This weekend Noreen and I went to the Cubao Expo at the invitation of a friend who owns the Reading Room. I didn’t get to meet my friend, because I didn’t tell her I’d be there. Noreen was planning for it to be a surprise. I guess I was the one getting surprised, hehehe.

What was formerly known as the Marikina Shoe Expo is now known as Cubao Expo. Aptly named, I think. Aside from visiting the Reading Room I also wanted to see some bargains that my officemates often rave about. I hardly go to this part of the Metro, being from Makati, so this Saturday I decided to go and see what the fuss was all about.

Ah Noreen spots a bargain, after being in the place for only 10 minutes! Really good shoes for P100.00 (US$2.40) a pair! So she got two pairs in different colors. Mind you, they don’t look cheap. In an air-conditioned mall, these shoes would probably sell for more than P450.00 (US$10.00).

Walking around some more, I spotted this 1958 VW Beetle, fully restored. I like cars a lot, though I don’t blog about them. The owner, Ron, was nice enough to let me take pictures of his car. When I asked him how much he spent restoring it, he just said that he spent a LOT. Enough said.

Wonderful paint job and incredibly plush interiors.

After all that walking we got hungry and found this quaint Italian restaurant named Bellini’s. Owned by an Italian guy Roberto Bellini, this restaurant is probably one of the best I have dined at, so far. After eating all that Italian fare at the Tasting Room event, I was delightfully surprised that a Cubao Expo restaurant had THE BEST food and THE BEST service, besting even the more famous and expensive Makati restaurants. The prices are so reasonable, considering how Italian food is always expensive, and the service has been the best I have experienced, so far. None of the usual snob appeal. Just ask the waiter in Tagalog and they are on their toes in their best behavior. I’ve seen how some restaurants treat non English-speaking customers like second-class citizens. This restaurant’s crew and staff indeed deserve a standing ovation. Yes, I will come here again and again and again.

The exterior.

The interiors.

That’s Noreen waiting for her pasta dish with bread stick in hand.

The Spaghetti al Cartoccio as it is served. Only P230.00 (US$5.54) per order.

Notice anything? Yes, it’s seafood pasta WITHOUT the cheats! No fish fillet or squid rings here. Just handfuls of fresh mussels and fresh shrimps. The shrimps are fresh, sweet and crunchy, I actually ate the outer shell.

I ordered the Fettuccine Pesto. Only P220.00 (US$5.30) per order. The best pesto I have ever had.

The waiter actually recommended Penne, but the gorilla in me insisted on Fettuccine. What the customer wants, the customer gets. Without argument.

For as little as P120.00 (US$2.89) a slice, I got this big hunk of Tiramisu. So very very good. I’m still thinking about it as I write this.

Another shot.

At the end of our meal, we were treated to small cups of sweet wine. This was a really nice touch!

For only P660.00 (US$15.90) as our total bill, Noreen and I were happy campers!

When you visit Cubao Expo, dine at Bellini’s. You’ll be smiling through the traffic.