FLAVOURS OF ILOILO

Even before its ground floor renovation, it was already home to countless food shops. Turo-turo, batchoyans, snack and pasalubong shops made up majority of the ground floor of this 3 storey building. Located along Valeria Street, La Salette building has long been a gastronomical magnet. Its being almost located at the center of big shopping centers makes it a melting pot in this part of the city. Spanning almost a block, its accessibility to most destinations creates a foot-traffic the envied by other buildings Surprisingly last year, it embarked on a move now common in this part of the city. It gave a new and refreshing look to its ground floor with a line up of restaurants and food shops showcasing the Ilonggo pride. From history to the cuisine it presents and the innovations it brought after the reinvention, the new La Salette beckons. Mang Inasal The country's fastest growing chicken inasal and Iloilo's most famous restaurant export nationwide. This store proves how stron...

For those who love kansi, the Ilonggo version of bulalo, the Iloilo Kansi House at La Salette building is worth checking out. Its a specialty resto, fastfood, snackshop and turo turo all under one roof. Its a small place with only around six tables inside but the mirrors and glass wall creates a roomy illusion. This display of food items upon entry and for the passersby reminds me of the old La Salette food shops. Noticed anything in the above picture? (That framed Buddha photo on the left side, just above the table is actually a mirror which showed my reflection. I just edited it using the Buddha calendar on the right as "based") A single order costs 80 pesos but for 10 pesos less you'll get rid of that big bone that hides a lot of danger inside it. I hear Akon singing .... Dangerous .... dangerous...

Without much to do while waiting for my appointment, I decided to take a leisurely walk around the block bounded by Valeria-Delgado-Iznart and Solis streets. These streets alone would account for more than half of City Proper's food shops. Also see City Proper Gastronomy guide . First along the way was Barrio Inasal 's modern branch along Delgado street. Next was the "MMDA" inspired motif of Amigo Terrace Hotel's snackbar and bakeshop, Sweet Treats. Im glad it finally had a great location since before the snackshop was located beside the mall's main entrance so it tends to be very crowded while the bakeshop was in the center of the mall. Now that the hotel and mall are undergoing renovation, good thing they finally placed the two side by side and along side the hotel's entrance for an alfresco experience. Among my favorite items from their bakeshop are bichocoy, teren teren, spanish bread and english muffin. They also have native items like fresh lumpia...