Post-Nightcap Binging

When H and I want to indulge in some late-night binging--and when he's in the mood to drive--we head on over to Mr. Kabab. It's one step above a roadside-carinderia; I'm guessing it's evolved over the years, after this after-inuman hotspot gained popularity simply through word of mouth (even my Makati and IS friends travel all the way to QC for it).

I can't possibly expound on every item on the menu because each time we're there, we always end up getting the same thing: Chelokebab. For about P85, you get two sausage-like pieces of meat, some margarine melting into the hot rice it rests on, and two grilled tomatoes. On our last visit, H, a tomato fan, got an extra order of the succulent fruit. By the end of it, he had eaten four whole tomatoes!

It's not a tambay place. In fact, I just found out that they actually don't have beer on the menu. I guess they just want people to get in, have their fill, and get out--there is, after all, a constant flow of people filling their tables. Even at around 2:00 or so in the morning, you'll find the equivalent of a lunch-time crowd--customers who get an attack of the munchies after a night of drinking.

Cheers! Enjoying our Mountain Dew. I hardly drink softdrinks , but I give in when I'm here.

Mr. Kabab is located on the corner of Quezon Ave. and West Ave. Tip: Dress down! (Note H in all his pambahay glory. Haha.)

Goin' Bananas (and Apples)

Ahh, finally! A new post! Been incredibly busy, so I have a backlog of about three or four resto writeups, but hey, this is a start!

There's a new food/coffee joint along Katipunan, right where City Jam used to be. It's called Banapple and I've been there about four times in the last three weeks. Haha. It's owned by a friend of mine (Maricel Jimenez, together with husband GJ), but even without the connection, I'd still keep going back.

(Top) Banapple is now open! (Above) The interior. These photos courtesy of GJ Jimenez.

The name is a play on the cafe's two bestsellers: the Banoffee Pie and the Apple Caramel Crumble. The Banoffee Pie (P480/whole, P65/slice) has been a favorite for a while now. Even before the cafe opened, my family would order it from Maricel, who supplied (and still supplies) cakes, pies, and pastries to places as far as Baguio! (The Baguio peeps actually pick up the goodies from Manila--an indication of how yummy her stuff is!) It's got a graham-cracker base, a banana and caramel filling, and a topping of whipped cream and chocolate shavings. If you've got a major sweet tooth, this is definitely the pie for you!

The Apple Caramel Crumble (P560/whole, P75/slice) is Maricel's crusty take on apple pie. Other Banapple goodies to try: Snicker Fudge Cheesecake, Cadbury Gold Oreo Cheesecake, Strawberry Cheesecake (unlike other cheesecakes, this one has no umay factor!)...the list goes on and on! Add P30 and you can get any of the pies or cakes a la mode! Mmmm. I couldn't get enough of the huge chocolate chip cookie, served warm and topped with vanilla ice cream. I'm drooling just thinking about it.

Aside from cakes, pies, and pastries, Banapple also offers meals. Try the dory with rice (P145--I've had it three times, I think--and each time I polished off the generous serving of rice). The tapa (P120) is on the sweet side, and it comes with these creamy scrambled eggs. "People don't order extra rice," Maricel tells me, "but they order extra eggs. Each serving has two eggs, so they end up eating four eggs!" There are also pasta dishes, sandwiches, and savory pies. All entrees are just P85 to P150. Plus they've got coffee, specially blended for Banapple. All in all, a great, inexpensive place to hang out with friends!

(Top to bottom) The tapa served with lots of rice and delicious eggs; one of my favorites: the dory, also with a hefty serving of rice and some carrots; banoffee pie!

Banapple is located along Katipunan (across Kopi Roti). It's open every day from 7:30 a.m. 'til about 11:00 p.m.