Coffee Shop Reviews: Tom N Tom’s Coffee

While checking my Twitter account, I saw a tweet of a former student showing he was at a coffee shop in the Mabolo area. I immediately asked him about the place. Well, I actually asked just two questions online freelance workers can relate to: How was their internet connection and do they have outlets at the coffee shop. My former student tweeted back that they had a lot of outlets, but he did not use their internet. So, I thought to myself, I should try the place out.

Image Credits: Tom N Tom’s Coffee Facebook Page

The Place

The coffee place in question is Tom N Tom’s Coffee at The Greenery. When the place opened around a year ago, I used to hear its ad over the radio. While I thought about checking the place out at that time, I did not really get to bring myself there. Probably because it was somewhat out of the way for me. But, I finally decided to go to the place after checking out a hole-in-the-wall place in the Lahug area.

Image Credits: Tom N Tom’s Coffee Facebook Page

Tom N Tom’s Coffee is a coffee shop right along Archbishop Reyes Avenue. It is open 24/7, so if you need to work on something just before the sun rises over the east, it is one place you can visit. The air-conditioning of the place is just right. It is cold enough for me, but not too cold that I would need to go to the comfort room every so often. They also have a second floor dining area where you can opt to stay if you want to people-watch. 

Image Credits: Tom N Tom’s Coffee Facebook Page

Internet connection

When I arrived at Tom N Tom’s Coffee, the first question I asked was where their outlets were located (typical freelancer question). After the barista pointed out the location of the outlet, I then asked if they had free internet (another typical freelancer question). The barista answered yes. So, I tried out the place. Similar to Bo’s Coffee, Tom N Tom’s Coffee limits internet use to two hours for each purchase of their product. But, it may be necessary for them to make it possible for their customers to know how much time they have left since the log-in page immediately disappears once you connect to their network. 

Image Credits: Tom N Tom’s Coffee Facebook Page

The internet was actually good. But, there were some instances when it would slow down, which is understandable especially when a lot of people are using their network.  Good thing I always bring my back-up. So, by the time my two hour allotment was used up, I immediately took it out and continued working. Due to this, it is always advisable to bring a back up. You can either get a Smart Bro ZTE Pocket Wi-Fi or the Globe Tattoo 4G Superstick Wireless Broadband. You may also want to get this bundled deal with the Huawei Pocket Wifi.

Image Credits: Lazada website

Power Outlets

When my former student tweeted that Tom N Tom’s Coffee had a good number of outlets, I thought it was like the WorkPlace Café or Coffee Bean $cent where you can find outlets in nearly all corners of the place. But, when I went there, I did not immediately see the outlets. It was only after I asked where the outlets were located when I found one. Well, the place does have outlets, but I only saw two or three. It may be possible the outlets were hidden or something. The power outlet I used was actually an extension cord place on their display rack. If you plan on working there, it would be good to go there early so you can find the most strategic position at the place.

Image Credits: Tom N Tom’s Coffee Facebook Page

The Location

Tom N Tom’s Coffee is located at The Greenery along Archbishop Reyes Avenue. If you are coming from the north, you can hop on a jeepney going to the Mabolo Church area. Once you reach Mabolo Church, get on a jeepney marked 04L or the one headed for Cebu IT Park. Just tell the driver to let you off at The Greenery. You can already see Tom N Tom’s Coffee once you get off the jeepney. 

Image Credits: Tom N Tom’s Coffee Facebook Page

For those coming in from the south, you can get on a jeepney headed for Apas, Cebu or the ones marked 17B, 17C and 17D. You can get off at the corner after The Walk and start hiking to the Mabolo area along Archbishop Reyes Ave. It’s probably a kilometer or two away from this point.  If you are coming from the Ayala Center Cebu, you can get on the jeepney plying the Ayala – Lahug route or the one marked 04M. You can get off near the corner under the flyover. From here, you can hike towards Mabolo along Archbishop Reyes Avenue. The place is located on the left side of the road.

Image Credits: Tom N Tom’s Coffee Facebook Page

For me, Tom N Tom’s Coffee is somewhat out of the way since the fastest way for me to reach the place is to hike a bit before getting there (which may actually be good for my health since I get a good exercise on the way to the coffee shop). But, if I go the long way around, I won’t have to hike at all.

Image Credits: Tom N Tom’s Coffee Facebook Page

The Food

When I went to Tom N Tom’s Coffee, I did not order their food since I just came from a hole-in-the-wall eating place close to the IT Park. But, after checking their menu, there were some items that I may try if I ever get myself to take that long walk or long ride to get to the place. I might try their Breakfast Bagel and their Italiano Pretzel. 

