Out & About #459 | Part 1: Convocation + Barangas On The Beach

​It's officially time to bid farewell to the campus life! Well, not like I missed it anyway (haha).

​By the third year mark, I had wished that I could just wrap up courses and enter the workforce. Endless possibilities of post-graduation life awaited me. The world was changing, yet I would be returning to a bubble that didn't extend beyond countless assignments and grueling group projects.

Time continued to pass, but students remained bound within a realm of academic responsibility. There was no possible way to contribute back to society, in spite of being bestowed with the sufficient knowledge and tools and commence a fresh journey.

​Unemployment is tragic and tear-inducing. However, all is better than continuing to study with reluctance.
Personally, grad studies is sheer tomfoolery.

​We were swiftly ushered out of the venue within an hour of the ceremony's conclusion. Countless photos and a mini reunion with a fellow late graduate later, the day veered into the early afternoon hours. The party was ready for sustenance.

​Known for having an abundance of free parking Downtown Hamilton is not. Thus, we headed a bit further away from the bustle of the Main and King Streets, towards the industrial section of the city for a late lunch.

​Barangas On The Beach possessed an extremely tropical vibe - aligning perfectly with its coordinates by the water and overall vibe of the interior. Ceilings are high (with straw sightings), walls and pillars are a polished white, the entrance is grand.

Formerly a beach school for over half a decade, some of the institution's original elements remain - such as the community pool-esque bathroom stalls and ancient toilets. For the most part though, the outer components have been transformed entirely to include two rows of patio seating (with gigantic umbrellas to protect against harsh UV rays), an outdoor lounge area, and covered yet not enclosed quarters. Tables featuring AC were also ample, meaning that there is guaranteed to be a spot in the restaurant fitting one's preferences.

"Would you like to be seated outside or inside?" was amongst the first few phrases uttered by the hostess.
"We'd like to sit inside close to the outside." came the group reply.

Of course, there were also options of sitting outside close to the inside, completely outside, or completely inside.

​Comprehensively speaking, the vibe was refined, yet relaxed at the same time. When menus with laminated sheets featuring classic Greek casual fare came around, I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow; Barangas had created an uncommon liaison between its visual and gustatory components.

Patio-appropriate appetizers like bruschetta, nachos, and fish & chips were made available for sharing, while customary Greek and Mediterranean mains formed the foundation of the entrée selection.

​Drink requests were taken first. Iced Tea and Ginger Ale were priced steeply at $3.25 and $2.95 respectively. On the flip side, the housemade Sparkling Water was a mere two dollars per bottle. Each beautiful blue bottle contained enough liquid to fill our stout glasses at least four times.

View the full album HERE !

< Pictured above and below: Iced Tea, House Sparkling Water, Ginger Ale, Bruschetta, Grecian Shrimp, Chicken Pita Lunch Special, Souvlaki Combo >

​Perhaps majority of us were too famished to employ wandering eyes: instead of picking at appetizers in addition to our own meals, I found myself immediately diving into the Chicken Souvlaki Pita and Beet Salad placed before me.

The pita was chewy and soft, with its underside toasted and lightly seasoned. Its constituents of barbeque chicken, shredded lettuce, tomato chunks, and onions were flavourful and satisfying as well. Nicely enveloped - and insulated! - in a sheet of aluminium foil, the pita successfully retained heat throughout the meal while preventing tzatziki sauce leakage. Although I would have enjoyed a thicker, sour cream-like consistency, the sauce's lack of viscosity did not earn the dish any demerits.

​The creamy Beet Salad in its accompaniment was not to be overlooked either. Crunchy bits of walnuts and a dash of green onion provided great contrast against the tangy dressing. Red beets possess an acquired profile on their own, but the mild degree of seasoning yielded a bold combination that further heightened its semi-rigid texture and moisture-rich properties.

​At some point during the meal, I found myself munching on a small sample of the Grecian Shrimp. Crumbled feta and a sprinkle of parsley never fail to amaze me; the tomato-based gravy was tasty, but sadly not very memorable.

​The waitress tending to our table was exceptionally friendly and smiley. Drink and meal orders were taken in a timely fashion, and follow-ups were made on several occasions.

The group appeared to enjoy their picks decently, though the general consensus was that the price of the items was signficantly higher than other similar restaurants.
"Look around you - this isn't a Mr. Greek!" expressed one member of our party.
She was right. The breathtaking waterfront view, tranquil atmosphere, superb service, and wonderful setting was far beyond a food court favourite. That said, be prepared to be relinquishing funds fitting of the eatery's offerings.

​Washrooms, as mentioned previously, were nowhere near as modern as I would have liked. A chipped staircase led to a series of plastic Wonderland-like stalls with minimal lighting. Minimum levels of cleanliness were witnessed.
A single accessible washroom was also present at the other end of the restaurant, but involved potential run-ins with staff members exiting the kitchen through a narrow doorway. This stall, which featured a window overlooking the front entrance, was noticeably brighter and more spacious.

​The overall experience at Barangas ranked positive, primarily due to the factors besides its food. A broader selection would have been nice, even though one can rarely go wrong with souvlaki wraps.

​Read Part 2 HERE !