FLAVOURS OF ILOILO

I have been told about a "sio paowan" in Villa before but I never had the drive to go all the way there just for that. If not for a small misadventure I had, I would not have discovered this chicken sio pao which, as of now, earns my vote for the best chicken sio pao I have tasted here in Iloilo City. I never thought that this "sio paowan" sa Villa was actually part of the name of a snack shop so it's actually is a proper name rather than generic. And there's more actually to it's name, Nang Pat's , most likely the matriarch who started making these chicken meat filled buns. A sari sari store and snack shop in one, Nang Pat's Siopaowan sa Villa, would be often be passed over as more popular one, Dinagyang, is just right a across the street. It was even the landmark I told the tricycle driver when I went here. It seems there's nothign really special about the place unless ofcourse one tries eating a "generic" sio pao. Very cheap at...

Here’s the scenario: After a grueling day at the office, you meet up with friends for dinner at Bluejay Coffee and trade stories about how your day went. The one with the worst time at the office gets the dessert. But wait, he doesn’t just get the dessert, he gets the coffee as well! Yes, you read it right, Bluejay Coffee's’s signature dessert is Rum Cake + Espresso -- a perfect combination of the intoxicatingly delicious flavors of Rum Cake and the rich, smooth kick of Espresso. The Quick Guide to Enjoying Blue Jay Coffee’s Signature Dessert Like simple equations that can be easily understood, the way to enjoying this combination dessert is as easy as counting 1-2-3. Or, in this case, 1 to 5. Here’s Bluejay Coffee’s 5-step guide on how to fully enjoy its signature dessert: Step 1: Order your Rum Cake and Espresso. Step 2: Pour the Espresso on your Rum Cake. Step 3: Let the Rum Cake absorb the rich taste of the Espresso. Step 4: Slice the Rum Ca...

After more than two years of anticipation, Ilonggos are getting ready to welcome the newest coffee shop in town. Starbucks Coffee is set to open its very first branch in Iloilo City located at SM Southpoint . Soon, anyone will have a taste of the various offerings food and drinks this coffeeshop have and what made Starbucks a hit in the Philippines when it opened years ago. The two-storey extension building of SM City Iloilo will house food shops at ground level and rumors say. a call center on the second floor. It is conveniently located at the crossroads of two larger shopping centers, SM City Iloilo and Plazuela de Iloilo which is set to open on Oct. 10, 2010. Photos courtesy of zynet and lewdsaint of SSC forum

An article entitled Wheat Matters: Living the Legacy of Chinese Ascendancy appeared on a school based publication and it featured three of Iloilo City's nostalgic bakeries. Buho Bakery is among the most notable bakeries in Iloilo mainly because of it's "iconic" hole in the wall. Dainty though known mostly as a Chinese restaurant has quite a good range of baked goods. And Panaderia ni Pa-a , among the oldest bakeries in the Philippines (since 1896) and makers of an iconic pan de sal in Iloilo City . Enjoy these features courtesy of the The Augustinian Mirror Vol. 75 No.2 dated March 2009. Introduction Buho Bakery Dainty House Restaurant and Bakery Panaderia ni Pa-a

People usually imagine a cup of coffee and sumptuous cakes when they think of B luejay Coffee and Deli . Can't blame them since it's actually in the restaurant's name proclaiming its specialty. Many are then surprised that they can have more than these when they take a look at the cafe's extensive menu. From complete breakfasts and lunch meals to steaks, sausages to wines. Now they even have made to order lechon de leche ! And not just any lechon de leche , they claim it's the best in town. Just take note of the info above and confirm if it's really true!

