One Lovely Afternoon at Rustic Mornings by Isabelo

My to-do list last Sunday consisted of the following things:

1. Unwind after a long and dragging work week

2. Reward myself with a scrumptious meal

3. Go on a romantic date with my boyfriend (and if possible, try something new with him)

4. Learn how to take photos with a DSLR camera

With all of these missions in mind, I knew that Rustic Mornings was the best place to go to.

The name alone is already a giveaway: it’s a restaurant with a rustic ambiance specializing in breakfast food. True enough, everything about the restaurant was bucolic, from the color scheme of the interiors down to the embellished fabric they used to cover the water jug. After going through a stressful week, this pleasant setting was just what I needed.

When we entered, I saw a lot of trees and shrubs, and I thought “Am I in the right place?” When you see the greens, you know you’ve found your destination. Besides, there are two huge tarpaulins with the restaurant’s name outside the area so you’ll find it, for sure.

It’s also been a while since my boyfriend and I visited a new place together, so a romantic date in a place we have never been to before was on my agenda. For us, “romantic” did not have to be a candle-lit 5-course meal in a ritzy restaurant. Hence, I picked Rustic Mornings because it was romantic without being too extravagant. Dining al fresco, surrounded by greenery and idyllic gazebos while listening to soothing jazz standards and the singing of the birds, I think those were enough to give us those warm lovey dovey feelings.

This venue is sometimes booked by couples as a set for their pre-nup pictorials. Some even hold their weddings here, just like this couple. For those like me who want a simple and unconventional wedding, Rustic Mornings is a good choice.

Our orders took a while to arrive but it was understandable since there were a lot of people when we came in.

I absolutely love the waffles! In fact, I wish I ordered a bigger plate of waffles instead. The chicken strips and salad were good, too, but the waffles… oh, I could eat ten of these! (*smacks lips*)

Country omelette (with bacon, potatoes, cheese, and leeks) served with 2 slices of crunchy ciabatta bread, herbed butter and fruit jam (PHP 240)

The omelette was actually pretty big and quite filling. But Mike said it would have been better if it came with more pieces of bread. Or maybe he just has a really big appetite?

Unfortunately for Mike, while he was feasting on his omelette, the mosquitoes were also feasting on his legs. Best to bring a mosquito repellent when coming here. I wasn’t bothered by the mosquitoes… much. I think I only got bitten once. I guess I’m not as tasty as Mike…

After eating, we took the opportunity to continue our “Digital Photography for Dummies” session. I wanted to learn the basics of taking photos with a DSLR camera, and Rustic Mornings was ideal both as a setting and as a subject. There was just so much to take photos of — little details like the shells on the ground and walls ornamented with a mishmash of disparate decors like shellfish and plates. In fact, while we were there, a group of people came in and started taking photos. I’m not sure if they actually ordered or if they just came in to take photos. Anyway, most of the photos in this post are my “test shots.” Not bad for my first time, right? 😉

 

The ornaments on this wall are totally, well, off the wall! (In a cool way.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cozy little lovers’ nook. Or at least, it looks to me as if it’s meant for lovers because the capiz curtains and the sheer white linen drapes make it look so dreamy. This is right smack at the center of the restaurant, but at least the drapes give it a little privacy.

According to Anton Diaz of Our Awesome Planet, “some of the items were destroyed during [the typhoon] Ondoy — the flood actually reached the ceiling. What you see are the remaining items, cleaned and refurbished. True to its name, Isabelo, which means ‘My God is Bountiful,’ this garden restaurant was able to rebound and rebuild after Ondoy. A beautiful recovery story.”

It’s not as offbeat as it is outside but it still has that delicate, homey country feel to it. It kind of reminded me of Mom and Tina’s.

Just before we left the restaurant, a giant rock taught me a little life lesson, making sure that I didn’t leave the place empty-handed:

So I got everything in my checklist accomplished, but even without those tasks, I would love to come back to this place. As much as the place itself is charming, I heard that the food here are really delicious. Since I only got to sample two dishes, I need to return to try the rest of their yummy breakfast food! Next time, that will be on top of my to-do list!

Address: #11 Isabelo Mendoza St. San Roque, Marikina City

Phone Numbers: (02) 510-6914, (02) 6812461, (0917) 700-5810

Website: http://www.rusticmorningsbyisabelo.com/

Driving Directions: http://www.rusticmorningsbyisabelo.com/where-to-find-us.html

1. Ride the MRT Line 3 and get off at Cubao station

2. Ride the LRT Line 2 and get off at Katipunan station

3. Ride a jeep to Calumpang

4. Get off at Isabelo St. (by the Marikina Shoe Museum and near Otto)

5. You will see a narrow street on the right. Go straight and you will find Rustic Mornings

P.S.: The day did not end here. After Rustic Mornings, we walked to and explored the Marikina Shoe Museum. Read the post here.