skysenshi.com

For many board gamers (e.g. table top RPGamers), looking for that perfect place to play board games can be a monumental mission. We’ve experienced getting kicked out of a food court (because the guard thought we were gambling) and well, just about any other establishment will question your group because board gaming really takes a lot of time. Like 10-12 hours for a large Dungeons and Dragons group.

Because it is owned by my former client, Ray de Guzman (who also used to be a producer for Anino Games and has worked for EA), we knew about the soft launch sometime last year. But the café officially launched early this year.

My colleagues and I thought it was an awesome idea, to finally find that elusive coffee shop that would cater specifically to gamers. Just looking at the shelves of board games is enough to trigger a sense of excitement.

More shelves line the ceiling of the interiors. Of course, I wondered how they’d be able to make money if gamers hogged all the tables for hours on end. I was told that they have this lifetime membership of P200, which allows you unlimited use of the tables and discounts on drinks. If you aren’t a member by your second visit, you will have to pay around P40/hour of your stay. I think the lifetime membership is already worth it.

Here’s a snapshot of their menu. They have a lot of offerings from rice dishes, sandwiches, pasta and a variety of drinks.

These ultra-melt-in-your-mouth cheese balls were not listed on the menu. They seem to like trying things out and you can find out about their new offerings by looking at the glass board on the wall, which also indicates the wifi password.

I also got strawberry milk tea, which was deliciously light. The drink behind that is iced coffee. Both are P90.

This Adobo Chicken was actually the dish that had me running towards Tobey’s. Saw a photo of it posted on their page and I drooled. To get the full effect of its flavor, you really have to let the rice absorb the sauce.

And this adorable concoction is the Taiwan Sweet Box. Ray’s recommendation, of course. Obviously originating from Taiwan, where Ray lived for a few years as a game producer for Gamania.

And here’s Ray with my friend Kristine Cacas (whom I’ve known for 8 years through LiveJournal but we had only met that day). It’s so bizarre to see Ray, who used to be my client, buss our tables. Haha!