Iloilo has always been known as the bailiwick of homegrown comfort dishes like La Paz batchoy and Inasal, with foodies often trooping to local markets in search of the province’s authentic tastes. Today, Ilonggo gourmands are slowly easing out of the familiar kitchens of tradition to the more competitive arena of modern cuisine. One restaurant in particular, is offering new takes to well-loved dishes and deserves a visit – Bauhinia Filipino Cuisine , located in Smallville at the heart of the city. Bauhinia , operated by Great Foods Concepts Inc., refers to a local plant usually found in different parts of the country. The plant is also known as in other provinces in the Visayas and even Luzon like Pampanga. The restaurant took the idea of the plant’s different names by adopting local fares from other parts of the country and giving it the food hub’s very own twist. Meals are served in a modern, yet charming fine dining ambience that helps define the dynamics of every dish – inventiv...

They're back! And are set to ignite your gastronomical experience - wherever and whenever you want it. Afrique's super hot sauces comes in three variants and comes in such intriguing names that your curiosity be aroused by the mere mention of them. Maybe quite pricey for a small bottle of hot sauce but a drop,they say, is only what you'll need, so it will surely go a long way. Go insane beyond reality with Da Bomb Beyond Insanity . Touted to be 80X hotter than Tabasco hot sauce - you'll probably have more than a mental block after using it on your favorite Afrique's Special Pizza . Each bottle costs PhP550. Mad Dog Inferno , just as hot as that Insanity hot sauce but surely it will drive you mad - hopefully not drooling. It surely would be a good partner with Afrique's Pink Salmon pizza . Each bottle costs PhP575. And lastly Da Bomb Ground Zero . And they say it's twice as hot as the Mad Dog and that 's 160X hotter than Tabasco! I can't even thi...

I made a side trip today in the town market knowing it was "market" day - Friday. It's when the public market is teeming with sellers, selling all kinds of goods, to buyers, from all walks of life. But I went there for a sole purpose - to buy a galore of native delicacies. And indeed I got a whole lot of it for a fraction of the price I one often can get in the city. All these for a total of PhP70 only. Yet I know for a fact that most of these would be lacking "quality" just by the looks of it. This alupe costs only 5pesos a pair and was just ordinary - not good nor bad just ordinary. It's a bargain for it's price. It was an impulse buying since there were no other alupe available around. These baye baye made from mais (corn) was worth it's price of 5 pesos per 3 balls (I ate one while durign the shoot-lol). Though Im not exactly a fan of baye baye mais (like the white one (rice) much better) but this was at par with the other ones I've tasted...

If you're looking the best ribs in Iloilo City, then there's no other place to go but Bourbon Street at Red Square Garden . It won't be a complete "Bourbon" experience if these ribs are a no-show on your table. Tender, juicy and sarap to the bones, these ribs surely made my every visit worthwhile. I can even finish a whole rack of these ribs!. It was so good that even without the sauce (okay, I forgot about it since I was too busy enjoying these ribs- lol ) these ribs are perfect. It surely is "Everybody's favorite ribs" as claimed in their website and you can't find ribs of this quality and taste at PhP295 . It also comes with a side dish of your choice. So remember, if you want the best ribs in town, eat's only at Bourbon Street . Bourbon Street Red Square Garden, Glicerio Pison Avenue Diversion Road, Mandurriao Iloilo City 5000 Tel. No. (033) 320-3028

Managed under the same roof, it is inevitable that Deco's Original Batchoy will tag along its more established sibling, Mang Inasal , in its expansion bid outside Iloilo City. As Mang Inasal opened its 280th branch in Manila, Deco's is slowly following suit in the shadows. A news feature in the Philippine Daily Inquirer tells how this partnership not only creates a business boom around the country. This article also reminded me that not only Mang Inasal and Deco's Original Batchoy are unified under the Injap Group of Companies but their respective endorsers also happened to be united. in another way. To the left is Deco's Original Batchoy endorser Jed Patrick Mabilog , who ran and won as Mayor of Iloilo City in the May 2010 elections. Mang Inasal endorser (right) was his running mate Councilor Julienne "Jam-jam" Baronda who unfortunately lost. Union of batchoy and inasal creates a business boom By Corrie Salientes-Narisma Philippine Daily Inquirer...

