Bean Box for the K-pop junkies

My youngest son told me about this cafe on Claro M. Recto Ave. that's becoming his favorite after-class hang-out venue with his friends. It's Bean Box -- a hip, crib-style cafe where one can eat and drink in a homey environment -- dim lights, low, wooden tables, lots of huge pillows. Last Friday, my not-so-little boy and I went there together after his classes and I quickly found out, the place could well be an enjoyable one for lovers of Korean culture. There's some Korean food on the menu, and they have several of that beautiful traditional Korean dress called "Hanbok" that anyone can wear for free for the must-have selfie and groufie. 
As for me, I immediately took a liking of the very relaxing place, where there are no chairs, only tables! Yup, everyone has to take off shoes, climb stairs and sit on the floor to eat. I bet groups of friends love it here as they get to huddle 
in a crib to chat or even study if they have to. 

Anyway, we were there for afternoon snacks and ordered:

Pasta Carbonara, P195.

This was quite good though a little too saucy for me. Well, better than dry, I guess. I would be happier with some more bacon, tho. The garlic bread? It was the bomb! 
Really good, I wished there were two.

Cheese Ramyeon, P165.
My boy's favorite! Well, it was really flavorful --a little salty, yes -- and very spicy! But I wished they served the whole egg instead of just half. Tee-hee.

Chocolate Chip Freeze, P180.
My son's choice. He loves anything chocolate!

Green Tea Latte, P155.
I absolutely loved my drink! Despite the deep green hue, there was no tinge of bitterness, and very creamy too! To top it all, it wasn't sweet! I requested to have no sugar added and that's what I got -- a delicious, tummy-soothing warm drink without the guilt! Yaay! 

Menu

In and around Bean Box

This was where my son and I were seated

Cribs

If you're at the University Belt and looking for a place for coffee, snacks and dessert, where it's relaxing and homey, Bean Box is it. Food and drinks are good, but prices are a bit steep especially for students. It's near San Sebastian College-Recoletos, foodies! 
Happy eating!

L.A. Village at the new Laperal Apartments

When I enrolled my youngest kid in one of the schools in the University Belt or U-Belt in Manila last year, I discovered L.A. Village at the contemporary Youniversity Suites, and was amazed at the transformation of the old Laperal Apartments of my youth. It's that huge art-deco style building on the end of Claro M. Recto Ave. near the corner with Legarda St. I myself was a U-belt "inhabitant" for eight long years starting from the early '80s and I knew Laperal as the old, run-down place where one of my high school friends lived with her family. I would go to their place once in a while, so I was very familiar with the huge, post-wartime-built building. 
In the years that passed, Laperal Apartments grew older and older until such time that it became too dilapidated to be lived in, so all tenants and business establishments left. I have no idea how long the building was left to decay until a husband and wife saw its business potential, bought it, and had it converted into what is now the 
Youniversity Suites that houses L.A. Village. 
I came across this comprehensive and very interesting article in RealLiving entitled "Would you believe that there are cool apartments inside this old building in Manila?" written by Maita de Jesus and learned about the long and amazing journey of Laperal Apartments from run-down to ravishing. Thank goodness for the never-say-die attitude of the power couple, the old building now houses safe and lovely dormitories for students, complete with modern amenities (even a swimming pool, I read!) and the L.A. Village food park (though the article says it isn't really a food park).
The "village" houses stalls serving various cuisines from Chinese, Filipino, Mediterranean to Japanese and American. My kids and I have made several visits and I'm sharing here some of the foods that we've ordered since last year.


Tonkotsu Ramen, P150.
I ordered this at Rosanjin, the biggest locator at L.A. Village that serves 
affordable Japanese food.

Spicy Ramen, P150.
My son's order. He said it was good though 
not so spicy. 

Crunchy Salmon Roll, P85.
This would have been good if only they used sticky rice. That's what all sushi is supposed to have, right? Otherwise, the roll would crumble and disintegrate before it even reaches your mouth like what happened every time I tried 
chowing each piece down. Ugh! The saving grace? 
The crunchy salmon center!

View from where we were seated at Rosanjin

Goto espesyal, P45., Tokwa't baboy, P40.
These were from last year and I don't know if the prices are still the same. Anyway, these were from Lugaw Republic at the second level of L.A. Village and really made 
me happy, being a real "lugaw" nut! I loved the garlicky porridge with 
sliced tripe, which was even more heavenly when paired with 
the fried tofu and pork (tokwa't baboy). Yum! 

Inside Lugaw Republic
I sat by the window -- the perfect spot when you want to do 
some thinking and writing.

Lugaw Republic menu as of last year

Tacos from one of the small stalls last year, which wasn't there 
anymore when we came back last week.

View from the ground level entrance

An authentic, restored German World War I fighter plane -- the 
focal point of the entire place 

Stalls on the second level

Western food is sold at this vintage van.

Live band!

L.A. Village is a hip place to unwind after a day's classes for students and toil for us in the workforce. There's plenty of food to choose from, the place is casual and laid-back, and there's even a live band to provide entertainment. What's more, prices are 
pocket-friendly as the stalls' main clients are students. So 
swing by, folks, and feel young for a moment. 
Happy eating!

Boulangerie22 for the perfect aftie snacks

Boulangerie22 is one of the places I like having my coffee at when I'm running errands or shopping at SM City San Lazaro. It's a simple, no-fuss cafe and bakeshop with quite a short list of offers. Their pastas are really good, though, as well as their 
assortment of breads and of course, coffee. 

Recently, I found out Boulangerie22 also has a store at SM City Sta. Mesa and was impressed by its spaciousness compared to the San Lazaro branch. This one's not just much bigger but also sleeker with a more homey ambiance. What surprised me more was that Boulangerie now offers the Vietnamese sandwich called Banh mi. I just got to try it! So I hurried with my shopping and strutted back for a banh mi and cup of joe.

Spicy Korean Pork banh mi, P149.
The filling is really spicy, and yummy too! Some veggies provide additional flavors and surely, much needed nutrients. And I loved that the baguette is fresh, it's firm but soft enough to enjoy this banh mi as a filling meal in itself. The sandwich is huge, 
I only ate half of it.

Meanwhile, these are what I, together with my youngest child, had one time at Boulangerie-SM San Lazaro:

Truffle Fettuccine Alfredo, P129.

Yum! I loved the creaminess of this. Bits of bacon lent so much flavor too!

Italian Spaghetti Bolognese, P149.

My (not so) little boy loved his pasta as well. I liked that it leaned more on the Italian side rather than Pinoy -- meaning, it's not sweet!

Hungarian Sausage Mozzarella Bread, P59.

Japanese Heart Chocolate Strip Cookie, P12.

Caffe Americano, P79.

Loved everything on the tray..soft bread, strong coffee, sweet cookie, the perfect antidote to weariness due to shopping. Haha!

Matcha Creme Frappe, P99.

I knew my boy would order this. He's an avid green tea fan and 
finished this in no time.

Inside Boulangerie22 at SM City Sta. Mesa

Boulangerie 22 is one great idea when you're running low on caffeine (and carbs, dahleens!). Get your much needed cup o' joe in between shopping or after the movies, or when you're wanting to work on your gadget whilst sipping (I like doing my writings while filling on coffee and bread or pasta). They have 13 locations 
in Metro Manila so find one year you.
Happy eating!