Annie's Place along Villa beach in Arevalo

Annie's Place along Villa beach in Arevalo had me "with a plate of kinilaw". It's the best tasting fish kinilaw I had in years. Actually it was the vinegar concoction that made it the bomb!

Its sour then becomes "fruity" sweet despite the presence of onions, chilis and ginger. I suspect they add an "atsara" concoction to create such delectable melange of flavours that even non kinilaw eaters will surely love.

It was so good that it made me almost forget my misadventure in going to Annie's Place. I took the right jeepney and the right route but had sort of dilemma when I got off and saw the sign to be "Annie's and Juaning's".

As I entered, it was a typical scene of beachfront restaurants - bamboos everywhere and a display of their offerings line up the sides.

Chicken barbecue, pork barbcue, liempo, isaw and my favorite - chicken liver. There were also sibingan (blue marlin), bangus, squid and a lot more seafood on the display.

Further inside, you actually get to walk on the sand where tables are set up to accommodate more guests during peak hours.

But where we were seated was an elevated big bamboo "shack" with a great view of Guimaras Island.

During high tide, the water level reaches the bottom of the shack. But its not really advisable to look down when you're already starting to eat, it could make you lose your appetite.

But good thing, it didn't happen to me that time, as i really enjoyed this bowl of "sinabawan nga isda". Not soured to be sinigang - its just like any flavourful soup dish with fish essence. Good on it's own but better with rice.

And it also went well with thie native litsong manok which is the "Juaning's" specialty. Annie's expertise seems to be seafood and both complement each other.

Juicy and full of flavour - it had the right mix of spices that every bite seem to explode with good taste. But I gave it a twist and brought it to a new level - I sprinkled the kinilaw concoction and kaboom! An explosion of great flavours in my mouth!

Same with the talaba (oysters), I had it "kinilaw" rather than the sinamak it came with. And it was just like fireworks in my mouth with explosions of delicious flavours.

I also enjoyed their chicken liver barbecue as every bite was fully savoured - slowly munching so the good times will never cease. I'm a sucker for chicken liver - no matter how it is cooked. And sinugba (barbecue/grilled) is my ultimate favorite.

We also had pantat (catfish) which my companions devoured with gusto.

And we had to order another serving of fish kinilaw - I just don't want to be "bitin".

Looking back to this impromptu lunch at Annie's Place, it was the kinilaw that got me. Even until now I have cravings for it that it made my first food trip to be really unforgettable. The price range seems to be unforgettable too - affordable and not OVERPRICED. A very typical Ilonggo seafood dining experience - good food, affordable price. Not to mention along the beach with a nice view of the sea and Guimaras.

Definitely, it's a place worth going back to and not just a "one time experience"!

And I would love to see the "mutated" electric fan again...

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FLAVOURS OF ILOILO

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