I’m not a vegetarian, nor do I ever plan to be one. (That’s a huge “HELL, NO!” right there.) I love meat just as much as the next meat-loving person.
To be honest, I was one of those who used to equate “healthy eating” with “settling for so-so tasting food and being miserable about it”. That was then. Fortunately, we are now given more options on sumptuous yet healthy eats. And if you are from La Trinidad, you are even luckier, since you are practically in the heart of vegetable and fruit country. Hey, it ain’t the capital of the “Salad Bowl of the Philippines” (Benguet) for nothing! So this time, I’ll be sharing a little about Health101 ReSTOREant.
The ReSTOREant
Health101 ReSTOREant is a branch of the Health100 ReSTOREant chain and is located at Km.6, La Trinidad. The first reSTOREant, Health100, is located at Magsaysay Avenue, Baguio City. Personally, I have never been to Health100, but I have been several times to the other branch, the Health102 (I suppose there is no longer a need to ponder much on what the future branches would have for their names, eh?) ReSTOREant at General Luna Road, near the University of Baguio.
These restaurants are classified as “vegetarian and vegan” restaurants. But let’s not be too technical about it. The point is that, it is a restaurant that offers a menu comprised of healthy food, with healing and restorative properties and, most important of all, they taste really, really good! Plus, they come at affordable prices, that even students can afford to have their meals here!
The Location
Health101 ReSTOREant is located at the Benguet State University (BSU) Gladiola Center in Km. 6, La Trinidad, Benguet, directly across the road from the BSU Marketing Center and RSDC building. If you’re coming from Baguio City, you can stop at the BSU gate after the Land Bank of the Philippines or in front of the Anglican Church. It’s less than a kilometer away from the Strawberry Farms and a 5-minute walk away from the La Trinidad Vegetable Trading Post, so tourists and visitors can get your fix right here before, say, hitting the farms or the market.
Health100 Restaurant is located at Magsaysay Avenue, beside the Church of the Resurrection..
Health 102 Restaurant is located at General Luna Road, beside the Cuevas Building, one level below Mister Donut.)
The Resto
As much as I love a cozy atmosphere in dining places, I also wouldn’t say no to airy, wide spaces, and that is what you get at the Health101. It has become a favorite jaunt of mine over the past several Sunday mornings. After working out early in the morning at the BSU Gym nearby, my workout buddy and I make that leisurely walk through the university grounds, then head to Health101 for a hearty and healthy breakfast.
There is nothing flashy about the interior. It gives off that eatery-slash-canteen feel, without the noise and chaos associated with kitchens in those places. The walls had several paintings but not too much to make it look so “busy” and cluttered.
Upon entering, you can go directly to a table and wait for a staff member to bring the menu, or you can be more considerate and grab one of the menus on the counter before going to your table. 🙂 The regular items on the menu, or the Health101 staples are on chalkboards on the counter. There is also a separate board showing the special for the day/week, etc.
The Food
Now we come to the whole point of the place: the food.
The bulk of the vegetables and herbs used in their dishes are sourced from organic farming practitioners in La Trinidad and neighboring municipalities of Benguet. In fact, there is even a corner where these organic vegetables and herbs are sold separately. Lean meats and gluten-free meat alternatives are used for guilt-free enjoyment of meat. They, too, are available for sale.
There is always hot soup available, and it is for free. Yes, you can go for seconds. Or thirds. HAVE AT IT.
The servings are GENEROUS. I remember ordering a Single Garden Salad AND their Vegetable Lasagna at a time that I was really really hungry and decided I could eat a horse right there and then. Needless to say, I required a bit of “assistance” from my companions, and we had to stay over an hour just to consume it.
So as much as I’d love to say that I’ve tried everything on the menu, I haven’t (and that gives me multiple reasons to keep coming back!). Depending on my mood (and hunger levels), my order varies. But I have my favorites, the regular ones I order, whether to-go or dine-in. They also have dishes for the regular lunch crowd, ranging from croquettes to stir-fries, to lean meat or fish-based dishes.
Breakfast Goodies
House Breakfast – Basically, this is comprised of brown rice, organic vegetables (blanched or steamed), egg, and your choice of tapa, tocino, and sausage. (Php115)
Tofu Scramble – Kinda similar to House Breakfast, but instead of tapa, tocino, or sausage, it has tofu.(Php115)
Elmer’s Pancake Waffle – I only spotted this ordered by the person on the table next to us. It looks soooo yummy~ but I’ve been suffering from a laryngitis episode for the past three weeks, so syrup and sugar are a no-no for me at the moment.
