#IloveMKH | McKinley Hill: Mediterranean Living on the Rise

The Venice on the rise in McKinley Hill
The Venice on the rise in McKinley Hill

Beautiful row of pastel colored houses flank the wide up uphill street of Upper McKinley Hill road. Most of the time when I pass through this opulent neighborhood in McKinley Hill, it always feels like I’m in a different place. Where structures are elegantly adorned in Venetian Gothic architecture. A faux Venice Piazza stands at the rotunda. The pace seemed to channel the holistic vibe of the people in Venice having a focused environment where they can easily live, work, play, learn and shop. A few bloggers where in for a closer look-see of this burgeoning development from Megaworld Corporation and get a feel what its like to live in a Mediterranean-inspired neighborhood mixed with the dynamism of people of Manila.

Breakfast at Black Canyon Coffee
Breakfast at Black Canyon Coffee

Work

In an area where most of the major businesses are found, there’s nothing like a good cup of coffee to perk-up the morning. Our first stop at Black Canyon Coffee, a Thailand-based franchise coffee shop, got us going with their hearty set of breakfast meals to energize us through the day. I had their tapa and tocino set with their local brewed coffee. A tasty set of meat with a strong kick from their quality brewed coffee.

With husband and wife tandem Jonel and Marj and my cooking partner Annalyn enjoying our finished product at Enderun Colleges
With husband and wife tandem Jonel and Marj and my cooking partner Annalyn enjoying our finished product at Enderun Colleges

Learn

I’ve always heard about Enderun Colleges, a much revered culinary school in Manila, also known for its pricey courses. From what I’ve seen, the quality of this school justifies its price. We had a quick cooking boot camp course where I personally learned a lot of practical cooking skills and applying it to make our own Beef Tenderloin Pan-seared Foie Gras with Truffle Sauce and Parmesan Risotto. It was a pleasure to be in a learning environment fully equipped (with videos, mirrors and quality ingredients and hi-tech kitchen) making learning an easier task.

One of the towers of The Venice residences
One of the towers of The Venice residences

Live

And we visited one of resident developments in the area called the The Venice, quite evident from the sharp arched and gothic designs on its windows. A trio of high-rise residence where a planned canal, much like in Venetian Macau, would go through the side. While the property is bare at the moment, we could already imagine the possibilities of a creative mind dressing up this ample spaced units.

Me and Annalyn enjoying a relaxing time manicure-pedicure at the Dutchess Haven Nail and Spa
Me and Annalyn enjoying a relaxing time manicure-pedicure at the Dutchess Haven Nail and Salon Spa

Play

While manicure and pedicure really isn’t my idea of play, we’re still glad we got the third place on choosing which service to avail from the Dutchess Haven Nail and Salon Spa just across the Venice. I was aiming for a good massage but this is a welcome change. The lady who did my mani-pedicure had careful and precise hands, she handled cutting and cleaning my nails well. It was an interesting hour of finally having some one else do the nail chore aside from me.

One of the concept room design at their showroom
One of the concept room design at their showroom

Shop

While the Grand Canal Mall is still in the works, we just had a virtual window shop through a contest where people with discernment of designer brands and their worth got an advantage on organizing a set of items in the correct order of ascending prices. Who would have thought a designer headband would cost more than a Mac?! Anyway the venue for the last stop was also a showroom where we previewed concepts interiors from their different unit spaces for The Venice. It was interesting to see who the spaces would look like, giving prospective owners an idea of how to work on their living spaces.

The #iLoveMKH tour was an interesting day of discovery, learning and a bit of relaxation. I’ve always like a neighborhood where I wouldn’t need to travel very far to get what I needed. There are a few prestigous schools in the area, three embassies and international business. For me I simply love the clean streets, the vibrant houses with ornate designs and the easy-going vibe McKinley Hill exudes. It’s an ideal place to live I may say.

For more information visit www.megaworldathefort.com.