"I love my pizza so much, in fact, that I have come to believe in my delirium that my pizza might actually love me, in return. I am having a relationship with this pizza, almost an affair." This quote from Elizabeth Gilbert’s worldwide bestselling novel, “Eat, Pray, Love” was all that I can think of when I first stepped inside the corridors of Venice Grand Canal. Ever since it opened more than 2 years ago, it instantly sparked overwhelming popularity among the local tourists and people outside Metro Manila for its thematic architecture that resembles one of Italy’s most romantic cities –Venice. I can’t say that I’m not really a fan of anything mainstream. Lots of times, I too can be guilty of joining a certain bandwagon but if and only if it’s worth joining, like Game of Thrones (where I feel like I’ve been petrified while waiting for season seven), Star Wars and the one-hit-wonder Pokemon Go. I live near McKinley Hills –where the Venice-inspired mall is located, but I’ve never even thought of visiting the place. I always thought it was too crowded, too noisy and common. I’ve always had this weird attitude of not wanting to be mediocre, and since I don’t want to be like everybody, I thought that going to this place was not really my thing. And again, I was wrong. Here’s a list of what I think you need to do at the famous Venice Grand Canal Mall. 1. Take as much pictures as you want. Don’t care about people telling you that you’re getting mainstream. It’s a very picturesque place, there’s no excuse for you not to take pictures. It might get more than a little challenging because of the crowd, that’s why I advise you to go there as early you can (probably around brunch time) where few people are still there. The crowd gets a little overpowering after lunch, and you don’t want photobombers for your Instagram post, right? 2. Take a Gondola ride. People at Venice (the real Venice) move around the canal through boats, being all Venetian-inspired, they too have a grand canal inside, hence the name of the mall. Delight in the boat ride and pass through under bridges while appreciating the view. You can bring your posse, family, and special someone and revel in the feel of being in a romantic Italian city. Your guide exerts all his effort to maneuver the boat so don’t forget to thank him for the experience with some tips. Experience this for only P300. Visit us at the G/F of #VeniceGrandCanal Mall, McKinley Hill 3. Eat Italian food! Duh. The mall is filled with lots of restaurants and famous food chains. And since you’re here, eating Italian food would surely complete your overall experience. Do it like what they do in the movies! Where they eat by the sidewalk tables of the cafes, and appreciate the view while watching the people around you have fun. I recommend Toni and Sergio Gastro Italiano for this one, for me they have the best spot among the restaurants in the area. It’s quite exclusive, so that you can really enjoy dining, they also have great tables outside the café and they seriously have good food and good service. For desserts I suggest Chiara’s where they serve you thick and creamy Gelato and Frappe that will surely have your sweet tooth tingling and craving for more. Visit them both at the G/F of Venice Grand Canal Mall, McKinley Hill. 4. Listen to good-ole’ Italian Classical music. You’ve got the scenic view and the palatable food, now it’s time to give your eargasmic urges a treat and listen to that relaxing and soothing tune of stringed instruments, accompanied with great percussion and powerful yet pampering voices of the singers. Every Saturdays and Sundays during dinner time, they invite professional singers sing on top of one of the balconies. Just prepare for long-lasting goosebumps and try not to fall asleep, their voices are perfect for lullabies. Brava! 5. Last but most definitely not the least, “Dolce far niente.” Literally translates to “pleasant relaxation in carefree idleness.” Italians have this unique and admirable trait, which is to stop and do absolutely nothing once in a while. That’s probably why they are truly a carefree and happy group of people. The mall can be jam-packed especially on weekends, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some quality time for yourself. You can both sit in a corner trying to indulge in the sweet bliss of absolutely doing nothing but watching the people being busy around you, and just let your thoughts float away. Probably my favorite thing to do. Surely, there are a lot of great things that I wasn’t able to include in this list. Feel free to share your list with me too! Since it’s just a few minutes away from my apartment, I’m quite sure that I’m gonna be visiting again and think of ways to achieve that complete Italian experience. Although I hope someday, I can visit Italy and see its glory for myself, this will be enough for now. Thanks for reading! Arrivederci! –Bryan Like what what you just read? Don’t forget to share it on your social media accounts and subscribe to my newsletter for blog updates and follow my social media accounts for real-time updates!
1 Comment
Tart
5/22/2017 10:47:01 am
Love it <3
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Part-time art junkie,
full-time gastronomic enthusiast. Sometimes a poet, always a dreamer. Archives
October 2017
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