Mercato Centrale @ BGC : finally, a weekend food market in Bonifacio Global City

Mercato Centrale is one good reason to be in Bonifacio Global City during weekends. Am glad they have launched a weekend market like this to rival those found in Makati City, Quezon City (Lung Center) and Pasig City (Banchetto).

For now, it’s being marketed as a healthy, organic market but for us who love our burgers, bacon fat and pork belly, there are lots of appetizing choices too. Two hours was certainly not enough for me and the hubby to enjoy the flavors of this market. Now you know where to get your Christmas shopping done in case you want food gifts that are out of the ordinary.

Mercato Centrale is open Saturdays and Sundays from 6 am to 12 noon at the corner of 9th Avenue and 30th St., BGC (look for the covered tent near the Spa of Bonifacio High Street).

Some interesting people I saw at Mercato Centrale …. let’s focus on the food later 😀

Milena, the curvy Czechoslovakian owner of Milena’s Cakes, was herself manning the stall selling vegan, gluten-free desserts like caramel melted choco cake, apple pie, lemonade diet pie and cupcakes. I tasted some and it was unbelievably good 😉

Fashion models (from left) Raya Mananquil, Valerie de los Santos & Bianca Valerio show us how to dress fashionably for the weekend food tripping.

A certain blogger (okay, that’s me) with Mr. Our Awesome Planet, Anton Diaz. Anton and wife Rache organized Mercato together with RJ Ledesma and Janice Villanueva of Mommy Mundo. Photo taken by Azrael Coladilla.

The BGC weekend market carries the products of heavyweights in the culinary scene like columnist/chef Claude Tayag of the famous Bale Dutung in Pampanga.

Bale Datung’s Pan de Bagnet enjoyed long lines from foodies wanting to try the oven roasted pork belly enclosed in a ciabatta bun with some vegetable salsa. I ended up eating the thinly sliced liempo separately…it was easier that way 😀

I was quite surprised to see only one stall selling Cebu lechon 🙁 Maybe the lechon makers were overpowered by the organic vendors. As far as organic goes, I was happy to try some healthy fruit juices and shakes and bought a bottle or two for breakfast.

These eggs were so prettily-packed and caught my attention. I was happily snapping away with my camera, until I looked up and found the stall owner to be my college classmate Kim Bernardo-Lokin. I was impressed with the fact that the egg wraps were made from corn husks which are normally thrown away. Kim’s enterprise sells delicacies which benefits poor families from her home province of Pangasinan . Good luck dear!

Mochi ice cream and other treats from Fruits in Ice Cream. Irresistible!

The triple beef burger and bacon-wrapped hotdog from Flamed! looked sinful and interesting. I’ll try this next time I’m in a carnivorous mode.

Gourmet whoopie pies from 8 Twists Boutique Bakery. Whoopie pies are traditionally two small flat chocolate cakes with a cream frosting in the middle. I bought a box home…and none left for me to be tasted. It must have been good 😀 Hubby now says they’re too small to be called a whoopie pie….

The doughnut cheeseburger from Offbeat Cafe enjoyed TV coverage. I am curious about this treat and will have to try this next time too!

Quiche and pies from La Cuisine Francaise. They had an extensive selection of prepared food products on display, including tabbouleh.

Beautifully-packed Christmas goodies…this one is from Chef Philippe.

…… and many, many more. There are about 150 stalls for your shopping/eating pleasure. See you at the Mercato Centrale weekend market. I highly recommend it as a must go-to food destination in Manila:)