As clarified in my previous blog post, my Food page comprises of my most favorable eats. Whether it is just a certain food or talking about a dining place, as long as it gives the happy tummy x happy memories collaboration, g! Yes, that is what I am going for in this section, not just a review per se. I might be eating these amazing food over and over, and visiting such restaurants and coffee shops lots and lots and lots of times, but! I do not usually repeat posting about what I had written already. If I featured it, then we good. All that matters is that I listed it as part of my favorites. Then, onto the next fave. However, due to some circumstances, I am making an exception for this one. Because this super Saturday, I had a memorable experience at this diner that Dada and I went to. It was that worth remembering! That is why I am posting about Kko Kko again. Yup, again! And actually, Kko Kko is one of the first ten posts here in my Food category. Uh-huh, that just shows that been loving it here for a while now 💖 The visit to Kko Kko, a Korean chicken and food place made available locally, was not exactly planned. The boyfriend and I were too hungry already that we were talking about where to eat once we arrived at the Taguig boundaries. I suggested Seattle's Best Coffee as we were redeeming our remaining points there. But then, he refused the idea. That was supposed to come after meals, he said. Then, this was for real huh, Dada suggested Kko Kko. He knows about this because we have been delivering takeouts from Kko Kko for months now. You know, whenever I am craving K-food, it is Kko Kko that is on my mind. And imagine how many times do I crave Korean food? Lol! Little do I, or we, know that the restaurant changed its concept to BTS, with some mix of Korean culture already! So the moment I opened the door? I was Jung shookt for seven seconds! Because I saw Kim Seokjin standing there. And when I moved my eyes, aAaHhhhh, my kings were all present! I was on leave for hours from the guys, but they would not let me. They are following me everywhere I go! And what was amusing, it was my man who led us here. Of course, ya Ela girl was genuinely happy because of this then! 💖 Following the COVID-19 protocols, as mandated by the slow responsive government of PH, Dada and I signed the contact tracing form first before heading to our table. I chose the one with the BTS view. Like duh? As it should! And as usual, the staff handed down the menu. Same old, Kko Kko still uses an iPad when browsing the food selection. Same same, as we ordered our constants -- yummy Beef Bibimbap to me, Spam Bibimbap to Dada, and Korean chicken for our side munches. Yet really though, big changes also happened. Like the television! Right, there is a TV already. And during our visit, it only played BTS music videos. There are displayed frames about the phenomenal artists' achievements as well. Also glass cabinets with official merch. And I already mentioned it before, the best additions, Bangtan’s standees! Super aliw because each table has this life-sized Korean icon image that joins when eating. Sksksk. While Kko Kko now fits as a BTS place, you can also meet Park Bo Gum, Goblin in the name of Gong Yoo, and Jennie here. Note that these stands do not just give off aliw factor to the customers, but these also serve as social distancing marks on which position to sit. Amazing, isn’t it! 💖 As I was taking my pictures before leaving the site, the manager came to me, and we small talked. My first visit here was with Dada where we tried their ever famous cheese fondue. Since then, been coming back here for that. Also, because of the hanging ball decorations as they are calming to look at. Of course, wanna eat at a fancy but inexpensive place, eh. While my last dine-in here in this Kko Kko branch was in December 2019 pa. I remember that me and my best friend Rov, together with her niece, availed the unlimited chicken promo. We did our catching up here because safe space. As said. So then, I told the Ma’am that there was a huge transformation here, so I was really amused coming back with this new concept. She said that it has been a while since they designed the place like this. I was not just able to come for two years, so I was clueless. Haha! But that is it. It just felt good that the manager made an effort to chat with me. Then, encouraged to snap all I want as we were just the people there anyway. Uh-huh, same old friendly staff. And accomodating to clients’ needs. Impressive! Some things have changed, but some did not. And I think, that is beautiful 💖 A BTS-concept store or not, the meals totally taste veeeeeeery good for both dine-in and takeout, so Ela Manila approved talaga Kko Kko! I told my fam and friends about this before, but I will say it again: Kko Kko’s Korean chicken is the top-tier for me. Why? Because the menu comes with affordable pricing without the suffering of taste. Aside from the popular fondue of the shop, Dada and I always order the Garlic Parmesan chicken. That is our go-to chix here. Fight me, but it is even better than *r*n*i*’* already! Not oily and seasoned so well. Deserving of five stars! As per this visit, I felt like trying something new, so we had Snow Cheese. No snow here in this tropical country, so Imma at least get these Snow Cheese this holidays season. I remember this all too well too because my bestie and I enjoyed all Kko Kko’s chicken flavors when we had the