MANILA, Philippines ? Good food is the cool, steady breeze accompanying a sunny day, the warm cup of hot chocolate that melts in your mouth even as it warms up your stomach, the fluffy pancake fresh from the pan, the cacophony of colors bursting through the sky at sunset, and the cozy, laidback ambiance of a dining room and warmth of a home cooked meal. Good food, to be poetic about it, is the elixir of life.
With good food comes great company and unforgettable memories, and so we decided to look for new and exciting places for you to share with your family, friends or maybe that special someone, and create the memories that we can only have with food that warms up the soul.
Long Island
Food stall at the left side of the Main Library Bldg., Gonzalez Hall, cor. Apacible St., Diliman, QC
Hmmm, What Do We Have Here?: Italian
Simply the Best: Pasta with Pesto, Alfredo or Mushroom Sauce, Gorgonzola (Bleu Cheese) Pizza and Mint Chocolate ice cream.
The Verdict: Their pizzas have the thinnest crust I have ever seen, and apart from the Gorgonzola pizza, the rest of their pizza combinations are a must-try because they pack in a tasty punch in just a small serving. Their pasta sauces are full of flavor, and they usually rotate between different types of pasta for variety. Their pasta can also be served with either pizza or chicken, or both, and after a hearty meal, you can choose from any of their ice cream flavors, which include classics like vanilla and cookies and cream. From time to time, their dessert repertoire is also expanded to include yogurt, which tastes as sweet and has practically the same consistency as ice cream.
The Chocolate Kiss Café
G/F, Ang Bahay ng Alumni, R. Magsaysay St., University of the Philippines-Diliman, QC
Hmmm, What Do We Have Here?: American, Filipino, Asian, European (including Italian). Also serves breakfasts and has exclusive menus for its ground and second floor.
Simply the Best: Baked Potato, Eggplant Parmigiana, Sans Rival, Red Pesto (Fettucine tossed with Spanish pimenton, fresh tomatoes, green olives, garlic, basil and Parmesan cheese simmered in olive oil), Kalbi Chim
The Verdict: Goes by the tag line: ?Serving the good stuff,? and any UP student can tell you why. This is UP?s version of a five-star restaurant, by far the most upscale of dining places in the campus. Whether you?re going for breakfast, lunch, merienda or dinner, their food, as many of Choco Kiss? fans say, does hit the spot. My personal favorite would have to be Sans Rival, which is light and buttery, and practically melts in your mouth once you take that first bite. A bit pricey, but definitely worth it.
Flaming Wings
318 Katipunan Ave., Loyola Heights, QC; and Archer?s Nook Dorm, 5624 Taft Ave., Malate, Manila
Hmmm, What Do We Have Here?: American
Simply the Best: Chicken Wings and Tenders (with the Carribean Jerk sauce and Bleu Cheese dip), Pomme Frites (their thicker version of French fries, with a relatively bigger serving), Chicken Parmigiana, Wicked Oreos, and Warm Brownie a la Mode
The Verdict: Flaming Wings has earned a steady, decent reputation among Archers, Blue Eagles and Iskolars of all shapes, sizes and appetites for years because of their good food and the ambiance of their branches. Their wings and tenders can be treated to Original, Mild n? Sweet, Wild, Smokey BBQ and Carribean Jerk sauces, and paired with Bleu Cheese, Aioli, Honey Mustard, Balsamic Mayo, Ranch and Wasabi Mayo dips. The servings are just right and are good for a relatively heavy lunch, or pre-drinks dinners. However, do not leave without having tried their Wicked Oreos or their Warm Brownie a la Mode, because Flaming Wings does divine desserts well. You would want to take a bag home to share with everyone else.
Cello?s Doughnuts and Dips
2/L, WM Bldg., 309B Katipunan Ave., Loyola Heights, QC; and G/F, Burgundy Transpacific Place, 2444A Taft Ave., Malate Manila
Simply the Best: Oreo, Cheese, Honey-Glazed, and Chocolate Doughnuts, C?s and Pillows (try the Toblerone dip!), and the Cookies and Cream Ice Cream Creation.
The Verdict: Cello?s has garnered word-of-mouth from college students. Its branches always have that cozy, laid-back feel to them, which makes them an ideal stop for after-school merienda. The make-your-own ice cream creation, for example, is a great pick-me-up after a tough exam, and the Oreo and Cheese Doughnuts are just divine, and the dough melts in your mouth perfectly.
Conti?s Pastry Shop and Restaurant
P1 Level, Trinoma, Edsa cor. North Ave., QC
Hmmm, What Do We Have Here?: Filipino, International
Simply the Best: Lengua Estofado, Chicken Lollies, Blueberry Cheesecake, Tiramisu, Lemon Squares, Arroz a la Cubana, Choco Overload Cake.
The Verdict: From a well-loved home in the South, Conti?s now has branches up North, and no one could be happier. The Lengua Estofado reminded me of my parents? cooking when I first had a taste of it?it is loyal to the home-cooked recipe that has been passed down from generation to generation. Plus, it?s really good. You will want to cap off a good meal with any of their desserts?they have a wide selection?and I highly recommend taking a box home of their bite-size Lemon Squares, which are fruity and sweet without being overpowering. One excellent meal at Conti?s, and you?ll know why this restaurant has a cult following.
