Life is Taft!'
by Trix Deseo
posted on Friday June 27, 2008
It has been a month or two since I left school. Hailing from La Salle, Taft Avenue has been and will always be home for me. The daily dose of pollution from this busy street I had to endure for more than three years is nothing compared to the fond memories and friendships that have been formed there.
Returning to school to fulfill the rest of my post graduation requirements was both unbelievable and nostalgic. It didn't seem too long ago when I was there as an anxious 'froshie' (that's our term for freshman) and yet there I was, happily gazing at the unfamiliar faces in the crowd. Sure I'd never forget my subjects and my professors, but pig-out and tambay sessions with my best friends are the ones I'd miss the most. Those very long breaks and early dismissals are truly unforgettable. My friends and I barely leave the vicinity, unless it's a really long break and there's a thing to catch some place else. Most of the time, we'd just hang out in our usual posts in Taft or go searching for new foodie joints.
Taft life is more than 'One piece chicken' or 'No.8 Go Large' in the neighborhood fast food. There are so much other options in the nooks and crannies of this student dominated district. Taft Ave. caters to three different schools: La Salle, College of St. Benilde and St. Scholastica's College, hosting an array of food choices ranging from the super cheap fried isaw near Tapa King to Solomon's high class crepes and paninis.
So for today, here's a back-to-school guide and a personal recount of my top pick tambayans-slash-food havens in Taft Ave. As for those who aren't residents in the area, the affordable student priced meals are worth checking out.
RICE:taft ave.
With short breaks, students cannot afford long lines in the nearby fast food. And yet they need something quick and still gratifying. Who wants to go to your next class with an empty stomach anyway?
In fairly new Sherwood Place across the Bro. Andrew Building of DLSU, is RICE: Taft Ave. Their “Specialty Pleasers”, like Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken (P99) and Cheesy Beef Steak (P89), please the appetite. You can also choose which of their Rice Choices suits your fancy: Adobo Rice, Beef Rice, Garlic Rice, Bagoong Rice and Vegetable Rice.
The nice and cozy feel of this spacious resto sure is a break from the stiff and serious atmosphere of classrooms. And to add to that, they could also play your iPod or MP3 player's songs on speakers while you're enjoying your food.
Sinangag Express
For those of you who are on a strict budget, Sinangag Express is perfect for you. Dubbed as 'SEx' by most of it's patrons, Sinangag Express along Dagonoy Street is very popular for their cheap cheap meals, especially their unique Tapsi. Their distinctly flavored tapa meat is shredded, just like corned beef. Other -silogs are available, too: Tosilog, Longsiog, Bangusilog, Liemsilog,Hotsilog, Chosilog and Embosilog.
Nothing in their menu exceeds 50 Pesos but I won't really recommend this for someone who's really hungry, for the servings are quite small. But hey! Doubling the order or getting an extra rice still won't be that hurtful to your budget. Another thing unique in Sinangag Express is their iced tea. It tastes quite odd for me but a lot of my friends fancy it. I personally love hanging out here. Aside from very affordable food, I frequent the place because the interiors are bright, wide open and breezy, perfect for hanging around before class starts.
House Blend Cafe and Deli
Slightly inconspicuous along the Estrada Street is House Blend Cafe and Deli. I ate there once after a friend's recommendation and I could no longer recall how many times I went back for their sisig, choco mallows and oreo shake.
They also offer pastas, cakes, pastries, shakes, hot and cold coffee, as well as sizzling Filipino viands so you could either go there for breakfast, lunch or merienda. You can already have a decent meal at House Blend for 100 pesos. The place is quite small so most of the time it's cramped during lunch times. I go there after the peak hours and I find the ambiance perfect. The noise from outside are filtered out and I can enjoy the company of my friends while gulping down my fave shake.
Cello's Doughnuts & Dips
To have Cello's right across the school is a blessing. The brightly painted interiors and cozy couches would relieve you of all the stress of the day. Entering Cello's is my favorite part. The place is filled with the sugary aroma of freshly baked doughnuts and the sight of them in front is simply irresistible.
Aside from their doughnuts, they also offer Ice Cream Creations (ice cream + doughnut= must must try!) for P80, and P90 if you want to make your own combination. They also have milk shakes, hot and iced coffee. For special occasions, you could also request them to make you letter doughnuts and doughnut cakes.
There are simply too many good options to choose from that's why I'm having a hard time recommending. I suggest you go over their menu and let's see if those deliciously named doughnuts fail to entice you.
MamaV Restaurant
I love karaoke. And would I love it more if it is near school and it costs only 5 pesos per song.
Thankfully, there's MamaV Restaurant in the Providence Tower, just a few steps away from Taft Avenue. They have a lot of air conditioned booths in various sizes, capable of accommodating up to 10 people. There is no charge for the rent of the booth so you can stay as long as you want to sing.
Once you're in the booth, they will present you with a menu consisting of our favorite Filipino dishes (Caldereta, Sisig, Kare Kare, among others), pulutans, and drinks. And of course, they are all affordable, just perfect for a student's budget. So if you want to celebrate your kabarkada's birthday, or just twist your boring day into a karaoke blast, Mama V sure is the perfect spot for you and your buds.
Now that I'm done with school, I can no longer enjoy these food trips in Taft as much as my friends and I enjoyed it back then. But Taft Avenue is not only for students, anyway. If you're up to try something different from what's near your area, why not visit Taft for a change? Restos nearby are definitely affordable as they cater nearby schools. As for me, I will always find time to go out of my way not only to re-experience the dishes but the memories of my college days as well.
Rice: taft avenue
2264 Taft Ave. Ground Floor, Sherwood Place, Taft Ave.
Manila
Phone Number: (63 2) 523-6648
Cello's Doughnuts and Dips
Malate Ground Level Burgundy Transpacific Place, 2444A Taft Ave., Malate
Manila
Phone Number: (63 2) 521-6236
Providence 24-Hour Karaoke and TV & Mama V Restaurant
Manila The Providence Tower, 2471 Leon Guinto St., Corner Estrada.
Manila
Phone Number: 812-5001, 524-4714
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