Barkada for the Dabarkads

Because the barkada loves to eat, the members decided to put up a restaurant and call it, what else, Barkada.

Occupying a 70-square-meter space at the second floor of UP Town Center Phase 2, the restaurant has a warm and comfortable ambience, making it a favorite dining and hang-out area especially of students which constitute the bulk of  Barkada’s clientele, coming from the schools around it — Miriam College, Ateneo and UP. Tambayan ng mga estudyante is how the owners like to describe it.

True enough, when Funfare’s small barkada dropped by Barkada for lunch on a Sunday, we found the whole place bustling with millennials. Accompanied by our good friend Dr. Pia Achacoso, we were entertained by the Andreses who are among the Barkada owners — lawyer Jesse Andres and his wife Gia, their children (Nina and David), niece Grace, nephew Marvin (son of co-owner Robert Andres), and Jesse’s sister Dr. Joy Andres (Pia’s friend and fellow dentist who teaches at Centro Escolar University).

Barkada has a welcoming sign that features five rings of different colors similar to that of the Olympic logo also made up of five rings joined together.

“The rings have actually several colors representing the schools,” said Joy. Blue for Ateneo, Green for La Salle, Yellow for UST, Maroon for UP, Red for San Beda, etc. “Students love it here because they feel at home. The lighting is low-key, there’s music and TV entertainment. We are open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays, and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends (Friday, Saturday and Sunday).”

Barkada has an outlet at The Annex of SM North EDSA. The son (student of a nearby school) of the SM leasing manager frequents Barkada and he got his father curious. That led to the putting up of the SM branch.

“Before we drew up the menu,” related Gia, “we did food-tasting for almost a year. We invited students from UP, Miriam and Ateneo to do the tasting. By the way, our prices are affordable. We have a tie-up with the student organizations of the nearby schools.”  

Barkada serves comfort food known to be the favorites that one can share with family and friends.

The best-sellers: Baked Baby Back Ribs (P295), Baked Salmon (P295), Crispy Liempo Kare-Kare (P245), Shrimp Pomelo Salad with Honey Vinaigrette (P225), Lasagna Twin Rolls (P215) and Peach Funnel Cake (P145). Other favorites include Pasta, Ribs & Chicken Wings and healthy options such as fish and salads.

“The Peach Funnel Cake is so good that I can finish one serving,” said Pia. After eating a slice, we told Pia that we could do the same. The cake is a light crunchy sweet ending to any meal…and you can order some for those at home.

Yes, we did taste the yummy-pleasers mentioned earlier and pictured on this page. You guessed it: we drove home burping!

By the way, the best way to enjoy Barkada is to be there with your Dabarkads.

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)