Missed hits

MANILA, Philippines - That’s the thing about a sem break — you not only get to heave a sigh of relief that Philo or Theo are over and done with, you also get to do things (like take a shower longer than a minute) and visit restaurants you normally wouldn’t have time for during the darkest of hell weeks. So here it is: Young STAR’s guide to where to get the latest, tastiest eats and treats you might have missed out on while you were busy. Customizable pizza, bagel sandwiches — they’re all here for the munching.

Publiko - $$$

To all the students who have looked at the Draft menu and had their mouths water but their wallets grumble, Publiko is your prayer answered. This Quezon City establishment is run by the same group behind upscale establishments Draft, Distillery, and Beso Cucina Vinoteka, and they hoped to recreate a similar atmosphere but with the reasonable prices that places up north are generally known for. They seemed to have met their goal, as Publiko instantly puts you at ease: The space is big but not overwhelming, the food delicious but affordable. Chef Carlo Miguel also made sure everything goes well with beer, of which they have a number of local and foreign brands all served straight from the tap.

Must-try: S’Mores Cake, Chicken and Mushroom Rice Bake, Spaghetti and Meatball, Nachos.

G/F Eastwood City Walk 1, Eastwood City, Quezon City. 421-3190, 0922-8174301.

Sarsa  - $$$

The Fort may be a little more expensive than your regular foodie neighborhood, which makes Sarsa a very welcome respite from the usually steeply-priced establishments in the city. Celebrity chef JP Anglo, known for his ventures in Bacolod and his appearances on the Pinoy version of Masterchef has bought Negrenese cuisine to the hungry diners of Manila. Blistered, juicy chicken inasal makes an appearance, but chef JP introduces us to more unknown delicacies as well. Grabbing a beer with your barkada in Sarsa ensures you’re going to have a great and satisfying time.

Must-try: Isol, panit and chicken inasal, sizzling kansi with batwan gravy

Unit 1-7, Forum South Global, Bonifacio Global City. 0927-7060773.

Cool Beans Cafe - $$$

To those who associate sem break with finally having the time to read things that aren’t listed in their syllabi while drinking coffee because they want to and not because they have to, Cool Beans Cafe is the ultimate sanctuary. The no-frills food selection may not be anything to fawn over, but the cafe’s strength lies is in its highland coffee offerings and its mini library. Previously the storage space of a literature professor, the cafe now holds shelves upon shelves of graphic novels, magazines, and books of all sorts, which you are welcome to comb through while enjoying their Sagada, Kalinga and Benguet roasts.

Must-try: Brewed coffee and frappuccinos

67A Maginhawa St., UP Village, Quezon City. 0917-7064711.

Project Pie - $$$$

Pizza is probably the single-greatest thing on the planet if you get it right. Slightly chewy dough with a crisp exterior, topped with a generous serving of melted cheese, and the perfect sweet-tart tomato sauce. We’ve all probably wondered what our fast food staple would be like if we got the chance to put whatever the heck we wanted on it, and Project Pie lets you do exactly that. Let your imagination run wild, and make whatever you want on their great dough recipe, from savory gorgonzola to sweet Nutella.

515 Shaw, 1555 Laurel Street corner Shaw Blvd, Wack Wack, Mandaluyong. Tel. 650-0925

Poppins - $$$$

Many of the restobars you’ll find in the Tomas Morato area cater to a crowd looking for simple drinks and filling pulutan. But the owners of Poppins, among them fashion designer JC Buendia, wanted to offer something with a touch more elegance for an older crowd looking to unwind. Working with chef Aiz Anog, they designed a menu inspired by Cajun, Caribbean and Creole cooking, to be accompanied by their own couture cocktails. To their surprise, the gastrobar has been frequented by people younger than they expected; the prices may be a little steep for the average student, but not so much so that only a family-funded occasion will get them to go.

Must-try: Poppins Surf & Turf, Hickory Back Ribs, Paolo’s Watermelon Cooler.

Scout Madriñan St. corner Tomas Morato Ave., Quezon City. 0916-2235105.

Bawai’s Vietnamese Kitchen - $$$$

Tagaytay’s worst-kept culinary secret is now in the metro. With a slightly-more accessible location in White Plains, the long-traveled-to Bawai’s is cooking up great Vietnamese classics perfect for a date night. Even though the menu seems a little shorter than your regular selection, almost all of the dishes at Bawai are great for both those familiar to the flavors of Vietnam, and those who are curious for a bite. The place is simple but well-dressed, and lets the great food speak for itself, like the salty, sweet, and slightly spicy pairing in their Bawai Salad.

