That modified quote though...Hahaha.
Let me ask you, dears: How does your Saturday morning usually start? Perpetually tapping the "snooze" button? Sleeping in till midday? LOL! Can't help but agree to these! There are Saturdays when I did just those. Lazy bed potato, yeah.
But no, this was not one of those Saturdays. :) I had two morning schedules to go through. Therefore, I had to wake up early for a quick breakfast and get ready, real fast! It felt like a preview of how my mornings could be like on "fast-paced big city mode": light half-sandwich and a can of Mountain Dew, cross off one appointment, move on to the next venue, and cross off the next appointment.
#sighofrelief...After a productive morning, didn't I just deserve to have a lovely brunch. Agree, dears? Where? Please read on.
The Bowery.
I have been hearing about this place in the Bonifacio Global City (BGC). I came across a post from Our Awesome Planet's Anton which explained the concept of The Bowery: Chef Cuit Kaufman brought the American Bistro Pub concept to Manila, based on New York's Bowery Street. Thus, the "New York Comfort Food" and "higher-end" Borough concept targeted for more discerning tastes. Chef Kuit Kaufman is of Jewish and Mexican descent and New York influences. He is one of the brilliant minds behind restaurants under the Borough group, which include Borough and L.E.S. Bagels (this one, I have to try soon!).
Just a bit more trivia: There are five boroughs in New York: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island.
 |
| Why the "liqueur" list, you might ask? The Bowery's second floor transforms into a bar at night. But if you do want to have Bailey's or Chambord early in the morning....hmmm...you could try checking with the server :) |
 |
| I had my blue Urban Ears earphones on. They are my "work mode" earphones. I use them to take calls or drown out distracting noise (the office chatter, busy buzz and the deafening silence). |
Inside the Bowery: The place seemed dark from the outside --- the reason why it wasn't among my choices for an after-work hangout. When inside though, it actually felt cozy and comfortable. Interior lighting was just right for private conversations and doing some computer work. I even asked if it was okay to use my laptop considering that the tables seemed laid out only for dining as opposed to the ones in most coffee shops. The server gave me a warm smile and said that it was okay. There was even a power outlet near the table I chose.
 |
| I was by my lonesome until around past 11:00 am, when some of the customers started coming in. |
The Bowery is obviously a notch up your usual brekky stop. It is not your typical coffee shop hangout. However, I prefer the quiet, unassuming yet sophisticated ambiance. How those three adjectives came together in one sentence, I don't know. Compared to the nearby coffee shop (checked out the second floor of that one but found no "quiet corner"), I found The Bowery's vibe more relaxing. I think, only in the early hours of a Saturday though.
It felt like being in a patio, albeit roofed and enclosed in roof-to-ceiling glass. There was the kitchen-slash-bar on your right, mirrors to extend the space, and the brick-style walls. You get privacy as well as a street-level view of the passersby and cars outside, to relax you or give you inspiration when you need it. I was people-watching the crowd that gathered at The Mind Museum from across the street while I was there. There seemed to be a school field trip of sorts. ;)
 |
| Crossing my fingers that everything went well. Now I can chill. |
 |
| As an all-day breakfast person, I quickly browsed through the menu, didn't find what I was looking for, and immediately asked for Eggs Benedict. I think that Eggs Benedict may not be ordinarily part of the breakfast menu 'cause my server had to check with the kitchen staff. Thankfully, my order was accommodated. :D |
 |
| The closer I get to you: Aren't these just perfect? Well-toasted English muffins topped with ham and those poached eggs that give you very yellow-orange egg yolks when punctured, plus a very generous helping of hollandaise drizzled with herbs. Whoever invented Eggs Benedict, thank you for bringing much joy to breakfast-lovers like me. #emotionalspeech #lol |
 |
| The "after" photo: The potatoes were seasoned just right --- not too salty or too peppery, and the right kind of "bite-size". As you can deduce from the picture, I finished all of them. Indeed, who needs rice when you have these carbs instead? I loved how the eggs were done, most of all! Since the potatoes were filling enough, I finished only one of the Benedict pair and requested for the other one to be wrapped (maybe breakfast for dinner later?). |
 |
| Before leaving, I just had to take a picture of The Bowery entrance. It may be not so inviting at first, and even intimidated simpletons like me. But since I've been inside already, I know I will find a reason to go back. Yes, that was me reflected on the mirror, with all my work paraphernalia in tow, hahaha. |
If you happen to be in BGC in the wee hours of the morning or late at night, and cannot seem to find a "quiet corner", you may want to check out The Bowery at F151 Forbeswood Heights, Rizal Drive corner Burgos Circle, BGC, Taguig. The Bowery is open 24 hours a day and seven days a week.
In conclusion, I vowed to myself that I will try starting my weekends much earlier whenever I can, with or without appointments. Who knows, there could be more in store in those few early hours that were usually spent sleeping in? Like that "worm" that I've been waiting to catch or a very delicious slab of "cheese". :)
Have a great weekend, everyone!
P.S. I just want to commend The Bowery staff. I was perhaps in a daze, probably from the combination of a busy morning and the scrumptious brunch, that I actually left my credit card clipped on the check/bill. The staff, immediately after finding out, rushed to get it back to me when I was only a few steps away from The Bowery. Thank you! Honesty is still the best policy here :) Kudos to you! It completed my whole great customer experience with The Bowery.
No comments:
Post a Comment