by mari_elle on January 28, 2006

One lazy Saturday afternoon after lunching at a Sushi-ya on Tomas Morato Avenue, we happened to glance across the street and notice a small shop. "Libreria: coffee - books" read the signage. We decided to see what the place had to offer, allowing serendipity to take us where we'd never been.

Foremost in our heads, of course, was a search for good post-lunch coffee, and Libreria delivered on that. The cappuccino was foamy and the freshly-brewed black coffee had not a hint of sourness in it. For the person who prefers a different hot drink, there's also thick chocolate served espresso-style in a small cup.

Libreria also has an assortment of cakes and pastries; a chocoholic friend of ours gleefully attacked a slice of chocolate cake, while another companion with a sweet tooth took his time savoring a slice of blueberry cheesecake.

Of course, Libreria's name means "library," and many genres of books are represented in the shop's selection. The price range is also as diverse, with some anthologies priced at a steal while some rare titles presented in paperback form ringing up a wallet-busting figure.

Still, serendipity showed us a book and coffee lover's haven. We'll definitely be back, Libreria.