The rest is still unwritten.

We were supposed to run but………. we we’re both hella tired and it was a rainy Friday night so we opted to roam around BGC and EAT! :

First stop: Venice Piazza at McKinley Hill (just cause I’ve never been there), walked around for a bit and decided to check out Sol Gelato

Archie Comics! Cool beans!!!

Free taste!!! You have no one to blame but yourself if you get the not so nice flavors.

Dark Chocolate and Mascarpone

I love the flavor of the dark chocolate, but Ponge prefers the darkest of the dark chocolate (not really digging it) The mascarpone was just okay, nothing really special. The texture was a lot like the ordinary ice cream which is kinda disappointing. Not really worth it.

Next stop Da.U.De Tea Lounge

Photo from their Facebook page. Like them here

They have very homey interiors, and you can write or draw on their walls!

The Menu is a mess. It was big, black, boring and confusing.

What we had

Tea infused Mojito. I am a big Mojito fan and this had too much ice. I don’t get this drink actually. Haha

Cajun Watermelon Smash. This is a very refreshing drink but the Cajun aftertaste is a bit weird. :p

Pistacia. Caramely frothy tea which was pretty decent according to Dei (our very special guest). :) 

They use paper straw and cups. AWESOME

Dei has been raving about this ramen shop at Market Market so after walking around BGC for more than an hour we finally gave in.

Hello there Moshi Koshi

I love their wooden interiors

Slurping is encouraged but you SLURP at you own risk.

Kara-age Udon, Agedashi Tofu, Kaki-age Soba, Tempura Soba

Homemade noodles for the win!!!! Sooooo good!

Ponge: Tempura was oily

Dei: Tempura was decent

Me: Chicken is tender and flavorful 

Moshi Koshi is a good place to get your ramen fix. Prices are reasonable and their serving is not bitin. If it’s your first time at a ramen shop, they have a quick guide to familiarize you with everything on their menu.

Locations:

Sol Gelato: Venice Piazza, Mckinley Hill

Da.u.de Tea Lounge: Net Lima Building, 4th Ave and 26th St

Moshi Koshi: GF, Market Market, Mckinley Parkway

We were supposed to shop at the

like them here

But we left with no shirt, no shoes or bags. HA!

So we ended up eating instead. We were both super hungry but we managed to check out what’s in store for us at The Collective.

Among all the food places there, we opted for Wabi-Sabi because we love our noodles and its vegetarian! I don’t really go for vegetarian but what the heck, the place reeks of coolness and good food!

The Menu

The kitchen

Our food

Shoyu Ramen, this meatless creation is so flavorful sans all the sins. :)  

Viet Pho with veggie chicaron! I loved the chicharon, The soup is a bit bland compared to the Shoyu Ramen.

The Harumaki (bamboo shoots spring rolls) is a bit oily but I really don’t mind that. The sauce puts it in a different level. The spring rolls and sauce really compliments each other

We also ordered Mushroom Shumai. Don’t have a photo of it cause we were both too hungry to even remember to take a photo. Haha!

The vegan chocolate cake is surprisingly yummy. It tasted CLEAN and I mean that in a good way. Maybe because it is not that sinful compared to the chocolate cakes we are used to.

Gone in 10 minutes or less. Slurping is encouraged but you slurp at your own risk. Man that broth was hot but good!

We also had Don Papa Rhum ice cream at Ritual, an organic sari-sari store. I super love the smell inside because of all the soaps. All the stuff they sell is proudly Pinoy.

The Verdict: I loved Wabi-sabi. They have good food and yes it is healthy and inexpensive! It is a breath of fresh air form the normal food that I eat. Wabi sabi is a good alternative for those who would rather go for healthy meals. Interiors are very simple yet inviting, not intimidating at all. Service is fast and you’ll get a show from their semi open kitchen. The staff and owner are super friendly which is always a plus is always.

The Collective is not your usual place to hang out, shop and dine with friends and family but its identity is part of the package. If you are lucky, you can jam along with some musicians at the Ukulele shop (I wanted to listen to them but was shy to enter the shop). You can also explore your inner artist cause some shops double as an art gallery.

The Collective is located at Malugay St. Makati City

Every time we want to “escape” from the norm there is only one place we go to and that is Cubao Ex or Cubao Expo (or whatever you want to call it).

Cubao Expo is so different during the day, it’s quiet and less crowded. A whole different site to see and appreciate. For this very random visit, we decided to check out Sweet Ecstasy. 

(photo from their facebook page)

The Menu:

They have burgers and other stuff during weekends. (Mental Note: Must visit during the weekend)

That is Ponge enjoying the view. :p

I find this artwork really cute. hehe

The Art gallery side

Being the good blogger that I am, I forgot to ask who the artist is (sorry naman guys :D)

What we ate

Nuttela and Choco chips + Compost Cookie + Milk

I obviously fell head over heels in love with their milk bottle. hehehe 

The VERDICT: I really enjoyed the milk+ warm cookie (who doesn’t?). Perfect combination! They have really nice artworks too! Its fun quirky and modern. The only downside is the cookies are a bit expensive. Guess we were actually paying for the artworks and not the cookies. If you want to try the other food on the menu, you have to visit on a weekend. Other than that, it was a pleasant experience. It is a great place to chill, hang out and appreciate the arts. And that is what I love about Cubao Ex.

Follow them here

(All photos are by yours truly and Ponge, unless otherwise specified)

Deciding to walk from Chino Roces to Ayala Ave probably is one of the best decisions my pseudo jowa and I made. Why? We got so hungry and ended up eating at Va Bene before meeting up with some of our friends for dinner. Yep you read that right, dinner before dinner. :p 

Va Bene Pasta Deli is easy to find buuuuuuuuuuuut most seats are reserved :(((. Lucky for us there’s a free table for two :))

What we ate: 

Toasted bread (Crostini?) with Tomato and oil dip (what was left of it) Simple really very delicious and the best part is it’s complimentary!! :)

POTATO GNOCCHI (P430.00) with gorgonzola cheese sauce, arugula, and wild nuts. This right here is a revelation. I love potatoes and man i could eat this one everyday! It is that yummy :)

STRAWBERRIES A LA MILENA (P190.00) marinated strawberries in balsamico, black pepper, & vanilla ice cream served in a champagne glass. - Enjoyed this down to the last strawberry. DELISH

Everything is fresh and home made, serving size is good for two and the service is really good.

I super love Italian food and Va Bene is one of the BEST in the Metro.

VA BENE PASTA DELI 

2nd Floor, Petron Gas Station, Edsa Corner Pasay Road, 
Dasmarinas, Makati City

For reservations and inquiries call +632 556-9442, 904-6063, +63 917 345-6869

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