FLAVOURS OF ILOILO

While everybody is going gaga over the royal wedding that's going to happen in few hours, Ilonggos have been paying homage to royalties for years now - a queen and a king! Though the queen is only available every other week, people who have met her swear she's good and there's none quite her. She has special characteristics others dont have that makes almost everybody loves her. And yes, it's what inside her says what she's really made of as a whole. Yet the king is special too! Though appears on a regular basis, he also exudes inside-characters befitting a royalty. But just like in the United Kingdom where the current royal family is sort of "matriarchal", the royalties here in Ilonggo follow. Its the queen that rules and the one more talked. Note: There's also a prince in the family nicknamed "Jumbo"

Green Mango is up for the greatest blow-out this summer! Enjoy a delicious meal anytime of the day for only P39! From breakfast to lunch to merienda up to dinner, Green Mango certainly won’t ruin your budget. All your cravings will be satisfied with All Day 39! Meals: from Value breakfast meals, to Rice N’ Sides, to merienda meals such as the new and delicious “Burgerdesal”, Spaghetti, Canton Guisado, Palabok, and Grilled Pandesal, each available for only P39! So, what are you waiting for? Any time hunger sets in, rush to the nearest Green Mango branch and experience delight with ALL DAY 39! (Green Mango has branches at Valeria, E. Lopez, Jaro Plaza, Jalandoni, SM City, Nelly’s Garden, and Plaza Libertad. For delieveries, call 508-18-18)

Just like the Holy Week tradition of these bingka stalls lining up the town plaza of Sta. Barbara, it seems like an annual "panata" for me to indulge on these yummy native delicacies. Unlike last year when I had a galore of these bingka like there's no tomorrow, this year was just minimal. I only had three different brands, the first one was rather not so good that I didn't bother taking aphotos. But these two from Luis and RJs, maybe not be the best, but were really miles from the first bingka I had. RJ's the "ebony" (left) one tasted better since it had more coconut strips through it had a hint of sourness into it. While Luis', "ivory" one was like more of puto topped with caramelized sugar (ala creme brulee-lol) But in the end, both bingkas were good that I found myself buying them again and again, playing blind to the calls of the other bingkahan.

F or a restaurant serving a cuisine as “very foreign” as Greek, surviving for a year is already a good sign of acceptance to the discriminating Ilonggos. Serving simple kebabs, walnut Roca and moussaka among others, Terra Mediterranean Cuisine opened its doors at The Avenue, a year ago. And to celebrate its anniversary, a total of 26 new dishes are being in troduced adding a new dimension to the restaurant’s already vast menu of Greek-inspired specialties. Together with some members of the print and broadcast media, I took part in the food tasting session organized by Chef Miner del Mundo held last Wednesday, April 27, 2011. It was a taste of what’s to come as well as enjoying their best sellers. Up first was, no, this isn’t piaya, but a Greek Tortilla. Grilled thin pita bread filled with tomatoes, mozzarella and seasoned with Greek Spices. It might as well pass as a simple pizza since the filling was rich and savoury, and yes appetizing – I lost count how many I got … Came next was a...

It's always a feast whenever at Breakthrough Restaurant especially along the breezy Villa beach. It may have some mendicants and insects brought about by the al fresco ambiance but the scenery and the beauty of enjoying a glorious meal by the beach overcome these nuisances. At times, the beach adds beauty or gore depending on how clean the surroundings but most of the it's the former. To start with we had the juiciest piece of grilled managat - the best one I had ever since. Fleshy and oozing with flavours in every bite, even without the dip it was one great eat. Next came one of my favorites, kinilaw nga pasayan. The first time I had them it was love at first taste and now it has become my one true love. If ever I can I always order a plate on in order to please my palate and share this to others who instantly fall in love too - hmpf! karibals (competitors)! What a discovery I exclaimed when I tasted grilled imbao. A shellfish that is both fleshy and plump; grilling and add...

Buffets offer eye-catching, mind-boggling and stomach-grumbling array of food choices. Overwhelming from every direction, just from the mere sight of it, one can already exclaim “I’m full!” even without a single bite. And that’s how exactly how I felt at The Promenade at Days Hotel Iloilo The grandest dinner buffet in town, “Indulgence” is the long standing Saturday dinner spread of the hotel. It promises a gastronomic trip around the world as it offers dishes from all corners of the globe spread throughout several stations that includes soups & bread, appetizers, salads, grill-carve-roast and desserts on top of the main buffet. I began my food drive with a bowl soup. Simple yet savoury, the French onion soup perked up my appetite and was perfect with crostinis and croutons. Minutes later, I was stuck in appetizer traffic. There was a plate of ham, salami and other cold cuts plus galantina and devilled eggs. In contrast was a display of meatless hors d'oeuvre – different variet...

The many coves, islets and beaches of Guimaras offer great opportunities for a terrific summer getaway. Aside from beach-combing and swimming; going around the islands proves to be one exciting activity that often highlights a (day) trip to the island. The popularity of Alubihod beach makes it a good jump off point for island hopping for it offers convenience and a lot of other amenities as well. Just pay the entrance fee at any resort - no need to book for rooms or cottages. Along the beach you will find a number of boat operators offering boating services with rates standard for the whole of Guimaras. These boatmen already have an island hopping itinerary but they can also accommodate out-of-the-route requests, weather permitting. Typically, the first stop is at PawCaFS or the Pawikan Caring and Feeding Station in Brgy. Lawi in Jordan. At first you might wonder why you’re headed to an area that’s full of houses on stilts with no beach in sight. But seeing the signage of the wildli...