Van Gogh is Bipolar
I’ve been meaning to go to this restaurant ever since I first heard about it more than a year ago. Unfortunately, it was always a bit above budget and always a bit difficult to go as I often live in the opposite end of Metro Manila. Today, my partner and I, who have an endless desire for new experiences such as these, decided to finally go. You can find it at 154 Maginhawa St. Sikatuna Village, Quezon City.
With the brain behind Van Gogh is Bipolar, Jetro Rafael
Van Gogh is Bipolar the brainchild of Jetro Rafael, an artist who like the namesake of the restaurant Vincent Van Gogh is bipolar. While the restaurant began as a way for him to share with others ways to help alleviate bipolar symptoms through mood altering food, it has evolved to be a safe space for many people of all walks of life – bipolar or otherwise. Jetro said that a few years ago, he decided to donate his house and gallery to the community and birthed The Love Project in the process. It gives people who feel like they are their lowest points in life the opportunity to acquire life skills that can help them get through these periods and get them back on their feet to having livelihoods when they’re ready. His staff who were assisting us were telling us about all these initiatives that they were doing with the space, several kinds of workshops, weekly free yoga classes for the community, and so on. If you’re interested in becoming an ambassador and volunteering your time to help those in need by teaching what you know, feel free to call them at +63 922 824 3051 message them here. You can use their venue as a free space and it’s available for these kinds of initatives everyday except Tuesday from 12 noon to 5pm.
The Love Project from Vgrafiks Design + Branding on Vimeo.
As you arrive at the VGIB location, you will be asked to take your shoes off and enter through a wardrobe. The mere sensation of taking off my shoes made me feel like I was home, a place where my feet could touch the floor without judgement from it. The act of passing through the wardrobe, which was very reminiscent of the book Narnia, made you really think that it wasn’t a regular place, it was a threshold for something unusual, it was both an adventure and a home.
You are greeted by a lady in casual clothing, allowed to sit where you want and there is no rush to ring the bell to tell them when you are ready to order. When you ring the bell, you are given two things: a map of the place and your options for meals. For dinner, they only allow set menus.
I quite liked the map, the feeling of being guided as to what each part of the house is for without having someone hover behind you and tell you what it’s for. It featured several areas with different activities which allowed you to explore the space while your food was being prepared simultaneously.
The food was an unusual mix of flavours, thoughtful and illustrative. With regards to eating, you should come to VGIB with the understanding that half of the enjoyment from the menu is listening to the ingredients and their role in the dish. It calls for eating with intent, paying attention to the little components of the dish that are handpicked to make you calm and happy. A lot of the staff members hold the VGIB close to their heart and many of them have histories of struggling in part due to mental illness and have been beneficiaries to the Love Project’s endeavours. There is a spark to how they discuss each dish, which shows the kind of endearment they have to advocacies of both the restaurant and the movement.
The ambience is great for couples and friends looking for a quiet spot to talk, reflect and experience mood altering things. To be maximised, the VGIB experience is not meant to be rushed. Be sure to go with people who come for more than just the food or the photos, come with people willing to talk, listen and enjoy the retreat. I know I did and it was worth it.
