FLAVOURS OF ILOILO

I have always loved the al fresco ambiance of Buto't Balat Restaurant and no matter which branch, it still has the signature "oasis" in the city feel. But if there's something more I love about this restaurant, it it their Sizzling Pork Sisig.  This particular one, from the branch near Jaro Plaza, reminds of the original sisig concocted by Aling Lucing's in Angeles, Pampanga With almost finely chopped maskara (pig's face) and ears mixed with other meats plus onions, chili and spices, it's one sizzling plate of cholesterol-laden delicious treat.It's my choice for the best pork sisig in town! Buto't Balat near Jaro Plaza is the newest branch among the three existing restaurants (one is located beside Plazuela de Iloilo and another at the Amigo Plaza Hotel carpark), but it's actually the original branch that was just transferred a few months ago. It exudes a leisure gastronomic experience perfect any...

This Sunday enjoy another gastronomic trip around Iloilo as The Pinoy Foodie enters it finale episode. Though I aint sure if it's really the finale but it is still about Ilonggo food and food ways that has marked the gastronomy of Iloilo. And it is still Lapaz Batchoy that leads all the "Tatak Ilonggo" cuisine and delicacies. Watch how we navigate the interiors of the Lapaz market to look for the real and authentic Lapaz Batchoy prepared how it was decades ago.  Get a dose of native Ilonggo coffee as Madge Cafe presents the coffee drinking habit of the Ilonggos. How about some binurong-pinamalhan nga bilong-bilong (moonfish or chabita) which is considered to be the Ilonggo "signature" fish. Comes with it is the kalkag (shrimp fry) -kusahos (local beef jerky) rice. Enjoy the native cooking Buto't Balat Restaurant has to offer on top of it's oasis-like ambiance. All these - shot in the heritage backdrop of the Iloilo river and its colonial architectur...

It was my busiest Dinagyang celebration ever! For 5 days and 4 nights, it was all about food, food and food as I made my way around town joining in the festivities that highlights as the same time "sidelights" the festival. I've discovered new places, new dishes, new events and especially new friends who share almost the same passion. It was indeed an enjoyable and awesome celebration of Dinagyang 2012 . First stop was the home of one of Iloilo's most celebrated chefs, Ms. Maridel Uygongco . I tagged along through the invitation Ms. Regine Algecera , executive producer of two cable tv shows (for both Sky Cable and Cable Star). In her kitchen, Ms Maridel demonstrated the preparation of her YSL recipe she made during the My City, My SM, My Cuisine event. It was a very casual video shoot with all of us enjoying not only the designer ibos she prepared but also the fun of it all. I then rushed to Maki Japanese Restaurant where a friend celebrated his birthday p...

If there are restaurants which I consider overrated, Buto't Balat is certainly the opposite - it's underrated. A popular nightspot in Iloilo City, Buto't Balat literally means " Bones and Skin " probably referring to their specialties either it's pork,beef, chicken or seafood (A plate of crispy pata flashed in my mind momentarily-lol). Contrary to the notion that people go there merely for a drink (plus some pulutan ) , it is actually a "full" restaurant that serves native cuisine and other specialites. Like this native litsong manok and chicken barbecue combo meal. Both were good orders that time though the chicken barbecue was an order in lieu of chicken inasal. Surprisingly they have none but nevertheless the chicken barbecue didn't fail. A cold bottle of beer and a glass frozen iced tea were perfect for this chicken overload at Buto't Balat . Their litsong manok was reminiscent to that of Tatoy's Manukan and Seafoods for they a...

Despite the variety of foods during the festival (and without realizing it), I've been a voracious chicken eater during the 3-day Dinagyang "weekend". Fried chicken at Uncle Tom's is always a treat. Perfectly fried whether a two piece combo order or this chicken platter that can served half a dozen hungry mouths, this restaurant still serves one of the best fried chicken in Iloilo City. Buto't Balat is an under rated restaurant in my opinion for doesn't get the raves it deserve. But who cares when they rake in customers who love their specialties and discover new loves like this litsong native chicken . Not as famous a Tatoy's but almost tastes the same. I used to consider Mang Inasal over rated but it's success rate (growing by 100 stores per year to the envy of some people) is overwhelming that I tried it again (and again) and now became a fan. Looking at this inasal nga pecho makes me want to say "extra rice please!" And finally chic...

I've been here many times but this is the first one with blogging in mind. It was actually an unexpected text message from EricD of www.byahilo.com asking me where he can find chicken binakol since he was craving for one. I gave him Breakthrough Restaurant (having seen it featured on TV) and Buto't Balat having this actually part of our order before. Eric chose Buto't Balat and luckily I was in the vicinity so we decided on a late-lunch EB. I didn't actually raved about Buto't Balat's chicken binakol before but their sisig keeps me craving for more. I already knew what orders will be even before we even met that time. Indeed it was a native chicken binakol (PhP 188, PhP152 for broiler chicken) and sizzling sisig (Php168). Since EricD has also started a food blog www.sugarloaded.com , it was another great meeting sharing passion for food, photography and blogging. The place offered a good blogging ambiance that time since there wasn't a crowd and picture ...