Bo's Coffee: Local Blend, Local Identity

I've always thought of trying out Bo's Coffee since I saw their branch in Glorietta 4. But for one reason or another, never seemed to have done so. Now, I finally had that chance, in their newest branch in SM's Mall of Asia.

It's a busy family day Sunday, with droves of people walking along the long halls of this gigantic mall. Comfy shoes are a definite necessity to really be able to explore the mall in its entirety. Mom and Dad went to watch Superman Returns on Imax 3D, and since I already saw it, preferred to go malling instead.

The location of Bo's Coffee here is ideal, directly in front of one of the activity centers in the mall. Even now, a rock concert has brought a lot of people to try to get a glimpse of the top rock bands in the country. I'm impressed with the acoustics, with the door closed, the loud music is not as distracting within the coffee shop as one would expect. As you can see from the picture on the left, a lot of people are overlooking the concert right outside the cafe's glass windows.


Inside the shop is another story altogether. This place began somewhat empty, and quickly became packed! I was fortunate to have been able to take a shot of the place while it was still somewhat empty, which was no longer true in a matter of minutes. All tables, couches and even the barstools behind me were suddenly taken.


It was a hot day, and after a long walk, felt parched. I ordered a cold drink, a Coffee Froccinno and a Cream Puff. Presentation is a definite skill of the baristas, and no matter what you order, a good presentation adds that extra touch. I didn't expect to have my desert drizzled with extra caramel syrup and served in those chic large square plates you usually see in swanky restos or on those classy cooking TV shows. But as you can see, even a simple desert like the cream puff can be brought out in a different light with minimal effort.


Flavor gave the presentation a run for its money. If one would try to assess which of the two is the best aspect of the Bo's Coffee experience, the race would indeed be tight. The cream puff was fresh and full of that sweet creamy filling, and the bread was fresh and tasty. The Froccinno
was refreshing, and had a hint of coconut in it.

The reading material though had much to be desired. The selection was very limited, mostly women's magazines and some freebie mags full of ads. However I did like how the magazines were presented, laid down on a counter instead of being stuffed onto a magazine rack on the floor. Other magazine racks have been stuffed with new and old newspapers with sections split up and racked in between a year old copy of Cosmo.

Overall, a really good experience here. Good food, good drink, great atmosphere and pleasant and helpful staff make this an ideal place to go. It's quite spacious by the way, and if you find yourself in the area, this would be an excellent place to hold a quick meeting with clients or with friends.