Blessed Cubao
Cubao is the last place I’d think I’d hang out in, and surprisingly enough, I had fun in Cubao yesterday.
The Cubao today is a far cry from the Cubao 5 years ago. New malls, better shops, great restaurants… yup, Cubao is shaping up well.
It really was just a day of hanging out: walking around the mall, enjoying great conversation at the coffe shop. What made it memorable was dinner.
My friend Yves and I decided on Italliani’s for dinner. It was already past 9 o’clock in the evening, and it was almost deserted. We sat at a table outside the restaurant, at the edge of its territory. Dressed so casually and sitting almost in the dark, we never thought we’d get notice, much less served.
But they noticed us, and damn, do they serve well. We were surprised at the cheeriness of the server to the point where Yves has to ask him if he was sick. Then the restaurant manager went to our table to ask if there’s anything else we’d like. The cheeriness of the waiter seemed to rubbed off on us, and we started chatting away with the manager, even invited her to sit with us.
So there we are, talking and laughing like old friends. Whenever a crew came to her, asking her to sign their time card, she’d introduce them to us, and stay to chat for a bit too. It’s like having dinner as one big happy family.
Italianni’s is not the most affordable restaurants around here, but with service like that, it’s all worth it.
P.S. Their Penne Arrabiata is superb!
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Italianni’s! Their bread sells for 50% less at night! I buy my mama some when I can :)
cubao is booming - thanks to the return of its role as a “crossroads” (i.e. -megatren and mrt)
i wish there was a housing component to the Araneta/QC gov’t, masterplan. And by housing, I don’t mean all just expensive high rises.
Why not hang out more?
Cubao has survived for the past few years with the MRT or not. You should try to explore Cubao more. Not hindering yourself in Gateway Mall alone. There are hidden bargains there if you know where to find it. There is also another Italian restaurant in the vicinity its cheaper I think than Italliani’s.
berdengmakina. blogspot .com
italiani’s. you should’ve gone to marikina shoe expo instead. belinni’s is far better, has more value for money, and is not a highly commercial franchise with cardboard tasting food. the small bistro is actually run by an italian. food is excellent/authentic. gateway’s a cool place but cubao is all about exploring. the ukay-ukays, the gadget shops in the alleys, the great finds in ali mall. the small galleries in the shoe expo. yes there is an art scene in cubao
cubao is booming indeed. we’ve tried exploring the area and the good finds are not just in gateway. bellini’s is a gem, as well as the other stores people don’t usually dare explore. i sure hope more people check out cubao.
bellini’s was actually featured in abscbn’s F! tv program. anyways, have u guys tried the gateway cinemas? personally i think they have the best cinemas in the country 2day. the screen is huge not like the ones in g4 or gb3. its best specially for watching scifi movies.
For today’s Araneta Center newbies, you might say that Araneta Center today is, (1) a new multi-class hang-out place for both “daywalkers” and “nighthawks” offering an assortment of food and entertainment, and (2) a crossroads for weary travelers taking either the West-East purple train route (LRT-2) or the North-South blue train route (MRT). Gateway Mall and Farmer’s Plaza which both rest comfortably at the South-East corner of the railway intersection act as the nexus of this crossroads although the Colisum itself is the true nexus of Araneta Center. Gateway houses all the 1st-2nd class thingies (hard-to-find) while Farmer’s Plaza houses the 2nd-3rd class thingies (common items). Passengers from the West-East train route can alight at the Cubao-Araneta Station and find the conveniently-positioned Gateway Mall doors. LRT-2 stations are logically constructed and properly managed. Even a child won’t lose her way going to the mall. Alighting from the North-South train route, however, is more challenging because you have to wrestle with the undisciplined animalistic instincts of the passengers here and the mismanagement that plagues the MRT stations. On the bright side, once you’re in either posh Gateway or the humble Farmer’s, the fun never ends! Oh, did I mention that the night life of Araneta Center gives you a never-ending Christmas ambience?
Oh, did I mention that the night life of Araneta Center gives you a never-ending Christmas ambience?
oh yes! the only thing missing is the old christmas show at COD (which is now puregold)
TRIVIA: Thought I’d give you a trivia on Gateway Mall’s Food Express food court, just below the cinema level. ___ Okay, here’s the question: The silver table in the center of the food court near the bar and the light brown tables near the diners are both round. However, these tables also share a not-so-obvious design aspect that is very practical for people who need an extra hand, or should i say, finger? Can you guess what it is?
i know! i know!
they have hooks on the underside of the table where you can sling your bags on. very nifty feature.
Damn, NINA, you’re good!
Bellini’s tops it all. After years of hearing about it from friends, my better half and I decided to check it out, and boy! we were not disappointed. Everything, from the food to the ambience is superb! Italliani’s loses to this quaint resto in terms of the price of food. Their eggplant parmigiana is Heavenly with a capital H!!! I also looooove their after-dinner complimentary sweet wine. We’ll definitely be paying that wonderful and unique resto another visit.