Introduction
We continue Project
Minami wherein we take a closer look at a cafe that serves the
habit-forming heartbreak! Heartbreak so good and addictive, you would surely as
for seconds! Joining me once more in this review (and officially her first
coffee review) is my good friend Lian!
Let's go...
Ambiance and
Accommodation
Magnum Opus Fine Coffee Gallery (or Magnum Opus) is
one of the A-list coffee houses simply known as The Third Wave. In a nutshell, it's a movement of locally bred
cafes that offer artisan coffee using the best available coffee beans (either
from local or overseas origins), combined with modern and chic cafe concepts
and coffee lover-oriented service.
 |
| Magnum Opus Fine Coffee Gallery |
It’s located at 2nd
level 115 Prime Building, Aguirre Avenue corner J. Elizalde Avenue, BF Homes,
Paranaque City.
Magnum Opus has an unusual friendly neighborhood cafe
vibe! I was a bit accustomed with both Yardstick Coffee and The Curator Coffee & Cocktails where there
was a sense of implicit and invisible rule of coffee drinking etiquette. On the
contrary, I feel more at ease with Magnum Opus. It was only a personal perception
though...trying out either of the three is fine.
Magnum Opus is divided into two sections: room with air-con and open area. The open area is perfect for smokers (no need
to get outside or order to go), though it could also be a pain on rainy days.
 |
| We sat ourselves in the air-con area (it was hot outside). High chairs and open area may be seen in the background. |
They have a simple room arrangement of White walls
with various paintings and coffee-related gizmos and wooden furniture. Inside,
one may be seated either on high seats at the bar and middle area or at low
seats placed at the perimeter. The wood motif is followed outside with table
sets for four.
 |
| The bar area |
The baristas were friendly and more than willing
for a casual chat. Just be sure that you're ready for some serious English
chitchat (also applicable if you want to befriend some customers).
The Coffee
We tried two variations of their best-selling
heartbreak: Chilled Heartbreak (cold
version) for Lian while Belgian Heartbreak
(hot version) for yours truly! Both are priced at Php 175.00 at the time of this writing.
Both drinks were pretty the same—the aroma, the glass
cup and all. The only difference between the two is the top appearance. The
Chilled Heartbreak has a circular Pastel Yellow design with inconsistent bubbly
foam at the top. The latter conversely has a heart-shaped finish with fine
bubble foam layer.
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| Chilled Heartbreak (top) and Belgian Heartbreak (bottom). Apologies for the indistinct variation between the two...I tend to favor shadowy and gritty photos. |
The heartbreaks
(short for Chilled and Belgian Heartbreak) taste very good! The Belgian
chocolate and coffee seem to blend quite well. The two elements don’t overpower
each other—neither the dark-ish chocolate and coffee flavour comes first!
For comparison purposes, Yardstick's Mocha
(and its discontinued version, Mocha
Deconstructed—my favorite), unstirred (I usually drink it that way) starts
with a mild sweet chocolate flavour and ends with the combination of chocolate
and coffee taste.
 |
| My almost empty cup of Yardstick's Mocha, taken during one of my late photo wandering. |
The heartbreaks also produced a “clean cup” finish
versus Yardstick's which has a crater-like ring aftermath inside the cup. An
odd observation (why do I bother to observe such peculiar things), but might as
well add it to this review (lol).
Conclusion
Even though we were served with nothing but
heartbreaks, Magnum Opus Fine Coffees
has found a place in my heart! Their simple and friendly atmosphere would
encourage one to come back again.
The heartbreaks were also a winner in terms of
harmonious combination of Belgian chocolate and coffee flavour—they surely were
a treat! The heartbreaks concept for me is a noteworthy coffee concoction idea!
We highly
recommend Magnum Opus Fine Coffees
for coffee lovers—and casual coffee drinkers out there!
Magnum Opus Fine Coffee Gallery
Address: 2nd
level 115 Prime Building, Aguirre Avenue corner J. Elizalde Avenue, BF Homes,
Paranaque City
Contact Nos.:
(+63) 553-6224, (+63) 917-8173697
Twitter:
MagnumOpusFC
Facebook: MagnumOpus Fine Coffees
Acknowledgements
We would like to extend our thanks to Magnum Opus Fine Coffees for quick and
homely service and the usual picture taking—without consent (I will definitely
ask permission the next time)! I would also like to thank my good friend Lian for
joining me in a back-to-back (ramen and coffee) review on short notice!
Please look forward for my next blog entry!
Ikimashou!
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