Work of Love Café [Review]

Buting, Pasig

(April 5 & 7, 2024)

RATING: ❤️❤️❤️❤️/5

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FYI - This is the first time I ever tipped a cafe shop for their customer service! You'll find out as you read along.

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🏢DESIGN

As I went in, the place was quite small, which is understandable since they're just basically new. The interior, like the previous one that I went to, has a similar aesthetic. Black and white color scheme with cement finishes for the walls. They have a loft area that only accommodates one table, suitable for up to four people. They have the standard chairs and tables on the left side and at the back, but the right side has wooden flooring, pillows, and small-size tables (reminiscent of the tables found in Japanese restaurants) where people can sit cross-legged and relax even more.

The far corner of the place can also be turned into a mini-stage where aspiring performers can show off their singing skills, which I'm sure is popular with today's generation.

There are also board games and other toys available for use. You can borrow it, bring it to your table, and play it with your friends.

😋 TASTE

As I sat and ordered my latté, I noticed that their menu only has a few options, which is just fine considering the size of the shop. They only have one size for their drinks, and you can just choose whether you want it hot or iced. I then proceeded to sit down and wait for my order.

When it finally arrived, one thing that surprised me was that they also provided a sodium-bicarbonate powder (see picture), which can be taken by those who might experience heartburn or acid reflux after drinking. This is the first time that a café shop has this "freebie," which I think is a simple yet cool thing that can make your business stand out from the rest.

As for the taste of my coffee, I can say that this is right for me. The coffee itself is not that strong but also hasn't been overpowered by the milk. But what caught my attention is that in their cups, the phrase "Do Everything in Love" (which I assume is the shop's tagline?) is written. This made me smile for a bit since I've been having a difficult time recently.

🧭 LOCATION

Let me start by first describing the shop itself. The location of the cafe is unassuming. In fact, you'll never realize that this is a coffee shop unless you're near enough. The shop has been open for a few years already, and it's just a 30-minute walk from our house, but I never had the interest to actually go inside. Maybe because whenever I pass by the place, the only customers that I see are students, which makes me think that their menu only caters to them, which is not true. Then, after some time, I noticed that some food content creators in Tiktok featured this shop and had positive reviews about their experience. So why not try and see it for myself?

💸 PRICE & SERVICE

There prices were very affordable yet still have the quality.

For their customer service, I truly can say that it was exceptional. You see, since I only walked to the place in the summer heat of April, I'm a little bit sweaty, and I know their staff noticed it too. As I made myself comfortable in my spot, one staff member went to my area and checked the air conditioning unit to see if the temperature was cold enough. But since it wasn't, they moved one of their electric fans and aimed it at me. This was a nice thing to do since it shows how the staff are observant of their customers' needs and make them feel comfortable as much as possible.

But that's not all. After what they did, the owner then arrived next, saw me, and I heard her whisper to her waiter to bring me a glass of cold water! Like what?! Simple acts like those really make a difference and show how the owner prioritizes her customers.

📋CONCLUSION

No matter how great the experience was, there are still a couple of things I believe could be improved. One would be their air conditioning—certain spots in the area aren’t fully reached, so adding more units or even installing big ceiling fans could make the space more comfortable. Another small detail would be the size of their cups. It would be nice if they could offer larger sizes, though this is more of a personal preference.

After a few minutes, I stood up, gathered my things, and before I headed to the door, the owner thanked me for coming in. In turn, I commended the owner and the whole team for a job well done and for the wonderful experience I had.

Just like the lessons taught in the Feast (a charismatic community) when it comes to running a business—before focusing on what you can earn, you should first build relationships with your customers. At the end of the day, the way you make people feel when they leave your place will leave a lasting impression.

If you’re near Buting, Pasig, I highly recommend visiting this spot. You’ll find good food, refreshing drinks, excellent customer service, and if you’re lucky, you might even catch someone performing your favorite song! (Don’t forget to follow their socials on FB, IG, and TikTok.)

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#BeanThereDrankThat

#CoffeeAdventures

(exterior shot taken from Work of Love Café FB Page)