Yexel's Toy Museum

The Simpson's Family

     We're back! We missed blogging! Been busy these past few weeks preparing for our next trip. :p We still have a backlog blog for our Hong Kong trip last August. Hopefully, we can do it in the coming days. :p

     And to kick off our return, we will be featuring Yexel's Toy Museum. We learned about this toy museum from Jamich's facebook account and since then, we wanted to go there. We thought we won't be able to go since there was a typhoon (Ofel) two days prior to our scheduled trip. But luckily, the rain stopped the day we went to the Museum.

     Since we will be going there via public transportation, we texted the Toy Museum and they replied promptly. Here's what we did. We met up at Starmall Alabang and from there rode the jeep to SM Southmall. We then took the tricycle to Pilar Village and stopped right in front of the museum.

Chipmunks!

     Yexel's Toy Museum opened last August 26. Visitors are welcome to come and see Mr. Yexel Sebastian's house/museum every weekend from 10am to 6pm. Yexel, a former member of Streetboys and a toy collector shares his amazing assortment of unique, cool and colorful toys to kids as well as to kids at heart like us. Hehe! :p

     We were greeted with the Simpson's Family once we entered the house-turned museum. The facade is still under construction -- can't wait to see how it's gonna look! We paid the 300 peso entrance fee and  asked the receptionist if we can leave our bags so that we can concentrate on taking pictures, to which she gladly agreed.

     Let's start the tour.. :)

Small to big!

     The first part of the museum is a display cabinet full of miniature figures of our well-loved characters from our childhood. Displays include Mario Bros., Doraemon, a lot of Disney characters like Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Beauty & the Beast, the Little Mermaid and a lot more! These brought so much fun memories from when we were younger! :)

Pan de Amerikana (Marikina)

Facade

     Ever since we've been to Pan de Amerikana's branch in White Plains, we have been wanting to go to this branch in Marikina since we love the ambiance, unique features and especially the food! Not only they were delicious, but they were also so affordable! It's hard to find such places these days right? :p

Wind mill

1950's pandesal!

     Pan de Amerikana started out as a bread house in the 1950's before venturing into the restaurant business. They now have 2 branches, with equally interesting themes: chess and upside down.

     The restaurant looks like an old house outside, complete with a chimney. But the inside is a nature lover's haven. Everything is environment friendly and all-natural (well almost). The place just gives off this cool and refreshing vibe! :)

THE AMBIANCE

 Entrance

     You'll immediately see what the restaurant has to offer once you see the place. Their nice staff will greet you and eagerly take your orders. On the counter are numerous photos of some famous persons as well as happy customers who enjoyed their time at Pan de Amerikana.

Bridge

Dining Area

     The dining area is very spacious and relaxing. Glass windows line the far wall with a number of plants and vines that make the space refreshing and cool. Simple brown topped tables with chess boards coupled with metal chairs complete the earthy dining space.

Tutto Domani

Lifestyle Bar

     After having our early breakfast at Toast Box, we decided to try another cafe that's fairly new. We heard that not only is the food great but the ambiance and service, too. What's not to like right? :)

All for Tomorrow

Cafe Window

     Tutto Domani, which literally means "All for Tomorrow" in Italian, is not your ordinary cafe but a lifestyle hub, owned by brothers Anthony and Jose Ma. Yupangco. It's located inside a furniture shop, Domani, at the New World Renaissance Hotel, just across Greenbelt 5. They're open Mondays to Saturdays from 10am to 8pm.

The Ambiance

Dining Area

     The small space is made interesting with the myriad of colorful toys, trinkets and a wonderful display of cakes and candies. The seating is a mix match of chairs, with glass topped tables of varying shapes and sizes. The smell is really good, too! It's of aromatic coffee and tasty delights! (more on the food later. :p