Seattle's Pike Place Market

Our Seattle revelry is not yet over. This time, feast your eyes (imagination included) as we share with you our PIKE PLACE MARKET experience. Yes, the same place where the FIRST ever STARBUCKS is located.

Cheeeeezy pose!

Overlooking the Elliott Bay waterfront, it commenced operation in August 17, 1907. To date, PIKE PLACE MARKET  is the oldest fully operational farmers' market in the United States offering fresh produce, seafood, meat, bread, spices, unique foodie find, and handicrafts among others.

Fresh Pasta!!!

And true to its claim as a full-blown tourist attraction, people globally (estimated to be over 10 million annually) come in droves to experience the market's vast offerings, and witness the world-famous crew of fishmongers throwing fish and horsing around with visitors.

Below are some more snap shots of this food lovers' haven. One day is not enough for first timers AND hungry tourists like us - Happy Viewing!

Cherries Galore!

Elephant Garlic, anyone???

Every Day is V-DAY!

CRAB Mentality and beyond...

Artsy Postcards

All the more reason to plan another trip to Seattle. Lets??!

The Band of Four - Strikes Again!

Epic Coffee Roastery

"The next EPIC thing to rock Kapitolyo, Pasig City since POCO DELI!" 

Cool Caption don't you agree? This is a fact and not just a self-proclaimed tag-line, as proven by the dynamic duo of business (and husband and wife) partners Joy and Sonny De Leon, who transformed Poco Deli into a by-word for fine quality food. Take two for this Power Couple as they dip their gastronomic hands this time in the realm of Coffee and everything caffeine with the opening of EPIC COFFEE ROASTERY.

A top-of-the-line ASTORIA 2-group Espresso Machine, home made pastries, signature dishes and espresso-based drinks powered no less by STASERO Flavored Syrups go hand-in-hand with the apt interiors they themselves conceptualized, designed and executed. All these effortlessly equate to Sweet S-U-C-C-E-S-S!

What a great Christmas treat it was for me to be hand-picked to train their enthusiastic staff and crew in conceptualizing their "drinks menu." Though I'm always up for the challenge, part of me was nervous given the excellent reputation of this couple in the food business. The bar is definitely high, thus MUST NOT DISAPPOINT was my frame of mind entering the "arena."

After several hours of trials and sampling we finally came up with THREE "to-die-for" drinks: Matcha Green Tea Frappe, Sea-Salt Caramel Mocha Over Ice, AND their very own EPIC Frappe.

Don't take my word for it, head on down to EPIC Cafe and witness the golden taste buds of Joy and Sonny at its best!

* Epic Cafe is in the same row as POCO Deli, you can't miss it!

Caffeinated Xmas Gift Box

LOVELY!!! Most certainly an instant pick-me-upper (and post caffeine rush once consumed) when you open this Christmas package.

Though not really up our alley, it is next to impossible to turn down a favor from our avid supporter and Boss Ms. Sydney Go, STUDIO SnR's dynamic Director for Marketing, who asked us to come up with a Gift Box for her to give away to preferred clients and close industry allies. Something different, most definitely fresh, best off something to cherish (and not recycled) once possessed. Presto Pronto, BOYD's Coffee 200grams Espresso Italiano paired with 2 x 50ml STASERO Flavored Syrups.

Now to find out who's been naughty or nice in Sydney's list... Happy Holidays from STUDIO SnR  and FAR SKYES ENTERPRISE!

2012 Review

As I welcome 2013's arrival in a few blinks it's time once again to reflect on the what 2012 has meant to me. For some reason the year went by swiftly, probably a good sign since we know how things seem to "fly by" when one's busy, enjoying, or both.

Factory tour in Seattle, Washington.
Kiddo finally understands what his Daddy does for a living

A record-breaking Business Year for my company FAR SKYES ENTERPRISE, and I'm certain it will escalate further. The brands I globally source and represent have finally gained the much-needed attention they deserve, and I am truly grateful to those who believe!

A great year as far as health is concerned, special shout out to my Dad who victoriously overcame his bout with pneumonia. In a nutshell, viewing life as half-full I am glad to be able to spend another Christmas with him and my loved ones... Cheers to Life!

