By Yelah Israel
"Life is short, stay awake for it."
For Tamiya Coffee and Resto, those very words are not only plastered on one of its painted walls; but rather, it is also a message they want to share with others. How? By letting others explore and experience Tamiya Coffee, one cup at a time.
Photo: Yelah Israel
Located in Banga, Aklan, the Tamiya Coffee and Resto rests adjacent to the public market, with a view that captures the stature of the town rotunda. The moment you enter through the doors, one cannot help but take note of the warm ambience that surrounds the establishment.
However, it doesn't end there, because the shop also fills us up with mouthwatering edibles. Grabbing a bite with your loved ones? Need a little energy for work or school? Or maybe you just want to spice up your solo food adventure? Well, from their drinks, as well as snacks, meals, and desserts (and so much more) — Banga presents to you Tamiya Coffee and Resto, a food place you must never miss out on!
A Taste of Tamiya
Just from the first glance, one can see that Tamiya’s menu is very appealing, both in diversity and especially in taste. They offer customers a wide selection of food catered to suit the taste of the everyday Aklanon.
Photo: Yelah Israel
Rice meals include popular dishes such as crispy pork sisig, fried bangus, burger patty, fried dinuguan, and so on — sprinkling their own touch on beloved classics, all complete with their own respective sauces, together with mixed vegetables as a constant side dish.
Their menu also features snacks like french fries, nachos, and pizza with various drinks to quench your thirst, from their milk tea, fruit drinks, frappe, to other iced or hot drinks.
First-time customers should take a gander at their bestsellers. For the rice meals, Tamiya rib steak is undoubtedly shines, satisfying taste buds with the grilled meat, coupled with savory gravy. On the other hand, for those looking for a no-rice alternative that's still filling, the king of their snacks would be their delightful burger and fries, sliced from fresh potatoes instead of store-bought pre-cuts. Their homemade cheesecakes are also the stars of the dessert section, coming in all sorts of flavors.
The menu constantly refreshes, introducing more dishes from time to time to keep customers up on their toes.
To welcome the summer season, they recently introduced a new set of summer flavors that feature blueberry, strawberry, kiwi, and lychee fruit drinks, announcing the release at their Facebook page, Tamiya Coffee and Resto, where all can catch the buzz on what to look forward to from the restaurant. Be sure to never miss a beat!
Coffee, Coffee, and Coffee
Another thing to look out for at Tamiya is their coffee, especially for those who need a quick jolt to regain the energy to face the day.
In fact, they make their own by roasting arabica beans from Benguet (which they also sell), resulting in a brew of high-grade coffee.
Fun fact: did you know that Tamiya is also the coffee bean distributor for various shops in Aklan?
"Gusto ko ibigay yung services dito sa Aklan," Anthony Rogando, owner and manager, told Explained PH - Aklan. "Malaki kasi dito yung market ng coffee."
All of the concepts regarding the delectables were born out of his expertise in cuisines. Alongside his wife, Charmaine, they both ensure that the quality of the food they serve remains as one of their top priorities.
Another thing to expect the moment you arrive at Tamiya is that they will make sure you leave with a good experience dining with them, as they are guaranteed to be…
Serving You with Smiles
A delicious meal is one thing, but being surrounded by friendly faces ready to help you during your stay just ties it all in, giving you a memorable dining experience.
The service staff at Tamiya Coffee and Resto are just that: polite, responsive, and there to light up your day with their amiable smiles. And all of that is by no accident, as Rogando ensures that his customers are treated well inside his restaurant.
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| Photo: Joseph Renojo Udan |
This is because he and his wife believe in the value of good customer service. "Naniniwala talaga kami na ang mahalagang factor talaga 'dyan ay kung maganda ang customer service, syempre, babalik ang customers through word of mouth," Charmaine said.
Actually, due to Anthony's expertise and conviction regarding the element of customer service, he was even given the chance to train the employees in Bakhawan Ecopark.
Interior and Design
This devotion to good service adds to the total vibe of Tamiya, which is as pleasing as a warm hug. The tasteful design serves as eye-candy for customers, especially during the night. The darkwood motif it employs gives off a feeling of class and artful taste, yet it makes it a point to not come off as gaudy or overbearing.
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Photo: Yelah Israel (Left) & Joseph Renojo Udan (Right)
"Ayaw kasi namin magcompete sa mga 'sosyal' na cafe diyan," she commented on the motivation behind their shop's design. "Ayaw kong isipin ng mga tao na para lamang yung [Tamiya] sa sosyal. Kaya keep it simple at minimalist lang, dahil para ito sa lahat para mag-chill lang."
