The October Adventures

The online proliferation of a journey that started on March 20, 2014. To infinity and beyond.

[theoctoberadventures]

#fanart #highart #1989 #squidward #two paper airplanes flying #style

[theoctoberadventures]

Picnic x Milkshakes of Reality-bending Proportions

She says:

Funny how we only seem to blog whenever we swing by Ayala Triangle Gardens. Maybe it’s just that the place is so peaceful it’s highly conducive to writing. Or we’re just lazy-ass writers. Whatever’s the case, this one is an entirely different adventure from our centuries-ago Banapple experience; complete with crazy selfies (not pictured) and getting lost in Ortigas CBD. But first, a picnic.

Since we didn’t have classes on October 31 (except for a certain someone who skipped class *cough cough*), because ideally we are to prepare for visiting the dead, we decided to go on a date. We’ve always wanted to go to Subspace since I read about it in Stache magazine. It’s not because I wanted some coffee, I wouldn’t risk getting lost in unfamiliar territory for that, but because it’s a Scott Pilgrim thing. Fans would understand. If they didn’t teach you that in school, a subspace is a highway of reality-bending proportions (yayy for scottpilgrim.wikia.com/subspace). It’s what our tough rollerblading chick Ramona Flowers uses for her Amazon.ca deliveries… and other stuff, which I will not spoil in case you haven’t seen the movie or read the graphic novels.

However, the owner of Subspace Coffee got the name from Star Trek and not Scott Pilgrim. But still, a literal subspace! Go to their Instagram account (subspacecoffee) and see whether it wouldn’t make you want to head over to Unit 103, GF Grand Emerald Tower, F. Ortigas Jr. Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City.

We actually didn’t plan on going to Subspace that day because we thought we’ll go there for our monthsary celebration, but then we heard from some friends that monthsaries are just lame excuses to do something special. And everyday should be special, you know. The original plan was to have a picnic on the grass of Ayala Triangle Gardens under the shade of trees, which we did, but after that he had an idea to head to Subspace since we still had plenty of time - even after all that eating, taking a million selfies (just in time for Halloween), and reading Tales of Beedle the Bard aloud. So yeah, we travelled to Subspace after accomplishing our date plan. Now doesn’t that sound just like Scott and Ramona’s first date? There was neither snow nor a door appearing out of nowhere, but I could say that it was not any less magical.

But getting there was not as easy as that sounded. After the bus dropped us off at SM Megamall, we walked down Guadix Drive and proceeded to get lost in long stretches of streets named after gemstones. Finally, we asked some security guards, who merely jabbed their index fingers into the air, pointing somewhere beyond, which was not very helpful. By sheer luck and maybe destiny, we found the place. Subspace Coffee House in all its quaint and quirky glory.

Since we were still kinda full from all the picnic food, we simply ordered a milkshake each. And damn will it bring all the boys to the yard (can’t say you didn’t see that reference coming). I had a cookie butter milkshake and he got the red velvet one. After our first heavenly sip of what I am sure is the famed nectar of the Greek Gods, we switched drinks to compare taste… and I will never forget the look on his face when he realized how good mine tasted (damn right, it’s better than yours). Oh cookie butter milkshake, how could I explain you? Well… it tasted like Speculoo’s cookie butter… in a milkshake. I can’t really say anything more… except that it was so gooood. However, the whipped cream leaves much to be desired, for I prefer my whipped cream to taste more like cream than sugar. But after finishing my cup, I felt like I just had a full meal. It’s worth every cent you pay for. Plus, I got one of their free Scout magazines, which must be the only magazine so far that I enthusiastically read from cover to cover.

He says:

It was the Cleveland Cavaliers opening game against the New York Knicks. I’ve been a loyal Lebron-ian since I first saw him swat away a 360 dunk by Jason Richardson (no showboating J-Rich!). I decided to see her early because (although this sounds waaaaay sweeter in my head than I am making it sound here) H matters more to me than Lebron does. Plus, I knew they were gonna win already anyways. (They didn’t. We lost. DAMN IT CARMELO!)

The picnic was really awesome. I didn’t get to have any of the smart tasting banapple smoothie, but we had a cheapskate day that was a smart move (he he he). Mini peanut butter sandwiches, some nuggets (that I thought we were gonna share, but apparently she just showed me), and a bottle of water (cheapskate, like I said) is what we shared throughout those 2 to 3 hours we spent talking and reading the first three stories from Tales of Beedle the Bard. (I liked the warlock’s hairy heart most)

It also amazes me how I still get to know more about her after being together for 70% of the time since we’ve been dating. One of those things I found out that day is she likes the Pirates of the Carribean series. And she’s not just a casual viewer either! Calypso and Davy Jones’s love story is one unparalleled (reminds me of the warlock’s hairy heart), but I would bet ours would be a great one too.

