FLAVOURS OF ILOILO

Dining at Uncle Tom's would be incomplete with out their signature fried chicken. It's Iloilo City's version of the house that fried chicken built as they are synonymous with deliciously crisp fried chicken. They come in combo meals with rice and their other specialty - ribs. But you can also have only all these fried chicken delight if you want - just order their fried chicken basket with choiced cuts chicken fried to perfection. Its a must for voracious fried chicken lovers. Their menu is varied as they also served native dishes like this Seafood sinigang we had which had fish and shrimps among others. A perfect complement to the fried galore we had that night.  I also love their whole line of pancit dishes like this Pancit Bam-i which is a combination of canton and sotanghon noodles mixed iwth meat and vegetables. Its very flavourful and a good side dish to any order. Uncle Tom's branch in Diversion Road offers not only these delectable food but...

Ilonggos are surely busy preparing for the holidays - where to bring the family for some treats, what’s on the menu for the Noche Buena and what gifts to buy and which goes to whom – the never ending questions of the holiday rush. And you should already have answers to these for Christmas is just around the corner. But don’t fret if you haven’t for I’ll be listing down of my personal favorites as well as the “IN” gastronomic gifts and giveaways for the Yuletide season. DULGIES' ALFAJORES AND RASPBERRY CHEESECAKE SATINE. Make an impression with these insanely delicious one-of-a-kind cookie treats. The former is a Dulce de Leche filled short bread cookie smothered with confectioner’s sugar while the latter tastes as good as a real cheesecake! (PhP 190/20pieces and PhP160/dozen respectively). Don't forget their heavenly cheeseroll and ensaimada too! THE CHOCOLATIEST CHOCOLATE CAKE. There are many good tasting chocolate cakes in the city but only Uncle Tom’s could claim being t...

After the frenzy of the Dinagyang Ati-ati contest last Sunday, I met with blogger and forum friends for a much needed energy boosting event - lunch! It almost 1pm and most food places in downtown Iloilo City were full packed with revellers that we decided to go far away from this maddening and hungry crowd. Enter Uncle Tom's. Not only famous for it's fried chicken but also for it's ambiance comparable to an oasis amidst this urbanity of the city. I've been here countless times and I always see fried chicken in front of me so it was fitting to have another round of fried chicken this time. A family pack platter is the best option for big groups and since we were about a dozen we decided to have 3 platters - better in excess than short of it. Besides our hunger might surprised our appetite that time so we came in prepared. Side orders composed of seafood chopsuey, chicken potato salads and pancit completed our lunch. Piazza Suprseme pizza is another staple when at Uncle T...

We were halfway with our lunch last Sunday when matinee idol Dingdong Dantes arrived at Uncle Tom's restaurant. Yup we know he'll be at the restaurant, seeing that banner in front of of the restaurant but not during lunch time. So it was an added treat for our group since our lunch was also a treat from a generous co-forum member from Skyscrapercity forums. Ilonggo fans who were also enjoying their lunch at Uncle Tom's were accomodated by the actor as they line up to get some photo ops before and after the actor had his lunch. By the way that's our group at the upper right at the back of the guy in red. Thanks to Ken07 of SSC for the photo.

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...

After watching the fireworks display at SM City around a week ago, dinner was next in line. The youngest member of the group, my 6-year old nephew called in the shots that time and it was fried chicken. Initially he wanted KFC but upon our very insistence, he decided to shy away from the fastfood chain. When it's fried chicken in Iloilo City, it's got to be Uncle Tom's. And when at Uncle Tom's a pizza from the adjacent Piazza Pizzeria is an automatic "imported" order. This served as our appetizer that time since the restaurant was almost SRO and orders came in droves. Piazza Surpreme is my favorite among all the pizzas here in Iloilo City but that time it wasn't as good as I remembered but it was well appreciated by everybody else including my nephew who used a spoon removing all the toppings he doesn't want to eat. Then it came, a family platter of choice cuts fried chicken. It was arounf 15 pieces and was a good decision on our part getting it rathe...

Aside from their fried chicken, the other thing I love about Uncle Tom's is their ambiance. Whether it's for a formal dinner or just hanging out, they have the settings to suit your taste. I especially like the corner where they provide cushions and even a hammock for a more relaxing gastronomic experience. Of course, it's still the fried chicken I always go back to, but Uncle Tom's serve more than chicken, ribs and steaks. They have a Pinoy classic like sisig and bihon. Plus the fact that I can "import" my favorite Surpreme Pizza from the adjacent Piazza Pizzeria, it's always a relaxing and satisfying food trip at Uncle Tom's. Thanks to LABETH of Skyscrapercity forum for some of the photos.

Meeting with fellow SSC forumer, Hardball , was another gastronomical feast just like the last time. It was an early dinner on a rather gloomy Saturday at Uncle Tom’s along Diversion Road, was the unanimous choice of where to eat and we had the place to ourselves that time. Weather dictated most to stay indoors plus it was around 5pm. It was a double breast fried chicken and a fried chicken breast-ribs combo meals that formed part of our order. Uncle Tom’s is famous for its good fried chicken so naturally it has to be on our table. Waiting for our order gave us the chance to take some pictures in and around the al fresco restaurant. Its semi-modern interiors compliment the Spanish villa looking façade plus an outdoor area with assorted mix and match furniture. I really liked the elevated portion wherein they even included a hammock for those who want to loosen up more. It’s really a great place to unwind for all ages enjoying a variety of food items in which fried chicken and steaks ar...