Whenever I’m in Dumaguete City, I’m no longer a tourist but I’m nothing like a local either. After more than 20 years of coming-and-going, I am somewhere in the middle. In the last couple of years, every time I go to Dumaguete, I like trying new or newly-discovered cafes and restaurants.

A month ago, when my sister was there a week earlier than I, she discovered this new cafe/restaurant in the vicinity of our old house, serving Korean food (her favorite). So, when it was my turn to be in Dumaguete for my granddad’s annual birthday celebration, I decided to try the cafe/restaurant out for myself. My cousin who lives in Dumaguete had been to this place earlier, so when I mentioned that I had wanted to go to 2Story Kitchen to try it out, we decided this would be the place where we could catch up on things.

So, welcome to 2Story Kitchen…a restaurant and cafe that’s great for dates, gimmicks, studying, lounging about. Located near the Rizal Boulevard, this place is accessible by car, on foot, or via trikes. The location is great because it’s only a few minutes away from Lee Plaza, Mcdonalds, SansRival, and Rizal Boulevard, and is walking distance from the Quezon Park, Dumaguete Cathedral, and Silliman University. If you have a hard time finding this place, just ask for directions to Matiao Marketing (2Story is located across from it), or Uymatiao Jr. Construction Company (2Story is located two buildings from it).

The outside appearance of 2Story Kitchen makes it look quaint and small, but the atmosphere inside is really warm and relaxing, and welcoming. It’s not the usual restaurant-design that you see here in the Philippines, it has a flair of Korean/Taiwanese/Japanese design mixed into it.

The walls of the ground floor are filled with paintings, pictures, shelves with books and other cute art materials that make you feel like you’re in a European art store rather than in a cafe-restaurant in the Philippines. I spotted an English romance novel on the shelf, and some Korean books!

The landing headed towards the second floor is interesting. It gives a different feel from the ground floor design, which prepares you for the designs of the second floor.

The second floor design is really interesting. It allows for a cozy and intimate atmosphere that sort of separates you from those around you. This is the first time that I’ve seen any restaurant or cafe that has this design.

The second floor is divided into the first story and the second story. The first story makes you feel more at home – you have to climb up a few steps and leave your shoes before entering in the dining area.

(See picture above) You can opt for the bigger space, which is good for those who are in large groups as you can take this entire section all for yourself, and you’re all sitting indian-seat style.

Or you can opt for the corners where you can get a little more private space.  (See picture below) This is the table where me and my cousin sat, and yes….those are our orders.

If you opt for the first story of the second floor, you also get a cozy and intimate place where you and your friends can hide out, or if you want to bring your date along with you…you’re sort of secluded from the other customers.

Last but not least, besides the warm and welcoming atmosphere of the first floor and the cozy and intimate feel of the second floor, visitors to 2Story Kitchen also have the option of sitting outside for some fresh air or for a view of Dumaguete (whether or not it’s in the morning, afternoon or evening). This area also serves as the smoking area.

The food served here includes Korean dishes, sandwiches, omurice, burgers, a few rice meals, pasta, noodles  ice cream-related desserts, and shakes.

Have a go at their calamansi juice. This place has one of my favorite calamansi juices by far, mmm…gotta love the sourness of it all.

Service-wise, they’re okay. Each table has a service button to call the waiters/waitresses so you don’t have to worry about not being seen or attended to. The only problem I have is probably that the A/C wasn’t adjusted well (temperature was at 26’C i think) and me and my cousin were sweating where we were seating, and we were pretty close to the A/C. Otherwise, it was all okay.

I’m just a little disappointed that when I was living in Dumaguete, this restaurant hadn’t yet existed. And now that I’m living in Manila, it’s there. But I’m not completely disappointed as I can tell myself that I can come back whenever I go home to the province. Just one of the things to look forward to when coming back here.

 

All pictures above are taken with my iphone and uploaded/edited through flickr, © Christa Uymatiao

 

2Story Kitchen 

Address: Sta. Catalina Street (near corner of San Jose Street), Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental

(Places in the immediate vicinity include: Matiao Marketing, G. Uymatiao Jr Construction Company, Avon; Places in the close vicinity include: Sans Rival, Hotel Nicanor, Rizal Boulevard, Sans Rival Bistro)

Contact No: (mobile) 0915 645 1995

Contact Email: ilovenoriter@gmail.com

Hours: Monday-Sunday: 8:00 – 00:00

 

Check out their facebook page!