HOW FAR CAN YOU GO THIS WEEKEND? AS CAR AS IT GOES
On weekdays, Makati Central Business District is the exact picture of spiritedness. Beneath the towering skyscrapers, people from different walks of life pass through the concrete side streets of the city where you make things happen; hence the ever-popular city tagline Make It Makati.
During weekends, Makati CBD relaxes its streets to become the ultimate go-to place to claim that much-deserved weekend chill. Aside from the usual weekend markets, parks, and restaurants, for someone who loves exploring spots for dining or relaxation, driving around the area will surely satisfy your need for a visual feast and well, tummy feast. So, in this article, we are giving you tips on which places to visit should you find yourself in the concrete jungle of Makati CBD.
Fair warning, though; whether you’re from up north or down south, going to Makati CBD can be a bit challenging as it has the reputation for traffic jams that will surely test your patience. Its one-way streets are also notorious for falling the unfamiliar and unlucky into a victim of taking the wrong turn. So, before you grab your keys, it’s best to plan your route ahead. But if all else fails, you can always go back to this piece. Bookmark it and start your engine!
Ever heard of the term food crawl? Pretty sure you already did! But we’re telling you anyway. Food crawl is one of the best weekend activities you can do with your friends and family. It is an immersive way of exploring and learning about a city. So, for our first stop, we’re visiting one of the OG restaurants in Makati.
DONG WON GARDEN (Bel-Air, Makati)
Perhaps, if it weren’t for the Korean drama ‘Jewel in the Palace’, Korean food would’ve been unheard of in the Philippines. But Dong Won has been around since the late 2000s. Despite the numerous Samgyeopsal places that mushroomed around the area, this jewel in Makati remained to be one of the best KBBQ spots, arguably not just in Makati but in the entire metro.
How to get there without getting stuck in traffic?
From North EDSA, turn right to Sen. Gil Puyat (Buendia) Avenue. Take another right to get to Jupiter Street (two-way street), and just head straight until you see the establishment on the right side.
From South EDSA, take a left turn to Ayala Avenue, then right to Makati Avenue. Soon as you turn right to Jupiter Street, you would already see the restaurant, which will be on the left side.
MATCHA LATER (Poblaćion, Makati)
After filling your belly with some good quality premium meat, indulge yourself with a cup of whisked Kyoto Matcha from Matcha Later; just a 5-minute drive from Jupiter street, this place serves, perhaps, the best Matcha in town! Situated along General Luna Street (yes, where the Población night scene is at), this small Zen café is the exact opposite of the upbeat scene outside. A literal haven of calmness in the middle of an often-clamorous place. So, if you want some peace and quiet, Matcha Later is the right spot for you.
How to get there?
From Dong Won Restaurant, turn right to Polaris Street, then left to Felipe Street. Take another left to Mercedes Street, cross Kalayaan Avenue to P. Burgos before turning right to General Luna. Matcha Later is right in the corner of General Luna and Don Pedro.
IT’S VINTAGE (Salcedo Village, Makati)
Now that you’ve already taken care of your tummy, you’re now ready to get some calories burned by checking out some awesome steals in one of the coolest spots in Makati—It’s Vintage. They say that there’s no better place to spend your weekends than at Salcedo Village. We can’t blame them; the place exudes all the chill vibes one could ever wish for whenever the sun is up (and the birds are chirping). But other than the picturesque scene in the area, it is also where a heavily-featured-by-cool-kids space is located. Get ready to find your next favorite jacket!
How to get there?
Would it be too hard to find a store with a window display filled with plushies and stuffed animals? If yes, then from Matcha Later, just take a left turn from General Luna to Makati Avenue. Turn right to H.V. Dela Costa and drive straight until you cross Salcedo Street. Trust us, it’s hard to miss the store with a giant wall of plushies to your right.
Once you’re done grabbing the leather jacket you’ll be sporting next week, since you are already at the area, you can take a quick break from driving and take a stroll along the streets where restaurants and cafes are usually set Al fresco during weekends. Or, you can do a quick car check to see if it’s still good to go for a few more kilometers. It’s a weekend. No one wants to rush to the nearest repair shop, when you’re supposed to be relaxing, because your car broke down, or worse, your battery started acting up.
Lucky for you, when it comes to reliability, there’s one brand that you can truly count on. Motolite is not only known for its durable, longer-lasting, and eco-friendly batteries, the industry leader also ensures that you get to spend your well-deserved weekend with its 24/7 roadside assistance service through the Motolite RES-Q app. Too tired or bummed to get a new battery if you need to have one replaced? Motolite can have it delivered to you anytime, anywhere.
So, carry on with your stroll, grab one of those cups of coffees from any of the multiple coffee shops along Salcedo, chill and wait, while Motolite takes care of your car needs. Now, that’s the weekend well-spent, yes?
