๑۩۞۩๑ hideaway ๑۩۞۩๑

our story begins on a gloomy and rainy saturday morning, when a couple decided to hunt for the cookbook kitchen, a hole in the wall cafe/resto in the heart of mandaluyong. both being from the province, they were unfamiliar with the address.

armed with a piece of paper bearing directions to the place, a camera, determination, a thousand bucks and empty stomachs, they were off (once again) for another culinary adventure.

at the border of makati and mandaluyong, our adventurers were already clueless as to where they were headed. all they did was exchange hugs and kisses in the cab. a few minutes later and P50 more on the taxi meter, they were lost.

"ver ees eet?", the grouchy litolbiggoil asked. obviously, the change in demeanor was due to hunger. they’ve been traveling for almost an hour already, and have asked a jeepney driver, a tricycle driver and two pedestrians yet they were still unable to get to the place.

inside the cab, both were already praying for directions. it was past two o’clock in the afternoon, and lunch was already a couple of hours past. clearly hunger was a good motivation to call on the Higher Power. tsk.

and then finally, they have arrived. at the street corner, the place can be barely seen. sort of like a secret. which made her giddier with excitement.

the cookbook kitchen

socorro fernandez

corner luna mencias

city of mandaluyong

yahoo! so close…

the outside looks humble, with minimalistic landscape designs. reminiscent of japanese inspirations.

while inside, the place cradles very few tables. on a good day, it can accommodate at most, probably around 50 people. it was cozy, and quiet and relaxing, and looked like a good place to talk. but our travellers were not in the mood to talk, they came here to eat!

after ordering, came the cam-whoring. these two are really hungry. they just don’t show it.

they had a good-sized helping of pasta (spaghetti) puttanesca, with anchovies. which was very very delightful, according to her. the french bread on the side seemed home-baked, said her future chef. it was crusty on the outside, and soft on the inside, and tasted of sourdough, which she just loved. they also ordered white fish casserole with olives, basil, tomatoes and mozzarella, which they both found filling and yummy. it was an altogether lovely meal, our travellers both agreed.

and in their excitement to dine,

the eating monsters

forgot to take pictures

of the food.

*takaw*