FoodtripQC

I’ve been in Maginhawa street before when I visited The Nook and since then I really wanted to go back and try some other cafe’s in the area but I just didn’t have the time (I guess) and it’s far from my place (I live in Makati and QC is already far for me). That’s why when I got the chance to go to QC last Friday (to visit my partner’s grandma) I took that opportunity to go to Maginhawa since it’s only one ride away from my partner’s grandma’s house.

We went there around 3:00 PM and we didn’t have any idea on where to go or what cafe to visit since it was more of a biglaang lakad thing. So we just decided to go there and walk along the street and choose a cafe that will  caught our attention first.

While walking along the street, Antiteasis Books and Brews caught our attention because of it’s cozy ambiance and there was nobody inside, haha. We decided to check it and we liked the place so we stayed. The area was small with 5 tables  inside and 3 tables outside and it was like a mini library because there were a lot of books. At first we thought that it’s close because we were not greeted by someone and there really was nobody inside. After almost a minute of saying “hello” a girl came out of the door and asked us our orders (quite weird).

The choices from their menu board was quite limited and we just wanted to drink something refreshing so we ordered Strawberry Yakult Smoothie and Banana Cinnamon Smoothie. The smoothies tastes good, worth of it’s price and it looks cute as it was served in a mason jar.

We stayed there for quite a while and read some books. Board games are also available. We played monopoly and t’was fun. A socket is also available for charging.

Though the only thing that I kinda don’t like about the place was the girl who took and served our orders. I think she could have been more accommodating but it was not really a big deal. I guess I was just expecting much courtesy like what we’ve experienced when we visited The Nook.

Overall, we liked the place. It was small but cozy and if one is looking for a place to just relax, read or study Antiteasis Books and Brews is one of those.

Antiteasis Books and Brews 
Address: Unit C, 154 Maginhawa Street, Sikatuna Village, 1100 Quezon City, Philippines

Ever heard of a Harry Potter-Themed Cafe? Cool right! When i first

saw it on my facebook wall i got very excited and immediately

marked a date on my calendar for a magical (yeah i know I’m a bit exaggerated

) trip to this cafe in the north called The Nook Cafe. I’m such a

Harry Potter fan and i can’t forgive myself if i miss this place.

Chalkboard Menu Standee

Located in Maginhawa Street Sikatuna Village, Quezon City, the

Nook Cafe is only one of the numerous food places along the said

street. They are open from Tuesdays to Saturdays 1:00 PM to 10:00 PM and Sundays from 1:00 PM to 7:00PM

Our original plan was to go there early (before they open) but we got stuck in the traffic jam in EDSA (we came from Makati) so we arrived at

around 1:30 PM and the place was already full so we waited for like

more than an hour. Despite of the long wait we were still

quite lucky because a lot of muggles arrived after us and a heavy rain came. But to my surprise, even if it was raining there were still a lot of people patiently waiting outside. For real!

The Leaky Cauldron

old-box

The place looks like a typical cafe outside and has a small area. But once you go inside that’s where the magic happens. It’s like passing through platform 9 3/4 in the Harry Potter Series, only this one is a Philippine version ^_^. It can only accommodate limited number

of customers but the Harry Potter ambiance makes it comfortable

and cozy. The ground floor has 5 tables including the ones outside

and 3 small tables on the second floor that can accommodate

roughly around 7-10 people. There were no chairs on the second floor

so you have to sit like of a Korean and you have to

take your shoes off. The place is full of harry potter stuff, like, owl, portraits, medals, books and many other. There’s a broom stick hanging from the second floor and a hammock which also hangs from the second floor (yes, kind of scary at first but t’was comfortable).


They have plenty of choices from their menu and ButterBeer is the most famous one which is also famous in the Harry Potter

series. We ordered Iced Caramel Macchiato (110), Hot Cafe Latte

(95), Pesto (140), Bacon Wrapped chicken (140) and Red Velvet Cake (i forgot the price). The food were heavenly delicious (for us) but we fell in love with Bacon Wrapped Chicken. We wanted to try everything that was listed in their menu but our tummy can’t accommodate anymore additions. Well at least we still have reason to go back some other time.

Bacon Wrapped Chicken

Hot Cafe Latte

Another interesting and fun thing about this cafe is that you can play different board or card games while enjoying your food. It’s a perfect total barkada, family, lovers bonding! Not only that, if you get tired playing you can also wear  a Gryffindor cloak, round-shape eye glasses, hold a wand, strike a pose like you’re casting a spell and take some selfies! You can look-like and feel-like a real Gryffindor nerd in Hogwarts! Haha. Slytherin, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff cloaks are also available. Different books are also available to read for the book lovers. All off these stuff can be borrowed at the counter.

Me wearing a Gryffindor cloak and holding Dumbledore’s wand and Ivan wearing a Slytherin cloak and just a regular wand. lol

Wingardium Leviosa!

One last thing that got me so impressed about this place is the hospitality of the owner. We were not able to get her name but she was so accommodating. She visits us from time to time asking if we’re okay or enjoying our food and she even teaches us how to play some card games. She didn’t rush us even if a lot of people are waiting outside and even told us to take our time and enjoy. Very impressive!


The Nook Cafe is really one of a kind cafe experience. Highly recommended. At least for a day a muggle like me experienced the life of a Wizard! Might be exage for you but what can i do, I’m such a Potterhead! ^_^




HOW TO GET THERE:

1. The easiest way is to take a cab (which we did)
2. If you’re from the South, take a bus going to SM Fairview. Go down in Kamias then ride a jeepney bound to Project 2&3 and tell the driver to drop you off at Sikatuna Village. From there, you can walk or take a pedicab or tricycle and tell the driver to drop you off at The Nook in Maginhawa Street.

The Nook Cafe
164-A Maginhawa Street, Sikatuna Village, Quezon City
Phone Number: +63 9159743660
Open during:
Tue-Sat: 1:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Sun: 1:00 pm – 7:00 pm