Mouthwatering munchies at Banapple

There are some places you go to because everyone seems to be talking about them. And then there are some that catch your eye, and you make a mental note to check them out next time. And then there are the places you keep coming back to. Banapple may well be all of the above. I can't count how many times someone told me they were craving for Banapple, or how many Banapple boxes I've spotted on people's counters. For about three years since they first opened, I'd been meaning to drop by the tiny place along Katipunan extension. I never did get the chance though, and by the time I finally got around to tasting the famous Banapple food for myself, it was in its spiffy new two-floor branch. The restaurant, which looks yummy enough to eat, is still on Katipunan extension, except it's on the other side. The old Banapple is still there, a few meters away, and with less parking spaces. Now, if a restaurant can pull a Ministop like that, it's got to be good, right?

First things first. One of the best things about Banapple is its name. How do you pronounce it? Which syllable do you stress? Is it BANapple? Or BanAPple? In any case, once you enter through the bright red door, the mouthwatering menu will make you forget everything else and place your order. Maybe it's the warmth of the place - literally and figuratively. Modest tables can seat around six groups, and the place can get a bit noisy. The pleasant kitchen smells wafting around make up for it, though. Something about Banapple makes you feel like you're about to have a midnight snack of milk and cookies. Still, if you're one to get claustrophobic, Banapple offers al fresco dining upstairs. Whether you choose to dine indoors or not, Banapple has a pay as you order policy, which can cause some traffic at the counter, because customers seem to have a hard time choosing from the tempting cakes on display. Banapple isn't just for cakes, though, as the chalk-scrawled menu announces. They have a bevy of thirst-quenchers including their bestseller, of course, the Banapple smoothie. Apart from cakes of every color guaranteed to make your sweet tooth ache, Banapple has an impressive assortment of savory meals. They have creative salad choices, piping hot pies, as well as pasta and main course meals. Their Roll-up Lasagna (160 pesos) is deceptively simple looking, but the al dente sheets almost burst with rich, slightly sharp chunks of cheese. A prudent dash of herbs gives every bite a slightly leafy taste - which is a perfect contrast to its creaminess. The meat sauce, which is generously poured over the dish, is stewed in tomatoes, adding an extra tang to the otherwise satiating dish. The Asian Sunshine Salad (120 pesos) is crunchy, chewy, and crisp, all at the same time. How'd they do that? Fresh lettuce is layered with chilled crabstick, mandarin oranges that burst sweetly when you bite into them, sesame seeds, and a citrusy vinaigrette. All this is hidden under a generous helping of fried wonton wrappers. Not the healthiest salad topping, but it gives the salad a curious twist. The Cheese and Mushroom Pie (60 pesos) was deceptively simple-sounding. If you're hoping for a light snack, prepare to be overwhelmed by a gigantic meal, conveniently and efficiently packed in a golden baked pastry shell. The pie was stuffed with mushrooms! Banapple does not skimp on ingredients. A problem with this though is it's rather difficult to eat alone. For best results, if you're going to Banapple, bring back-up. A team of varsity players post-training is ideal company. Company is also good to have at Banapple, especially if the company you keep has their own car. Banapple is a bit difficult to get to, since the nearest public transportation is across Katipunan extension, where traffic whizzes by. Speaking of traffic, the sound of cars zooming by outside can be intrusive, so if your plan is to have meaningful, life-changing conversations - this isn't the place. But, if you're looking to munch on melt-in-your mouth dishes, Banapple is the place to go. Of course, your Banapple experience won't be complete without dessert. Their Oreo Brownie Fudge Cheesecake (95 pesos per slice) is the best way to end your meal - a lip-smacking blend of chewy chocolate and velvety cheese. You could, of course, play it safe and order a slice of Banoffee Pie or Apple Caramel Crumble - the two dishes that built Banapple. Although, by the time you get to that part of the night, you may be too stuffed for comfort. Fortunately, Banapple accepts orders to go, so you can bring your cake home and make your family happy. - GMANews.TV