There are also available board games such as chess that will amuse groups looking to have some entertainment.
When asked about their target demographic, they stated that they want to be open to all who just want to chill, and with the welcoming comfort Tamiya's atmosphere offers, they have absolutely hit the mark.
"Ang dami pa naming plans [for the restaurant]," Charmaine added. "People nowadays are looking for something Instagrammable."
In fact, in the near future, they seek to add more to Tamiya by turning it into a bar during the weekends, as well as polishing the overall aesthetic of the edifice, inspired by the old-houses-turned-bars found in Marikina. They do this in order to add more flavor to the Banga scene.
As of now, Tamiya is thriving as a business, where Aklanons can stop by and enjoy what they have to offer. But how did it all begin?
From Dubai and Back
The restaurant began its operations in June of 2020, meaning that it is now close to its 2-year anniversary. In spite of the unprecedented lockdowns and quarantines, Tamiya still pushed through and proceeded with their operations — and here they now stand.
However, the tale of Tamiya does not begin in Banga. Instead, it takes place half a world away in the city of Dubai.
Anthony Rogando was working there in the company Caribou Coffee, starting from a barista position to higher horizons, as he climbed the ranks to the point of managing multiple stores found in the Dubai Malls and Burj Khalifa.
There, he stayed for 9 years at his profession, steadily gaining the knowledge regarding restaurant management and service.
He then decided to go back to the country and attempt to start a business endeavor of his own, with one in Manila shutting its doors due to the pandemic, and another in his home province of Aklan in the growing but impressive Tamiya Coffee and Resto.
Anthony's various past experiences from his work life abroad, especially regarding quality control and customer care, influenced him and Charmaine to prioritize those in managing Tamiya. Their emphasis on those two factors is what holds Tamiya together, making it a pearl in Banga everyone must see.
But of course, Tamiya is not a one-man effort.
The Family Behind Tamiya
As you may already know, it is Anthony Rogando's skill in cuisines and restaurant management that became the foundation of Tamiya. But aside from that, he does not act alone, as he is lucky enough to work with those he loves most — his family.
Charmaine, his wife, has work that connects to the fashion industry, enabling her to have a taste in design and a keen sense for what's trending.
Anthony shared the tale of how she immediately took charge of Tamiya's look the moment she stepped inside.
"Actually, ako yung unang nagstart ng design, pero pagdating [ni Charmaine], nagtake-over siya. Kinuha niya lahat na na-design ko at iniba yung mga ito."
And all of those changes were wise, because Tamiya catches your eyes and binds you in an aesthetic trance, leaving you with a lot of 'Instagrammable' material to work with. They still have a lot in store for design, with steady renovations in mind.
Using her skill in marketing due to the nature of her occupation as a brand manager, Charmaine is also the one who advertises the shop, pulling in customers day by day.
Anthony and Charmaine both play their parts in the success of their venture, turning Tamiya Coffee and Resto into something special through the marriage of each other's experiences and knowledge from their respective career paths.
Their two daughters also have a role in their business, for they are the ones who create the digital designs. Tamiya's one-of-a-kind logo is their greatest contribution, which is plastered on the outer wall of the shop for all to see. They also help manage the shop's social media.
"Palagi nila akong sinasabihan na hinding pababayaan yung page," Charmaine recalled, laughing.
It is to be noted that 'Tamiya' is a combination of their names, Tamara and Priyanka, whose participation in the family venture made their parents proud and content.
"Maganda sa feeling kapag sinasabi ko, 'ang anak ko yung gumawa niyan'," Charmaine remarked. "It's a family thing talaga."
Although the family is away from the urban life of Manila, they express their love for their hometown of Banga.
The pandemic has truly hit a lot of businesses down. However, Tamiya was able to survive it all, determined to serve its visitors to the best of their priority. "Kahit ano yung gagawin namin, the customer is always our ability," Anthony promises to both loyal and newcoming customers.
Others say that the ultimate recipe for the best dine-out experience includes appetizing food, refreshing drinks, a relaxing atmosphere, and — last but never the least — top-notch customer service. While some food places sacrifice one for the other, Tamiya balances these elements, blending them all into its own brand of a flavorful impression that simply simmers in your mouth, leaving you craving for more visits to Tamiya Coffee and Resto.