Serenitea

There's a Serenitea near me! A branch just recently opened in Greenfields Ortigas, in the vicinity of Y Tree  :)  The place looks really pretty, perfect for that after-work hang time with friends : great company + good conversation + yummy tea drinks :)

High Ceiling with Pretty Lights

Multi-colored Steps to the 2nd Floor

2nd Floor Space

This is a really pretty corner :)

View of the 1st floor

Y Tree & Bon Appetea

I know I already have quite a number of entries on Milk Tea shops around the metro, but can I help it if they keep on popping up everywhere? My current favorite is Chatime, due to the extensive menu, and I really like their Oolong and Roasted Milk Teas. However, I was able to recently try out Bon Appetea and Y Tree.

I chanced upon Bon Appetea in Aguirre Ave., Sucat. I was craving for basic milk tea on a hot afternoon and the store was the first one we passed. I really liked their interiors -- very colorful and interactive. Their main board had a lot of post-it notes from their customers, and it seems that they tried to refrain from having generic seats/ tables, but differentiated each booth. This really adds personality to the place :) Drinks were generally okay though. Nothing spectacular. Chatime's Oolong Milk Tea still takes the cake.

Y Tree is a newly-opened milk tea place in the Greenfield Area, Ortigas. The interiors and ambiance is very relaxing, making use of white and green earthy hues to communicate a green environment. Not a bad place to sit down with friends after work :)  They also offer a Rock, Salt and Cheese drink; but we went for Passion Fruit Yakult and Honeydew Milk Tea. I particularly liked Passion Fruit Yakult since it's sour (although the sour taste becomes more tolerable as you drink it). Their Hantien Jelly was quite interesting; tastes a bit like Nata but with a slightly rounded edge, a texture that's quite surprising and different :)  Y Tree also offers simple pasta and sandwiches, plus dessert. 

More of the Milk Tea Craze

And the tea craze continues. They're all over the place! I love milk tea, but it's quite tiring to see all the new shops popping up offering milk tea. I really don't know why I still instinctively try a new one whenever I get the chance, even when I already have my 'favorites.' 

I recently passed by Milkyway Tea, which unfortunately replaced  Ya Kun Kaya. I'm sad to see a nearby Ya Kun Kaya go. I tried the basic milk tea, Milkyway Classic with Pearl and since I wanted a sour drink, tried the Lemon Yakult. Sadly, not one of the drinks made a strong and lasting impression. I did notice however, that they also offered Yogurt ice cream and smoothies. Talk about combining the yogurt ice cream and milk tea craze in one shop. They also have this thing called the Moffle (Mochi Waffle) -- wonder how that would taste? 

And with the increasing number of milk tea shops, it's no wonder that food stalls have joined the bandwagon. I recently spotted a food stall called Tea Ninja which offers 3 drink sizes (S, M, and L), making it more affordable for the average joe to enjoy milk tea. I tried thair Roasted Oolong Milk Tea with Grass Jelly, which surprisingly, wasn't bad at all. I even enjoyed it more than Milkyway's... Probably because my expectation was also quite low. Prices range from P40 - P70. I wouldn't be surprised if a few more similar stalls pop up -- don't be surprised if you see one near you.

Raintree

There's another tea place in town! You won't miss this brightly-lit restaurant along White Plains :) What I like about Raintree Teapresso Blends though, is their tea variety.

They have Smooteas, Hot blends, Dessert Blends (Red Velvet, Blueberry Cheesecake, Chocolate Truffle drinks are just some samples), Fruit-Tea infusions (you have a choice of tea to mix with their fruit), Pearl Milk Tea, and Pearl Milk Tea Floats (with vanilla ice cream on top!).

They also have cakes and pastries, and I tried this interesting, somewhat brownie piece called Nutella Rocks. I was expecting a rich, Nutella taste, but it turns out to be a dark chocolate, nutty brownie. It was quite good despite the fact that I was expecting something else.

The different drink offerings made it quite difficult to choose, there were about a dozen very interesting Pearl Milk Tea options, from the regular Wintermelon, to Moroccan Mint to Belgian Chocolate. But in the end we decided on Raintree Specialtea and Sencha Kyoto.

As usual, we kept it at 50% sugar. Among the two, I really enjoyed the Specialtea which had a roasted, smooth blend. Sencha Kyoto was also good, but would've better with 75% sugar.

16 oz, P85 and 22 oz, P95

Here's a copy of their menu:

Cal 0932.842.8927 for orders & pick up.

