Madge Café: Native Coffee for the Troubled Soul

(Click on the pictures for a larger view)
Finally, I get to share my sanctuary, my favourite thinking spot, and the best coffee I have tasted so far in my 17 years of existence (no joke).

In the midst of a busy Lapaz Market, lies an unknown coffee shop that offers fast service, friendly greetings and what might be the cheapest breakfast you can obtain outside. 

Tito Pete (the friendliest man ever), together with his effervescent team that serves freshly brewed coffee to the customers, never fails to make the customers feel like they're welcome to their own variation of home. Despite its lack of proper ventilation (no air conditioning, only fans; sorry dears) and its close proximity to well.. what you may encounter in the mundane public market.. I find that the place makes me feel very much comfortable. A plus factor is that it's student-friendly in terms of expenses.

In spite of the heat, I've always rather enjoyed my coffee hot. For just P22, you can get a good cup of perfectly brewed  native coffee. Feeling hot? Add P8.00 and get a bigger cup of iced coffee.

If you're in a rush, get your coffee to go for free which they put in a tin can. Many times, this is frowned upon by people who wondered why I get my coffee in a tin can, but honestly, I couldn't ask for a better container. Their resourcefulness (tin cans come from the evaporated milk) also adds a native touch to it. Yay for non-conformation to society!

As I mentioned earlier, they have rather cheap food available. Here are a few of my favourites:

You can't go wrong with the classic pancit canton noodles and a good egg (P30) which is why when I come to this café rather hungry, I order this immediately. 

The corned beef that they offer is marvellous specially if paired with the butter-toasted bread. To be honest, just the buttered-toast is enough to satisfy my tummy. 

All these orders up here won't go above P50, so you can just imagine how much you'd save if you eat here everyday.

On the days when I'm really (I mean REALLY) running out of money, a good order that would do my wallet justice is the Native Puto.

 I have never tasted a better variation of puto (A kind of rice cake in the Philippines) compared to what they offer. And these, both the coffee and rice cake, are less than P35.

When my coffee-buddy and I go to Madge and are exceptionally hungry, we could get a complete meal and be extra full for (wait for it).. not more than P70.

Another thing fascinating about this place, is at the wall facing the main counter (first picture), is an entire collage of either their daily customers or famous people who have visited the café. Also included are news articles and blog posts about them.

Like me, you can come here in between classes (I have two 3-hour breaks a week) with a book and read all afternoon. If you're not much a reader (start!), then you can go there with your iPod and listen to some good French music and feel like you're in a different country.

It's my sanctuary because I can go there by myself, drink good coffee, read my books and not have to worry about bumping into someone I know who will converse with me about mediocre issues, so I get the peace that I desire. If not by myself, I go with my closest guy friend, Sieggy, and we constantly debate and talk about issues or quotes/beliefs that allow us more insights. I highly suggest this place for anyone who finds that they have similarities with me. Do enjoy! If you'd like to go, contact me and I'd be willing to bring you there. 

Food: French Toast

Food, again. You can already see how strong my sweet tooth and appetence for food are. So, here, we have the classic French Toast that I just love so much, I could survive with this for an entire week. Let's get to it as I'm entirely ecited.

What you'll need:

1. Flour,  1/4 cup all-purpose (I used to not use this ingredient, but I found that it makes quite a great difference in the mixture) 
2. Milk, 1 cup
3. Salt, wee bit (a pinch would do)
4. Cinnamon, 1/2 tsp (powder)
5. Eggs, 3 pieces
6. Vanilla extract, 1 tsp
7. 1 tbsp white sugar (but since we live in the Philippines, we all know you'll be using brown sugar which is just as good, if not better)
8. 12 slices bread (I like using white bread, but you can use whole wheat if you prefer a healthier option)

To be rather honest, I've never utilised a particular recipe such as the one I just posted. I know what ingredients are involved, and I simply put in whatever amount of each I deem fit for the moment so you don't have to follow this recipe to the dot. I learned this style of cooking from my brother Albert (thank you very much) who isn't the most prominent fan of Martha Stewart's precise measurements of each ingredient. I acquired this recipe off my favoured recipe website (I'll share it soon enough), and it's a recipe for Fluffy French Toast (stress on the fluffy). I believe self-generated recipes are the best so put more sugar, more cinnamon, more vanilla if it pleases you (We all do enjoy our sweets differently). So here's all you need to do:

• With the flour in a flat bowl (I hope you get what I mean. Also, make sure it's big enough to fit the toast), whisk in the milk.
• Add in the rest of the ingredients and mix. The mix doesn't have to be smooth.
• Heat a pan that's lightly oiled or buttered.
• Soak both sides of the bread on the mixture until it has a generous share (the more soaked, the better) and fry until golden brown (Remember: the good ones are always golden brown)
• Optional: I lightly sprinkle a bit of confectioners' sugar (or icing sugar, if you're from England) as it adds a bit more sweetness and I like mine sweet.

And this is how it's supposed to look like:

Okay, not exactly like this, but this does look
 tremendously marvellous, doesn't it? 

If it doesn't look this good, no reason to fret. It's the taste that matters (Mine doesn't always look so scrumptious, but they sure do taste delicious, not to brag of course). If you're not satisfied with the degree of sweetness, play around with the ingredients as I mentioned earlier. Add or lessen, nothing can go wrong. I have a high school friend who makes the most incredibly luscious French Toast ever and up to this day, I cannot seem to make mine taste as good as his. That's why I constantly add, remove, and lessen different spices.. I can never seem to determine his secret. 

This is the perfect breakfast, topped with a few fruits and fresh orange juice, but even without these extra bits, the French toast is adequate on its own to satisfy your tummy in the morning. If you want to try a couple of variations, here's a few to get you started:

• If you are able to acquire some nutmeg (please do tell me where I can get, you cannot imagine how desperate I am), add a bit of it for more flavour. 
• Double the cinnamon and vanilla. Go on.
• Mash some bananas and add it to the mixture.
• You may add a bit of butter and maple syrup before serving.
• I've heard that a shot of dark rhum makes it taste good as well. I've never tested this, but maybe I will in the future. (If you try this ahead of me, do tell me the results)

Do post any suggestions, if you've tried it and how'd it go! When we meet, I promise to cook you some of my own Egyptian version. :)

Ciao.