Foodie Adventure: The Iscreamist - Magiting Street

You pay for the food. You pay for the experience. Better choose what's worth it.

After having great dining experience with Pino Resto Bar and Gayuma ni Maria in Maginhawa street, and Maguro Japanese Restaurant in Matalino street, I am confident Teacher's Village (Quezon City) will not fail me on my next foodie destination: THE ISCREAMIST.

Having seen a lot of it on tv, I decided to hit it, trying to beat the summer heat.

We went back to Maguro Japanese Restaurant for lunch. It was a great value for 120Php for a beef Teriyaki meal, comparing it to other known Japanese fastfood (na itago natin sa pangalang Tokyo Tokyo at Karate Kid). It was around 5PM when we arrived, and yes, this is lunch time after over sleeping on the weekends! Haha! 

After lunch, we rode a tricycle for 25Php straight to Magiting Street. I don't know exactly where it is located. We told Manong Driver that we are bound for The Iscreamist but it seems like he doesn't know as well so we just decided to walk from Ministop.

Remembering the photos I have seen in Google, it should have blue indoor color. We walked past Moonleaf and found a rather small place with blue lighting but was hesitant to enter because it doesn't have the usual outer-space-intergalactic-futuristic-inspired restaurant banner outside. It is unnamed. But when I saw someone blowing smoke from his mouth, I decided that it is the place.

After the excitement calm down a little, we decided to place our order.

I believe their best-seller is the S'More Dragon's Breath, considering it is what everyone ordered for all the blogs I have read. Unfortunately, it was unavailable when we visited. But don't worry! They have a new variant that's not yet on their menu -- Tiramisu. 65Php for 4 popsicles of Tiramisu and a cup of Liquid Nitrogen.

I have A LOT of Chemist friends and I know Liquid Nitrogen is, based on my own understanding, Nitrogen in liquid form. Akalain mo? Haha! And this is what The Iscreamist is boasting for their uniqueness.

I cannot explain further how much I was excited when I saw our orders approaching our table, after observing how happy the others were playing with their food.

It was a happy experience! Will definitely come back and treat my younger siblings next time. :)

How to go to The Iscreamist:

Ride any form of transportation that will pass in Philcoa. Go to Masaya street where you can find the tricycle station. Tell the driver to drop you off at Magiting street.

Foodie Adventure: Maguro Japanese Restaurant - Matalino Street

Starting December 2012, my boyfriend and I decided to dine out in Maginhawa Street every pay day, considering that my pay day is only once a month. It was also our friend Abi's birthday and we decided to treat her on our dining escapade for February.

We walked along Maginhawa Street (I have already tried Pino Bar and Resto and Gayuma ni Maria) but was not interested with other restaurants at that time. We walked and walked and walked, but found nothing. We just decided to go to Kalayaan Avenue and find our luck there. It is here that we spotted Matalino Street, which according to Abi, also as a lot of restaurants.

We then passed by a small Japanese restaurant called Maguro.

The place is very simple, with wooden chairs and tables. Fair enough. At first, I thought the waiters are Japanese too. Like, you have to talk to them in English because they won't understand Tagalog.. I was wrong! Haha!

The menu is very basic, but what I love here is it's also very affordable, not sacrificing the quality of food they serve.

We ordered Beef Ramen, Chicken Teriyaki and Beef Teriyaki. We are not fans of sushi so we did not ordered any. I also ordered Mango Shake and Abi and my boyfriend ordered Large Iced Tea.

Beef Teriyaki

Beef Ramen

WHICH WAY TO GO.

Private Car:

Go to Kalayaan Ave, your landmark is RCBC. The street next to it is Matalino.

Public Transport:

Ride a jeepney that will pass along Kalayaan Ave (Cubao-Kalayaan), tell the driver to drop you off at Eunilane (though their building is not there anymore) and get off at RCBC; you have to walk from there.

WILL I COME BACK?

Definitely will! I recommend this place. They offer very affordable meals on a large serving!

Foodie Adventure: Charmed by Gayuma ni Maria - Maginhawa Street

“Forget ♥, I’d rather fall in chocolate.”

