Ortigas, more than a bustling business center Northern part of the Metro, hides the only night market I have heard in town.  Like Cinderella, Ortigas has a witching hour.  The stretch of Emerald Avenue transforms to a totally different environment around midnight.  Many BPO agents and employees who work in the area frequent the one stop shop for a smorgasbord of food.  There’s definitely something to look forward to at the crack of Saturday morning.  That is, Banchetto.

It was a Friday night and Banchetto, which translates to feast in Italian, was our destination right after the Playboy party at Source Bar.  We arrived in the area, 20 minutes before midnight or even before we wanted to go (that’s for another story about Source Bar).  The tents were all set up at this time, but nobody is selling yet.  At the strike of 12 as if on cue, the vendors started moving towards their designated stall.  It’s quite interesting to see the actual transformation.  Within a matter of minutes, the much talked about night market is unveiled right before our eyes.  Soon after, people started flocking the stalls and before we knew it, huge groups were swarming around.  The once calm evening air is suddenly filled with a bit of chatter and excited clatter.

Banchetto delightful feast used to stretch farther, the night market reaches as far as the Wynsum Building.  I cannot imagine it being any bigger since it’s already quite a stretch of food as it is, from the PLDT building to the Ortigas Park.  It opens at midnight until 6-8 in the morning.

What I like about Banchetto is, it feels Filipino to me.  The prices are mid-range compared to its counterpart of weekend markets in Makati.  There is no uppity ambience and you can get a full belly under a P100.

09 0320 Events This Weekend Album

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