This Way to Wherever

Last week, on a sizzling Saturday, we went to Parkmall, Mandaue.

We were looking for a place to eat whilst evading the harsh tentacles of the Summer sun. We stuck to the shops because of the shade. I saw a bike shop so I walked in that direction.

I suggested we go to the other side of the park ‘cause I saw the big signs of the shops there but we kept walking anyway. That’s when we saw Shawarma Gourmet.

The interior was modern industrial feel but it was homey and there was Levantine music playing so that was cool.

When we went in, we ordered the Beef Shawarma Rice ‘cause we were craving for rice. We were expecting to taste that usual rice drenched with garlic sauce, a lot of onions, and beef tidbits.

Instead, it tasted different. It was a bit tangy, there were other flavors from spices. The sauce went great with everything (even with the fries).

When we finished eating, I got curious about the Baba Ganoush. It looked exactly like Hummus. So I asked Mike, the owner, about the difference between the two.

Hummus is made from chic peas while Baba Ganoush is made from eggplant.

Chick Pea

Sensing our intense interest on the topic, Mike decided to give us free samples of Baba Ganoush and Hummus.

Left to right: Hummus, Baba Ganoush and biscuits (or something)

The Hummus tasted like that familiar sharp, spicy, mushy taste we all know and love. Baba Ganoush, on the other hand, tasted like...well. round, full, spicy, mushy eggplant. :U

The Ganoush and nothing but the Ganoush... and some croutons

Mike must have sensed our intense love for eating because he gave us fries on the house along with spicy sauce and garlic sauce.

Fries and sauce

So I went with Jesse and June the other day to check out Isla Ora. It’s a place that serves Pizza, Craft Beer, and Draft beer.

The pizza is surprisingly delicious and somewhat accurate. I got one that had Bantayan Island in its name and I got a seafoody, crabby, seawatery pizza. Mmm bb

They serve craft and Draft beer too. When we went there, they served 2 brands. Cebruery and Turning Wheels. I’m not familiar with Turning Wheels but they’re poster is basically a bike with a large front wheel.

The first one we tasted was the Training Wheels Golden Ale from Turning Wheels . It had a really light flavor, almost like super dry, it quickly faded away. 🚲

The second one was the Chocolate Hills Porter from Cebruery. Lovely, chocolatey, and dark. The best one of the 3, all of us approved. 👍👌👊

Last one was the Las Islas from Cebruery. Veeeery fruiiiity, and happy. It tasted light but it was almost 7% ABV. Bye, cheeks. 🌺🌸

After that, we just checked out the other pizza place nearby. Albur’s looked like a good place. But it didn’t serve craft beer. Ew, next.

So I got lost two times this week. Mostly, because I rode a jeepney with the same route code but went in the different direction. lol

The first time was when I wanted to go back to my boarding house in Guadalupe from the Pioneer building. I asked Jesse how and he told me to walk to the highway, cross the street and ride 17B. I missed the part where said “cross the street”. 😓

So I rode the first 17B jeepney that passed by and hoped for the best. I looked at the places I passed by and noticed I was going farther from the Capitol, where I was going to ride 06H and closer to IT Park. Idk why I didn’t go down, maybe it was because I hoped it would go back. But when I reached Apas, I asked the driver when he was passing by Mango but he told me it was the end of his last trip! 😖