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COCONUTS HOT SPOT — We don’t know what we love best about KKK Coffee on Maginhawa Street in Quezon City: the charming Filipino interiors, the simple but terrific coffee they serve, or the fact that they don’t employ eager-beaver small-talking baristas who want to chop our heads off with their single-origin knowledge.
While it’s still on soft opening, the two-month old KKK has quickly established itself as a community café where QC peeps choose to spend their 20-minute afternoon coffee breaks. Why wouldn’t they? At KKK, 20 minutes is all you need to refuel, reenergize, and clear your minds. This is KKK’s third location, having opened in SM Marikina and the Kalibo International Airport in Aklan.
The place is small, charming, and save for the very Pinoy details, sparsely decorated. Upon entry, a wooden counter dressed like a Filipino foyer will definitely call your attention. Behind it, a capiz window divider separates the kitchen from the foyer. To its right, an old wooden KKK ornament hangs on the imposing red wall. And adjacent, the unpainted gray wall features a red KKK flag.
There are only three tables inside and a bar seating that in all accommodate about 15 people. Outside, two long tables and a bench can billet eight smokers. On the Saturday that Coconuts Manila visited, KKK enjoyed brisk business, making us wonder if people are now seeking the old and the familiar and the simple and the good.
The coffee shop’s name — a reference to Andres Bonifacio’s Katipunan organization — and Filipino décor should tell you Brian Tenorio is serious when he says, “KKK aims to present the Filipino’s contribution to the world of coffee.” That is, the traditional and typical manner that Filipinos prepare and drink their coffee.
He uses Kapeng Ginto (starts PHP89), one of KKK’s best sellers, as an example. “We took inspiration from the taste and comfort of a 3-in-1 that Filipinos love,” he says, adding that the sweet and creamy Kapeng Ginto is exactly how his mom likes her coffee.
It’s not sophisticated hoity-toity cuppa, but it’s coffee that Filipinos like. “Parang Jollibee spaghetti. Di ba, before kung anu-ano ang sinasabi ng mga tao about it — how it’s not authentic, how it’s too sweet. But now, Jollibee is exporting it to New York and you have titles like Buzzfeed featuring it,” Tenorio says.
Unlike most third wave coffee shops these days, KKK is simple, straightforward, familiar and good. There’s not much barista brouhaha over where the beans are source and how (all from the PH) or the method by which it is prepared (hand poured). Instead, it features familiar things like Kapeng Labuyo, Kapeng Pandan, ensaimadas and cupcakes.
We were told that as soon as they get their liquor license, KKK intends to serve cocktails made with local wines and spirits — that’s Bugnay, Tapuey, and Lambanog for you. We can’t wait.
KKK Coffee, 154-A Maginhawa St, Quezon City. 4pm-10pm
The bar seating at KKK
Kapeng Ginto (starts PHP89), sweet and milky, was inspired by the comfort of 3-in-1 coffee.
Ensaymada (PHP35). Best dipped in coffee, like we all love to, instead of just eating it straight from the plate.
Davao Tablea Hot Chocolate (PHP109). It’s good and thick, and very comforting.
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