Plazuela de Iloilo excites the Ilonggo mallrats

I was about to go home yesterday when all of a sudden I just decided to drop by the still unfinished Plazuela de Iloilo. A month ago it had its soft opening with a few locators open but now, though works are still going on, it has quite created a buzz among Ilonggos.

From the architecture and the press releases it had, it showcased it Spanish theme maybe as a reminder that Iloilo was the last Spanish bastion in the country. The name of the mall itself, Plazuela shows obvious reference plus its main activity area is known as Plaza Mayor.

A new concept of malling in the city as opposed to the usual box typed malls and very compact malls, Plazuela de Iloilo makes malling a leisure. It echoes Iloilo’s way of life – not so hurried despite the hustle and bustle of city life. Compared to the adjacent mall, SM City Iloilo, Plazuela is really very spacious – in fact my first impression is it’s actually a waste of space – lol.

But a beautiful one – it could be the next most photogenic places in the city when it’s completely finished. While other malls fill up every crack and nook of space for retail, Plazuela has lots to show. Though I can’t be sure how it wills look and feel when its 100% filled up but still its al fresco motif creates and illusion of space.

When I got there yesterday, it had its first event at the Plaza Mayor – the graduation rites of a certain culinary school. Right timing it would seem as they activity center also hosts a 15-day food festival and a bazaar. In tune with the season, the center of the plaza had a giant Christmas tree – the biggest Iloilo City have ever scene.

The back portion of Plazuela has two pocket gardens; on both sides of the Plaza Mayor and further more is the vast parking area. Its color scheme hides the fact that you’re already in the backside as it is still as attractive as the front – actually I find the back portion more engaging.

Among the locators that are already open for business are Padi’s Point, Sony Centre, R. Florete Jewellery, Queenbank, Little Martians and a host of food stalls. Soon to open are Peppy Thai Deli, Deco’s La Paz Batchoy, Hamada Japanese Restaurant, Red Corner by HongKong Kitchen, Al Dente, ICenter – An Apple Concept Store, Rose Pharmacy, Cebu Pacific Ticketing and a lotto outlet to name a few.

Plazuela indeed had raised the standards of malling in Iloilo City by way of architecture and maybe tenant quality. It also has given Iloilo City a sort of preview of what to expect with the development of the old Iloilo airport by Megaworld Properties. Surely the district of Mandurriao has positioned itself as the new Central Business District as it houses the new breed of shopping, fun and entertainment in Iloilo City.

More Plazuela de Iloilo photos

Ready-to-cook Pancit Molo balls

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Ultimate Ilonggo Favorite: KBL Kadyos, Baboy, Langka

K.B.L. or Kadyos, Baboy, Langka is the ultimate favorite dish of most Ilonggos. It is also one of the most missed native dishes as kadyos and the souring ingredient, batwan , are hard to find when outside of the Ilonggo region. Basically, it is boiled/stewed pork dish owing its "deliciousness" to the combination of the soft and tender pork, the tamed sourness of batwan and the malinamnam na sabaw . One of the "secrets" of the malinamnamn na sabaw , is the fact that the pork, whether just the plain meat or pata (hocks) are first grilled or broiled. This gives the broth a rather smoky taste that makes it more appetizing.. Learn how to make the Ilonggo dish KBL (Kadyos, Baboy, at Langka) with the recipe below. Ingredients 1 kilo Pata (pork hocks) or pork cubes, GRILLED and sliced into bite size pieces 1 unripe Jack fruit, cubed 2 cups pigeon pea (kadyos) 6-8 pieces batwan fruit (or tamarind powder) 1 piece pork broth cube (

A new flavour for the Dinagyang 2011 Food Festival

Aside from the dances, drums and colorful costumes, Dinagyang also means food and Iloilo City has a lot to offer during this 3-day event. The festival brings them to the streets with the much awaited Dinagyang Food Festiva l . For four days, major streets in the city are lined with food stalls and kiosks that everywhere one turns it all about food. As this article states, major streets in Iloilo City will have a food festival there will be plenty of places to indulge in during D inagyang 2011 . ILOILO City's world-famous Dinagyang Festival will turn the spotlight on Ilonggo cuisine this year. Tourists are encouraged to try chicken barbecue the Ilonggo way and other tasty local dishes during the festival. There are also the world-famous Ilonggo delicacies and other concoctions to bring home after enjoying the Dinagyang ati-atihan and Kasadyahan competitions. Not only that. The 1s t Iloilo Convention and Visitors Bureau (ICVB) International Food Festival 2011 will attempt t

Valenciana

A close relative of paella, this dish originated in Valencia, Spain and probably brought by the Spaniards when they colonized the country. Always a staple in family gatherings, this yellow rice is a complete meal in itself, with pork, chicken, liver, chorizo, shrimps, bellpeppers, peas and raisins to name its basic ingredients. RECIPE Saute your choice meats and vegetables. Cook malagkit rice with turmeric and broth cubes then mix sauted meat and vegetables when almost done. Garnish with hardboiled eggs and onion leaves.

SIDRO: Iloilo's very own gourmet doughnuts

Just listening to Isidro Panizales Jr. animatedly talking about his life before and after being a “doughnut-preneur”, is like the different flavors of Sidro Doughnuts . Each variant seems to reflect different aspects of his almost three decades of living in America. From his work in corporate America for more than 10 years to that one little spark of deciding leaving work to pursue his delicious passion – life is like a box of doughnuts! IN A DOUGHNUT HOLE Sidro is an offshoot from the name Isidro but as Sid says, it’s a tribute to his father. The first Sidro Doughnuts came out of the kitchen and delivered to one lucky doughnut-phile on Dec. 18 last year. It comes in two sizes – Junior Doughnuts which at 30 grams each are perfect for parties and occasions. But if you can’t enough, there are the Regular Doughnuts which is more than 3x at 100 grams and comes with more toppings and flavours. Choose among nine specially concocted creations - Bugnay Berry, Calamansi, Dulce

FLAVOURS OF ILOILO

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