Oasis For The Urban Cowboy

Urbanidad – it’s Spanish for “urbanity,” which could mean any number of things.  The word connotes civility and all its attributes, like polished courteousness, a suave disposition, and a cosmopolitan manner.  Derived from the Latin “urbanus,” it connotes elegance and refinement, a view of the world as seen from ancient Rome in those days.  Or it could refer to “New Urbanism,” a modern design movement which promotes environmentally friendly habitats in an otherwise citified milieu, like open spaces, walkable neighborhoods, a sophisticated locale bereft of any barbarisms.

And when we sauntered into Urbanidad Cafe one rainy Sunday, it felt like all of that. Located at the quiet corner of Scout Lazcano and Mother Ignacia in Quezon City, it was tucked away, almost unobtrusively, in a low-rise building amidst a serene residential setting.

FROM A DISTANCE – AN OASIS THAT HAS TO BE FOUND, URBANIDAD CAFE IS A WELCOME SIGHT FOR URBANITES SEEKING SOLACE AND COMFORT FROM THE TROUBLES OF THE DAY.

Inside, the interiors were spartan but chic, one wall declaring the cafe’s mission statement, and the opposite wall decorated with vintage photos of Quezon City’s landmarks during kinder and less congested times.

OFF THE WALL – CITY SLICKER LEANS AGAINST THE WALL WITH THE “MANIFESTO” THAT ARTICULATES THE BELIEFS OF THE PROPRIETORS: SERVING HIGH-QUALITY COFFEE, SLOWING DOWN AND RELISHING LIFE’S SIMPLE PLEASURES, AND BEING GRATEFUL TO GOD FOR HIS BOUNTIES.

We started off with Americanos which seemed a tad bland, but a quick follow-up of double Espressos pulled from South American Arabica blends more than made up for that initial dispassion.  The “Classic Grilled Cheese” sandwich from a brief menu lived up to its masterly reputation.  But it was the “Huevos en Purgatorio” savory, a slightly spicy baked egg dish with thinly sliced chorizos, tomatoes and melted cheese atop a hearty serving of beans in tomato sauce, that convinced us that a return trip to this oasis was of the highest imperative.  And soon.

DINING IN DANTE’S PURGATORIO – IF THIS IS THE TYPICAL REPAST IN THAT INTERMEDIATE STAGE AFTER DEATH WHILE PREPARING FOR TRANSITION TO HEAVEN (NOW A DISCREDITED DOGMA), WE WOULDN’T MIND UNDERGOING PURIFICATION AT ALL.

LIFE’S A BOX OF CHOC NUTS – A SMALL BAR OF THAT UBIQUITOUS LOCAL PEANUT MILK CHOCOLATE PROVIDES A CHARMING ACCENT TO A PIPING HOT CUP OF JAVA.

THE IRON CHEF – HOMELESS BUM POSES WITH MULTI-TASKING ALLIANNA, THE BARISTA, COOK, SERVER, DISH WASHER, CASHIER AND ALL-AROUND ENLIGHTENER. POSTERS EXHORTING ALL TO EAT HEARTILY ADORN THE BACKGROUND, WHILE A SHELF OF NATURAL AND ORGANIC PRODUCTS (SHAMPOOS, GELS, BALMS, SPRAYS, HONEY, LEMONGRASS HAND WASH AND MORINGA TEA FROM THE GREENEARTH HERITAGE FOUNDATION) COMPLEMENTS THE FOOD AND COFFEE OFFERINGS.

Unwinding while seated comfortably and sipping a steaming cup of espresso in that gracious setting, as cloudy skies and drizzly weather prevailed outside, it seemed the perfect definition of urbanity – we were relaxed, unhurried, composed and absolutely chill.  We dined and drank in a leisurely three hours, taking time to read a few chapters of Harper Lee’s “To Kill A Mockingbird,” scribble a few pages of food styling notes, and shoot the inevitable selfies.  No wonder American author James Norman Hall was said to have remarked, “When urbanity decays, civilization suffers and decays with it.”

TEA FOR TWO – ATTENTION TO FINE DETAILS PROVIDE A REFRESHING TOUCH, SUCH AS THESE TEASPOONS WITH INSCRIPTIONS OF HOMESPUN APHORISMS.

WAKING UP TO SMELL THE COFFEE – URBANIDAD HAS ITS OWN BRANDED BEANS, A BLEND OF DARK-ROASTED ARABICA FROM SOUTH AMERICA. THE COFFEE MENU HAS THE STANDARDS – AMERICANO, ESPRESSO, LATTE AND CAPPUCCINO – BUT THE CAFE BOMBON (EQUAL PARTS ESPRESSO AND CONDENSED MILK) AND THE AFFOGATO (GELATO TOPPED OFF WITH A SHOT OF ESPRESSO), UNUSUAL IN OTHER CAFES, ARE WELCOME DELIGHTS.