsu's offered by White Bean Cafe. How about you guys? How did you find the Bingsu of White Bean Cafe?

White Bean Cafe

Ground Floor of Nagaland Hotel
Elias Angeles St. Naga City
Contact No. (054) 473 2111

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Graceland Naga Centro

Naga City - For us Nagueños, Graceland means home, it means Naga. Graceland played a huge role in Naga's food industry dating back in the 70's. Graceland is Graceland Food Industries Inc.'s "First Born" from among the other successful brands like Baker's Plaza, Geewan and Red Platter.

From the humble beginnings of a four-tabled "turo-turo" garage operation, Graceland Food Industries is now one of Bicol's Best Brands. Started by Mr. Felipe Dy Eng Chong, a multi-awarded pioneer in the fast-food industry, also a recipient of the prestigious Halyao Awards for Camarines Sur in 2011 by the Metro Naga Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The Halyao Awards is the most reputable regional annual award given to Bicolano businesspersons/entrepreneurs whose outstanding and exemplary achievements lie not only in their entrepreneurial pursuits but more so in their contribution to the growth and development of the Bicol Region and its people. Commonly referred to as “Tyo Peping”, Mr. Felipe and his wife, Mrs. Felicidad Dy started their food business way back in 1976 using a loaned capital of just ten thousand pesos. Read more about Graceland's legacy, through this link.




Long before Jollibee and McDonald's landed in Bicol soil, Graceland was our fast-food restaurant to go to. Those in their early 30's and late 40's are familiar with that building (photo on top) along General Luna St. For quite a time, this has been the cry of Naga's children because of the rides available in the store. Did you have your birthday party here? As of writing, this lot beside PNB is now a parking space for the company's delivery trucks. 

Graceland is a time-tested company which has grown into various brands that Bicolanos love. Last June, the newest branch of Graceland recently opened along Elias Angeles St. just right beside Nagaland E-mall. This branch by far has the most beautiful interiors from among the existing branches. The store is surrounded with motivational quotes framed in various sizes and also with artificial fruits in frames that will surely delight your senses because of its uniqueness. Lighting of the store is very cozy with different kinds of fixtures. 

Though Graceland may be categorized as a fast-food, many can attest that the meals available Graceland is not really a "fast-food" type because of the good quality of food that they are serving. For those visiting Naga, Graceland can be likened to Goldilocks or Red Ribbon because of the in-house Baker's Plaza, one of Bicol's finest source of bread, pastries and cakes.

Graceland has many best sellers. Try the "So Bicol" meals, all paired with a Bicol specialty like Laing, Bicol Express or Pinangat. Though Geewan along P. Burgos Street, has been established as a tourist destination for Bicol Specialties, the "So Bicol" meals of Graceland are equally competitive to other restaurants. 

Graceland is also very ideal for family and friends dining together. Salo meals like the Pancit Guisado is very  affordable and is good enough for 2 to 3 persons. Lomi, Halo-Halo and the Special Sizzlers (esp the Sisig with Egg) would be my personal favorites. Don't forget a slice of Concorde Cake or any other cake for that matter for your dessert or perhaps a cup of Chocolate Mousse. 

And by the way, burgers might be ordinary but Graceland's Burger and Fries are definitely tasty and it does not have that "fast-food" aura. 

Even when you go to the comfort room you will be reminded to just "follow your dreams".

Baker's Plaza goodies is a staple food in almost every Graceland store. Freshly baked cookies, bread, cakes and many other pastries for your daily consumption or special occasions. Baker's Plaza has been and is always reliable for all of us here in Bicol.

Other Graceland stores in Naga: Ground Level of SM City Naga and a few of their specialties are also served at the main branch of Baker's Plaza along P. Burgos Street. 

Graceland Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/graceland.ph?fref=ts
Contact Number: (054) 473 3515
Website: http://www.graceland.ph/

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Nagaland Emall Peñafrancia 2013 Events

Visit Nagaland Emall this Peñafrancia Festival! 

Nagaland Emall - Mall Hours this Penafrancia Festival Season

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White Bean

Looking for a BRIGHT new place? Here's something new for coffeeholics. Bean there, done that!

White Bean is the renamed, renewed, and revitalized concept of Trevi Cafe. It's like a person who had a grandiose make over. LOL

coffee, cakes + love

this is so me hahaha

LOCATION: Ground Floor of Nagaland Emall.

THE PLACE: The former Trevi Cafe which was quite dim is now a very vibrant and dainty white-painted coffee shop. Contrary to the color of a coffee bean which is dark brown, this coffee shop made use of the color "white" with accents of blue and pink. Baby colors right? Since the place is white, pink and blue, this is no place named after Rowan Atkinson's character Mr. Bean. Definitely not.

Honestly, I have never visited the coffee shop when it was still Trevi Cafe. I don't know, I just didn't feel like going there. But now?? When I saw some photos of the place posted on skyscrapercity thread, my senses were awakened calling me to visit the place. The whole coffee shop is not yet complete. Photos shown below is just half of the whole place. Nagaland Hotel's lobby is in between the dining area, quite unique right?

View outside, opposite the road is Nagaland E-Mall

See the hotel entrance on the right? The white doors on the right most part is the access to the other half of White Bean (still under renovation)

You can sit here if your alone.

Interesting displays

A miniature couch

THE FOOD: The taste is very competitive enough since the cost it not that pricey (See price list below). Plating is also good and preparation does not take too much time to fill in your stomach. Drinks come in one size only. No short, tall, grande, or venti.

Italian Soda: Green Apple & Cucumber Flavor

Iced White Mocha

Ceasar Salad

Chef's Choice Salad

with mango, grapes and pili nut slices 

See the pili nut?

Creamy Pesto Pasta

yummyness and creamyness pasta! ftw!

plus a complementary cupcake

BUDGET: Php 120 - 200 per person. The coffee is so!!! affordable. The pasta has a huge serving. And I'm excited to try their cakes which will be available soon (according to the staff).

SOMETHING UNIQUE: The ambiance of the place is very different from the usual coffee shops with warm colors. The couches are very comfortable, they make you feel like a prince and princess.

I will definitely go back to White Bean, there's a long queue on the menu to try! So hurry guys, it's not that pricey, very affordable and yet with a very competitive taste. But for the meantime, Bean there done that.

Last week of June  2012 Food Photos

Flavored Iced Tea

Raspberry Italian Soda

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