Artichoke Adobo
Friday, August 26, 2005
UP Beach House Barbecue
Key Words: Food
There's this house in the middle of the UP Sunken Garden that I remember fondly. It's called the UP Beach House, which is weird since the nearest beach is probably at least 50 kms away. Rickey says it's because the architecture of the structure looks like that of a beach house. Anyway...
 The Hepa Contessa at the Beach House | The Beach House holds some historical significance for me. Far as my research took me, it was established sometime within 1992 or 1993. I came in as a freshman in 1993 and immediately took to eating in the Beach House (At least once every two weeks). They were known then, as they are known now, for the excellent barbecue that they sell. At that time it was heaven for a financialy challenged college man like me. 13 Pesos for the Barbecue, 5 for half a red egg and a tomato, 10 for two cups of rice... and then all the vinegar, soy sauce, and chili peppers you can eat. I get a feast for 30 pesos. |
| I recently went back to UP during one of my trips home, and decided to introduce Mox to the Beach House experience. It brought back a lot of eating memories. The setup was more or less the same. You fall in line outside the house's door, you grab barbecue, side dishes, viands, and rice from cafeteria-like chafing dishes. You pay when you reach the end of the line, walk back outside, and sit yourself comfortably on the plastic chairs underneath the expansive shadows of the trees. Very romantic, you say, but it also creates certain difficulties. |  Our Spread |
 The Line | You have to guard against The Marauding Mayas of Death, a bred-to-kill flock of smallish, brown maya birds that are trained to descend on hapless barbecues that have been left foolishly unguarded. I witnessed one such situation when this obviously famished guy had to go back in to get some utensils... he came back just in time to see the now-content flock fly away. Poor guy. |
Then there are the other issues that come with dining outdoors, the dust, the wildlife (i.e. stray cats and dogs) and the occassional frat beating. Sometimes, there you also have to make sure that the molo soup your eating hasn't inadvertently turned into a bowl of Bird's Waste Soup. Still, this is Artichoke Adobo, not some hotsy-totsy high-brow food site... and we don't take points away for what can be considered in some circles as... an indigenous experience.
The barbecue is still delicious as hell... only a tad more expensive (at 20 Pesos now for a well-sized stick). It still comes with the required last slice of fat that everyone loves. The barbecue guy I know has since retired and been replaced by a younger dude (that made me a little sad). All in all, it still delivers a Marty McFly momment.
 Outdoors |  Mr. Barbecue |  Ice Cream |
The other stuff we ordered was regular carinderia fare: Sauteed Monggo, Red Egg and Tomato, Boneless Fried Daing na Bangus, and three bottles of C2 Iced Tea. Nakakabusog! And it cost us more or less 200 Pesos (for two people who eat like us -- which means what we ordered would've been good for 3 normal people-- Sorry Mox, our secret is out).
UP Alumnus or not, I suggest you give this place a chance. Go on a Saturday, during lunch time... there's less of a line. Order at least a stick of barbecue, and enjoy the fresh Sunken Garden air.
Ambiance: @@ out of 5 (Less if you mind sitting on bird poop)
Food in General: @@@ out of 5
Barbecue: @@@@@ out of 5
Overall: @@@@ out of 5 (Try eating here at least once in your life)
P.S. If you have UP Beach House memories, please post or email me at manongguard@yahoo.com
# posted by ManongGuard @ 3:40 PM 
