12 Monkeys Music Hall and Pub

Artistry has yet to be defined thoroughly.

Craftsmanship is dependent on the art or the person.

Taste is subjective on palate and preference.

Recognition – expressed by both friends and foes.

Yet all of these words are necessary to achieve one goal – Success.

All of these can be found entering the doors of the hippest and nicest establishment to ever grace the grounds of Makati City – 12 Monkeys Music Hall.

A small flight of steps welcomes guests to a multi-colored wall of music memoirs that doubles up as a gig guide for patrons on who will play for the week. The main door of the pub provides a panoramic view of the entire hall. The bar is on the right, dining and cocktail tables all over; the stage is on the left corner and the DJ’s booth on its opposite side. Several couches are available at the foot of the stage while al fresco lovers need not fret because an access door on the left side leads to the balcony area giving you a picturesque view of the city after the sun sets and the lights go up.

The idea of building something like this can only be conceived by those who are driven by passion, love for the craft and the unwavering belief that the local music scene must (and will) survive. Two of the “Monkeys” – Chito Miranda (Parokya ni Edgar) and Champ Lui Pio (HALE) believed that it can be done and brought to life an establishment that was once thought a thing of the past.

Upon completion, Chito wrote on his Facebook account that 12 Monkeys was the realization of a dream place where people could just chill and listen to bands play their music. Champ firmly believed that Pinoy Music will always have a place in everyone’s heart. Creating a place like “12” provides a venue for fans to relive the songs they grew up listening to, at the same time, offer an avenue for up and coming acts/indie bands to showcase their stuff to a wider audience.

The proprietors, being musicians, ensured that the stage and its sound system are up to par with their standards. The lights that accentuate the stage and the entire music hall blend in perfect harmony come show time – making sure that each night provides a unique eargasmic experience.

Great music is not the only thing this place can provide when people visit this institution. They also offer one of the best tasting food selections with catchy creative names that would definitely titillate all gastronomical senses.

Midnight in Pares

Based on the Pinoy rice staple viand, this masterpiece is a mix of soft meat in savory sauce. On top of a hearty serving of rice, this is a MUST on your “to eat list” upon visiting.

Sometimes pictures do not bring taste justice.

Nacho Ordinary Nacho

A delightful take on a finger food staple; each bite provides that tang of spice mixed with textures of meat, minced vegetables and creamy sauce.

Crunchy meaty goodness.

St. Peter's Egg

Not for the faint of heart. The Filipino classic “balut” gets a grand make-over in terms of flavor, preparation and presentation.

Other notable treats from the menu are: Spam Fries, Oyster Sisig and Killer Chicharones

Enjoy these delightful treats while bands like Side A, Rivermaya and South Border render oldie but goodie classics. Grab a cocktail and chill as Up Dharma Down, Freestyle and The Raes serenade all the stress away. It is time to grab a bottle and go hard when Franco, Urbandub and Razorback belt out their aggressive lyrical beats that make you forget that there is work the following day.

The resto-bar landscape is a diverse scene that is continuously evolving. It has become a hybrid of several concepts executed in the proper time with the uncertainty of success. Many who venture in such an endeavor will find the latest pop-kid formula and sell it as the new “in” thing.

HALE graces the stage and gets shrieks from the ladies.

The future of OPM - The Raes

Gabby Alipe of Urbandub sure knows how to electrify a crowd

Just one of them nights at 12 Monkeys

Sample gig guide on their Facebook and Instagram pages

However, there are those driven by memories, moved by passion and acted for the love of what they do. It takes a penchant for being sentimental to create a haven for re-living moments. A place for remembering heartaches and joys with each line of a song; Faces gushing through every breath on the mic by a band followed through the years and enjoying the company of friends that share the same sentiment(s) with the rest of the crowd.

12 Monkeys is located at the 5^th of the Century Mall Kalayaan Ave. cor. Salamanca St. Poblacion Makati City

follow them on Facebook and Instagram. Just type in 12 Monkeys Music Hall

ArteSuaveEats: Grande Torino (Kapitolyo, Pasig)

Pasig City has been on a steady rise over the past few years. It has slowly developed into a place of commerce with the rise of new malls, condominium buildings and leisure centers. Businesses are taking advantage of its strategic location in terms of proximity to Makati, BGC, Taguig, Quezon City and Mandaluyong. Access to central business districts can definitely be a plus when it comes to finding a place to live in and/or a location for setting up your own establishment.

