FLAVOURS OF ILOILO

A popular bread from a popular local bakery is almost like a dream come true. And at a popular price ( too at just PhP11.50 each), there teren-teren from Tibiao Bakery are among the bakeshop's best sellers that I almost never got them (there were only half a dozen pieces left that time). Teren-teren is among the more popular breads that even neighbourhood bakeries have their own version . It is so named because it resembles simply a ... train. Mini breads with sweet filling (milk, butter and sugar - I guess) are joined to make this train, err, bread more appealing to passengers, ooops buyers. Some varieties though have the fillings exposed thus letting one see what's inside before buying their ticket - lol. See more teren-teren at these stations .

Pan de Manila has taken Iloilo by storm so to speak as in a few months time, it now has four branches around the city. Robinson's Place Iloilo hosted the first branch when it opened last August follow by its first 24/7 branch along E. Lopez street near Jollibee. Two more branches have sprouted then - at Amigo Plaza  Mall in Downtown Iloilo and at GT Plaza Mall in Molo. My fondest memories of Pan de Manila were way back when I was working in Manila in the mid 2000s. I remember that our shuttle bus had to stop in a branch in Antipolo just for us to buy our stock of breads for our shift at work up in the mountains of Rizal. Pan de sal, ensaimada, pan de coco and a whole lot more. Now that  Pan de Manila has reached the shores of Iloilo, its back to recalling the taste memories I had before at the same time discovering more what they have to offer !    Like these Cheese Sticks - I can finish this whole pack in just one sitting, alone. How about some Ube Swirl ...

There's a reason why I found myself early at The Promenade at Days Hotel Iloilo last Valentine's Day. I had to capture the essence of Love Day through their indulgent dessert station - and it came out sweeter than words. Well to start with, on regular buffets, The Promenade already offers top notch dessert selection that already makes your visit worthy. Then it outdoes itself on dinner themed buffets where it offers the only dessert buffet in town called Sweet Cravings . And then on Valentine - probably the sweetest day of the year, comes the ultimate dessert selection Days Hotel Iloilo has to offer. Its a feast for the eyes and fulfillment to the tastebuds as piece by piece and "byte by byte" I created heavenly taste memories of Valentine 2014! These Belgian Pralines caught my attention first - instantly gobbling up two pieces. Made with Tulip chocolates from Indonesia, these heart-shaped treats had mint and strawberry liquer filling. There's nothing...

If you’ve been a fan of the Orchard Valley Organic Milk available at Iloilo Supermart, you will smile big time with Orchard Valley’s new offering- Flavored Organic Milk! Flavored with either chocolate, melon, or strawberry, Orchard Valley’s new milk drink is guaranteed creamy, flavorful and certified organic.   The milk comes from high quality imported cattle breeds raised without the aid of growth hormones. With Orchard Valley’s organic agriculture, the cows graze in a chemical-free pasture land. (Orchard Valley Flavored Organic Milk is exclusively available at Iloilo Supermart The Atrium branch) /press release

This season, Coffeebreak offers a gourmet treat as it launches latest additions to its pizza and pasta line.    For your pizza, go simple with White Pizza, a rich and creamy pizza with two types of cheeses. If you love salmon, try the Smoked Salmon Pizza complete with two types of cheeses and sweet basil. Coffeebreak also has the new Tomato and Basil Pizza, a terrific gourmet take with fresh Italian basil and tomato slices added with a tinge of lemon juice and with a distinctive olive oil flavor and melted cheese. Its new pasta line also boasts great flavor. Savor the creamy goodness of Salmon Casserole with its mouthwatering rich spaghetti pasta with smoked salmon topped with salmon flakes and parsley. If you’re health conscious, another must-try is Pasta Primavera, pasta and mixed vegetables, a treat for the vegetable lover in you.  (Coffeebreak has outlets at Iloilo Esplanade, The Avenue, Gen. Luna St., Valeria, The Atrium, Jaro, Iloilo Supermart- Molo, ...

It was an anniversary dinner hosted Punot Restaurant at the Riverside Boardwalk as it turned one year old a few days ago. Also, in some ways a thanksgiving dinner as Punot's "hometown" of Estancia, Iloilo badly battered by Typhoon Yolanda is slowly comingback to its feet. A night of good food and great company as everything and everyone proved in the mood for gustatory celebration. Starting off with these Imbao Gratin and Lumpiang Ubod as hors d'oeuvres , it whet our appetites for what was about to engulf out palates. But I don't need any appetizer especially if Corned Beef Kansi is on the menu. This cross between nilaga and sinigang is a favourite order of mine at Punot. On the menu that night were Beef Steak ... Seafood kare-kare Chicken Pandan Hainanese Chicken Lechon Belly which is like the Italian Porchetta. As the night went by, it was announced that Punot will have a monthly International cuisine focus on top of its Ilonggo a...

It was nice to be back in the hustle and bustle of the Lapaz Market as I found myself inside Netong's Lapaz Batchoy restaurant yesterday with some friends from DPI (Discover Panay Island)  FB group.  And I was surprised that the renovation works Patrick (owner of Netong's) mentioned a few months back would result to more than just an expansion of their space. It offered a brighter interior and with more touristy ambiance that would make eating Netong's batchoy more than just a gustatory experience.  Also, it was my first glimpse of their signature pata that was simmering in a large pan outside that also tickled our tummies. I've been curious about this since then for this is only available during the mid afternoon like 3pm onwards. Before this time, they serve linag a from the morning until its finished by mid afternoon.  As our bowl of Lapaz batchoy made it to the table, the familiar and delicious aroma of this Ilonggo delicacy perked us up. In no...

Tinapayan Bakeshop makes Valentine's Day even more special as it brings a collection of Heart Cakes for the season of love. They come in different flavours, colours, sizes and designs but one can opt for personalized heart cakes with words to express your thoughts. Having the familiar Valentine shape, the cakes will surely express thoughts that might be very difficult to say and most of the time, it speaks for it self.  Like most Tinapayan cakes, these Valentine specials have the Tinapayan signature design - simple yet with taste. Decorated the Asian style, I heard their cake designers trained in Vietnam, these cakes are among the most eye catching and beautifully designed anywhere in Iloilo. The designs are nothing but uniform and monotonous that you have to get the right angles for the cake to come out best. Aside from providing space for personal greetings, these one side designs makes the cakes more appealing but looking nothing like the usual. And given it...