FLAVOURS OF ILOILO

Finally, I've tasted the beef variety of Ted's Oldtimer La Paz batchoy. It has tons of beef, garlic and kinchay? yet no chicharon or liver. But it was still good for the beef gives a different taste from the usual pork-chicharon-liver combo. It might as well considered a beef mami. Here's the original pork batchoy - Special. Not as big nor full of toppings as the Extra Super Special but still the same goodness Ilonggos love.

Just had my fill of vitamins, minerals and fiber today courtesy of my laswa lunch. This dish is one of the most versatile vegetable dish for it can include any vegetable you can find. It's also easy prepare; just boil them and add salt to taste. You can even use dried fish as for flavour and for "meat"

I always love my (food) trips to this no non sense Thai restaurant along El 98 street in Jaro. Never mind the turo-turo/carinderia style nor the lack ambiance ambiance, it's the food that's what everybody is craving and raving about. There had been a big discussion about Peppy Thai Deli (online) when it transferred to it's present location and it intrigued Lee a lot. So we decided to have lunch last Friday at this authentic Thai resto that also started his gastronomic adventures - the Thailonggo way. Thai fried rice is a staple order for it serves as the base of any meal. You can order onewithut egg if you're concerned with your cholesterol levels. I still forgot what this one's called but refers to it as "Thai noodle soup". This bowl is much better than the one I had months ago. The broth was much milder andt he noodles were still as good. The handsdown winner - papered squid! Almost everybody raves about this fried tenderized squid. Very crunchy and ...

Deocampo is a brand that is very much associated with barquillos. Actually the complete brandname is called"Deocampo Barquillos". Aside from their famous barquillos and other pasalubong items, they also have sio pao which many revere. Curiosity made me try it before and I had mixed reactions. It's of one the graciously filled sio paos I have tried yet it was due to the extenders you can actually see and taste. Can be sure if it's potato, kamote or whatever. Yet I still love the taste and the totality of it. This one may not shot how gracious the filling is or it's quality since this one's just got out of the fridge. So I now have a reason to buy a pair or more soon.

Urbanites in Metro Iloilo have always been such big fans of Filipino Cuisine, traveling far and wide to savor superbly- tasting and uniquely-presented Filipino dishes to charm the eyes and satisfy palates. This led to the conceptualization of Bauhinia Filipino Cuisine, a Filipino restaurant envisioned to be a food gem that would cater the public with great-tasting Filipino delights prepared with a twist. The restaurant recently invited the Iloilo media and bloggers to have a taste of their best sellers and fresh inclusions as they came up with a new menu. Kinilaw na Tanigue at tuna (PhP 175) Mackerel fish marinated in calamansi and vinegar, seared tuna, carrto slaw, balsamic reduction The kinilaw reminds me of (my favorite) cold pork loin salad, at this Thai resto , so it was good the moment I tasted it and easily overshadowed the tuna. Also being served in shot glasses makes it more appetizing. Squid ala Pobre crostini (PhP 130) Sautéed squid in olive oil and chilies on French baguet...

Together with bloggers and mainstream media, I was invited to rediscover the new flavours at Bauhinia Filipino Cuisine restaurant at The Avenue today. They have newly revitalized menu - old favorites and fresh inclusions that will excite your apetite until you're satisfied with gastronomic pleasure. Nine of their old best sellers and new selections were served during the event for the guests to have a taste of what's to come. Appetizers include Kinilaw na Tangigue at Tuna and Squid ala Pobre Crostini . Soups that came in shot glasses were Tinu-om na Sugpo and Monggo at Sili. Fresh salad creations, La Pinay and Crusty Adobo Salad that were called " Organik Enasalada " followed. Seafood and beef made up the entree as we had Sugpo sa Aligue at Sili , Guinata-ang Salmon and Tenderloin ala Pobre . I got their Bauhinia iced tea for it's a personal favorite. Desserts served were "imported" from Nothing But Desserts. A walnut gelato with chocoate and berry...

I never gave it much thought when I read (online) that Green Mango and Coffeebreak opened their newest branches in front of an Iloilo landmark - Nelly Garden. Nor it excited me even weeks before that I saw them being constructed on that new building that covers another third of the front lawn of the grand mansion. It's just another branch of these two restos, I said, and at the rate these two restos are opening, it's just nothing new. Until I passed by today ....... And from that moment one I can't contain my excitement. Though it was just a blur since I was riding a speeding vehicle, but I saw what I didn't expected to see - a view of the grand mansion from the road through the restaurants. I twas then I realized that these restos actually capitalized on the fame of this Iloilo icon to entice locals and tourists alike. Now both groups have reasons to celebrate. For locals; there is now a "legitimate" hangout in front of a once "in passing" landmark,...