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| Butter Diner-Walled Cartoon Mural2 |
Its been quite a while since I was last been in Cubao, approximately around a year ago if I'm not mistaken when my friend Karen Anne and I dined in Italianni's in Gateway Mall. I was eyeing to try Gaita Fores' Cafe Bola back then but we ended up dining in this uber-popular (and exorbitantly expensive) Italian resto.
Going back to Cubao (or around Araneta Center, for that matter) was always a homecoming of sorts. During my college days (I went to PSBA, Q.C.) Araneta Center was the place I usually went to stroll before heading home. I remember the time when we cut classes just to watch Alicia Silverstone's Clueless in Ali Mall. Our dining place in Ali Mall would always be a toss up between McDonald's and Jollibee, with an occasional KFC if we had so much baon to spare. But my ultimate favorite spot was the Booksale store in the former Fiesta Carnival place where I could possibly scout hard to find books not usually sold in the regular bookstores.
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| Araneta Center, Cubao |
Earlier today, I decided to head back to Cubao to relish back the memory of the place. I went from Ali Mall to Shopwise (where Fiesta Carnival once stood) to Gateway Mall and to Farmers Plaza. I was even planning to check out SM Cubao however the muscles on my feet already doing its own silent protest so I just decided against it. Maybe some other time.
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| table setting |
One of the main reasons why I went to Cubao today was to finally try this all-day breakfast diner that specializes in butter aptly named Butter Diner. Mixed reviews can be read online about this diner, however I wanted to form my own opinion through first-hand experience about the place. Plus I'm really enamored with American food.
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| Butter Diner-walled cartoon mural |
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| vintage décor |
The first thing you would see when you enter this diner was the very cool cartoon strips mural on the left side and the very vintage décor on the right side with blow-up pictures of Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe would be the most prominent.
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| Vintage contraption all lined-up |
I also spied some vintage paraphernalia on display like the radio transistor, toaster and small bubble gum machine. Now, if only I could coerce one of the staff to let me purchase one of those retro stuff for my own room he-he!
Anyway, here are my orders...
Chocolate Milkshake
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| Chocolate Milkshake |
I was quite happy with the milkshake. Substantially thick and creamy like your slurping your favorite chocolate ice cream.
Roadside Flip Burger
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| Roadside Flip Burger |
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| Shiny sunny-side up egg |
I do have an inordinate fondness with burgers. Whenever I see burgers on the menu, I naturally disregard the other items on the menu and end up ordering my burger of choice. Butter Diner was no exception, the minute I saw the burger section of the menu I stopped there (although there were a lot of items on the menu that I'm quite curious to try as well such as the Marilyn Pan Fried Fish, James Dean's Favorite, PB&Js etc).
I wanted to try something different this time so I ordered the Roadside Flip Burger. This was the first time I tried a burger with a sunny-side up egg. And the medley of flavors was absolutely amazing. Once I pierced my knife and fork into the burger, the egg yolk naturally blended in with the cheese and the burger patty. Yummy! And before I forget, that burger patty was very thick. A very hefty burger meal, indeed!
Blueberry Pancakes
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| Blueberry Pancakes |
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| w/ honey syrup
Substantially thick and fluffy pancakes, the color (dark green on some parts) may render the pancakes not pleasing to the eyes but it was quite good. It can be compared to the pancakes I tried in Pancake House, truth be told. I would guess that the brownish glob of butter that was on top of the two pancakes would be their Strawberry flavored butter. Dollops of blueberry jams added a nice touch and sweetness.
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| Pancakes and Honey |
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| Butter Diner |
Overall, it was a nice dining experience in Butter Diner. Although, I noticed, especially with the female servers, they were kinda stiff. And I had an initial impression of them not liking being called upon for request. Even if I beamed genially when one of the lady server brought me a glass of water, my smile was not returned. It was as if their service was robotic and that they were battery operated or something. The male servers were more relaxed.
The diner was moderately filled when I came, mostly with young adults having their doze of beers (Coors or San Mig Light) on a time when the sun was not yet set. I deduced they were call center agents or students from nearby universities. Loud music blasted from speakers, music by Lady Gaga and Katy Perry which was quite out of place on a diner that was supposed to invoke nostalgia and the 60s.
Nevertheless, I would still recommend Butter Diner. Prices was relatively affordable, servings was quite substantial. To be more specific, you'll get what you'd pay for. Or, in my case it quite exceeded what I expect (food-wise) since I really had a nice time savoring the food. I would even go to the extent of recommending Butter Diner over Johnny Rockets, if your not really into the fancy-schmantzy servers dancing to the tune of Tootsie Roll. So, if you're looking for a no-frills, straightforward all-American food, please try Butter Diner.
Butter Diner, Shopwise
Shopwise Arcade, Gen. Aguinaldo Ave., Araneta Center
Quezon City, Metro Manila
Philippines
(02)-421-0030
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