These words are largely painted on the wall of a very creepy, rustic and old-fashioned restaurant in Quezon City. Gayuma ni Maria, or simply “Gayuma” back in the 90’s, has captured my attention after a friend suggested the place for dining. I made a couple of research before going here, excited for the food adventure and dining experience it may offer me. Plus the restaurant’s name is awesoooome!

When I entered their door, it was… creepy. Well, at least that’s the first word that came out my mind. Somehow, I was expecting the feeling but it’s different when I was already there. There weren’t many diners and it’s very quiet even if there is music playing on the background, including the “reader’s” voice which I will talk about later in this blog.

After about five minutes inside, I totally understood why it seems quite. You won’t “fit in” if you talk so loud. The mood in the restaurant is supposed to be… Enigmatic… And creepy. No, I’m not using the word too much. It really is very creepy. I even asked myself “Paano kaya kung aswang pala ang may-ari nito at tao ang niluluto nila.” Haha! It looks like some horror movie restaurant. But I love how it feels to be there, aside from being excited, it’s something unusual. The dim lighting. The paintings. The love notes. The table setting. The curtains. The other decorations. It’s weird, but it’s lovable.

I wanted to eat on the second floor, because I saw pictures on the internet and it seems nicer but unfortunately, it is reserved for the night. Nothing to worry about! It’s still amazing downstairs. There are about 8 tables on the ground floor. Each is separated by outdated curtains; looks like they haven’t wash it over the years. Most can accommodate 4 people. But there is one long table which appears can sit about 6 to 8 persons.

We placed our orders. The waiters are “on character” as well. They look like very tired, fed up with their job and not happy at all (no, they are not masungit!). I am not sure if they really do feel that way, but I guess it is part of the whole set-up and atmosphere. This seems nice, anyway.
Here’s a copy of their menu. Cool food names, huh? (Sorry for the photos. I wasn’t able to bring any camera with me. Just used my iPhone4s instead).

For our “Commitment”, we had Secret Lovers and Please Be Careful With My Heart. For “Temptation”, we ordered Beat Sex Anyday and Pavlova. Plus iced tea for drinks (Note: 45Php for regular size and 60Php for refillable).

Please note that food will ALWAYS vary on individual preferences. What’s good for me, may not be for you. 

Secret Lovers

Spoon Score: 4
What can make it 5? Better if they make the flavor a little more unique rather than tasting like my mom’s spicy beef caldereta. I usually don’t eat potatoes  But I ate everything on my plate here! How awesome is that?

Please be Careful with my Heart
Spoon Score: 3
What can make it 5? My boyfriend and I didn’t like the soy sauce under the chicken. It doesn’t seem to blend with the whole package.

Beat Sex Anyday
Spoon Score: 4
What can make it 5? Too sweet. It could be better if not. Though I really loved and enjoyed this!

Pavlova
Spoon Score: 5 ♥♥♥
This is really incredible! Must try!












They also have a souvenir store here that sells some fun and naughty stuff.

Upstairs are more tables that let’s you sit on the floor. Plus another shop for other things. You can also read some love letters and notes posted on the wall and other parts of the restaurant.

Total cost for dinner:

Additional Notes:
You may want to try their restrooms upstairs. Make sure you are with someone because it’s really scary inside. Haha!

Gayuma ni Maria is also known for having “reader’s” who doesn’t charge any payment. I’m just not sure if they accept tip, just a little amount, after they tell you about your past, present and future. You may opt to call them for schedules.

Location:
123 V Luna Ext, Sikatuna Village, Quezon City
If you are commuting, you may ride a tricycle near McDonald’s Philcoa. Just tell the driver you want to go to Gayuma ni Maria. Everyone surely knows it. Or you may ride a Lagro-Anonas jeepney, get down at VLuna corner Anonas and walk towards the road between Baliwag Lechon and Savemore.

Website:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Gayuma-Ni-Maria/148108488537188?fref=ts

I suggest you go there for dinner to have the feel of total weirdness and everything. I don’t think it’ll bear the same feeling during the daylight.