Hausbesetzer Laboratory @ 10a Alabama

If Cubao Center has Cubao eXpo and Malugay in Makati has The Collective, Alabama St. in Quezon City now has an art compound simply called 10a Alabama.

I’m a fan of Jetro (of Van Gogh is Bipolar fame), so when we heard that he opened a quirky tea laboratory called Hausbesetzer in 10a Alabama, I knew we had to check it out.

Together with Robert A. Alejandro (of RAW art gallery) and Leah Sanchez (of Resurrection Furniture), he converted an ancestral home into an art & furniture gallery-cum-tea house along 10a Alabama St. in Quezon City.

We checked it out last Father’s Day. Here is what you can expect in this promising art enclave:

1. Hausbesetzer Laboratory by Jetro

The laboratory is filled with a variety of tea biscuits and crackers.

We got an assortment of treats (100g of chocnut, meringue, chocolate chip and turones) for P100,…

 
…which went well with their homemade choco concoction (P99). If you don’t want the liquid version, you can get your choco fix with bars of local chocolate.

 
The main highlight of Hausbesetzer — the Tea Concoction (P99).

First, you choose from a selection of dry tea leaves: lime, avocado, guyabano, mango and banana organic tea.

Then, you add a packed tea booster of Honey Vanilla Chamomile, Sleepytime, Detox A.M., Ginseng Energy or Tension Tamer.

 
Next, you add one jigger of honey and fill the tea pot with hot water.

It would have been cool to have Jetro himself serve the tea (but I guess that would defeat the purpose of a sort of self-service ‘lab’). You’d be lucky to catch him at Hausbesetzer since he’s more often found at Van Gogh is Bipolar.

The younger boys had fun with an antique wooden horse. We just had to make sure they steered clear of the 1920’s electric fan. Aidan, on the other hand, checked out the ref.

Goldschlager with cherry was our favorite drink during our college days. Rache and I have fond memories of our Goldschlager nights with the barkada.

Stay away from these innocent-looking test tube shots. 🙂

 
Aidan finally found what he’s looking for — Water Buffalo Milk Ice Candy (P50)!

The laboratory is filled with a mishmash of things. You can find a weird collection of clocks, P199 Moisturizers, and bottles of orange wild honey.

   
Jetro also exhibits some of his photography and artwork here.

The only thing is, the food is not that great (unless you want to eat microwaved pasta or sausages). I do hope Jetro can bring his awesome Van Gogh is Bipolar food to 10a Alabama.

Trivia Tidbit: Hausbesetzer is the German word for squatter/s.

Hausbesetzer Laboratory
Unknown Laboratory by Jetro
Hausbesetzer Laboratory Menu
Mobile: +63 922 824-3051
Facebook: Hausbesetzer Laboratory

 

2. RAW by Robert Alejandro

Beside Hausbesetzer is a small room that showcases the artwork of Papemelroti artist Robert A. Alejandro, which includes:

an Art Match Box (P499) and…

…a quirky Upcycled Journal (P999).

RAW
Work, art & life of Robert A. Alejandro
Telephone: +63 917 834-8395
Website: http://RAAdesign.com/
Facebook: RAW

 

3. Resurrection Furniture and Found Objects Gallery
by Leah Sanchez

After eating, you can go around and check out the interesting “resurrected” furniture. They are interesting conversation pieces made from old doors, cabinets or windows.

Essentially, they utilize recycled hardwood and turn it into interesting furniture pieces.

This set-up is so nice, you can actually visualize how it will look in your dining area.

I love this study table combination, but they told us that the chair has been already sold to Jericho Rosales.

Ring from upcycled telephone wires, anyone?

In the men’s restroom, the neckties have been arranged to serve as curtains; while in the garden, formal shoes and high heels have been converted into plant and flower pots.

Their furniture workshop is also located beside the gallery. They can accommodate you whether you want your old furniture to be resurrected or you want custom-made pieces.

Resurrection Furniture and Found Objects Gallery
res·ur·rec·tion . noun
1. a rising from the dead, or coming back to life
2. the state of having risen from the dead
We take salvaged materials and everyday objects and make something functional, beautiful or whimsical out of them.
Telephone: +63 918 924-0580
Email: resurrectiongallery@gmail.com
Website: http://resurrectiongallery.blogspot.com/
Facebook: Resurrection Furniture and Found Objects Gallery

   

Gimik tip: After eating in the Tomas Morato area, you can head over to 10a Alabama for a dessert stop (for ice candy or chocolate) and a little bit of artsy shopping. Then, end the night with a hot cup of Hausbesetzer Tea Concoctions. 🙂

10a Alabama Map

10a Alabama
10A Alabama St., Quezon City
Mobile: +63 917 8348395
Facebook: 10a Alabama
Mon – Tues: 12:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Thurs – Sun: 12:00 pm – 9:00 pm 

Live an Awesome Life,

 
Founder, www.OurAwesomePlanet.com
Call or Text Me: +63917 5683-627 (LOVE-OAP)
Follow Me FacebookTwitterFlickr Youtube

Full Disclosure: Nothing to disclose. We paid for our meals and we are not connected in any way with the owners.

P.S. The best time to go to 10a Alabama is when they have special bazaars or events (like 10a Alabama St. Art Exchange! on July 2&3 2011 ).

P.P.S. Thanks to Iya Santos (Iya Santos’ Online: The H-Lab) for the tip!