Must-try it: Goi cuon, com suon cha, pho

79 Katipunan Avenue, Bellitudo, White Plains, Quezon City. 442-8874, 0917-8851445.

Les Bagels - $$$

The makers of Nolita and Borough felt that Manila could use another New York-inspired kitchen, and so they’ve brought us LES (Lower East Side) Bagels. You’re given the option of having just the bagels, which range from plain to more adventurous flavors like Pumpernickel and Black Russian. They’re smaller than their American counterparts, but true to their name, they’re crusty on the outside but firm and chewy on the inside-none of the overly dense stuff you usually find at other places. But to get the full experience, you ought to have them with one of LES Bagels’ specialized cream cheeses. Garlic and Chive, Apple Cinnamon, Jalapeno Cheddar, and the NY favorite, Lox (brined salmon fillet), are only a few from their extensive list of savory and sweet spreads. If you’re hurrying off like a legitimate New Yorker, you may also pick from the pre-set bagel and sub sandwiches and desserts.

Must-try: LES Addiction bagel sandwich. For just the cream cheese, LOX.

Tuscany Residences, Upper McKinley Road, McKinley Hill, Fort Bonifacio. 804-0423, 0915-2585685.

The Farm - $$$

Everyone’s talking organic nowadays, but don’t be scared. That word doesn’t mean vegan, it just means responsible eating. The perfect example of that is The Farm, which is the exact opposite of what first comes to mind when you hear “all-organic restaurant.” The farm has a very paleo-centric menu, serving steaks, bone marrow, and currently some of the best burgers on the culinary scene. You can’t go wrong with their simple cheeseburger, whose blend makes for an incredibly meaty, juicy bite.

Must-try it: Cheeseburger, Double cheeseburger

Don Jesus Blvd, Alabang Hills. 403-9130, 0927-7412660.

Hungry Hound - $$$$

With an all-star cast that includes chef Jerome Opriano, formerly of The Goose Station, and Chef Gilbert Gomez, formerly of New York’s DB Bistro Moderne, people had their eyes on Hungry Hound even before the freestyle gastropub officially opened this August. Though it falls under the gastropub concept in that just as much thought and care is put into its food as its drinks, the affixed “freestyle” title allows them the freedom of experimentation. Aside from customary dishes like Bacon Cheeseburgers and Fish and Fries, they also serve Bacon-Silog and Kimchi Reuben. Prices may be a bit steep for the average student, but it’s worth the splurge if your wallet allows for it.

Must-try: Duck Fat Fries (P345), Angel Sliders (P275), Smoked Bacon Silog (P385)

Ground Floor, Globe Telecom Tower, 32nd Street corner 7th Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig. 0916-6964385

100 Revolving Restaurant - $$$$$

It may sound a little too fancy, since it is the Philippines’ first-ever revolving restaurant. But who can go wrong with the classic cooking of vhef Jessie? Known for her stints at Le Souffle and Top of the Citi, vhef Jessie has found another perfect spot to showcase her interesting takes on French cuisine. It’s the best restaurant to splurge a little, because the setting is one of the best you’ll get dining in Manila. You get a beautiful panoramic view of the city, while feasting on hotel-worthy dishes. Well worth the little dent in your pocket for a very special occasion.

Must-try it: Chilean sea bass with goose liver, Chocolate souffle

33/F, MDC 100 Building, C5 corner Eastwood Drive, Quezon City. Tel. 962-1016.

Green Pastures - $$$$

It might seem ironic that the man behind Charlie’s Grind and Grill would launch an organic, farm-to-table restaurant, but that’s precisely what chef Robby Goco has been working on for the last couple of years. The recently opened Green Pastures sources its ingredients from all over the country to be used in dishes that are made almost completely in-house. It also fights off the idea that organic necessarily translates to flavorless or intimidating; its menu is simple and inviting, and could convert even the most devoted of veggie haters. As disparate as Green Pastures’ menu is from those of Goco’s earlier restaurants, it’s marked by the same meticulous attention to detail and commitment to great quality.

Must-try: Octopus and Bone Marrow Fusili, Braised Oxtail, Ricotta, Tequila Joe’s Organic Beef Sloppy Cow.

4/F East Wing, Shangri-la Plaza, Mandaluyong City. Tel. 654-3219.

Price Point Legend

Price Point Legend

$ -Cafeteria lunch

$$ -Lunch after killing that  accounting exam

$$$ - Night out with blockmates

$$$$ -Weekend dinner with parents

$$$$$ -Your birthday