Image Credits: Tom N Tom’s Coffee Facebook Page

Prices at Tom N Tom’s Coffee are similar to the prices at the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. The large Mocha TomNccino I bought was PHP175. While it is PHP10 cheaper than a similar product offered at the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, the other products at Tom N Tom’s had the same price as the ones offered at the said coffee shop. The process for their other drinks range from PHP 115 for the Tall Americano up to PHP190 Green Tea TomNCcino. On the other hand, their food items cost between PHP100 for the Plain Pretzel and PHP365 for the Garlic Butter Bread. 

Image Credits: Tom N Tom’s Coffee Facebook Page

I did not notice any other sandwiches aside from their bagels on the menu nor pasta items, which are offered in some other coffee shops in the city. They do have a good selection of cakes and pastries that go well with coffee.

Image Credits: Tom N Tom’s Coffee Facebook Page

Customer service

When it comes to customer service, I liked the way they greet their customers as well as their jovial disposition. In fact, they were smiling all throughout the ordering process. I am hoping they will continue this level of customer service even after they already have a number of years under its belt. But, as of the moment, it’s probably one of the places where their baristas are all in high spirits. 

Image Credits: Tom N Tom’s Coffee Facebook Page

To sum it up, I like the internet connection of Tom N Tom’s Coffee. It was quite fast compared to some other coffee shops I tried in the city. While I only ordered their Mocha TomNccino, it was still good. It was comparable to the Ice-Blended Mocha of Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf and the Mocha Froccino of Bo’s Coffee. They may have to add more food items on their menu if they want to attract more people into the place.  But, since it is a coffee shop, you would not expect them to do so. Their menu items actually go well with their drinks. Overall, I would consider Tom N Tom’s Coffee as one of the places I would visit if I ever needed to work late at night or before dawn breaks over the horizon.

Disclaimer: This review is based on my personal experience. If you have any comments, suggestions and not-so-violent reactions, please sit down and gather your thoughts before writing them down and editing them on the comment box below. Rocks, rocks in the heavens, whoever gets angry will have Mr. Murphy to deal with.

10 Ways To Increase Productivity

While online freelance workers earn more than office-based employees, we do not receive the same benefits normally offered by their employer. Due to this, it is important for us to be more productive while working to make sure we do not experience any issues during lean months. The following are ten things you can do to increase productivity and save enough for the rainy days.

1. Monitor the time to do tasks

Increase Productivity – image credits: pixabay.com

This is one very important thing for you to do as an online freelance worker.  There are instances when we would end up concentrating on one task to much that we forego other tasks. While the easiest way to do this is to simply glance on the clock on your laptop or monitor, you can also use online apps to track the time you spend on each task. Using these tools allow you to monitor the time you spend working on your project as well as the time you spend on social media.

2. Follow a 90-minute work schedule

Elite athletes who followed 90-minute training schedules have greater productivity compared to those who work for more than 90 minutes at a time. The same goes with musicians who practice the 90-minute work schedule. This is based on studies conducted by the University of Florida researchers. The same study showed that those who limited their work to four and a half hours performed better than those who worked at longer periods. 

Follow a schedule – image credits: pixabay.com

While the last point may not be quite applicable to online freelance workers, particularly to newbies, the 90-minute work schedule allow you to take a break and relax for a while. You can actually see a similar schedule when you go to school where breaks are scheduled in the morning before students take their lunch. The same thing goes with BPO workers who are normally given two 15-minute breaks aside from their one hour lunch break.  You can do something similar so you will not experience a burn out.

3. Take a break

Have a Kitkat– image credits: KitKat Facebook Page

This point is connected with the previous point. Taking a break is important for online freelance workers so we can maintain our sanity or something to that effect. Taking a break also enhances concentration. Studies have shown that short breaks during long tasks also ensure you will maintain a certain level of performance.  On the other hand, when you work on difficult tasks without taking a break, you will end up with a lower performance level. Due to this, have a break have a KitKat.

4. Exercise often

Studies have shown that exercising helps keep your brain healthy. A study conducted by Dr. Alex Dregan of King's College London showed “exercise represents a key component of lifestyle interventions to prevent cognitive decline.”  The study was published on the Psychological Medicine journal. A similar study published on the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine also showed that exercise also improves productivity. 

Exerpeutic Aero Air Elliptical – image credits: amazon.com

So, aside from keeping yourself physically healthy, you also become more productive when you exercise. While this is one of the things online freelance workers fail to do regularly, you should set a schedule for you to exercise. It may be as simple as taking a walk in the park or getting your own exercise equipment. You can get an exercise ball or a simple jump rope. If you want to get a better work, you can get an Exerpeutic Aero Air Elliptical. 

