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Cafes, Food, Lifestyle, Services, Spas and Salons
Kartini Asia - An oasis in Town
If you close your eyes, or train them away from the large poster overhead featuring Dawn Zulueta�s, er, back, you can almost forget that you�re in
This little escape is the Kartini Asia compound, which serves as the office and showroom (showgarden) for their products and services: landscaping, floral arrangements, live plants and palms, furnishings, stones, a caf�, and soon, even a spa. The space houses two main structures�a central office where they have their flower shop and a showroom / storeroom with their assortment of furniture, home, and personal accessories�and a few auxiliary structures such as the kitchen and the generous bathroom.
A garden greets visitors on their left as they pass through the colorful wooden gates; the outdoor table sets serve as the caf� proper, though the pieces are also for sale.
Perhaps because it�s relatively new (replacing a more informal cluster of landscape shops and, prior to that, a skating arena), the compound is quiet and doesn�t seem to get heavy traffic yet�which adds a welcome sense of solitude and secrecy to the place: you feel like only you know about this little hideaway, and you can escape to its calm serenity when you�ve had enough of the busy mall.
Browsing through the items in the furniture showroom is almost a therapeutic experience, what with the pressing silence and the rich smell of wood and the sense of history and culture surrounding you in the form of artifacts from Indonesia, India, Myanmar, and wherever else.
There�s a small selection of bags in one corner, where the quilted polysilk bags with jade handles (P2,250) stand out among the more common woven-abaca-and-batik-lined counterparts (prices start at around P500).
Outside, leaning against the wall, are two huge antique double doors (around P90,000 each) with chunky bolted locks and massive dignified jambs. Lining the bamboo perimeter wall of the compound are landscaping and wall stones, carved to represent flowers, palm fronds, and even quaint pond scenes (the wall stones start at around P2,500 each).
Even the sounds of ongoing construction (for the spa, an extension of their original location inside BF) cannot distract from the tranquility of the setting, which is best appreciated from the gazebo with a meal from their caf�.
The range of items is limited enough to fit on a charming menu board (literally a small board about the size of a clipboard), and features comfort food like pasta, sandwiches, salad, sausages, and pies (priced from P125 to P185), along with some basic coffee and tea drinks and dessert.
They also have a special menu with more substantial rice meals (three meals, to be exact, from P225 to P250), which, I am told, are popular in the evening, when most patrons come to visit.
The service staff, while not exactly slick and professional, are charmingly open and sincere, the sort of people you can expect to meet at quaint but fashionable provincial cafes.
In all, a visit to Kartini is as far removed from the typical mall experience as possible, and it feels more like a trip to more pastoral climes. It�s a relaxing escape from the hustle and bustle, a chance to slow down and catch up with friends (think ladies who lunch, not college barkada, though), or to be alone with your thoughts. It�s also an excellent resource for those looking bring a bit of exotic character into their homes.
Kartini Asia, Inc.
Alabang Town Center, Madrigal Avenue, Alabang, Muntinlupa
807-4356, 807-7579 (fax)
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The place is really good… I actually proposed to my fianc 2 Fridays ago in Kartini Asia.
Imagine having that ambiance and privacy on a Friday night… not to mention that it’s in the middle of the city and stones throw away from the booze and cafeine. It’s actually impossible… but not with Love and Kartini.
Thanks for the review Betty! The shop has interested me ever since I first saw it but never have time to check it out. Are they okay about you taking pictures while there, or was this a formal review? I’d love to take my dolls there for an informal photoshoot over lunch.
wow archie, how romantic! congrats! :)
kaoko, nope, di sya formal review. just wandered around taking photos. :)
nice review betty, i didnt know there was a place like this in ATC..would pass by thee next time..btw can you review santana grove restos in sucat? i think its open na..thnks :)
hehehe, tamang tama pala ang pagpunta ko, at least si dawn zulueta pa ang nandun… ngayon si “before” aiko na ang nakaharap sa garden!
your photos do great justice! I never knew atc had this place. I will drop by soon for sure.
mario,
yes, i’ve been meaning to go to santana grove for a while now… ang dami nang bukas dun!
nigel,
thanks! it’s such a surprise to find a place like this outside the mall, and next to a parking lot, no less!
this looks like a great place to just relax and unwind while having coffee and pastry with friends… will surely visit it sometime and bring the missus and our brood…
by the way… there is a resort that just opened in B.F. along Tropical Avenue near Montessori De Manila that you may want to visit as well…
The spa in Kartini ATC is already open! :) I went there last night to check out the place, food and spa services.
I was actually surprised to find out that Kartini ATC had been existing for a year now except for the spa which was opened two weeks ago. The place is very relaxing, cozy and serene. It’s indeed a very good alternative to having an afternoon coffee in Starbucks or having dinner inside the mall. The landscaping and interior deco reminded me of Nurture Spa except for the Buddhas in Kartini.
The food selection is quiet limited and when it comes to taste.. well my tuna pasta dish (P185) & my companion’s Salpicao (part of a P225 meal) were kinda bland. I also tried the Cappuccino (P85) and there was nothing special about it, too. Come to think of it, the price that you pay for the food wouldn’t actually do justice to the food itself. And by the way, the dining area can only fit up to 20 persons.
As for the spa services, my companion and I tried the Foot Spa and Back Massage respectively. Each lasted for 30 minutes and both were priced at P295. The therapists were courteous, accommodating and well-trained. My therapist’s name is Hilda, and I’m planning to go back and get her again for a full body massage.
Similar to Kartini BF Homes, the branch in ATC also gives discounts for patrons and to those who will avail of the 10- or 20-visit package.
hello,,senxa na huh if di ito response para sa “Kartini Asia - An oasis in Town”,,kase para poh ito sa idol ko na si miss dawn zulueta…gusto ko po ksing mkita sya in person,,bay da way,,tga maramag bukidnon nga po pla ako…..13 yer old talagang no. 1 fan nya here in bukidnon….sana mkarating to sa kanya…….salamat poh….
i really love this place, kinda removes you from the urban stress. parang wala ka sa atc, hahaha! and che the therapist is so good at massages. do try their couple’s massage. sa food, try salpicao (take note, its cooked in olive oil!) and tanglad …love them!yum!
Kartini is super! Fantastic gardens & spa. Very romantic ambience at night. The massage treatment is so relaxing with the soothing hands of therapist Hilda and the uplifting scent of their massage oil. Great coffee and the best pannacota in town!
Kartini at the Town Center is just awesome! Highly recommended place to relax and enjoy. Kartini spa is so sulit, ang galing ng mga therapists and treatments are very relaxing and affordable. Kartini signature body massage is the best in town, I felt so relaxed, no body aches, after the treatment.
jeyni and marian,
i agree, both che and hilda are really good! :D sarap din ng salpicao and panna cotta… haven’t tried the coffee though! next time… :D
Simply gorgeous… A few inspirations for me here. Your blog is amazing!!