unli-chicken promo before. And it is true! Snow Cheese is a standout as well. It has the perfect combination of sweetness and saltiness. Only Kko Kko can pull a chicken like this. And mm mm, mm mm, these are just a few of the reasons why I could therefore conclude that Kko Kko has the best chicken in my world 💖 Love ko this Kko Kko experience! Like, as in! Love it, especially since it was an unexpected little adventure. Add the fact that it was Dada who chose to dine here. Genuinely happy to eat my fave comfort food while listening to my fave BTS songs and making chika with my most fave person of all! Tbh, Kko Kko has felt like home. So yes! Thanks to this visit, I got more reasons to stan this chicken place! Yup, me likey the new concept of the shop. But then again, I would reiterate that Kko Kko's food serves great, great, great justice with or without the global K-superstars’ appearances 💖 Kko Kko Various locations https://www.facebook.com/KkoKkoPH/
0 Comments
My Purple Queen Sissy created a private group chat a few months ago. And I must say, she did well on that because it serves as a safe space now. Why is that so? Because the members are all BTS fans! Yup, I have an ARMY GC! We are just six there, but it is like a Magic Shop where we send updates, memes, and all things Bangtan Sonyeondan. Been communicating in that Ami group ever since. However, we never met. Like all of us together in flesh. Until! The visit at Rkive Cafe 💖 The holiday season is already here! I super feel it already! Brr! I might be a proud INFJ-T, but I also long for get-togethers, especially since I do not have any party to attend this year. And so, I suggested a general assembly with my virtual friends. At first, I intended it as a joke. But then, they also agreed. So okay, g! And I am glad we did this. Maybe we were meant to meet too. DNA! 💖 Mae noona, as the glue of the group, was the in-charged person for this mini-party. Of course, we wanted to enjoy our first meeting, so it must be BTS-related. I tried to help my sis with booking venues. Uh-huh, BTS-themed places are also a thing now, so expect my Food and Feature posts about them soon! If I could even book? Because due to high demands and pandemic regulations, reserving slots is a punch to the moon. Some diners are even fully booked until February 2022, imagine that! But woah! How amazing is the Universe? It was fighting with us as Rkive Cafe responded! And mm, mm, mm, mm! That was where we finally met each other 💖 Following the COVID-19 protocols, Rkive Cafe encourages its customers to book reservations. While the store allows walk-in. But! Only for times when the joy reservers did not arrive the place. Visualize what would happen if you walked in and there are only two available seats inside, but there are four of you? Even if you wait for the next batch, what if the booked clients came by already? What a waste, right! So the nice stuff in reserving your slots, you are sure of eating in, plus, you can choose between indoor and al fresco dining. If going as a group, take note that a maximum of six persons are only allowed inside the coffee shop. If more than six, expect the outside view. So see? Booking slots are truly less hassle for both parties. In my opinion, messaging beforehand is much preferable than risking to go there spontaneously in order to enjoy the real Rkive Cafe experience 💖 My Ami girls were supposed to go here during my Seokjinnie’s birthday. However, the fourth was jampacked already. Of course. That was expected. Duh. So instead, we rescheduled. The Facebook admin suggested the 10th of December, some days after Jin’s natal day. Of course, push! The finalized detail was then indoor dining for six people from 6 PM to 8 PM. Yup, dinner time! So we could feel that it is a Christmas party. Plus, due to work shifts. As for the reason how I had al fresco snaps when we were reserved at night? Because we arrived early at Rkive. That is the truth untold. Ate took a leave for this BTS cafe adventure. And it did not show much. Because by 3:45 PM, the sis and I already left home. We took a taxi because we anticipated how much traffic it would be if we go at a later time. Uh-huh, made the right choice! Less stress, lower taxi fare, plus, even captured some al fresco pics while waiting as no one was staying there yet anyway 💖 Me, Dada, and my ARMY sisters were accommodated around 6:30 PM since the previous customers were still finishing their food. That was actually favorable because the owners allowed us to stay until the closing hours! Correct! Were there until nine! And wished we still had more time because being there was just very fun. Yay for the group hit three birds in one stone here at Rkive as we met in person at last, food was great, and the BTS-themed cafe realness, of course. As what Rkive Cafe said in their Facebook Cover Photo, I agree that this is a place to escape life even in just a short period of time 💖 To be honest, I already knew what I would order the moment I stepped into the cafe. Been browsing the shop’s pages for days already, eh. Haha. Happy that the menu has affordable prices. Even younger ARMY can afford to eat here because of its friendly fees. Rkive caters to take-out and deliveries as well. Right, those are also possible if you cannot dine in. But! What I did not expect? That their food would taste so, so good! Kudos to the super hardworking cooks! Ela Manila approved the Beef Broccoli, Potato