Brew beginnings

MANILA, Philippines - When looking for that perfect after-school hangout, one runs through a checklist of essentials. Wi-Fi? Check. Ambience? Check. Coffee and food? Check and check. If you’re still looking for that perfect spot, look no further. I’m about to make your life a whole lot easier and point you in the direction of Single Origin.

It’s hard to label Single Origin as one thing. It’s not just an artisanal café; it’s not just a gastropub. I guess you could say it’s a little bit of both and more. Its chic industrial design features brick walls and broad wooden work-friendly tables, with vintage-style ceiling lanterns to match. Needless to say, it’s more than Instagram-friendly — it’s Instagram-landi. The inside is warmly lit, but its wide glass front brings in the perfect amount of sunlight during the day. The coffee machines hum discreetly. Vaguely indie music plays in the background. The environment is so conducive to work, I might just exceed my English paper’s minimum word count of 1,000 for fun.

If you aren’t yet convinced, I have one word for you: bacon. Single Origin makes their own home-style thick-cut bacon. The servers might recommend the classic bacon and eggs, but you could go a step further and order their bacon, eggs and waffles. The waffles are crispy sweet and fluffy; the bacon thick-cut barbecued perfection. You’ll be shaking your head like you’re in a Jollibee commercial, guaranteed. But if big, homey meals aren’t quite your thing, you could always go for their highly recommended bacon-infused Bloody Mary. If, you know, that’s more your style. (There’s literally a slab of bacon in it, guys. Guys.)

Whether you’re looking for a place to have breakfast before school, a place to brunch with your significant other (or your “just a friend,” you might argue), a place to wine and dine with your family, or a place to chat over drinks with your barkada, Single Origin is the one-stop place to be.

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 Single Origin is open from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. at BGC High Street Central.