Their breakfast meals are served with your choice of Brewed Arabica Coffee or Soya Coffee. If you like a strong brew, the Brewed Coffee is the way to go. But if you want something milder, but with its own “hit”, go for the Soya Coffee. Personally, I prefer the latter. (And, of course, you can order them separately, and the price ranges from Php30 to Php40.)
Pasta Specials
Among the pasta specials, I’ve only tried the Penne ala Bolognese and the Vegetable Lasagna, which I have a very, very soft spot for. Love love love!
Vegetable lasagna – a layer of pan-seared eggplant, mushroom, spinach, bechamel sauce, tomato concasse, and cheese gratin. You can choose between brown rice and toasted wheat bread to go with it.
Their pastas and sandwiches come with a small serving of camote (sweet potato) fries. A co-worker described the sweet potatoes as “binalsig”, or something like those logs you chop with an axe, because the slices are huuuuuge~ One order of camote fries is Php65.00, and it comes with pomodoro sauce for dipping.
Splendid Salads
This is what most people come here for. The vegetables and fruits are fresh, and you know how vegetable salads usually come with 75% lettuce and 25% everything else? That’s not going to be a problem here. In fact, I remember when I first “met” the Health101 salads, I had fun trying to figure out what herb this is, what greens those are, and what fruit that is.
A quick rundown of their salads:
Chicken & Apple Chopped Salad – if you want some meat with your greens and fruits. (Php 165)
Caesar Salad – the conventional salad, but tossed in with vegemeat and their House dressing. (Php 165)
Gado-Gado – lettuce, tofu, hard-boiled egg, blanched vegetables, and Asian vinaigrette. (Php 95 for Single, Php155 for Groupie)
Fruit Salad – Don’t worry, there is none of that salad-straight-out-of-a-fruit-cocktail-tin-can here. You get chunks of the fruits currently in season, generously drizzled with a mixture of cinnamon and honey. (Php 95 for Single, Php135 for Groupie)
Garden Salad – for those who are partial to vegetables. It has mesclun and spring vegetables, with their House vinaigrette. (Php 75 for Single, Php145 for Groupie)
Chef’s Salad – This is the one shown below. It’s a salad comprised of lettuce, cheese, fruit slices, and vegetable strips. With a fruity dressing. (Php 95 for Single, Php155 for Groupie)
Funny thing, the Single is not just for one person (although I can totally work through it on my own. Just… give me an hour, tops.) It is already good for 2-3 people. And the Groupie order can be good for 4-5!
The pics below are Single.
In the second pic, I paired the salad with their Green Smoothie, which is Banana, Kale and Celery/Spinach.
Drinks and Desserts
They also started offering cakes and pastries using healthy ingredients. I think even their cream cheese and dairy are sourced from organic farms. I’ve only tried their Classic Chocolate Cake (Php65/slice) and their no-bake Blueberry Cheesecake (Php65/slice) before, and they get major thumbs up. I saw some new cakes, including some strawberry shortcake of sorts.
Also on offer are breads such as Malunggay Pandesal, Pesto Baguette, Garlic & Cheese Baguette and Whole Wheat Loaf.
As for the beverages, aside from the Brewed Arabica Coffee and Soya Coffee, they also serve Hot Chocolate, and an assortment of Hot Teas, such as Lemongrass tea and different flavored teas by Steuarts. Or you could try some of their fruit shakes. You can even choose to combine any two fruits you want.
My favorite, however, would be their healthier beverages, which have no ice, no sugar, and no water! They juice the ingredients right up! Aside from Pure Carrot, they have Carrot-Apple, Carrot-Beets, Carrot-Apple-Cucumber (my fave!), Carrot-Apple-Cucumber-Celery, and Carrot-Apple-Beets-Ginger. They cost Php50 to Php60.
The Price
Personally, I thought the prices are reasonable, considering the high quality ingredients, the taste, and the overall presentation.
The Service
Service is also relatively fast (do not expect fastfood-type speed here. If that’s what you want, McDonald’s and Jollibee La Trinidad are just a short walk away) and diners are even “gently” requested to allow 5 to 10 minutes preparation time.
Oh, and did I mention the free Wi-Fi?
So will I go back?
I already am. Repeatedly.
(All Health10-something ReSTOREants are closed on Saturdays, and close up early on Friday evenings. Doors open at 7am.)