I'd really love to try out the different flavors soon!

More Tea Craze

Tried two more Milk Tea shops a couple of days ago :)

First stop is ShareTea. This tea place also has its version of Happy Lemon's Rock, Salt, Cheese line. However, comparing the two, I prefer Happy Lemon since ShareTea is really cheesy. I know there are some, though, that would prefer a healthy serving of cheese on their drink :)

Second stop was Infinitea. I was really supposed to go to Moonleaf, but they were closed (it was after all, Christmas day then), and the nearest open tea shop was Infinitea. This time, I tried a juice-based tea drink, hoping for a contender to Serenitea. Blackberry was not available, and Grape Black Tea supposedly had a similar taste. Regardless, Serenitea's juice-based drinks still get my vote :) I also tried their Hazelnut Milk Tea, not bad :)

Gong Cha

And another Tea Shop is in town -- GONG CHA is another option for the tea-crazed market, just like me :) Accidentally saw this tea shop at the Megamall Atrium and was surprised at the long line. Of course, I had to try it out. 

Due to the seeming understated demand forecast, they ran out of Pearls! A tea place without pearls?! However, they quickly recovered and cooked some; by the time I placed my order, I was asked to wait for 5 minutes to get pearls. I agreed, since milk tea without pearls is pretty sad. And I didn't want any of their other 'extras' anyway.

I tried Milk Wintermelon, which was one of the listed house specialties which were available. (I guess they still have to get the hang of their inventory.) In any case, no real surprise with their Wintermelon Tea. Taste was OK and comparable to other milk teas. I'd still go for Moonleaf's Wintermelon brew :)

Here's their Menu --

Moonleaf - Kapitolyo

I just found out! Moonleaf Tea Shop, my fave milk tea place will be opening a branch near me!

MoonLeaf will be opening 3 new branches tomorrow, 11-11-11!

at Los Banos, Dapitan, and Kapitolyo Pasig

It's gonna be a great Friday! Can't wait to get my Hakka :)

MoonLeaf Kapitolyo can be found at Briggy Hall, #9 East Kapitolyo Drive, Brgy. Kapitolyo, Pasig.

Spread the word!

xoxo

UPDATE

Here's a look at Moonleaf Kapitolyo interiors--

They have food concessionaires! To complete your dining experience :)

Leonor's Kitchen - Pasta & Pizza

Locally-made Theo Philo Artisan Chocolates

Cha Dao

There's another Tea place in the Kapitolyo area -- CHA DAO. I suppose they want to rival ChaTime at Pioneer. I passed by and decided to try it out. The first thing that hit me when I entered was the yummy aroma. I loved the tea scent of the place :)

I decided on Assam (black tea, black sugar, and milk) with Pearl, their supposed best seller. Based on my previous experiences, milk teas are usually too sweet for my taste, so I immediately had sugar cut to 50%. Drinks vary from P50 to P75, then you have to add Sinkers (their version of add-ons) at P10 each.

My verdict? Even at 50% sugar, Assam was too sweet. I still love Moon Leaf's Hakka with Pearl at 50% sugar -- still the best for me!

Cha Dao interiors

Assam with Pearl, P85

Cha Dao Menu

Well, maybe their other drinks would be better. Will see if their Wintermelon can rival Moon Leaf's too :)

Moon Leaf Tea Shop

And my obsession with milk tea continues. I've been bitten by the milk tea bug ever since I first went to SG in 2006 or 07. I always look for the 3-in-1 Teh Tarik so I can get my milk tea fix anytime :) It's no wonder I like the tea craze that's going around, from Chatime to Serenitea to Happy Lemon. Add to that, Moon Leaf Tea Shop in Teachers Village, UP. 

Moon Leaf offers a variety of flavors: fruit-based, basic tea, and milk tea. Drinks come in one size (large) and ranges from P45 to P75. Additional pearl, nata, milk, or pudding is P10. Like its other conterparts, you may also control sugar content. 

Best sellers are Hakka and Wintermelon, so I ordered one of each. Wintermelon at 50% less syrup and Hakka 25% less.  I should have listened to my gut feel and went for 50% less for both, the Hakka was still a bit too sweet for my taste. Wintermelon is more light, while Hakka is more 'dark.'

Both tasted great, and I was happy to add another milk tea place to my list :)  However, since I like it's 'dark' feel more; I'd say that Hakka with Pearl is my current fave :)

Best Sellers: Wintermelon and Hakka with Pearl and Nata (both P85)