Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Review: Sci-Fi Cafe + Mexicali Promo

Warning! Picture heavy

A new place in Robinsons Galleria, Sci-Fi Cafe Is a place for geeks and hipsters to hang out in.


Sci-Fi Cafe FrontSci-Fi Cafe Front
 You can see a lot of collectibles outside, which is what drew us to the place.

Sci-Fi Cafe Menu
Sci-Fi Cafe Menu
The menu boasts food with interesting names. Since it was a bit out of budget, my friends and I decided to try their drinks only. While waiting, these caught my eye:


Johnny Depp Action Figures
Johnny Depp


The Golden Trio Action Figures
The Golden Trio


Aliens vs Predators Collectibles
Aliens vs Predators
Among other things. They have an extensive Star Wars collection, including these on the ceiling: 


Sci-Fi Cafe Ceiling
Sci-Fi Cafe Ceiling
Too bad the lights are too bright to see the spacecraft, a Millenium Falcon and TIE Fighter, among other things.



Soup
There was some complimentary soup, which was nice. I have no idea what it was, but it's the first time I've received a soup for ordering a drink.


Sci-Fi Cafe Cashier
Cashier
Featuring a shield of the White Tree of Gondor, a hoverboard, Leggy's bow and Sulley! They were playing music from Pride and Prejudice, Romeo and Juliet and Titanic.


Sci-Fi Cafe Bar
Bar
When you walk in, you see some wands, lightsabers and the Madhatter's hat. The cake looked delicious, but I'm saving up for Wildflour.


Sci-Fi Cafe Wall
Sci-Fi Cafe Wall
Autograph wall, OMG.


Sci-Fi Cafe Collectibles
MOAR STUFF
Numbered stuff from Pirates of the Carribean, Disney sets... and if you look closely, there's a Twilight Set. 

Now I realize that a lot of the stuff I've shown is more of fantasy than science fiction, but OMG! A place to admire all the stuff!

They also started showing Avengers on one TV screen and LotR in another.... I almost stayed forever....
Sci-Fi Cafe White Chocolate
Milk Blend: White Chocolate
Sulley wants my drink.

Now, while the food was excellent, the location great, and the service good, there is one thing I disliked: Since my friends and I KKB'd it, we all placed money when the bill came. I placed an extra P20 and was too lazy to count change. Our money was taken, but the P20 was gone. Now, I was going to leave it as a tip, but management should NOT assume that. They should have left the money inside... clearly, honesty isn't a policy.

I'll forgive it because of the uniqueness of the place, but I'll think twice about putting more money then I ought to, and count change very carefully!


Yays

  • Service: we were given water and it was refilled without asking
  • Free soup
  • Ambience: one of a kind
  • Yummy drink

Nays

  • Not very honest

Okays

  • Make sure you bring enough money

Go again?
Yes! With all my geeky friends.

The Sci-Fi Cafe is located in the top floor of Robinsons Galleria, Quezon City, Philippines.

Mexicali
After going around the mall, we got hungry and bought nachos at Mexicali. They have a promo: P100 for certain items with a free 12oz Coke (they gave us sarsi, but we didn't complain).


Mexicali Nachos
Mexicali Nachos

Reading: Kurt Vonnegut and Orson Scott Card

For Summer 2013, I've read two books apiece, recommended by friends, by Kurt Vonnegut and Orson Scott Card.


Kurt Vonnegut
 Though I dislike his writing style, I find slogging through the books worth it simply for the messages he is able to impart. Thankfully, the two books I've read aren't that long, even at the points where I have to stop and think about it! While I don't agree with all of his points, they are worth noting and thinking about. Of the two I've read, I'd recommend one: The Sirens of Titan. I will probably read more of this author in the future.


Orson Scott Card
I find this guy to be a bit of a douche - but that doesn't mean much as an author. I'd recommend reading Ender's Game and Ender's Shadow, in that order. These books are easier to read, and I found them more engrossing. I don't think I'll read more of the series, and his later works due to the misogynism that becomes more and more apparent (as the target demography becomes older?). While I'm kind of curious about his earlier ones, I don't think I'm interested enough to actively search for them.

Anyway, I'm really glad that I was able to read these books. I probably won't be able to read non-academically related books when the school year starts, so it's nice to have time to go into a coffee or tea shop just to read without using highlighters and the like.



Look at the happy things in life. :)

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Mega 3 Day Sale + Wildflour Cafe

It's the last day of the Mega 3-Day Sale (May 3-5, 2013). If you don't mind the crowds (and boy, is it crowded), then it's a great time to buy: a single receipt purchase of at least P2,000 (and every P2,000 thereafter) entitles you to a P100 discount coupon, in addition to any product discounts. While it doesn't seem like much, combining promos is very rare in the Philippines. SM Megamall has extended store hours until today.

Though I didn't buy much (crowds really aren't my thing), I did buy one VMV Hypoallergenics ID Anti-Acne Oil Free Lotion at 25% off. Though the Armada line was -as usual- not on sale, most of their products were at up to 25% off. I saw some hoarders over there, but decided not to hoard... let's see if I'll regret that decision in the future.

Also, Wildflour Cafe in Podium has recently had its soft opening. Still haven't eaten there, since there were a lot of people, I'm hoping to eat there some weekday in order to see if it could be a good pastry/breakfast place for me.

Saturday, May 4, 2013

Highlands Coffee Eton

There's a new coffee shop in town! I've noticed that I've been caring more about food posts than beauty posts right now. Maybe because I don't have the funds for the latter? Also, I really have no Idea where my camera is so.... cellphone pictures all the way!

The first drink I've tried there is:

Cafe Sua Da at Highlands Coffee
Cafe Sua Da
It costs P129 ($3) for a tall glass of vietnamese coffee with condensed milk. It takes a while for all the coffee to go down. Vietnamese coffee is a bit strong for me, so I wouldn't drink it without condensed milk.
Highlands Coffee
Highlands Coffee
 The bar is well stocked with pastries, and some fresh fruits. They also have sandwiches. Unfortunately,  I doubt I'd be spending much on their food since they are a bit expensive.

Highlands Promo
I went on their soft opening so I was able to score some BOGO coupons and a loyalty card. You can only use one at a time. I'm hoping there's no expiration on each -there's no date stamped anywhere :)

Cafe Sua Da Done!
Cafe Sua Da Done
This is how the drink looks after mixing! Their freezes are also yummy, but fattening.

A purchase comes with one hour free wifi. This makes me kind of sad since it doesn't encourage people loitering in the shop, and free wifi is one of the reasons I go to coffee shops in the first place. It also has few outlets, so charge before you enter. It does have some tablets on some tables, which I haven't used: maybe these have free wifi?

What's best about this place is that it's open 24/7 - one of the few places open in ortigas on Sundays!

Also, there's a Chatime opening beside it. Yay!