#FoodStarsAtUptownMall: Getting the VIP Treatment at the VIP Cinema, Uptown Mall, Taguig, Philippines

When going out for a movie date, there are 2 things to remember: (1) Choosing the right kind of movie is the key to a fun time; and (2) Being with someone special or at least with someone you like is also a must. For this particular Friday, I was going out with Hubby & we were watching Captain America's Civil War so I was already good on both points.

Remember our Uptown Place Cinema Review? Well, for this time around we were in for a special treat, a VIP one to be exact. 

Food-Stars Tip: Going a day before to buy the tickets is a good idea to avoid getting bumped off by a block screening. They also offer online reservations just visit this website. 

They were still kinda strict about letting people in the cinema, their 5 minute rule before showtime still stands. With our 20 minute idle time, we decided to walk around the mall...

..which alas took only about 10 minutes. A lot of shops were still under construction and with the restaurants in the open-air part of the mall, it was too hot to explore. 

With nothing else to do, we went to the food counter to start on our popcorn binge because when you get tickets for their VIP cinemas.....

..... you get UNLIMITED popcorn & sodas!!! ;p

#FoodStarsAtUptownMall: Movie Night Upgrade at Uptown Cinemas, Uptown Mall, Taguig, Philippines

We knew that the battle between Batman & Superman (Dawn of Justice) had to be watched at some place special. Heard of this new mall that offers state-of-the-art surround sound & uncrowded viewing.  

Welcome to Uptown Mall, a new mall venture by Megaworld which promises luxe viewing pleasures with their upscale cinemas.

We were there for their VIP cinema (Php 520) which offers reclining couple chairs plus unlimited popcorn & soda at a push of the button; but was sadly unavailable due to a block screening. We ended up with Cinema 1 which offered Dolby Atmos Sound with free medium-sized popcorn (Php 320).

Potter Heads at The Nook Cafe, Maginhawa Street, Quezon City, Philippines

When I read about this Harry Potter Cafe in Quezon City, I knew I just had to visit. More than anything, I was in it for the Butterbeer. Yup, still a foodie through and through.

I timed it with my Sunday visit to my mom's house; I planned on bringing her here for some drinks & snacks. Unfortunately, she wasn't home & failed to let me know beforehand (attended a Tagaytay wedding). Brought my shoti along who was left home alone.

Phoned ahead & asked if we can make a reservation; but they only follow a "first-come-first-served" policy and even informed us that there's no guarantee that we would be able to get inside. :x 

Decided to still go ahead. 

Arrived just in time before the rain started pouring. Here's the first Potter art you'll see; Hedwig chillin' in the tree. 

After signing in at the counter, be prepared to wait for about 30-40 minutes for an available table downstairs. A request to be seated upstairs takes about another 20 minutes.

Here's a shot of their counter which was constantly buzzing with activity due to nonstop people lining up to order or to ask whether their table's ready.

Sherlock Night at Mystery Manila, Libis Quezon City, Philippines

It's been a long time since I've managed to post something I'm so excited about. I'll have to be honest, the first time I heard about it, I couldn't quite get how on earth people trapped in a room for an hour would have so much fun. 

Welcome to Mystery Manila; one of the first escape room concept here in the Philippines. With 3 rooms to choose from their Libis branch, we signed up for #JusticeForJamila. Here you get to be a private investigator hired to deduce who the murder suspect is.

After having them play back the answering machine message (just enough to memorize it by heart), our team was ready to go. Food-Stars Tip? Keep on looking!! ;)

Here's the Mystery Manila Leaderboard where the fastest mystery-solver teams get to be etched in history with a free shirt to boot! For teams who solve it in 45 mins or less, you get a pen. For those who finish it before the 1-hour limit is up (that's us!), you get stickers ;) 

Loved reading their post-it wall! Some of the funniest I've read "Friends pa din kami!" & "Pumasok ng married, came out single na!". I could totally relate! This was sixty minutes of heart pumping, nerve wracking, adrenalin high & "nandyan lang pala" moments that I'll never forget. Thanks Mystery Manila for a truly fun night! ;)

Don't forget to take a photo with their brag-worthy "Mystery Solved" placard or the dreaded "Mystery Fail" one. ;)

** I'm happy to announce that they'll be launching new rooms at their Libis branch this October so book now & get #JusticeForJamila or escape #TheChainedChamber before they're gone! **

Other Mystery Manila Rooms we tried:

Rebecca's Room

World of Wizardry

Buried Bodies

Reversed Reality

Sinister Sensorium

'Til our next Good Eat!

Follow us on Twitter!

Like us on Facebook!

Follow us on Instagram!

♥ Food-Stars

"make us your daily habit!"

SERVICE:

TASTE: n/a

VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY:

Mystery Manila, Libis Quezon City

Unit 9A, JW Plaza Building, 195 E. Rodriguez Jr Ave. 

501-2824 or 0917-5820808 

Mystery Manila, Jupiter Makati

2nd floor, G. A. Yupangco Building, Jupiter St. 

Gil Puyat Avenue corner Reposo St., Brgy. Bel Air

869-2001 or 0915-4287113 

Website: http://www.mysterymanila.com

Facebook: MysteryManila

Instagram: @mystery_manila

Twitter: @MysteryManila