A fruitful year of traveling, being able to visit new States in the US: Washington (Seattle), Oregon (Portland), and Texas (Houston & San Antonio); and locally, touching base with Boracay anew.

My best friend who's in his late 40's became a Dad for the first time, and he's tremendously enjoying fatherhood so much so that he's contemplating on retiring to devote all his time, energy and psyche to his little bundle of joy. I'm glad he finally understands what I've been doing for the past 8 years. As my Dad always says, "Money is not an end in itself, a rainbow is ALWAYS better than a pot of gold."

Happy New Year!!! From my family to yours...

Pike Place's Starbucks

In tune with Starbucks Philippines' annual "planner/diary craze" allow me to pat myself in the back and brag that I claimed mine in less than 2 weeks. A record breaker of sorts since i started collecting this yearly temptation, and chugging down their brews (Signature drinks included) 6 years ago. Now to abstain from entering this caffeinatedly sinfull java hut for the next 2, 3, 6-months even, while I find a way to lose those excess pounds!

While in the festive mood of talking Starbucks and everything caffein, let me share with you our proud experience of visiting their first branch in Seattle, WA - the iconic Starbucks Pike Place which started brewing "the cuppa joe that launched a thousand more branches" in 1971. This place, or "tourist attraction" if I may, is effortlessly oozing with rich history and is of vital relevance to both the now-titanic brand and the Emerald City. Hands down, it solidified Seattle's reputation as the coffee capital of America.

You literally enter a time warp once there, as Starbucks meticulously kept cadence to the original design - from the hardwoods, furnishings and illumination. Oh, I should also mention that they have a signature blend sold exclusively in that outlet, the Pike Place Special Reserve, which I hoarded and brought back home.

Kid not included...

Literally a souvenir shop!

Scratch off another one from our Coffee Geek bucket list!

The band of four,
ONE OF WHICH IS NOT A COFFEE DRINKER (guess who)
mission accomplished!

Black Forrest Latte (Hot & Cold)

Black Forrest is one of the earliest and most popular espresso-based flavor variant used by coffee shops dating back to the  late 90's. It stems from the wave of "drinkable desserts" of that era, with honorable mention going to Tiramisu and Chocolate Mousse.

A healthy, home-made version minus
the whipped cream & garnishing 

Over the years, Black Forrest has either evolved or morphed into many other names (with minimal twist and/or add-on) like Dark Cherry Mocha, Berry Mocha, Mocha Red Velvet, etc., yet the core ingredients consisting of espresso, cherry syrup (cherry brandy/liquor), chocolate syrup/sauce and milk remain.

Here is a cold and hot version of this timeless drink. Pick one depending on the mood you are in, or have both if tummy space permits!

Iced Black Forrest Latte, 12-ounce

Ingredients: Double-shot espresso (30ml per shot), 15ml Stasero Dark Chocolate Sauce, 30ml Stasero Cherry Syrup, 120ml fresh milk

Step 1: In a mixing container combine Double-shot espresso, Stasero Dark Chocolate Sauce, and Stasero Cherry Syrup. Mix well until fully incorporated.

Step 2:  Fill a 12-ounce glass with ice, then pour the Cherry-Mocha mixture into it. Top with whipped cream (optional) and maraschino cherry, and add chocolate shavings for that full Black Forrest effect!

Black Forrest Latte (Hot version), 8-ounce

Ingredients: Double-shot espresso, 15ml Stasero Dark Chocolate Sauce, 30ml Stasero Cherry Syrup, 60ml milk

The do-it-all Jura Ena9 Espresso Machine

Call me spoiled, but this version was simplified thanks to my Jura Ena9 do-it-all espresso machine, with a one-touch LATTE-button. 

With its pre-set feature, one touch of the "Latte Macchiato" button,
it automatically steams the milk for you...

Then dispenses the espresso shot after!

Finished product prepared in less than a minute! 

Garnish this drink whichever way you want, I simply topped this drink with more Stasero Cherry Syrup!

Here's wishing everyone Happy Holidays!!! Caffeinated & Creamy Cheers...