Last month, I tried for the first time going to James Wright Cafe for coffee and breakfast with my partner. My partner had been there before with officemates and it was actually my partner who recommended we have breakfast there one #BeautifulSunday and #SublimeSunday. #BeautifulSunday is an initiative of @ace108
and #SublimeSunday is an initiative of @c0ff33a.
For 30 years, Valley Bread had been producing one of the best breads and pastries. From its humble beginning of being a one-man bakery in La Trinidad, it expanded and now caters to consumers of Northern Luzon.
I remember when I as younger that I got addicted to their brownies and other pastries. Their other breadline was not that good back then that's why I didn't patronize it. It was after so many years later that I tasted their loaf again and it's like tasting it for the time. Such a huge improvement and I was hooked and had been my favorite ever since.
I do know they have one branch in La Trinidad that I usually passed by whenever I was in the vicinity. Years later when I went back there, they have expanded and now have another branch.
There are different outlets in the valley where you can buy their bread.
It was in 2020 when the James Wright Cafe was introduced in the neighboring city of La Trinidad which is here in Baguio City.
For a brief history of James Wright Cafe, you can read it here James Wright Café is now open at SM City Baguio.
The cafe in SM is the second branch. The main branch that opened was in lower Session Road, Baguio City and that is where we went for our coffee and breafkast.
According to the article above, the owner of the cafe, Mr. Nicolo Espadero, is the son of Valley Bread's owner, Mr. Eric Dion H. Espadero. The name James Wright was derived from the name of the street where Valley Bread was established. It is only now that I have learned that there was such a street named James Wright.
Father and son came up with the idea of providing artisan baked to the public. Mr. Nicolo Espadero stated in that article that 90 percent of the products are sourced locally. The valley of La Trinidad is known for its strawberries so that is where the strawberry used by the cafe comes from.
Growing up, Mr. Nicolo Espadero was already into baking, working in their bakery, the article added. He furthered his knowledge by going to Canada to learn more about baking and culinary. From what the article said, he started as a bread packer in an artisan bakery until he gradually earned the trust of the owner and even became his mentor. That became his solid starting point until he quit and continued to pursue enriching and improving his ideas by attending Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts. He did all that with the vision of "working with local farmers to encourage people to eat more fresh and natural food by using locally-sourced produce and ingredients. With his vision of offering a unique experience and healthier options, James Wright Café was conceptualized," the article reads. Again, read more about a brief history of the cafe here in this article by Mario Oclaman.
When we visited the main branch, breads and pastries are the items you see right away displayed at the front part of the cafe.
They were already open when we got there past 7:00 a.m. It was tempting to just buy some of their breads and pastries and leave. However, we wanted to experience being there.
The dine-in area and barista area are in the middle of the cafe and the kitchen is located further back.
I believe there were about six tables or maybe seven in the dine-in area.
The overall tone of white and brown is carried throughout the entire cafe from ceiling to lighting fixture to table and chairs even their display racks.
It gives off that vibe of light, clean and neat and homey atmosphere. I am more of a window-and-view kind of guy but this is still okay for me. The light added to the warmth of the place.
There were other diners already there when we arrived. Once seated, we were then given tablets where we can their menu. We can zoom in and out to check the photos of their menu.
We settled for farmer's breakfast and longganisa (sausage) meal. Both comes with a cup of coffee. The staff asked us if we want the coffee to be served now or later and we said now only to be informed later on that coffee was not ready yet which was fine. It was only a five-minute or so wait before the coffee arrived.
While waiting, I went ahead and took more photos.
Of course, there will always be strawberry jams, another product Baguio City is known for.
Every table has this code for you to scan and connect to their internet. I tried but didn't it didn't work. I didn't bother anymore for our order arrived then so I'd rather enjoy our coffee and meal instead.
Longganisa meal comes with four sausages, sunny side on top of red rice, a slice of buttered bread, some pickles and chili and vinegar dips.
It was a light but fulfilling meal.
Farmer's breakfast comes with beef, pork, sausage and just like the longganisa meal, red rice with sunny side egg on top, a slice of bread cut in half, pickle and chili and vinegar.
This is one heavy and satisfying meal.
One thing I can comment is that the sausage and meat are a bit salty for me but other than that, it was overall okay.
Coffee comes with milk and molasses. Again the them of wood/brown and white is evidence in the white cup and wood saucer. I keep forgetting to mention to the staff whenever we have our coffee to not serve anything else anymore other than just the coffee.
Anyway, their coffee has that chocolatey, like mocha aroma to it that is noticeable right away. It does not have a strong taste to it, not that bitter even.
It was a lovely coffee and breakfast at James Wright Cafe that we have had.
Aside from SM, James Wright Cafe also opened a branch in La Trinidad, home of Valley Bread. They also have an outlet in another area in the city where their baked goods are sold.
Valley Bread on the other hand opened an outlet in one of the malls here in the city as well. Although their breads are already sold everywhere in the city, opening an outlet their will make their presence more known.
The outlets and branches of Valley Bread and James Wright Cafe are in strategic locations for they are easily accessible to people.
So whenever you are in Baguio City or the town next to it which is La Trinidad (again, Baguio City and La Trinidad are two separate places), consider trying their products and you won't regret it.