5. Set your own deadlines

While working as an online freelance worker, I normally work at my own pace. While my clients set a deadline for the projects, I make my own deadlines that are normally earlier than the ones set by my clients. This allows me to manage my stress levels since I can focus on the project and work towards accomplishing my goals.

Increase Productivity – image credits: pixabay.com

You can do the same for open-ended projects or project-based work. While you make your own deadlines, it is important for you to stick to them. Avoid procrastinating. You may even surprise yourself and end up being more focused on your work. You may also accomplish more work than the time when you did not have your own deadline. It all boils down to time management

6. Be proactive rather than reactive

Schedule Emails – image credits: courtesy of Peter Parcon

Since you are already setting your own deadlines, you can now plan the things you need to do during the day. You should make a schedule and stick to it. Schedule the time you will check your email or answer interview invitations on online job sites.  You should not let these tasks determine the work you have to do during the day. This way, you will end up nipping any possible issues in the bud and increase productivity.

7. Reduce interruptions

Many online freelance workers work at home. Due to this, family and friends normally know where to look for them. When they drop by unannounced, you may end up with a messed up work pattern. Even as this may not be an issue if you have your own schedule, it may cause your productivity level to go down. To avoid this, you can tell your family and friends not to disturb you during certain hours unless it’s a matter of life or death. 

At The WorkPlace Café – image credits: courtesy of Peter Parcon

While I do not usually have this problem since I work in a coffee shop or at the WorkPlace Café, there are instances when a former colleague or former student (yes, I used to be a teacher) would suddenly show up at the place. In these instances, I normally stop working for a while to chat with them, especially if I haven’t seen them for a very long time. But, they would normally get the hint, especially when I tell them “I work anywhere as long as they have a power outlet and good internet connection. In fact, I’m working on a project right now.” But, this rarely happens since I normally work in different coffee shops during the week.

8. Turn off notifications

Close Social Media – image credits: courtesy of Peter Parcon

One way for you to reduce interruptions is to turn off notifications. You can close your social media accounts, unless you are using it for the project. Close any tabs not related to your work. Log out of your email and set your phone on silent mode. This way, interruptions will be kept to a minimum. 

9. Have something nice to look at

Put Flowers On The Table – image credits: pixabay.com

Studies have shown that when you have something nice to look at, your productivity level goes up. Aesthetically pleasing sights can increase productivity by 15 percent, so it may be a good idea to decorate your workspace. You can set up some plants or a flower vase on your table. You can also put a picture that brings a smile on your face whenever you look at it. 

10. No one is perfect

As an introvert, I have the tendency to expect my work to be perfect. But, in recent years, I learned that not all tasks are perfect since nothing is really ever perfect. Instead, you should work to the best of your capabilities. This way you will not short-change your clients. If you aim for perfection all the time, you will end up focusing on a single task and sacrifice other tasks that you need to accomplish. But, you should also not turn in mediocre work. You should strive to give your best in the work you do to ensure your client will give you two thumbs up for it.

Top Rated Freelancer – image credits: courtesy of Peter Parcon

While being productive may require you to put in more hours at work, you can also be productive by working smart. Going through the suggestions above will allow you to work smart and increase your productivity as an online freelance worker.

Coffee Shop Reviews: Figaro Coffee Company - Ayala Center Cebu

As an online freelance worker, I can work just about anywhere as long as the place has a good internet connection and a corner to settle in comfortably while I work on my projects. While many of the freelancers I know like to work at home, I cannot seem to do the same thing. Due to this, I normally work inside a coffee shop or co-working space in and around the city. The Queen City of the South has a good number of coffee shops where online freelance workers can work. This is a review of one of the coffee shops I visited in the city, Figaro Coffee Company at the Terraces of Ayala Center Cebu.

Image Credits: Figaro Coffee Company Facebook Page

I used to pass Figaro on my way to the Terraces branch of the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (CBTL). I never really considered it as a place where I can work since I thought they did not have any internet connection. Well, I was wrong. The place was actually the last place I went to since I had a deadline to meet and the other coffee shops I visited were already full.

Internet Connection

When I first came to Figaro, the internet connection was fast enough for me. I only access the internet when I needed to access my email and upload documents for my clients. In fact, I even considered making it my second choice whenever I find myself at the Ayala Center Cebu (my first choice has always been the new wing location of CBTL).  While the internet was fast when I first came in, it eventually slowed down at around 5:00 PM. This is understandable since there were already a lot of people accessing their network. But, on my second visit, I was rather dismayed since I could not connect to the internet. In fact, the connection was nearly as bad as another place at the mall. While I was able to connect after they restarted their network, it got disconnected after a few minutes.