Brownies are often overlooked when placed side by side with other desserts mainly because they are too common. Even Bluejay's fudge brownie , with not much trimmings when served, almost went unnoticed one afternoon. Until I delved into it revealing a rich and chewy, chocolatey and moist, and sweet but not too sweet piece of cake . One bite was all it took for me to taste the deep chocolate flavour from the imported chocolates used. Quality walnuts provide the perfect crunch in every bite. Finally, the crisp and crumbly top layer (almost) recreates the crisp outside, soft and chewy inside “cliché” and makes this fudge brownie something to look forward to at Bluejay Coffee and Deli . Want it ala mode? Try Bluejay’s Baked Ice Cream Brownie !

Or simply nilatik , this uniquely Ilonggo dish is referred as such for the use of coconut milk in it's preparation. Other places may just refer to it as ginata-ang kalabasa . Among the favorite of the locals, this dish is packed with vitamins and minerals from it's two main ingredients. The kalabasa , with its yellow color provides vitamin A while the malunggay, well, innumerable nutrients. Preparing this dish is as simple as it looks. Just boil peeled squash in diluted coconut milk until soft and easily mashed. Add salt and other seasoning to taste and bring to a boil. Then add coconut milk and finally malunggay leaves. Easy does it!

The premiere dessert stop at The Avenue launches three new items in their selection collectively known as French Cakes . Flavours of Iloilo shares an exclusive look of Nothing But Desserts latest creations. Make it Intense and enjoy a layer of chocolate cake, sesame crunch and cappuccino mousse topped with assorted fruits and more chocolate. Have a delectable fun with Fraiser , a light cream mousse cake with peaches and surprise yourself with a sponge cake and butterscotch filling. And lastly, have Passion to enjoy a purely chocolate mousse with sponge cake and a chocolate filled center. Enjoy these desserts starting today, August 13, 2010. Nothing But Desserts The Avenue Complex, Boardwalk Street cor. Glicerio Pison Ave. Mandurriao, Iloilo City Tel No. (033)-329-5815 | www.avenuecomplex.com (Photos and info courtesy of Arvi Sumayo)

Never tasted bananas these good in a cake but with walnut and chocolate – it’s super wow! Though it may not look much on the display nor the way it was served, but in the end, 'twas the taste that mattered. One can easily forget it’s a cake for the taste of perfectly ripe bananas overwhelms the taste buds, as if one just peeled a ripe banana and took a bite. Then comes the flavour rich chocolate and then the crunch of the walnuts making a perfect mélange of ingredients making this c hocolate banana walnut choco chip cake from Bluejay Coffee and Deli , an instant hit on the first bite. C hocolate banana walnut choco chip cake ( PhP75)

After being named as one of the Top 10 Restaurants in the country serving chicken inasal , Freska shares it victory with the Ilonggos by giving an All You Can Eat Chicken Inasal with Unlimited Rice promo. For only PhP 145, indulge all you want in their tasty and juicy chicken inasal with all the rice you can have. Available from 11am to 3pm and 5pm to 9pm only at Freska-Smallville in Iloilo City. Promo period is from July 21 to August 21, 2010. Photos courtesy of TheFoodiesChoice and Freska

The Mango Tree bistro in Mandurriao, more than the ambiance it offers, is also a gastronomic destination this side of the city. Whether one is hungry and yearns for a good meal or perhaps just for a quick fix, this restaurant has a lot to offer its guests. We were hungry that time so we ordered more than a quick fix. It a lot of time to order since most were first timers and some specialties were not available. Service was prompt yet some of our orders took long to be served but we didn’t complain - the surrounding was enough distraction for us to notice. And when it came, it was indeed a visual feast and as we all brought our cameras and started the usual clicks and flashes before we dig in. The seafood paella served as our “rice” but already was a complete meal in itself. Everybody was surprised it wasn’t the usual yellow rice with toppings. Shrimps and squid sautéed with bell peppers in tomato sauce then mixed with cooked rice and garnished with hardboiled egg was their own versi...