Filipinos have an innovative sense of humor. We can turn any foreign-sounding name into our own. Just walk around your neighborhood and you'll see a bunch of sari-sari stores, laundry stores, and karenderia parodying popular names.
The newly-opened Westeroast Cafe in Magiting Street, Teachers Village, Quezon City is no exception. Taking its cue from the highly-popular TV series, Game of Thrones; the cafe is named after one of the Known World's locations, Westeros.
As per the Cafe's disclaimer, they are not in anyway affiliated with HBO or George RR Martin. They were just inspired by it.
My brother informed me of this GoT-inspired cafe while planning for my trip to Manila last Summer. From Cebu to Quezon City, I traveled thousands of miles in order to sit on the Iron Throne. It was all about the throne for me.
Well, it's not really made of iron but it is enough to quench the curiosity of a Cebuano blogger such as myself. What I like about the cafe is the interactiveness that it brings to the fans.
They even have the Hall of Faces (more of a wall than a hall) where you can pretend to be one of the victims of the Faceless Men.
You can have your pictures taken while sitting on the iron throne. They have game boards that you could borrow and play with. Be further immersed in the world created by George RR Martin by perusing the available books that they have.
You can even have your own version of the Opening credits since they have a miniature replica of the GoT places displayed on a counter. I think I spent about 15-20 minutes going over the details.
I wouldn't say I'm a hardcore Game of Thrones fan since when I entered a GoT Trivia contest, I only got half of the questions correctly. I found the results abysmal and vowed to learn more.
You can call me more of an admirer of the HBO produced series. But I only started being mesmerized by it before Season 4. I fell into the wily trap of watching a marathon screening that HBO does every year in anticipation of the new season.
By the end of episode one of the first season, I got caught in the action hook, line, and sinker. I never turned back, I kept moving forward. I was so enamored that by the following year when I started collecting Funko Pop vinyl figurines, GoT characters were a priority.
To be honest, I've only read the first book. Most of my GoT facts were acquired by watching the supplemental videos that HBO makes and the numerous fan-based theories being circulated in Youtube.
If I continued reading the rest of the books in the series, I would be completely lost. Maybe, I'll find time after Season 8 has been shown. That's when the separation anxiety will begin.
Back to the Westeroast Cafe, similar to the set-up of other cafes and restaurants in the Teachers Village District, the place is cozy. It means the place could get crowded easily.
When I went there it was around 3PM in the afternoon so I had the place all to myself. Plus, it was Summer vacation.
Plan to visit during the off-peak hours. They're open from 2PM to 11PM, Tuesdays-Sundays. The cafe is closed on Mondays.
They have plenty of cold and hot coffee-based drinks to choose from. They even have milkshakes. Definitely, a blend of ice and fire! In terms of food, they have limited options. Eat before coming here.
The nearest landmark to Westeroast Cafe is the Maginhawa StrEAT Food Park. Since the cafe shares space with other establishments in the compound, parking may be a challenge as well.
Funny thing is that another restaurant in the same area is named, Grill of Thrones. Pinoys really are a wacky bunch.
Follow their FB page: facebook.com/westeroast
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