Living in High Street

If you're tired of the usual fare, I suggest that you weary and stressed-out city folk to visit Bonifacio High Street. It's in the area of the very posh Serendra condominiums at The Fort.

It's the equivalent of a mall, but it's not. The place is borderline Zen garden with its landscaping and rock-water sculptures, and modern Greek shopping plaza. Series of upscale shops and restaurants line both sides of the open-aired center garden/park area. The area is quite huge but it's walkable - it's good for your heart, you know. If you don't have the dough to shop, you can sit and watch the people because there are interesting things going on usually. If you love dogs, you'll see a lot of them milling around along with their owners. Usually, the owners themselves are loveable - your eye strain from the facing the computer all day will magically be cured.

If people and dogs are not your thing, then you might as well pick any side of the square and start exploring.

Highly suggested discovery areas are:

1. Fully-Booked - It's 4 or 5 floors of a Bookworm's dream, plus - It has its own Starbucks. Now how convenient is that? Geeks can stay in one place and keep themselves busy devouring all those graphic novels, CDs & DVDs, and of course, books while shooting up on caffeine.

2. Time Zone - If you had a really bad day, I suggest you march in here and blow off steam. Pick any of the arcade games available. Who cares if you're surrounded with kids, it's fun and de-stressing. What makes this Time Zone different is it is in The Fort. Not in a mall. There's a prevailing ambiance of snootiness.

3. New Orleans Steaks and Oysters - There are a lot of munching places to try in High Street, but this happens to be my favorite because it's different. I've always been fascinated with the New Orleans style of cooking and this place offers it. Trust me, the oysters alone is an experience worth risking (I'm allergic to it). After downing several preventive meds, I dive into the oysters and the several styles they have prepared it. On recent count me and my friends have tried Oysters Amatriciana, Rockefeller, and Americana - all absolutely yummy. Then there's the appetizer of 6-layer chicken Nachos. For main course, try the Jessica Alba Lobster - I have no idea why it is named like that, and Killer Lobster - yes, if the heavenly taste doesn't kill you, I think the cholesterol will. Also try the seafood jambalaya - excellent! They also offer steaks and other cajun delights. I'm pretty sure they will taste good. This place haven't let me down yet.

4. Cupcakes by Sonja - Yeah, yeah ... it's too Sex In The City. Hanging out in a cupcake shop while letting time pass by as you gossip in your little table in the corner. Erase the image and just peer in the shop and pick ANY cupcake. If you're diabetic, then that's too bad. This place serves the sweet tooth. And they serve them well. With different toppings to choose from, it's almost an adventure itself on what flavor you're going to pick next.

5. Krispy Kreme - Very bad for your body, but hell those glazed donuts are hard to resist! Doh!

6. I-Studio - If you dream of a Mac, want a Mac, will buy a Mac, or don't know what a Mac is, go here. You're gonna be throwing your Windows-based PC afterwards. But before you do, check the price and your sanity won't leave you. Wipe the drool off your face though.

7. Mo's Designs - An ad goes "If you can't find furniture that will fit your living room, don't blame us." Okay, with that clear, go explore the place. You'll discover that if you indeed suddenly have the moola to have your interiors decorated in the tasteful modern style... you have to take their word for it. They've warned you already.

8. Crocs - They have bad rep for alleged hazards, but those things are cute. Add the jibbits to cover up those holes, it turns into a project. Hey if you fill them all up it won't get stuck in the escalator anyway. This place serves up all the Crocs you want. Even the colors you dare not imagine.

I like hanging out here because the setting is different. There is a prevailing air of unhectic,lazy Sundays here. Lovely in the evening with the lights on. Certainly, the place will cool your nerves a bit while just lounging around on the park and watching time pass by for awhile.