Pizza Waffle, and Pepperoni Pizza Waffle! Super filling the healthy pasta. Dada and I even shared a plate, so it could serve up to two. And the waffles? Heaven-sent! It was my first time trying such snacks and I liked it 💖 Rkive Cafe’s menu is categorized into coffee, tea, shake, non-caffeine, soda, milk, tub cakes, pasta, snacks, pastries, and chicken and fries. The shop offers a lot, but since it is a cafe, I had my expectations for the coffee choices. And because of that, I made sure to try out the bestsellers which are Caramel Macchiato and Hazelnut Latte. As a coffee lover, I love them! Both Caramel Macchiato and Hazelnut Latte were brewtiful at both the looks and tastes. I wanna suggest which one is better than the other, but I cannot make up my mind. Both coffees really deserve to be called bestsellers. I am a living proof to that 💖 As for the interiors… 10/10! At the alfresco, visitors would see such little living creatures in the form of plants. And if you are an ARMY, you must know why. Because Kim Namjoon is a plantito. Lyrics of BTS’ Life Goes On and Namjoon’s title track everythingoes is also sticked on the window. As well as the forever rain icon character. The iconic Rkive sign for the warm welcome too! While inside, you would see a purple X BT21-decorated Christmas tree since it is the yuletide szn. Such a classic that tree though! Also, those hanging polaroids and BE posters were displayed. If you would pay attention to the coffee shop’s details, you would notice the flowers used in Epiphany and Awake is also there. Then the bottles have song verses too. The reprinted Seven Phases paintings by James Jean, pop Kaws figures, and other trinkets are also slash all so BTS-related! Rkive Cafe is just a small space, but for realz, it also serves as an instant BTS museum 💖 Aside from being museum-like, Rkive Cafe is even a mini library because the shop provides magazines to browse and books to read for free! Could not believe that I saw the pages of the BTS 2021 Winter Package. Even their D’Icon Vol. 10: BTS Special Edition! Ay day, I die?!?!!!!! The book titled I Decided to Live as Me that was recommended by Jungkook is found on the shelf as well. Even The Midnight Library which Jin mentioned in In The Soop 2! Rkive Cafe said that visitors can put a marking sticker on the books, so in case they would go there again, they know what page they left. Wow, isn’t it! And the best part of the cafe for me? The life-sized standees! Delulu mode activated! Xhnz! Note too that Budol Sonyeondan is real here at Rkive! Because yesss, you can also buy onhand official merchandise like Butter albums and Rolling Stone magazines here! Easy consol. Just so super! Wah! There are many things to do at Rkive Cafe that two to three hours could be bitin. But then! This just shows that you’re gonna be happy in this archive place 💖 At first, I thought Rkive Cafe was just all about RM. For we all know that this so-called Rkive is Joonie’s personal recording studio. And recently, a few days before we visited this cafe, he even made an Instagram page with this moniker and a description of: just an archive. It shows. That the owner might be Joon biased. But I am also sure that this ami does not leave anyone behind because BTS is 7. As it should. Made me soft that OT7 is still emphasized here at Rkive despite the Namjooning vibes of the cafe design. And I super duper mega, la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la, I love it! 💖 Thanks to this coffee shop, I got noteworthy memories for my little BTS cafe adventure. Not bad for a first visit too. Might be unspacious the Rkive Cafe, gotta admit that, but I would rather call it as intimate. Particularly if you are with friends and fellow fans. Super aliw with the fact that you would never get bored here as there are many things to do. Very ARMY because palaban to be productive always. At the same time, BTS In The Soop resting vibes 💖 Rkive Cafe is really an archive, a place that keeps unforgettable life moments and a store that provides comfort for people. And that is why I love it here! Wanna collect more one-for-the-books memories, so we shall come back. For sure. Oh geez, I am so excited already?!?!!! And so, let’s go!!!!!!! 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜 Rkive Cafe 1719 Gen. Lim Street, Bangkal, Makati City https://www.facebook.com/rkivecafe/ The fourth of December is now an important day for me. Why? Because it is my ultimate best boy's date of birth! Worldwide Handsome Kim Seokjin just turned twenty-nine in the international age. Though via the Korean age system, he is already thirty. So before anything else... Happy birthday to my Seokjinnie! Saengil chukahamnida, nae sarang! And in my local language, maligayang kaarawan sa’yo! 