24-hour establishments in QC.

As it is cramming season, I.E. the end of term, 24-hour establishments are quite in demand. 21 units has been a pain. Never again. (Okay, I might eat my words.)

Anyway, I have only spent my early mornings in three establishments in Quezon City.

1) Starbucks, Quezon Ave (24/5 during weekdays, up to 2am on Saturdays and 12mn on Sundays)
2) McDonald’s Katipunan
3) Tapa King Katipunan

Am in Tapa King as I type this. The sunrise over at Ateneo is pretty. It is my first time here and I am loving it. Food is great, place is comfortable, you get sockets too and not as many people around. There’s wifi as well. Breakfast this morning was top banana!

McDonald’s is a pretty busy place. Now that they have renovated it, the place is more inviting and it is just as comfy. It’s difficult to get connected to the internet as you have to compete with 15 people at a time or more. But it’s nice and bright. You really won’t fall asleep.

Will try out Burger King next time. Which outlet in QC? Hmm… there’s E. Rod, Morato and Marcos Highway. I shall eeny, meeny, miny, moe my options.

Where’s your 24-hour spot?

This site needs some pumping. I’ll make up for it during the summer break.. hopefully!

Good morning world!

Amici, Tomas Morato

I tagged along with the Peren family this evening after mass when I heard they were having dinner at Amici. I’ve been meaning to try it out for ages. Never got around to doing so since their only branch (back then) was at Don Bosco, Makati. Finally! They opened one along Tomas Morato!

You should taste pizza, pasta and gelato the moment you hear Amici!

Pizza’s are made in masonry ovens. How savvy is that?! (HA! I researched this! I knew there was an official name for the old-school brick oven.)

It’s self-service. You go up to the counter, order and pay. Wait for a couple of minutes then tada! Food’s served. Oh. I forgot the bit where you get your own plates, utensils, glasses and tissue at designated stations.

I loved their spaghetti alla carbonara! The best! I am not a fan of carbonara. People who make them go wrong by putting too much white sauce over the pasta.  But this one, oh mehn! It’s perfect! The cream does not overpower your taste buds. It’s just right. Absolutely delicious.

Other than that, we also ordered the Cannelloni Agli Spinaci (pasta tubes filled with spinach and ricotta cheese topped with creamy tomato sauce), Genovese Con Gamberetti and Vegetariana pizzas. I have nothing else to say but yummy!

OH MY GAD! THE GELATO! The gelato is to die for! They had more than ten different flavors. Selds and I wanted to cry when we saw them. We didn’t know which one to get. Our taste buds did cartwheels of sorts and got dizzy.

P50 for a cup. Good deal too! It was worth every cent! Since I had a hard time deciding, I went with the old classic. Cioccolato! I swear, it’s the best chocolate ice-cream ever! I’m an anything-chocolate fan. I’ll try their other flavors next time.

The place isn’t fancy really. You do not go there for the ambiance. You go there for the food and you go there with family and friends. The more the merrier!

It is definitely not a dating place. Having a one-on-one session with someone and you might just end up scaring him/her the moment he/she sees you gorge down your pizza. Won’t be a pretty sight and it definitely won’t be a happy ending!

For a company of six, we pretty much spent under P1500. Not too shabby! Can’t wait for my family to visit. I’ll definitely take them there.

The original Amici is located in the Don Bosco Compound, Makati (Arnaiz Ave cor Chino Roces Ave). Store hours are: 7am-10pm (Sun-Thurs) and 7am-11pm (Fri-Sat). Delivery hours are: 10am-10pm daily.

The Quezon City branch is along Tomas Morato cor. Scout Fuentebella (it’s right below Ratsky Morato). Store hours are: 11am-11pm (Mon-Thurs) and 10am-12mn (Fri-Sun) Delivery hours are: 11am-10pm daily. Delivery hotline is 818-4444!

Whoops! I think I overdid it a bit. Haha! I am just sharing the love!

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Shrine, Quezon City

While on the LRT2 on my way back to Katipunan from Quiapo, I noticed the lady a person away from me make the sign of the cross. I looked out the window to see if we passed by a church. (Well, she could just be praying for all I know!)

So yeah, I looked out the window and oh my lords! What I saw wowed me. As in jaw-dropping moment that I made an effort to bug the lady and ask her for the name of the church. She completely ignored me when I politely said excuse me. Pfft! Good thing I had my trusty city atlas in my bag. Pulled it out and quickly flipped the pages to find it.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Shrine. (I know right! It’s a mouthful!)

But still! It is beautiful. Googled it and came across this;

Picture was taken by Nate0924.

I want to visit this church some day.

Next year’s Visita Iglesia? Hmm, I’ll look for six more churches to visit in the Metro. Churches I have never been to.

Exciting!