The onslaught of Ilonggo restaurants invading the big city continues with Pat-Pat's Kansi House. Popular among Ilonggos, kansi is the local version of bulalo - stew made from beef shanks and marrow bones. And Pat-Pat's Kansi House is among the more popular restaurants where one can indulge in this cholesterolific dish.It's popularity has now "gone out" of Iloilo City as more and more branches of this native fastfood mushroom throughout Manila. These photos (thanks to OBOI of SSC forums) were from it's newest branch in BF Homes Paranaque. Quite a leap in terms of ambiance from it's original branch in Jaro, Iloilo City yet still serves the good ol' kansi, Ilonggos love and non-Ilonggo discover.
A stones throw away from the plaza of La Villa de Arevalo is an ancestral house where one can find not only good pasalubong items but also a look into the past of the district. Known as the Sinamay House , this well preserved ancestral house is an attraction not only in the outside but also what it houses inside. A collection of what the past like is housed in the two storey edifice which also acts like a museum of sorts. Sinamay is simply known as abaca by most and, here, a variety of products made from this fiber can be found. I remember watching a feature on tv wherein the owner proudly showed a framed letter signed by the late Princess of Wales, Diana, showing her appreciation of the handkerchief she was given as a gift coming from this very shop. But the attraction I am most familiar with are the chewies and crunchies made by Mama's Kitchen. Attractively packed in boxes showing their current flavours and variety, this is among the better...