However, it doesn’t end there. There has been a surge of interest in the food scene of Pasig; specifically inside the gated village of Kapitolyo. What was once an unadulterated residential area transformed into one of metro manila’s food melting pots. It’s like having your own Maginhawa (street) within the vicinity of Shangri-La and Megamall.

This led to an evening of casual dining at one of its Italian joints located along West Drive – Grande Torino restaurant.

Customers are greeted by an all wood interior complimented by dim lighting and varnished walls with Italian inspired accents. The whole ensemble looks like a shabby chic log cabin found in tagaytay or far north of sagada. Their menus are easy to read and are properly labeled.

The night’s choices were Lasagna Bolognese and Prosciutto pizza. Both suggested as best sellers; both lacking “best seller” qualities in terms of preparation, presentation and taste.

iced tea pitcher

The lasagna Bolognese was dry on the outside and mushy on the inside. The amount of meat didn’t compliment the pasta sheets and did not blend well while baking. It wouldn’t be surprising if it were one of those lasagnas in a box ready to serve – all you have to do is pop them in the oven and serve.

Pizza partially saved the evening. Dough was plain. Sauce was substantial. Cheese was appropriate. The prosciutto was fine. Together, a round plate of hot bread goodness came to be.

One cannot say they are bad at what they serve, but one cannot also state that they are good.  It’s one of those places you’d try out but not necessarily go back to.

#foodie #artesuaveeats #kapitolyo 

ArteSuaveEats: H Cuisine

Quezon City. A place we south people aptly call “Mordor”.

A destination we dare not go to on a daily basis.

However, like the laws of the land and legislation made by politicians, there are exceptions.

This is one is from the 8^th order of the English alphabet.

Neatly tucked in along Scout Rallos along Tomas Morato is a homey vibe sanctuary of awesomeness.

Enter the doors of H Cuisine.

Once inside, you are welcomed by their blue-white-yellow motif dining area that is laid back and relaxing. It reminds you of your favorite breakfast place minus the white picket fences outside or that out of town tita’s house that you all love to go to during summer. The ambiance relaxes the palate for the warm, mouth-watering gastronomic experience that will follow.

Their “Most Awesome Angus Beef Belly” is heavenly. It is how beef belly should be cooked, perhaps the only way to be cooked. Chef Hannah got this one right. Oven roasted beef belly with good browning of the outside and juicy tender meat on the inside. Combined with baked potatoes and buttered veggies on the side. Whatever science there is to cooking meat inside a box of heat has been turned into an art form by its creator.  Your mouth becomes the perfect dwelling place for experiences you wish your tongue has words for. Pair it with garlic rice and make sure to help yourselves with the gravy. Take sips from a pitcher of freshly squeezed dalandan (on the menu) and repeat above process until your platter is empty.

After which the body transcends to the heavens above and will thank you for feeding it that extraordinary sustenance it truly deserves.

There are other notable treats on their menu, but for this day, all gears were for the appreciation of this dish.

Pay the bill

Compliments to the chef

Head home

Find another excuse to go north 

#foodporn #HCuisine #AwesomeBeefBelly #artesuaveeats

Do not eat to live, But live to eat....

We are a nation governed by food – period.

Humanity dictates that we make something of ourselves, get established, follow all sociological practices and believe in whatever norms that comes out of our elderly’s mouths. However, there is also that inquisitive and curious palate that yearns for gastronomical satisfaction.

Filipinos LOVE food – period.

400 plus years of slavery, a handful more of colonial imperialism, add a few more years of invasion, then freedom, then a dictatorship, then a revolution. To which came a transition of perceived freedom that can only be quantified by the abuse of power and corruption present. Yet, we still had time to cook, attend social gatherings, party, have weekend barbecues, basically get everyone together in one place, sit side by side on a long table and just eat.

The varieties of culinary excellence found in the different regions of our country are just overwhelming. It is so intriguing how the people of a specific area are able to come up with a recipe based on the abundance of ingredients found in their ecosystems. More so are the tweaks made in order to improve the flavor and present them as they are today.

I LOVE food – period.

This is my food journal.

A freewheeling adventure of a man whose love, passion, and appreciation for food coupled with the joy of the company of others, took me to the busiest cities, the un-parkable side streets, late night food joints, fine dining spots, all the way to local neighborhood kiosks.

This is for reliving happy times. That eye popping experience of walking through the doors of a restaurant you’re gonna try out for the first time. That uncertain feeling of what to order, that prolonged stare at the menu because you’re thinking what is the best value for money, asking the waiter “what’s your best seller?” question, and then congratulating yourself for a job well done when you ordered the right stuff.

#foodstories #food #foodie