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!
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.
My son's order. He said it was good though
not so spicy.
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!
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!
I sat by the window -- the perfect spot when you want to do
some thinking and writing.
anymore when we came back last week.
focal point of the entire place
Stalls on the second level
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!
