LOOK: The First-Ever Starbucks Reserve in Tagaytay Is Now Open

Starbucks Reserve Hiraya 
Aguinaldo Highway, Barangay Silang, Tagaytay City
Facebook: www.facebook.com/StarbucksPhilippines
Open from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. (Mondays to Thursdays); 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. (Fridays to Sundays)

(SPOT.ph) There's always this little spark you feel whenever you enter a Starbucks store you've never been to. There's always something unique with each branch, but there's nothing quite like what you'll feel upon seeing with your own eyes Starbucks Reserve Hiraya in Tagaytay.

Spotters, meet the beautiful Hiraya. Every corner of the store is visually stunning—Instagrammable, if you will—but there's more to it than just a "Starbucks with a view of Taal."  Let's take a closer look!

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Here's a look at Starbucks Reserve Hiraya in Tagaytay:

If you've ever been to the Starbucks in Tagaytay along the highway—the branch nestled with other dining establishments and with gravel parking—this area is now wholly occupied by the new Starbucks Reserve Hiraya. This is the coffee shop's 18th Reserve in the country, the first-ever Reserve in Tagaytay, and it's also the biggest store in the Philippines to date with an area of 4,500 square meters.

Once you enter Starbucks Reserve Hiraya, it's one gigantic open space with one of the most amazing viewpoints of Taal. Because we've all seen Taal, yes, but the structure of the space makes it more cinematic—almost like the entire wall is a  screensaver of the picturesque volcano and lake.

The interiors are mostly made of dark wood, dark grays, and golden accents which gives the space a cozy, homey feeling. But in the midst of all the neutrals is the vibrant pièce de résistance: contemporary Filipino artist Aze Ong's crochet work.

If you'd rather stay at the al-fresco area of Starbucks Reserve Hiraya, there are two doors that lead to the balcony. More cushioned seats and tables are in this area wherein you can really take in the cold Tagaytay weather and take photos of Taal with no obstructions whatsoever—all while sipping a cup of coffee and taking bites of freshly-baked pastries.

Hiraya isn't just a feast for the eyes, it's also a feast for the palate of coffee drinkers.  This is where you can see with your own eyes the first Oviso espresso machine in the Philippines installed on the Reserve's coffee bar. This sleek machine is the latest innovation in espresso machines that automates the pulls of espresso with a touch of a button.

The coffee beans used for Oviso always come in threes, which can be seen in front of the Oviso. One of the coffee beans used is Microblend No. 21 and this is considered as default and a permanent option, while the other two coffee bean options are seasonal. The Sun-Dried Papua New Guinea and the Rwanda Hingakwa coffee beans were on display during our visit.

If you want to see how the Oviso works, you can order Starbucks Reserve Hiraya's branch-exclusive drink. The sweet, creamy Hiraya Latte uses the espresso shots pulled from Oviso, plus White Chocolate Mocha sauce, salted caramel-flavored syrup, and breve. This is an option: You can have your iced or hot latte topped with whipped cream and a sprinkle of Turkish ground coffee.

What Hiraya Latte pairing we'd recommend comes from the selection of freshly-baked pastries from the Bake-In. The Bake-In is the first of its kind in Starbucks Philippines where a selection of 12 pastries are baked inside the store. 

For those who want to pair the sweet drink with something savory, go for the  French Onion Soup Twist (P165), Tomato, Cheese, Olive, and Mushroom Twist (P165), Chese Lattice (P185), or something as simple as the French Butter Croissant (P115). Or, try our personal favorite of them all, the Breizh 'n Roll (135) which is a fancier Kouign-Amann.

But if you don't mind pairing it with something sweet, go for the pies, tarts, and chocolates! The Bake-In has Tarte Au Chocolat (P295/slice), Strawberry Tart (P295/slice), Dark Chocolate Twist (P145), Pain Au Chocolat Extravagant (P145), Hazelnut Vanilla Crown (P135), Rasprebbery Meringue Tartlet (P295), and Pastel De Nata (P95).

And after you've had your chance to take all the photos, drink all the coffee, and nosh on all the pastries, don't forget to check out the Starbucks Reserve Hiraya merchandise. The collection includes a mug, a tumbler, and a bag in an earthy color palette. They even have a scarf, which is perfect if you feel cold in Tagaytay or inside the store. You can drop by between from Mondays to Thursdays, 7 a.m. to 1 a.m.; and Fridays to Sundays, 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. There are 63 parking slots available.

Starbucks Reserve Hiraya is at Aguinaldo Highway, Barangay Silang, Tagaytay City. For more information, visit Starbucks' Facebook page.

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