Weekend Brunch Specials at Punot Restaurant

This is the Punot Ilonggo Brekky consisting of classic breakfast fares like pork tocino, beef tapa, fried danggit and garlic rice. It was the among the highlights of the food tasting session organized by Andrea Arañador for the bloggers and media during the launch of Punot Weekend Brunch Specials.

Andrea, who just flew in from Singapore hours before, runs Punot Restaurant with her chef brother Tope who manages the kitchen and the menu. Inspired by her brunches in Singapore and abroad, Andrea collaborated with Chef Tope to introduce brunch at Punot. The results are the flavors of modern Iloilo - traditonal Ilonggo cuisine infused with international taste. Or interpreting international dishes using local ingredients.

To start with, they serve us Ilonggo Toast - a local take on the classic French Toasts. A breakfast fare known to many but with an Ilonggo twist - served with the native local delicacy called Bucayo or sweetened coconut strips.

But one can opt for a more classic topping still with a twist like this Maple Banana Chips and Cream or Apple Cinnamon with Melted Cacao.

On to another classic - it's the traditional Pinoy hotcake topped with blueberries and cream!

How about some Eggs Benedict? While the meaty option calls for ham with poached eggs on pan de sal plus Punot';s special Hollandaise sauce, one should try the fried bangus fillet option. Everybody raved abut it and I craved for more

I just love the Ilonggo Brekky especially the danggit and I could this finish big order alone and even ask for an extra cup of rice since it is (over)loaded with meaty toppings. You can have the eggs scrambled and add ham, maple bacon and more. Now that's a big breakfast!

For dessert, Punot gave an native Ilonggo delicacy an international make-over - Baye-baye Croquetas ala Mode. On its own, baye-baye is already a treat (made with ground rice, sugar, coconut, etc ) but making it into a croquette means its coated with bread crumbs and deep fried. And having it with vanilla ice cream makes you want to order more!

Two specially concocted drinks freshened up that hot Saturday brunch hour. The Mornig Glory was a refreshing combination of apple, orange and green mango with Punot's special syrup. But the Taho Mixer really caught my gastronomic attention - a local ginger brew (salabat is called taho by the Ilonggos) which was also tangy. I assume it also had the combination of calamansi and lemon grass flavours sweetened by honey. It was a perfect cooler (and healthy too) to end a special food tasting session at the restaurant beside the Iloilo River Esplanade.

Using only the finest ingredients, freshest local produce and the concept of slow food - no short cuts in food preparation, Punot is a perfect place to enjoy the modern flavors of Iloilo.

Brunch menu is available (for now) only during weekends from 10am to 2pm.

PUNOT Restaurant

Riverside Boardwalk Complex beside the Iloilo River Esplanade

Tel. No. (033) 320-9893

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/punot

Weekdays 11am to 10pm | Weekends 10am to 10pm

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