I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up
To No Good: The Nook Cafe
By: Paula Gutierrez
Manila, Philippines
October 3, 2016
What’s up Potter Heads! Did you know that a Harry Potter Cafe can now be found at Manila, Philippines? Yes you heard it right! Now, you don't need to book a ticket to 9 3/4 to have a Magical Experience!
The Nook Cafe is located at A, 164 Maginhawa, Quezon City, 1101 Metro Manila, Philippines. Open every Tuesday & Friday from 11 AM to 10 PM, Saturday from 11 AM to 11 PM, and Sunday from 11 AM to 9 PM
Place
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The Nook Café is easy to navigate by a car or a tricycle as it is already located along Maginhawa Street. Having an old English-type of atmosphere, this two-storey café tries to capture the attention of its customers by putting medium-scale paintings of Hogwarts for them to feel the ‘Harry Potter’ vibe.
There is a little balcony that you will see outside of the shop which is intended for the customers who are waiting for their turn to enter the café. On the first floor, you can easily see the medium-scale painting of the halls of Hogwarts as it is located nearly beside the door. You can also see different portraits that are also shown in the film such as the Daily Prophet newspaper where Harry Potter was featured in its headlines and the magical train station in 9 ¾ that brings the students to Hogwarts School of Wizardry.
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What is more interesting in this place is that you can enter inside Harry Potter’s cupboard where it served as his room when he was still living with his Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia. Inside the cupboard are his pillowcases and letters that he received from his owl. Also, you are not alone in the cupboard for Dobby is there to accompany you.
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For those who haven’t read the seven books of Harry Potter, well, this place is really for you! The Nook Café offers a mini-library on the second floor that allows it customers to read Harry Potter books (including its new released 9th book titled “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” which was debuted last July 31, 2016 in celebration of Harry Potter’s birthday) and to examine miniatures of some Harry Potter characters. It also has a swing in the corner intended for those customers who want to sit back and relax.
However, the place is too overly congested to accommodate more customers who want to go inside the café. There is no other choice for the customers but to line up outside and wait for their turn.
Food
Expecto Patronum! Sounds familiar? Yes, you heard it right. One of the café’s bestselling products is its list of Espresso Patronum that offers hot, iced, and blended coffees. They also sell other beverages such as fruit and chocolate shakes.
In order to fully feel the vibe of being a muggle, pure, or half-blood wizards, The Nook Café offers the famous Hogsmeade drink – the Butterbeer. A butterbeer is a non-alcoholic drink inspired from J.K. Rowling’s Magical Book “Harry Potter”. It comes from Harry’s size (regular) and Hagrid’s size (large).
Aside from these beverages, they also offer finger foods, cakes, and pasta for you to fill your hungry tummy! Bacon Wrapped Chicken, Cheese Potato Fries, Grilled Cheese Panini, Triple S Pasta, Pesto, Beef and Mushroom Pasta, Cake, Cupcakes, and Golden Snitch are the sumptuous foods that you can discover. Note that they have a “Cake for the Day”, so be ready what is in store for you!
Experience
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A bonus point for this coffee shop is that they offer their customers an authentic experience of being one of the wizards of Hogwarts. Beside the café’s door, one could easily notice the hanging sweaters and black cloaks of the teams Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff which can be borrowed and worn by the customers for their picture taking.
Something’s lacking? Do not worry, for The Nook Café also allows its customers to borrow and use Harry Potter’s wands and finally say your favorite magical spells! This café also provides card/board games for those customers who are searching for other activities.
One more thing that impressed me as a customer is that the discipline and order that the café imposed for their customers. Beside the Daily Prophet newspaper portrait, they have this “Proclamation Coffee Shop Decree List No. 16” which says that:
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All muggles/pure/half-bloods customers shall order at the counter.
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Anyone who wishes to play boardgames shall borrow at the counter.
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Everyone should keep their voices at a minimum.
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Bringing of outside food is prohibited.
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Use all borrowed items with care.
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Clean as you go.
Plus, The Nook Café staff is very accommodating that they easily find ways on how to make their customers comfortable and convenient.