Java Jazz Cafe, 442 Tagaytay-Calamba Road, Sungay West Tagaytay

We never go to Tagaytay without stopping at Bag of Beans for breakfast, coffee or dessert. And that was our plan when we were there over the weekend — get up early on Sunday morning for a leisurely Bag of Beans breakfast. We were so sure we’d be able to follow our schedule that we didn’t mind not having coffee and dessert there on Saturday night. The parking was full so my husband suggested we go instead to “that cafe with the red signage that we passed earlier.”

The cafe with the red signage was Java Jazz and my, oh my, did it turn out to be a good decision. Not only was the coffee superb, Java Jazz was also a visual delight with paintings and artworks decorating its walls and floors. Had we known they have rooms for rent, we might have spent the night there too instead of the hotel where we checked in earlier in the afternoon.

Java Jazz is a small place. The roof slants so that tables on the low end of the roof short squat feet and are set on mats where guests can enjoy the coffee and desserts Japanese style. There are regular cafe tables and chairs (very charming, I must say) at the other end of the room and even out front for those who want to have their coffee al fresco.

Because my daughters each wanted a painting for their bedrooms, I asked for a price list. The featured artist was Elvin Santiago whom I have not heard of before but who appears to be active in the Tagaytay art scene. He is one of eight Cavite-based artists who formed Grupo Ocho.

Formed three months ago, Grupo Ocho has been conducting a series of group and solo exhibits in cafés and restaurants in Tagaytay since April.

“We are taking the opportunity for this city to become a tourist spot as there is a big possibility that the tourists and the local residents could be our audience,” said Irma Lacorte, one of the artists. Other members are Elvin Santiago, Lirio Salvador Chrisanta, Bokeng, Lito Mondejar, Henry Cainglet and Ed Raymundo.

“We wanted the tourists not just to look for a place to eat and to have a view of the volcano. We also want them to crave for the arts,” Lacorte said. [Full article]

The exhibits are held in various locations and we were just lucky that one was ongoing at Java Jazz during the weekend. I am not sure if all the artworks on display are his but you can view them by clicking on the thumbnails below.