Bubba Lab: Scientifically Delicious

I knew of Bubba Lab when I learned that one of my readers, Eileen, was performing here. I attempted to go during one of her gigs but failed because of my responsibilities at work. Anyway, last November, I had the chance to go here and even brought one of my favorite books, Beginner’s Guide: Love and Other Chemical Reactions by Six de los Reyes (chemistry and romance).

How to Go to Bubba Lab

We went via Grab, as there are no jeepneys going to C&P Circle Mall. However, according to sakay.ph, you can ride a Montalban jeep, just cross the overpass near Tropical and Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall. Get off at Aquilina St. and E. Santos intersection (nearest landmark would be Kanto Freestyle), and then ride another jeepney with a Cubao-Silangan label going to Gen. Ordonez avenue (drop off at Jollibee). There are tricycles going Liwasang Kalayaan (just tell them you need to be as nearest as possible to C&P Circle Mall).

Place and Ambience

If you’re into chemistry, coffee, and tea, I’m sure you’ll love Bubba Lab. They have science-related furniture⁠—from hexagonal shelves inspired by chemical structure diagrams to periodic table–inspired menus. In case you’re looking for a venue with sockets in Marikina so you can finish your research project, Bubba Lab also got you covered.

What to Eat in Bubba Lab

I found it amazing that their tri-potato medley (Php 210) is served in iron stands, which are actually used to hold laboratory apparatuses. On the other hand, their Bubbatella milk tea (Php 100 for medium) came with a paper cup designed with measurements. I hope, however, that they’ll consider using glass containers for all their drinks and bamboo straws instead. (I’m not sure which beverages are placed in beakers though.) Check their menu here.

Favorite Picture

Bubba Lab
10:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m.
C&P Circle Mall, Liwasang Kalayaan Avenue, Marikina Heights, Marikina City
https://bubbalab.com/
https://www.facebook.com/BubbaLabCafe/

Love Cakes? Visit Bunny Baker

I had been looking for this place ever since I became fond of blogging about cafes. But even when I was still working in Makati, my attempts failed. I would take a quick tour from Glorietta to Rustan’s but to no avail. It was when I had the whole afternoon to figure out where Bunny Baker might be when I learned that it’s in one of the corners of the department store, near the toy section. Talk about an elusive bunny!

Directions

Ride a PUV going to Ayala and tell the driver to drop you at Rustan’s. Look for Rustan’s Department Store and take the escalator up to the third floor. Bunny Baker is at the corner of the toy section.

Place

Filled with pastel colors and decorative cartoon-themed cakes, the Bunny Baker sure fits the toy section that surrounded it. If you’ll zoom the pictures, you’ll see a sample of their designs—infinity gauntlet, Totoro, Pokemon, Star Wars, and a lot more—which are themes children are thrilled about. (I’m planning to have one made, actually.)

The back of the seats looked like bunny ears as well, and the banderitas gave an Easter feeling. It has no doors though, which made me think it was a part of the toy section. I even had to peek to make sure it really was a cafe.

Food

I ordered chicken mayo (whole wheat bread, chicken breast, cashew, celery, mayonnaise), which came with salted potato chips, for Php 220. I was even expecting the sandwich to be a little sour because of the mayonnaise, but it turned it to be okay. An 8/10.

Their hand-crafted single-scoop bunnylato worth Php 110 was not my taste though (6/10). Maybe because my last cup of coffee was two months ago, so it tasted bitter. What more for two scoops? (But that aside . . . little win for not drowning myself with caffeine, yehey!)

My favorite was the cookies and cream gelato (10/10), which came with two cute marshmallows that looked like bunny ears. The overall presentation was too cute that I was tempted to buy another one.

For more of their menu, check this link.

Favorite Picture

Bunny Baker
8:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m.
3F Rustan’s Makati, Courtyard Drive 1226, Ayala Ave, Makati, Metro Manila
https://www.facebook.com/thebunnybaker/

Cafe Mermania: A Cafe for Your Mermaid Dreams

One of the cafes in my “to go to” list was Under the Sea Cafe in Maginhawa, but even before I could go there, it already closed. So when I found out about Cafe Mermania, a mermaid-themed cafe in Marikina, I had no second thoughts of going.

Place

Every object found inside the cafe does not stray from its under-the-sea theme: the murals, the decor, the seats, and even the food. However, the cafe does not only use the usual sea colors of sky blue and sea green but also splashes their corners with Barbie-like colors of violet and pink.

Young girls will surely love the knitted blankets that the cafe used as mermaid-tail costumes and the tilapia slippers that they could wear before going inside the “mermaid room.”

Food

Cafe Mermania serves well-prepared food, and I didn’t regret ordering every bit of it. Even their mermaid tail cupcake (Php 75) was worth the price. (I loved the candy tail so much!)

The baked lasagna (Php 165), one of their bestsellers, reminds me of my mom’s cooking (8/10). It was a bit dry inside, but I enjoyed it along with some bites from the buffalo wings (Php 255). The latter’s sweetness and little spiciness complemented well with the pasta, assuring its place as one of Cafe Mermania’s bestsellers (10/10).

I usually order chocolate frappes, but this time, I ordered their strawberry frappe as reviews highly recommend it. I don’t usually like berry frappes, but I liked this one, particularly the strawberry popping boba that came along with it (9/10).

For more of their menu, click here.

Favorite Picture

Cafe Mermania
12:00–8:00 p.m. Tuesdays to Sundays
5 General Ordoñez Avenue, Marikina
https://www.facebook.com/cafemermania/