I have written extensively about how Quezon City (QC) is experiencing a renaissance of sorts in its dining and drinking scene. Of course, QC has always been a hub for food lovers. From Mister Kebab on West Avenue to the diverse restaurants and bars of Tomas Morato, and the lively, student-friendly establishments of Maginhawa Street, QC has long occupied an important place on Metro Manila's culinary map.

In recent years, however, it has been overshadowed, in a way, by the dining scenes of Makati and Bonifacio Global City (BGC). Then there is what I often jokingly refer to as the "Deep South," particularly BF Homes and Alabang, followed by the "Even Deeper South" of Silang and Tagaytay, destinations that have increasingly attracted food enthusiasts willing to travel for a memorable meal.

Lately, though, I have noticed a resurgence in QC's food scene.

Restaurants such as Half Saints by Christine Roque and Jo Arciaga, Jorge Mendez's Mugen Ramenya in Maginhawa, and Bettina Arguelles' Curio have brought renewed energy to the district. Bars such as Bar Flora and ReCraft have likewise helped redefine what a night out in “Kyusi” can look like.

My latest discovery is AKA Day/Night Drinks in Timog, an area that holds many childhood memories.

I remember visiting the old Circle Theater near the corner of Quezon Avenue and Timog with my parents and sister. Nearby stood one of our family's favorite Pizza Hut branches. I remember sitting there during the rotational brownouts of the 1990s, eating pizza while waiting for the lights to return.

Today, the neighborhood continues to evolve.

AKA occupies a corner of Timog that feels familiar and now new at the same time. During the day, it operates as a specialty coffee shop. By evening, it transforms into a cocktail destination. The concept is simple but effective, offering guests a place that adapts to different moods throughout the day.

I first encountered AKA during Philippine Cocktail Week, when it served as one of the participating venues in the annual bar-hopping event. I met the proprietor, sampled several drinks, and enjoyed the lively atmosphere. Recently, I returned under very different circumstances. Instead of a crowded cocktail crawl, I found myself attending an intimate collaboration dinner between AKA and fellow QC establishment Sushi Shokunin.

The collaboration itself felt significant.

For years, chef collaborations, tasting menus, and one-night-only culinary events were often associated with restaurants in Makati or BGC. Increasingly, however, Quezon City establishments are proving they can host experiences that are every bit as ambitious.

The evening featured a menu that highlighted the strengths of Sushi Shokunin while allowing AKA's beverage program to shine alongside it.

Guests began with Tori Reba Pâté, Foie Gras Mousse, and Smoked Hamachi Tartare before moving on to dishes such as Wagyu Kinilig with Patatas Espuma, Ama Ebi Chawanmushi, and Hotate Aburi finished with talangka butter.

Among the evening's highlights were Tai paired with uni sauce and an indulgent Unagi Furai with hollandaise. A Mini Loco Moco added a playful touch before diners were served sashimi selections of hamachi, shake, and tuna. The Hiroshima oyster finished with pinakurat provided a memorable bite, while temaki and nigiri selections featuring kingsu, madai, and shima aji showcased the quality of the seafood.

Dessert came in the form of matcha ice cream topped with miso cream foam and tiramisu, providing a satisfying conclusion to the meal.

Throughout the evening, AKA's team served cocktails including the Sherry Cas, Single No. 4, AKA Long Island, Nine Waves, and Kopi Ko Blanc. The pairings demonstrated the creativity that has helped establish the venue as one of Timog's more interesting drinking destinations.

That focus on beverages is central to AKA's identity.

The establishment offers a range of specialty drinks, from Hojicha Latte and Iced Matcha Latte to Spanish Latte, Hazelnut Latte, and pour-over coffees. By night, the focus becomes cocktails and socialzing.

One of its more playful features allows guests to roll dice on a custom made game board—à la Monopoly—to determine their drink order. The concept encourages interaction with the bartenders and often leads customers to discover drinks they might not otherwise have ordered.

The venue itself is warm and welcoming, with a comfortable loft area that invites guests to linger. It feels equally suitable for a quiet afternoon coffee or an evening spent catching up with friends over drinks.

Most importantly, the recent collaboration I experienced served as another reminder that QC's dining scene continues to evolve.

The city never stopped being a food destination. Long before BGC became a dining powerhouse and before diners regularly traveled south for weekend food trips, generations of Metro Manila residents were already making their way to Quezon City for celebrations, family gatherings, and memorable meals.

Today, a new generation of restaurateurs, chefs, bartenders, and entrepreneurs is building on that foundation.

It is encouraging to see collaborations like the one between AKA and Sushi Shokunin taking place in Quezon City. They demonstrate a growing confidence among local operators and a willingness to create experiences that rival those found elsewhere in the metro.

AKA may be only one establishment among many helping shape this movement, but it represents something larger. Together with the restaurants, cafés, and bars opening across the city, it is helping reinforce Quezon City's place as one of Metro Manila's most exciting dining destinations.

For those of us who call “Kyusi” home, that is welcome news.