“We’ll have dinner tonight.  Are you wearing jeans?”  When Bubba sends an SMS like that, it only means that we’re eating casual.  And it’s best to be on my jeans or else I might be uncomfortable.  When he started veering near Cubao Expo, I already surmised where he was taking me.  Mogwai.

I first heard of Mogwai from my friend, Mon, who is the drummer of the band, Marty Mcfly.  He invited me to watch their gig at Mogwai last year.  Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to go.  It’s been a running joke between him and I as to the number of times we invite each other and the number of times we actually go.  I still say I have the higher probability of going to his invite than him to mine.  But much love to him and May because they went all the way to Jumbo restaurant to see us off during the Nokia night race, even if the initial plan was to send us off at the Makati Shangri-la (wait a sec, was that because of me or Andi Manzano?  I haven’t quite cleared that out yet, so I’m only thankful to May.  Haha.)

It was already quite full when we arrived so we had no choice but to have our dinner at the bar, which was perfectly fine because I met Elison.  Elison is one of the green-clad Mogwai-ters who is efficiently tending the bar.  He served me my Mojito and asked us how our food was. 

 On the Table: 

Squash soup PHP 80

Clam chowder used to be my favorite, then French onion soup, but now squash soup tops the list of soup picks.  For PHP 80, this has got to be the best soup to have.  For the price, it didn’t taste like just an ordinary powdered soup brought to life.  It tasted fresh with the right tang and sweetness. 

Sole Fillet Pasta PHP 180

I wanted to order this but Bubba beat me to it so I let him have it.  Being the sweetheart that he is, he exchanged our orders so I eventually ended up eating the pasta but we shared the fish.

Skinless Longganisa Rice PHP 110

This is not the typical longganisa that looks like a small sausage.  It was morsels of longganisa meat toasted to a crunch. 

Dark Chocolate Molten Lava PHP 90

Bubba really fell in love with this dessert!  I don’t know if it was his first time to try a molten lava dessert but he extremely liked it.  I also did.  The interplay of the hot chocolate sponge and the cold cream on top of excite the senses.  It was dense and buttery on the outside with a luscious liquid surprise inside and the white cream on top brings it all together in sweet harmony. 

Mojito PHP 90

Adverse to just one sprig of mint, Mogwai’s Mojito had generous amount of freshly chopped mint, which added crunch to the drink.

I enjoyed chatting with Elison, who apparently was given that name because he is Eli’s (the name of his dad) son.  How convenient.

As Elison tells me more about the bar, my eyes wandered around the restaurant cum theater bar.  Only the first floor serves as the dining area.  A huge expensive silver refrigerator inside the bar, yellow circular lamps hang from the ceiling, unique tables and chairs (where one actually looks like a chair fit for a king), and a lonesome Coca-cola painting make up for the interior décor.  It’s open-air with industrial fans serving ventilation.  It can be quite hot even during dinner especially whn they are packed.  Mogwai fits suitably at home with all the other art galleries and stores in this booming art capital of Manila –knack of art on garments, food, photography and furniture.  Independent and uniquely diverse, Cubao Expo had come far from just being the location of Bellini’s and Marikina shoes.

A small theater occupies the whole second floor of Mogwai.  Film screenings are offered to which membership is required.  Schedule of screening is available online or else it is displayed in the huge blackboard placed on one of the walls.  Erik Mati owns the place, which makes sense.  This is the brainchild of all that he is great at –film, art and cooking.  Yes oh yes, he is the master behind the recipes of Mogwai’s dishes.

Elison said KC Concepcion used to frequent Mogwai, along with other celebrities or directors.  This is also a favorite UP hang out.  25 bands performed in their recently concluded event that San Mig sponsored 2 weekends ago.  Mogwaiters are very attentive (which I didn’t expect from a casual restaurant), friendly and alert.  Being first timers, we requested to see the theater and they accommodated.  I particularly liked our bartender/host of the evening.  Elison knows his business –quick, smart and sensitive (not imposing, knows just when to retreat when need to).  To be in the company of genius arts, smart food (economical price but flavorful and grub worthy), people who appreciate both, Mogwai is the place to be.

Prices are vat inclusive and there is no service charge.  There is a fish bowl at the bar that serves as tip box.  Bubba couldn’t wait to go back, especially for the Dark Chocolate Molten Lava.  Maybe we’d start with dessert on our next visit.

Mogwai is located at Cubao X or Expo (previously the Marikina Shoe Expo compound) right across Rustan’s Fresh Supermarket in Cubao.  Mogwai operation hours is from 5pm-2am, but sometimes extends until 4am during weekends.  For reservations, contact 9866954.

Album: http://cushee.multiply.com/photos/album/413/08_0418-_Mogwai