We don’t pretend to be at the cutting edge of what’s new in the Metro or anywhere else in the Philippines. Whatever we encounter that we like, we let others know. It could be something we’ve bumped into by chance or somewhere someone recommended, like the Brgr: The Burger Project in the Teachers Village, Quezon City.

Caught by lunchtime somewhere in UP-Diliman, we went through our choices. Nearby UP-AyalaLand Technohub, maybe next time. Chateau Verde, closed long time ago. Restaurant of Choice or Chocolate Kiss, pass. Serye, Max’s or Kamameshi House in Quezon Memorial Circle, pass. Timog or Tomas Morato, out of the way. Cravings or Xocolat in Katipunan near Ateneo, maybe for light meals.

Ah, there should be some place different in the nearby Teachers Village (take C.P. Garcia). But exactly where?

It was time to call the human Google-map, ka-batch Cris Landrito. If you’re lost or looking for some place in Metro Manila, without a ready internet access, he’s your go-to guy. He has an amazing memory on directions (among other things he’s really good at). Each place he mentioned, we said “No”. Then he said The Burger Project. Sounds interesting, pretty much like the Radioactive Sago Project, except that the latter is a band (I later learned that there’s also a band named The Burger Project, although we’re referring to the edible Project here).

He said it’s along Maginhawa Street, just a stone’s throw from the Barangay Hall, near the Bayantel corporate office. We later learned the exact address: 122 Maginhawa Street, Teachers Village, Quezon City. Even before he could finish describing the location, we were already parking in front of The Burger Project.

The place is plain and simple, consistent with the character of Teachers Village, where you could find good bibingka, nice water holes, persian food and what-have-you, you just know where to look. It’s just beside U.P., so the atmosphere is informal and relaxed. The counter is crisp and compact. Well-lighted, camera-ready. Perfect setting to gorge on a double patty burger like you’re at home. Even if the sauce and patty juice are dripping down your hand (trust me, they will with the double patty), you won’t get the usual sosyal stare that sounds like: “Yuck, look o, that pig is so kadiri.”

We were each handed a clipboard, with a checklist that would become your “project”. What kind of bun? How about the patty? (Double, of course). What kind of cheese? Choose the premium toppings, then the basic toppings. How about the sauce? Sides? And how would you name your creation?

In my entire life, I have never faced so much headache in ordering a burger. I’d ordinarily throw away the clipboard and say: “Give me your bestseller.” But no fun in that, right? If they intended to give me a flashback of college years, with never-ending projects which gave me sleepless nights, then they’ve succeeded a tiny bit.

I took it seriously. It was a culinary challenge to my, ahem, battle-tested palate. The clipboard, while mute, mocked me with: “Can you handle this, boy?” It took me quite a bit to finish my masterpiece. Darn, all I wanted was a double patty. I forgot I was hungry.

When I finished, I was tempted to stand on the table, with the clipboard on one hand proudly raised above my head. “Yeahhhh, take that you piece of . . . beef“. But that would be overkill. And no matter how laid-back the atmosphere at The Burger Project, I ran the risk of being branded a burger lunatic. How about that as a name for my burger/project? Burger madness.

With the first bite of my project/burger, I realized it’s a place where you can have your cake, er, project/burger and eat it, too.

And the taste? Now, before we proceed, please remember that this is based on personal, non-expert taste. You are encouraged to express any contrary opinion.

The single pack of french fries that we separately ordered tastes good. The burger’s bun is good, but not as good as, say Crave Burger (which in turn is behind Brothers Burger). The patty is juicy and does not have any funny aftertaste. It’s filling, although if the patty is grilled, it doesn’t taste like it (unlike, say, Army+Navy, which has a clear grilled taste). Major consideration for me. A great patty remains good regardless of the bun, toppings or sauce.

It’s not your ordinary burger (also, not the ordinary price). In all, it’s a burger that I’d come back for and an atmosphere I’d come back to.