Image Credits: Figaro Coffee Company Facebook Page

Good thing I had a backup plan, but it would have been better if I was able to connect to the internet using their network. While I do understand that they are running a restaurant and would not want to have guests staying hours on end, they could have limited their internet access to two hours like what they are doing at Bo’s Coffee.

Power Outlets

The place has a good number of outlets scattered all over the restaurant. In fact, it had more power outlets than the new wing branch of CBTL. But, the thing is, some of these outlets were out of order during my second visit. From what I can see, the place only had four sets of functional power outlets at that time. The two sets of outlets close to the entrance were not functional.

Location

Since Figaro is located at the Ayala Center Cebu, it is quite accessible to anyone from the northern and southern part of Cebu. You can simply get on a jeepney bound for the mall. You can get off at the jeepney terminal of the mall or at the different jeepney stops outside. The store is located at the second level of the mall close to the activity center. It is also right across the Ayala branch of Bo’s Coffee.

Image Credits: Ayala Center Cebu Facebook Page

Food and Drinks

The food offered at Figaro is not limited to the typical coffee shop fare since they also offer meals that you can find in restaurants. Their menu items include All-Day Breakfast Items and their Figaro a la Carte items, among others. Their coffee is also rather cheap compared to the other coffee shops in the mall. The biggest size of the Americano, which is what I always order, is only PHP114. In comparison, the largest size of the Americano at Bo’s Coffee and CBTL costs PHP135 and PHP145, respectively. But, you should also consider that the largest size of the Americano at Figaro is somewhat smaller than the ones you can find in the two other coffee shops I mentioned. The prices of their other drinks range from PHP85 for the small brewed coffee up to PHP160 for their large frappes.

Image Credits: Figaro Coffee Company Facebook Page

Image Credits: Figaro Coffee Company Facebook Page

The place offers a good selection of items on their menu at a rather reasonable price. Their Figaro a la Carte items are cheaper compared to similar items at other coffee shops. The PHP249 price tag is rather reasonable considering you get the Dory Provencal, Tuscan Chicken, or Sweet Coffee Pork Chop, which comes with a salad and pasta. The Figaro a la Carte also comes with a choice of a 12 oz Iced Coffee, Iced Tea or 8 oz brewed coffee. You can choose from a number of breakfast items for the All-Day Breakfast, including the Classic Corned Beef, Marinated Belly, and Ham & Cheese Pandesal, among others. The All-Day Breakfast items cost between PHP145 for the Ham & Cheese Pandesal and PHP190 for the Classic Corned Beef. In addition, their All-Day Breakfast items already come with coffee. I was able to try their tuna macaroni salad during my first visit, and it was rather appetizing. It was also a bigger portion than what I expected, and was priced at PHP159. The prices of their other menu item starts at PHP135 for the Grilled Vegetables with Cheese up to PHP249 for their Figaro a la Carte items.

Image Credits: Figaro Coffee Company Facebook Page

Image Credits: Figaro Coffee Company Facebook Page

Customer Service

While I only visited the Ayala location of Figaro twice, I can say the baristas at the place are rather courteous and helpful. I can also say the same thing about the baristas at the Cebu IT Park location of the store even though I only visited the place once. And I did not go there to work, but to meet with a couple of freelancers. One thing I noticed, they can improve on showing concern about issues their customers encounter when inside the store. While they restarted their network after I told them I could not to the internet, no one came over to ask whether I was able to connect to the internet already. In comparison, the baristas at CBTL would approach you and ask if you were able to connect to the internet already after you brought the connection issue with them. But, in general, the baristas at the Figaro Coffee Company were rather accommodating and ready to assists their customers whenever they needed some assistance.

Image Credits: Figaro Coffee Company Facebook Page

The Ayala location of Figaro is open from 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM from Sunday to Thursday and 10:00 AM to 12:00 AM on Friday and Saturday.  The best time to drop by Figaro is in the morning and after the lunch rush since the place is not crowded during these times. When the clock strikes 4:00 PM or 5:00 PM, you can expect people to start coming into the place.

Image Credits: Figaro Coffee Company Facebook Page

While I considered it as my second option when I find myself in Ayala, my second visit to Figaro has made me think twice of putting it on the top of my list. For the moment, the place is probably in the middle of the list of coffee shops I will visit when I need to finish up some work while at the mall mainly due to their somewhat inconsistent internet connection. But, when you think about the food they offer, it is one place I wouldn’t mind staying for a while with good book on one hand.

Have you checked out the Ayala location of the Figaro Coffee Company already? Tell me about your experience on the comments section below.

Disclaimer: This review is based on my personal experience. If you have any comments, suggestions and not-so-violent reactions, please sit down and gather your thoughts before writing them down and editing them on the comment box below. Rocks, rocks in the heavens, whoever gets angry will have Mr. Murphy to deal with.