Contrary to what she said, it was mostly my doing that we got to subspace coffee house (ha haha. She’s a directioner, meaning she gets lost a lot) but I guess she did help because I wouldn’t have gone there without her. That cookie butter milkshake was supposed to be mine, but being the manly man I am I took the red velvet milkshake (which was pink for some reason). The taste wasn’t like that of banapple, but I would say it tasted just as good if not better. It’s a bit pricy compared to our usual Dakasi or D’Creammilktea, but it’s well worth the price.

We’ve discussed continuing our first on-going collab novel there. Next time we drop by subspace, I’m having the twice – cooked adobo (which still intrigues me. I still can’t imagine how it’s twice – cooked) and I think she’d be having pork slab or something (I’m one of the lucky guys whose partner likes to eat.), and of course I’d be having my own cookie butter milkshake next time.

I asked if she wanted to go to malls like Trinoma, or Megamall, or others we haven’t been to yet, but I guess we’d only be heading there if we were to go to some non-mainstream food joint or café that we could hang out at and blog about. I’m thinking we should go back to Zark’s burgers. I’ll try convincing her!

Plans for our next trip would probably include jogging and/or playing badminton. We’ve yet to buy our own set of rackets, but I guess we could save up for that. The Ayala Triangle Gardens is easily becoming one of my favorite date spots, and it won’t be a surprise if we head out there again in a few weeks. Next on our agenda should be watching Big Hero 6!

[theoctoberadventures]

Stomach Stuffing Sunday

He said:

Last Sunday, July 20, we went out to celebrate our fourth month together as a couple. We went strolling around Ayala Triangle, and decided to eat at Banapple after reading an article online about 20 great places to date with a budget of P500.00 or less. I half expected Banapple to serve pastries and the likes, but their menu happened to be a variety of full meals that range from pastas, to soups, to pancakes, cakes, and other baked products (which unfortunately, we were not able to try) which they serve in generous platefuls. 

I don’t know how big it looks in the image, but those ribs are BIG; and I know because I’m one who can easily say I can eat ribs in heavy loads; but there I was fallen victim to this delicious ambrosia on a plate with its sweet thick sauce, and gorgeously tender meat. This would be a decent contender for the best ribs around.

Aside from the good food, the ambiance was amazing. The place looked very “artsy” and had that feel of a calming, and relaxing coffee shop. During our 80 minute stay there they played good music that ranged from Aerosmith to Hoobastank, and a lot of other songs that are easy to familiarize with. We talked about coming up with our own playlist for the place, and songs like Ed Sheeran’s A-Team, Muse’s Starlight, and Capital Cities’ Safe and Sound would make that list.

She said:

Deprived of electricity since Typhoon Glenda swept the country, the third week of July pretty much sucked for the both of us. Sunday came as a saving grace; becoming the much-needed break after a series of lackluster days, even landing the spot as our highlight of the month. One of the reasons, of course, is good food. This time courtesy of Banapple, on the serene landscape of Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati City.

Ever the diabetes person, I ordered the Chocolate Peanut Butter Pancakes and cinnamon tea. It is a stack of four chocolate-chip pancakes served with chocolate syrup, maple syrup, and a tiny saucer of peanut butter topped with even more chocolate chips. It certainly was a feast for the sweet tooth, and even though too much sweetness could be balanced off with black tea, the serving still was a little too much for one person to finish. It is with deepest regrets that I declare my failure to finish the stack, barely even getting through half of it. We therefore conclude that sharing is highly suggested when ordering from Banapple; that, or a ravenously hungry stomach that could eat for two.

Since we were both first-timers to the place, it only made sense to try the Banapple smoothie. To put it simply, Z claimed that the drink tasted “smart”. It was pleasantly sweet with flavors of banana and apple meshing very well together, and—I'm not sure if it's the effect of the tea—the smoothie had a cinnamon-like aftertaste.

We were SO full after Banapple even though there was still quite a bit left on our plates. Shame. Next thing we did was walk off the fullness, and possibly the calories, around Ayala Triangle Gardens. But Banapple hasn't seen the last of us. We might try for another branch, and we shall conquer.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

Food: 8/10

Experience: 8/10

Area: 6/10

Service: 7/10

Tips:  Wider tables and more desserts on the menu.