When one discovers place with a lot of arts and good food on a typical day, it felt surreal in an artistic and literary style. In terms of being artistic, I love arts in every form. Though I am not good at it especially on painting, I know how to appreciate it. On food, I love food that are well presented. I also love those simple food that catches my not so complicated taste buds. When you combine food and arts, it gives you the feeling of joy, excitement and grasping for more (food). So discovering a new place such as the Exile On Main St in Katipunan made me love arts and simple food better.
Exile On Main St was conceived by three college friends and theather practitioners in early 2012. They envisioned a watering hole-in-the-wall where, once you step inside, you know you're in for special treat. April 2012 they opened the first branch in Malate. They named it after their favorite album by The Rolling Stones. When they started conceptualizing Exile Katipunan, they didn't want to have the same feel as the one in Malate. The space is way bigger and there's more happenings in Katipunan than in Malate. Both the branches share the same philosophy though their idea was, no one Exile should have the same experience.
It was after a sudden rain when I got to their place. It was easy to locate because I was given landmarks. From Katipunan, I rode a jeepney and got off at the first overpass. Crossed to the other side and saw the name Exile On Main St, between HSBC and Jollibee. Upon entering, I thought this is one of those usual restaurants that is near schools. But when I entered, everything is art! From the floor, chairs, tables, ceilings, everything!
The paintings on the wall are made by students and there are prices posted which means that you can buy it from them. Exile don't get any funds from the bought paintings, its their way of giving back to the artists.
Even the bathroom is not excluded from the designs!
Aside from the getting the taste of Exile's menu, they also celebrated their anniversary for the Katipunan branch that day thus the photo-booth picture.
Let's go talk about the food that was served that day. Exile's Food Philosophy is simple, they offer dishes they love to eat, and serve them the way they enjoy their food. They make their own sauces, dips, breading, batters, crusts, salsa, sausages, desserts, pies all in-house and from scratch. They only use whole peppercorns they crush themselves for fresh ground pepper. They toast the sesame seeds themselves. They cook the pasta in its own sauce. They churn their own special brand of premium ice cream. They produce and age thei own our vanilla extract, which they use for all their desserts. They got a lot of amazing desserts I tell you! They try to be out-of-the-box while keeping their prices friendly. Their prices are can afford by students.
I'm not even sharing the food yet, let's start shall we? :)
GIMME SHITAKE P135
Shitake Mushrooms encrusted in chive crumbs with Garlic Wasabi Mayo Dip. I love everything about mushrooms and they got a different take for the mushrooms here.
Shitake Mushrooms encrusted in chive crumbs with Garlic Wasabi Mayo Dip. I love everything about mushrooms and they got a different take for the mushrooms here.
LONGGANISA CON SITA P125
Fried Longganisa Dumplings served with black vinegar & salsa. A little sweet that can be combined with the black vinegar and salsa.
GRUNGE NACHOS P175
Nature Boy Nachos with Torn & Frayed pulled pork on the side.
DORYTOS P180
Pasta cooked in tomato and cream sauce with herbs and seafood broth, topped with a Pan-Seared Fish.
Pasta cooked in tomato and cream sauce with herbs and seafood broth, topped with a Pan-Seared Fish.
THE WHITE STRIPES P155
Pasta with fennel sausages, made in-house, and tossed in roasted garlic and basil cream sauce.
TINAPESTO P145
Sunshine pesto with tinapa (smoked fish). My fave among the pasta that was served. The tinapa taste was distinct on this one.
FREQUENT FLYER CHICKS - TEXAS (smoky tomato-based barbeque sauce). I love how spicy this was and the cruch was still there.
12 pcs P215
6 pcs w/ rice P130
FREQUENT FLYER CHICKS - JAVA (creamy satay or peanut sauce). Reminded me of the chicken satay back in Malaysia.
BABOY O' RILEY P135
Crispy Liempo near chicharon in status.
DRUNKEN DORY P130
Cream Dory coated in Cerveza Negra batter, and paired with a refreshing lemon caper sauce. I like how the simple taste of Dory compliments the taste of Cerveza Negra.
MONGGO TINAPA MO! P95
The classic hearly dish Monggo beans, malunggay and smoked fish, topped with chicharon. Served with rice. Among the dishes, this was my most favorite of all. The simplicity and Filipino vibe of it really struck me! Usually on a foodie meetup like this, I will not eat rice just to taste everything, but this one is the exception because it was really good with a lot of rice!
