How many times do I have to tell you
Even when you’re crying you’re beautiful too
The world is beating you down, I’m around through every mood
You’re my downfall, you’re my muse
My worst distraction, my rhythm and blues
I can’t stop singing, it’s ringing, in my head for you
My head’s under water
But I’m breathing fine
You’re crazy and I’m out of my mind
'Cause all of me
Loves all of you
Excerpts from John Legend's song All of Me.
These words echoes in my head over and over since last night. Yesterday almost ended in frustration as we drove past the traffic to enjoy a redeeming dinner sans the budget. I heard All of Me for the first time yesterday afternoon before I asked hubby to have dinner out. It's been quite a while since we last went out, just the two of us and I was not so sure whether he'd give in to one of my whims again, since we spent quite a lot last Sunday when we brought the kids to Greenhills over lunch, movie and dinner. Will tell you more about how my kids loved lunching out at Flapjacks on my following posts.
This song would be Bhogs' perfect song for me. I'm assuming he hasn't heard this and if he does I'm sure he'd dedicate this to me, hahaha. Honestly, for years we have been having issues, like any other normal marriages, and I'm always the one in doubt. Appeasing ourselves with routine bondings, through cafe and restaurant wanderings and planned tours.
When I did ask him, he said yes in all smiles. I've been waiting for him to ask me, well it has been months that we never really cruised around and try out a new non-chained coffee shop, as we would always love to do, which catapulted this website to Google crawls.
However, it was dinner, a heavy one we were after so I wanted to take him to El Chupacabra, a dive bar serving authentic Mexican dishes near Makati Ave. But the not-so-well-thought-out-plan was a fail, El Chupacabra is full at 8 pm and a long line of customers waiting to be served have already booked their slot plus we can not find a decent parking space.
I guess Makati Ave., Jupiter foodie spot is not for us at this season so without giving much thought we drove to BGC. And the first on my list was Luna Specialty Coffee, which is located at NAC Tower just along 32nd Ave of The Fort, Taguig.
Another problem we dealt with was parking. We did find one after driving around for minutes realizing that it's already 9 pm. Upon checking IG, Luna closes at 9 pm, but we still gave it a go.
Luna Coffee is located at the rear side of NAC. You can either access it through the facade of the building and going to the far right or get to the right side of the building and walk towards the rear end, just don't mind walking at gravel stones.
They are still in soft-opening, with a 15 weeks of operation only, but you will hardly notice so, only if they don't have the "We're on soft opening" sign on every spot. The staff were so attentive and obliging.
There is something about the vintage charm of the interior, it's simplicity outshines plush restaurants but speaks boldly of what they offer. According to Ms. Jepay, Luna's General Manager, the cafe is inspired by Vigan heritage streets with its brick walls and endearing culinary. Luna came from (probably) the Luna brothers - Juan Luna or Manuel Luna- who hailed from Ilocos Norte. Both heroic and artists, they are known for their artworks. Juan Luna is the one who made the Spolarium, btw. What is so attractive also is that it's away from the crowded beaneries, making it a great space for intimate get-togethers and informal business meetings.
So, what do they offer?
Luna is a community cafe furnishing all-day breakfast menu, specialty coffee and unusually insane desserts. They intend to dish up traditional viands usually savored in the morning. However, in the case of Filipino diners, breakfast foods can be partaken in any time of the day, I don't even mind eating dried fish with perfectly scrambled eggs at lunch.
For dinner, here are what Bhogs and I had.
Too bad I had coffee before we left the house, but of course, we can not go to a coffee shop without getting a shot of their brew. Unless I intended to be hyped up till the next dawn, I could have gotten Candyccino, a cold coffee concoction with White Rabbit (candy) and Flat Tops (milk chocolate). I got Bhogs, a hot cup of Luna Brew, a Brazil blend of beans, hand-dripped, also known as drip-brewing in more serious coffee gourmands' terms. It is a method of pouring temp controlled water over freshly ground coffee beans. The coffee drips from a paper filter onto a cup leaving the coffee grounds at the filter, making the brew mild, less acidic but still is bold enough to put a jolt in your drink.
They get their coffee blends from Philippine Coffee Board imparting how they give importance to marketing of local coffee products. Most of their blends are Arabica which usually are sourced from the country's coffee capital, Amadeo, Cavite.
Apart from this, they too would want to support other local businesses, by outsourcing some of the specialty treats they offer their diners. Such new addition to their menu are the Bibingka and Puto Bumbong, where in they allow their terrace to be used for preparing Bibingka and Puto Bumbong traditionally. They start serving it at 4pm to 9pm.
Bhogs had a serving of Angus Pares (P 330). I did mention that they throw spotlight on traditional preparation of usual viands but putting a
moderne twist to it. You see, one of Bhog's favorite dish, Pares have been given a make-over by using Angus beef instead of the usual beef brisket and fats. For dishes as such, I always rely on his expertise, and according to him, they nailed the true taste of the best Pares he had tried. The idea of topping the Angus beef over Japanese Jasmine steamed rice and dressing it partially with it's thick soup, and a bowl of more soup on the side, is a good concept. Providing the diverse foodies of their preference, whether they want more soup or have it just the way it is served on the plate.
My ambitious hard boiled egg is another fancied delight. How can anyone imagine a hard boiled egg served coated with sour Adobo sauce? I remember cooking Adobo with boiled quail eggs, but not having it with a regular sized egg. However, we did bump in to this eatery in Carmona, Laguna - Binalot, where the Adobo Rice is served with sliced boiled eggs and ripe tomatoes. This is just a side dish named Egg Adobo, but equally good with plain rice...
On my next visit, I will definitely try their flat pan de sal stuffed with different classic Pinoy fillings. Another foodies need to look out for are their pies in cups.
These are personal sized cups filled with famous pies given twerks with additional ingredients. On the photo, from left to right (counter-clockwise), Pecan Pili Pie, Apple Singkamas, Pumpkin Kalabasa, Key Calamansi Pie.
On jars are pie crusts made into balls, Labuyo Quezo de Bola and Muscovado Cinnamon.
Looking for totally wicked sweet ending or a pair for your coffee? Let me suggest their Kakanin Shots. On top are shots of Leche Flan Yema and the others are Inutak Ube Pandan. These miniscule luscious desserts are more than enough to satiate your sweet-toothed cravings.
If you think having yema, leche flan and sponge cake can be utterly sinful, think again. Giving in to your sweet cravings won't make you so guilty of piling up some sugar in your diet. Served in shots, this layer of Filipino favorite sugary and milky sampling of yema, sponge cake, and leche flan, is the lesser-evil. Hehehe. Also, made less sweet, you can manage to have a second helping.
All is well and will be for long between me and Bhogs just as there will be moments like these and food as such to keep us company, and though I make him nuts with who I am and how I can be demanding at times.
And to Luna, we'll be back!
Luna Specialty Coffee
Address: G/F NAC Tower, 32nd St
Fort Bonifacio, Taguig
