NOW OPEN: Green Mango and Coffeebreak at Nelly Garden

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, and for visitors a more touristy way of appreciating the grandeur of the former Lopez mansion rather than just passing by or just staring along the streets.

But I had to wait until laet afternoon to visit them since I had a luncheon meeting at The Avenue that time. But when I finally got there, I can't help but appreciate the ambiance more than the food itself. I mean I have been to these two restos eversince it's only now that they have an view to offer. Both have their own closed area but sharesan al fresco dining area that offers a good view of the mansion and the gardens inside thorugh a fence. Though as of now, remains of the construction of the building make an eyesore.

Green Mango occupies a bigger portion since it's a full fastfood restaurant where patrons sit down and eat. Juts like their other branches they have modern interiors but this branch offers a view and a much better al fresco dining area.

Coffeebreak is quite cramped as expected for they see most of it's patrons will enjoy their drinks outside. There are more seats upfront but who'd wish to be there when the back area offers something much better.

Now I've found myself a good place to bring/suggest to my guests when they come and visit Iloilo City. Or a place to have eyeballs and meetings. Or even just a place to let time pass by.

Ready-to-cook Pancit Molo balls

It was only today that I remembered buying a pack of ready-to-cook pancit Molo. Locals are fortunate to buy them at groceries here saving them time, money and effort in the tedious preparation of pancit Molo. Anyway every pack of the RTC pancit Molo has the balls and the lang-lang . Its the balls that entice the buyers and the lang lang that "dictates" the price and weight. For this blog entry, I opted for the AR brand (150 grams for PhP 21) since they had the more photogenic combination at that time though I'm more partial to the Cares brand. Separating the contents makes you realize that what you actually bought but for that price, it's already a bargain, can be cooked in many ways and can serve 2-3 people. It is then up to you what you can make out from a pack or more. For this preparation, I used 2 chicken broth cubes and just estimated the amount of water. Upon taste test I added a pinch of salt, a dash of pepper and few drops of soy sauce. I boiled the lang

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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