Umi at SM North Block

Heya~

How are you, everyone? I hope you're all having a fine weather out there. Although, the storm have calmed down recently and the sun is showing more often, the rain is still pouring down from time to time before sunset or night time.

Anyway, I'm writing another to share another coffee adventure I had the other day. I have mentioned before here that there's a new block SM City Mall have opened in their branch here in Bacolod. The ground floor is for food chains, restaurants and coffee shops. Then, the rest of the floors going up is for the campus of National University.

Imagine studying in this university and on your break time or lunch, you only need to go down or cross the annex route to get access to the mall. When I was in high school, this setup might be a haven for us. Back then, we're often finding time in our schedule and walk there to stay and look around. But for now since priorities have switched, we only go here if we have errands to do outside or simply have a coffee to enjoy the rest days.

The mall is currently celebrating its 40th year in business. Promo sales and package deal offers are everywhere. It's actually tempting. We decided to explore something new here and headed to the North Block —the third building extension of the mall now.

Before going in, we daw a coffee shop on the right side of the entrance. The shop is called Umi —a place for cakes and coffee.

By the looks of it, you can tell right away that it just have opened because of the bouquet of flowers still displayed outside the shop. Most of the flowers have already withered but you could still see some colors. It's not spacious inside either, anyone can see it from outside of the glass walls and door. There are only few staffs serving on the counter —the barista, cashier and some service crews. Anyhow, the coffee shop is cozy, quiet and welcoming.

Actually, upon seeing that new shop excites us to try it on that moment. However, we wanted to check the looks of the new extension inside and other shops that positioned. True enough, new brands showed up but some are quite familiar. There's one restaurant there that made us reconsider where to dine for a moment. The Old Town, that place sure looks like home with tempting cups of cappuccino and unfamiliar dishes that looks tasty. They also have a promo for drinks. BUY1 GET1 drinks for Php1.00 if you dine there. Too tempting, YES! Unfortunately, le patata is on a diet because he have medications. We could only go for the coffee.

We went back there at Umi after seeing all the brands inside. I headed immediately at the counter to have my orders taken. I got Kaloumei Latte and a slice of Blueberry Cheesecake, while the Patata got Iced Back Tea Coffee and a slice of Scallion Pork Floss Cake.

Every desserts here is tempting but we're actually counting sugars on oir bodies. Even on the cheat day, we couldn't have it all. Health is wealth, that's the mantra.

The setup is similar to Starbuck and other co-working spaces. You have to buy their products and you are allowed to stay there for a while, then use the plugs if your gadgets need it. This place is very popular for students mostly, and some working adults.

Cheesecake is my favorite, so I surely have savored every bit. I tried the one he got and I only liked the pork floss toppings.

After we finished the desserts, I took my coffee as a takeout because I couldn't handle the cold temperature from the airconditioner outside while having an iced latte at the same time. We head out and a couple took our seats.

Even though our stay was cut short, we enjoyed every moment there. Sure enough, the place have been acknowledged as our new favorite now.