Maginhawa St. Gastronomic Walk #6: Blacksoup Cafe + Artspace

I'd heard about Blacksoup Cafe + Artspace on Maginhawa St. last year and became curious after seeing their menu and reading: Binanging Saging. It made me wonder if the owner of this cafe was from Quezon Province because there (where I come from), it's how we call grilled saba or cardava banana, which I looove! It took months, however, before I finally hauled off myself to Blacksoup. It was one Saturday last month, with one of my sisters in tow. But then, woe of woes, the Binanging Saging was unavailable, much to my disappointment! Oh well, I scanned the menu again, and ordered the Hot Balut, which aroused my curiosity as well, only to be told it was not available too! Grrr..haha! 
My sister and I settled for these:

Vigan Longganisa Pasta, P170. 

 Spicy Tuyo Pasta, P155.

Porkchop in Ciabatta, P140. 

Mango Turon with Ice Cream, P95.

Brewed kapeng barako, P55.

The Longganisa Pasta was my sister's and she liked it. The Spicy Tuyo Pasta was mine. I liked it, too, but would have loved it had it not been too salty. It was tuyo (dried fish), I know, but they could have toned down the saltiness by not adding salt to the pasta anymore. I liked the kick brought by the chili, though. It was the porkchop sandwich that I liked a lot more, with the meat's smoky flavor blending well with the mayo and soft ciabatta bun. I never knew porkchop could be enjoyed in a way apart from serving as viand to a cup of rice. And then, dessert and coffee - a nice combination of hot and cold. The mango turon was delish with two scoops of vanilla ice cream. A piping hot cup of barako coffee perfectly ended my meal. All in all, it was a nice lunch in a relaxed atmosphere.

Blacksoup's interior was both eclectic and rustic. The moment we entered, I don't know but I had the feeling of being in Mexico (though I'd never been there..hehe). One side where an old piano was placed was quite gloomy, though, 'coz it was a dark corner.

The counter

Old upright piano

Photos in sepia tone under a glass top make this table a point of interest

 

Outside Blacksoup Cafe + Artspace 

My sister and I were happily chatting the time away as we ate when the server approached us to politely tell us that we had to leave because they were closing down temporarily to open again around 5 p.m. It was then 3 p.m. Oh well, much as we wanted to make tambay for a few more moments, we had no choice but to go somewhere else (Trinoma. hehe). This and the absence of Binanging Saging and Hot Balut were the downside of visiting Blacksoup that Saturday. And yes, I asked the server whether the owner is from Quezon Province. Sadly, she wasn't in the know. I really think she ought to. Haha! Still, I hope to be back at Blacksoup and finally meet their Binanging Saging. Haha!
By the way, if you're planning on trying out Blacksoup Cafe + Artspace, you can find it inside a compound at 154 Maginhawa St. in Quezon City. Entrance is beside Galli Village Cafe. 
Happy eating!

Fur baby

My kids come in all sizes, shapes and well..texture! I have one covered with fur. Haha! He is Taco, a miniature pinscher, who is sooo cute and cuddly. However, I gave him to my niece who loves him so much, and she took Taco with her to the province. I missed him so! Sob..sob..Days ago, however, I was very happy to see my baby Taco after five months when my youngest child and I went to my hometown in Quezon for a mini-vacay in time for my late father's "40 days". It was so heartwarming that Taco still recognized me and was so happy to see me, too! He jumped into my lap at once and showered me with doggie kisses. Haha! 

We were inseparable during the 5 days I was there and even shared the bed with me and my son at night. I would give him a quick bath each night and then tuck him in bed. He would squeeze himself in between our pillows and there sleep soundly till morning.

Taco on top of the table in the veranda of my sister's home.

His place on our bed where he sleeps like a baby 

Taco waiting on me fixing my things

 My baby is so adorable. :)

  Now that I'm back here in Manila, I miss my fur baby again. I can't wait till 

                                                       my next visit to my hometown.

Love today and everyday!

It's Love Day! Though I stopped celebrating V Day since I became a Christian, I still consider February 14 the day of love, though of course, as Christians, we must give and show Christ's compassion  to other people every single day of the year. After all, this is what the Lord Jesus commands us to do in John 13:34: to love one another just as He loves us. It's so easy to love people who are kind to us. But what about those who hurt us, who do us injustice? We all find it hard not to hate, much more love those who speak and do bad things to us. But since Jesus commands us to love them, too, then it must be possible to do it! All we have to do is invite the Lord to come into our heart so that when He fills it with His own love, it will overflow and spill over to other people. 

God bless you today.   

(Thank you, BibleStudyTools and Jesus.org for this photo)