On our radar: drink and dine at these new Cubao X spaces!
By Liz Anne Bautista
Manila Collective (Photospace+Cafe)
For user reviews on this establishment, click here.
Randomness: Located at the old Vintage Pop store in Cubao X, Karina Estacio, Dante Pamintuan, and photographer Jake Verzosa decided to put up a place that combined all of their passions, which are food, coffee, and photos, respectively. Apart from being an outlet for their interests, the owners wanted it to be a hangout for photographers, artists, and random creatures, who want to view works by Verzosa, try a variety of coffee beans, which Pamintuan roasts himself, and grab a bite of Estacio’s scrumptious calamansi muffins or apple fritters. “Right now we're just doing what we want, under the guidance of our refined tastes,” laughs Verzosa.
Must-Try: For coffee, the Ethiopia Sidamo, Kenya Kevote, Panama Elida (P80/cup). For Pastries, people come back for Estacio's flourless chocolate cake (P80/slice), calamansi muffins (P50), and red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese icing (P80).
Usual Suspects: Photographers, coffee lovers, artists, students, friends, and “strange hipsters.”
Stop By: Tuesdays-Saturdays at 4-11pm
Cafe Halo
For user reviews on this establishment, click here.
(Photo courtesy of www.OurAwesomePlanet.com)
Some Kinda New: Okay, Café Halo has been around since December 2007 so it’s not exactly new, but dropping by recently at Café Halo recently to get our healthy food fix before drinking at Future, we found out that the space is offering something new on their menu this month: adult ice cream.
Must-Try: Being a vegetarian restaurant Café Halo’s malunggay pesto (P110) and the vegetarian barbeque with rice (P130) are nice and affordable treats. We suggest you also try their adult ice cream, which is a ice cream spiked with alcohol that the owners make themselves. Says owner Halmen Valdez, “We will be launching berry tequila (strawberry tequila), gataca (gatas tanduay kape), banana rama (banana rhum) and mango rhumba (mango rhum) priced at P70 to P110 each.”
Usual Suspects: Students, young professionals, elderly people, vegetarians and a lot of young folks looking for something healthy before partying the night away at Cubao X.
Kebab X
For user reviews on this establishment, click here.
Indie Kebab: A two-story space located at the front corner of Cubao X (you won’t miss it) is like a comic strip standing out from the old shoe expo’s old, bohemian vibe. Instead of some Persian music blaring in the background, an indie pop soundtrack sets the mood for the young customers. The menu relies on fresh ingredients and mostly their own fusion of recipes.
Must-Try: We suggest you try the beef and chicken pita sandwiches (P85) with wasabi that adds a distinctive taste. Of course, the keema (P85) and beef kebab meal (P90) are always favorites among Persian-craving pundits.
Usual Suspects: Cubao X kids that are mostly comprised of artists, skaters, photographers, and musicians. Corporate types from the surrounding call centers in the area have also become regulars.
Stop By: Open daily beginning 12noon. Kebab X is sometimes open until the wee hours, especially if there is an event at Cubao X.
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Leave a Comment
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Been a while since I've gone to Cubao X since I started working. Wanna try hanging out in these places again. Kinda miss the old Vintage Pop though.
(September 22, 2010 08:19:14 AM)
thank you so much for this. havent been in cubao x in a while and never knew about these new establishments. manila collective looks like a cool place to chill in... will definitely drop by this weekend to try that red velvet cupcakes...
(August 26, 2010 11:23:18 AM)