4'SHROOM PIE P120
Eggless pie, filled with Enoki, Button Shitake and Oyster Mushrooms in herbed cheese sauce. Vegetarian should not fret when visiting this place. This is made from vegetables with cheese! I told you I love everything with mushrooms on it.
TORN & FRAYED P160
Pulled Pork stewed in a heady plum, soy and sesame sauce with caramelized ginger and garlic.
Exile on Main St also developed the Exile Creamery Co. I am glad that they do. They created their own unique flavors and own recipes. They use whole mil, pure cream, eggs, and natural bourbon vanilla beans for the ice cream. And abiding from their food philosophy, even the cake and cookie chunks are all made in-house. Prices of the Ice Cream; Single Scoop: P65, Double Scoop: P120, Triple Scoop: P175. Loving Cup price is at P50. And if you still want a Quadruple Scoop which I think you really can't resist, it says on their menu "Hoy tama na" which really depicts that their ice cream is really irresistible!
NO-EGGS-WERE-HARMED CHOCO BANANA CAKE W/ FUDGE P45
A slice of moist Choco Banana Cake topped with their home-made choco peanut butter fudge. Perfect for being so light and was served warm. No eggs were harmed in the making of this banana bread. :)
Y TU MAMA BROWNIE P85
Dutch Cocoa, Semisweet Chocolate and walnuts with caramel sauce. I love how the brownie is not too sweet and super chewy plus the ice cream is creamy!
ICE CREAMS!!!!!! I am not really a fan of ice cream. But when I indulged myself on one, I want something on it like nuts, mallows or anything that I can chew. And I must say that Exile Creamery Co. served the best ice creams in town! I can't exaggerate it enough! And it is super affordable! I really hope they will sell by the pint soon!
CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE CLOUD
Half-baked homemade chocolate chip cookies in vanilla ice cream. It was indeed creamy and sweet and cold and wow!
MILK AND COOKIES
Cookie-infused Ice Cream w/ half-baked chocolate cookies. This tasted like Oreos being dipped on milk! Soaked and infused a portion of their homemade chocolate cookies in the ice cream!
ROASTED BUTTER PECAN
This was my favorite! Brown butter & toasted pecan ice cream. Their brown butter ice cream studded with toasted pecan nuts is hands-down and I am definitely craving for this now! As I told you, I liked my ice cream with nuts on it. The pecans added the perfect crunch and comfort which is really for me!
MAJA BLANCA
Sweet corn ice cream with latik. This is the first time for me to taste something like this. Fresh sweet corn on the cobs are boiled in milk, and the kernels are then crushed and blended into the ice cream base to extract a deep corn flavor. But Exile Creamery Co., being card-carrying dessert hedonists, also added whole corn kennels and latik bits (yes the latik was made by themselves). It's Maja Blanca in ice cream form.
MAD TEA PARTY
Creamy Earl Grey Tea Ice Cream w/ Lemon Pound Cake. Milk Tea just got a lot creamier. And if that wasn't enough, they baked Lemon Pound Cake, chopped it up, and churned it into their Earl Grey Tea Ice Cream. If you love earl grey tea and a tea lover yourself, you'll definitely love this!
THE REVEL BAR
Fudge Ice Cream w/ Oatmeal Walnut Chunks. The gooey Chocolate Fudge Ice Cream almost has a candy bar sinfulness to it. Then you bite into the Oatmeal Walnut Chunks and instantly you remember Revel Bars. Or maybe high fiber, just so you can say to yourself, I guess this is kinda healthy. Feeling good is always healthy. And it feels good to eat this ice cream!
I know, I felt really hungry just by writing all of these. Maybe that's the very first reason why I just finished writing this post because I know within me that I'll crave enough just by looking at my own pictures! Please visit them in Katipunan and don't forget to try their ice cream. I really want to go back for the ice creams and the monggo! And did I mention that I was giving away P300 worth of gc from Exile On Main St? Please see this link . That is actually enough on buying 2 Triple Scoops of Ice Creams! He He He.
The decor and and the ambiance are really different at Exile On Main St. The food is superb which they made it themselves and super affordable. The Ice Creams are really comforting. So check it out yourselves! :)
Exile On Main St - Katipunan
Unit H, 299 Katipunan Ave.,
Loyola Heights, Quezon City
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