💖 I really planned on getting a birthday cake for Seokjin's saengil as this would be my first time celebrating his natal day. But to be honest, I was overwhelmed. I was looking for the best bakeshops since October and there are too many great designs to choose from! As a Libra, you already know, hard to decide. At first, I thought of ordering an RJ-themed cake. However, RJ is his slash our son, so pass. Maybe for next time. I wanted a minimalist cake for him because that has been a trend from South Korea. But then I pondered that Seokjin might project to be bae-sic, however, he is such an extra person once you got to know him better. So, nope, can’t do! Hand-painted ones would be effortlessly nice too. It's just that? Pricey much. Ya girl cannot afford them right now. Sa true lang. The good thing sent by the Heavens -- Deserved.PH was endorsed while I was browsing the Instagram stories. The shop caters to different types of cakes from the simplest to the most detailed ones. What got my attention though was their so-called Jin Birthday Cake Promo, so I checked it. And in my opinion, when I saw their post, I already knew the perfect cake for my Seokjinnie! It was a blessing in disguise since it was just a week left and we all know how expensive rush orders are but I skipped that. After browsing the store’s legitimacy, I then messaged them without further ado. And voila! I celebrated December 4th with the prettiest Jin-printed cake! Wooooh! 💖 Deserved.PH’s Jin Birthday Cake Promo referred to templated print cakes. Similar to what they did to BTS Park Jimin, the shop made a poll on which photos should be used. The results for Seokjin put up nine choices, so Seokjinnies and ARMY alike could choose among White, Black, Butter, Candid, Pouting, Cute, Casual, Performance, and RJ. IMO, one of the pros of this promo is that the buyers already know the exact output of the cake they ordered. Plus, it is at a discounted price as it was not customized by the client. The biggest con, on the other hand, you cannot change the picture, dedication, or design of the cake. What you see is what you get. Literally! If you want to do some fixes, g, but you would add a fee. For me, their Jin White version was the top-tier. It was not easy to select the greatest as any of the nine cakes would do. TBH. However? I wanted a personalized greeting, so I decided to just create my own. Uh-huh! I asked the Deserved.PH team to follow the background in the White cake. And then, I chose my own picture of Jinnie-ah. Of course, it was a difficult task because I have maaaaaaany favorites! To narrow down my options, I checked Weverse and picked one from the snaps that Seokjin uploaded. And the main reason why I was customizing my cake, ofc, I freely changed the written dedication from the White ver to my liking. Though it costed more bucks, I was totally satisfied with what I received! Worth it, eh! Love that my cake had KSJ’s beautiful face on it, the mix of Korean and English characters, and purple flowers! Moreover, Deserved.PH even created a Spotify playlist that is dedicated to Jin's birthday! Amazing, right? Everything was just very Seokjinnie, so I was impressed by this keiku! Super, bro! Super 💖 The order process with Deserved.PH is as easy as 1-2-3. Interested buyers just need to message them on any of their official accounts and tell them your thoughts. When both parties meet halfway already, send payment after. Then, just wait for your order to arrive on your scheduled date. As for me, I was a week early when I booked. I made sure to provide a leeway of one day for the cake because knowing the self, I might get stressed out happily with all the things that would happen on Kim Seokjin Day. So on Jinnie’s birthday eve, the store messaged me with the image of the cake. When it was ready for pick up, Dada and I booked a rider. Let them know to take care of the cake box since we aim for its best condition. And that was it! My friendly advice when buying edible-printed cakes though: ensure that it would be refrigerated as soon as possible because bubbles might appear on the print when it is exposed to heat. Because based on my experience, such cakes have possibilities to thaw. However, it was not Deserved.PH’s fault. It was mine. Was too busy partying during the Permission to Dance LA Onstage - Day 4. I just had it delivered, then placed it on the table. It took an hour or so before I placed it in the fridge. But I have no hateful words! The funfetti cake of Deserved.PH was delectable! It was my first time eating this kind of cake and it cheered me up. The frosting was rich. Like, it was addicting because you would crave for more. Yeah, it was that kind of pleasurable. And the print? It was also edible! Yum yum, yuz, I devoured him. Chz not chz! Sksksk. But really though! I had fun eating the bento cake from Deserved.PH that I know I must order the large size next time. Haha. Now I know! And I know better! Bc I would order again real soon for sure! 💖 So in conclusion, yes, Deserved.PH deserves to be here on my Food section albeit the thawing incident. Remember, all these mentioned shops, restaurants, and eats in this section are all Ela Manila approved. I only feature my favorite ones. And not that halata that Deserved.PH is a newly found cakery I adore! Aside from the fact that they are just near home, the cakes they bake are undoubtedly amazing. More so with the design-making! Spectacular! As in! I believe that their team has great cake artists. And that should be acknowledged. Deserved.PH did not disappoint me. Taps the self for choosing them. Ya did well on this, in fairness. Genuinely happy with t/his birthday cake. So thank you, Deserved.PH for this beautiful sweet creation that made Kim Seokjin Day much, much, much more special! To more dreamy cakes to blow, lezzgoooo! 💙💚♡💜💖 Deserved.PH 3091 Col. Santos, South Cembo, Makati City https://www.facebook.com/deserved.ph |
THE BLOG-GIRLE L A M A N I L A Ela Mones, a Filipina girl,
is a passionate lifestyle blogger who loves to express her unforgettable life experiences and best moments through words, photos, and videos 💖
|