Dining alone at cafes and restaurants may sound daunting, especially if you're an introvert, socially anxious, or you're someone who's just used to have someone dine with you. It's been almost two years and I have to admit that dining alone is still a tough thing to do for me which is why I have only done it a few times. I have to mentally prepare myself weeks ahead and build up courage to eat alone in public.
However, what motivates me to do it is the urge to try their foods. I'm thankful for friends who are willing to go out or sometimes invite me for a food date but I also understand that they have their own busy lives and I have to do it by myself sometimes.
Two Sundays ago, I have to go out to do a favor for my father. I was supposed to do it when I did my grocery but due to an unfortunate circumstance, I failed to accomplish it. It's a simple task so might as well make use the chance to visit the cafe I've been longing to try since I'm already within the area. I also dropped by to a health and beauty store before doing my father's request since it's also along the way.
SUCRAÉ CAFE
The cafe's name is Sucraé, located at the town of Calasiao in the province of Pangasinan. They are known for their customized cakes and started out as an online store, based on what I've been seeing online. Then late of last year, they finally opened a cafe.
Two reasons why I wanted to try this cafe: First, the cakes and pastries looked very appetizing. Second, the interior of the cafe looked comfy, minimalistic, and aesthetic. They post really good photos of their menu and interior on their social media page which I think was a big factor people were eager to visit Sucrae.
So I walked for about three minutes under the scorching heat of the sun. Good thing I didn't forget to bring my umbrella and it was a Sunday so there were only few vehicles on the road. I was relieved to see the cafe open, because sometimes they are closed for an event but would inform it online later on the day. I went before lunch and could no longer wait for the reply of the cafe on my message on their social media page.
I sighed with relief as I entered the cafe. Finally, a cold airconditioned place! Lol. I was greeted by the staff at the counter and I took off my face mask as I walked towards her. I was looking at the pastries on the display cabinet and the menu printed in front of the cashier. The staff probably sensed that I was confused so she handed me their menu book. I took the table at the corner and took my time to choose what to eat. Then I went back to the cashier, ordered the foods and paid then returned to my seat.
The foods I ordered were Caramelized Spam (Php230 or $4.09 USD), Avocado & Cream Frappe 22 oz. (Php210 or $3.73 USD), and a slice of Strawberry Shortcake (price unknown). I wasn't given a receipt but my total bill was more or else Php650 or $11.56 USD. And so I would assume the cake was more or less Php200 if there is no service charge included to my bill.
The foods came in within 15 minutes and while waiting I noticed that cafe is smaller compared to how I imagined it to be. But I love the ambience. It was quiet, really giving the Sunday vibe. I felt comfortable while waiting for my food. There were only two customers when I arrived and a small family came in couple of minutes later, though maybe the cafe can get noisy when they're full-packed.
You can see here on the right side is the cafe's Customizing Cake Studio. This is where you'll see them decorate their cakes for the cafe and customized cakes. The staff on the photo is preparing the ingredients for decorating a customized cake order. I was able to watch him make it while I ate.
Then on the left corner are two chillers where their cakes are displayed. While on top of their pastry corner are their for sale mugs and cups with the cafe's name printed on it.
Of course, I took this chance to use the hand-painted canvas bag Leann gave me last month. The aesthetic bag deserves a good background, right?
And now for the food verdict!!!
Is it A Yay or Nay?
🍳 Caramelized Spam
Let's begin the Caramelized Spam. I was only thinking of eating pastries but since I still haven't eaten breakfast and lunch, I ordered I rice meal as well. I'm not sure if it's just me but it felt like it wasn't worth the price. I was a bit taken aback when I saw the food. The fried egg was too small, and two thin slices of cucumber and tomato. The rice wasn't even fried rice. And my biggest disappointment was the spam. I was looking for the caramelized taste on every bite but didn't find it until my last bite. It tasted just like a regular spam.
🍰 Strawberry Shortcake
Next is the Strawberry Shortcake. You know, I've always wanted to try this because it looked very delcious on the photos but I was again disappointed. The bread seemed dry and the icing was crumbly as if it has been sitting on the chiller for days already. Also, the strawberry jam filling was so little. I felt a bit sad eating it.
🥤 Avocado & Cream Frappe
Last is the Avocado & Cream Frappe. Probably my only order which somehow saved me from being completely sad. The staff recommended the biggest size (22 oz.) which I agreed gladly because I love avocados. This was the last item to be served but few minutes later, one of the staffs went near and asked if I've already drank on the frappe. I told her that I still haven't taken a sip. She then asked if she can take the drink back because she have forgotten to add something.
I wonder what the missing ingredient was because I forgot to ask, but some minutes later she came back with my drink. As you can see the drink's toppings looked different on the two photos. Tastewise, it's delicious and the sweetness is just right. There's a tinge of bitterness on some of the avocado slices but it was overall good. Although I wish I opted for the smaller cup size because I had difficulty finishing it. I was already full.
I got out of the cafe an hour later and walked back to the intersection where a grocery store is to purchase a loaf bread my father also had asked me to buy. I didn't bother to buy other stuff because plastic bags are banned on this town and it's difficult to carry paper bags without a handle. Then I crossed the road and entered a fast food restaurant across the grocery store to buy my food for dinner.
You may be wondering why there is a bar-like installation in front of me. I wonder as well. Lol. The restaurant was very busy because it was lunch time and good thing I was able to use their self-ordering kiosk smoothly. I was a bit nervous but I just observed the people ahead of me and eventually got the idea on how to operate it. I went home after getting my order.
I just bought the shanghai with egg fried rice and chicharap. And again I was disappointed because there was no sweet and sour sauce included. Did they forgot to put it or what?
And that's how my Sunday solo foodventure went. Will I recommend Sucraé Cafe to my friends? Probably no. I've also wanted to try their croissants but it looked sad and not-so appetizing when I saw it on their display cabinet. Maybe I'll give a yes to their customized cakes, because perhaps it's freshly made. Everything about this cafe is aesthetic but I believe there are better cafes out there. However, the staffs seemed kind and honest. One of the staff ran out of the cafe and was returning the paper bill I left on my table where I ate. I told her it was a tip. So I think it's safe to say that their staffs are honest and that's an important trait to have in a business.
I also had around 1,900 steps for this trip but I gained more than losing calories for sure!
Thanks for reading! 💚