FLAVOURS OF ILOILO

Gone are the days when butterscotch are wrapped in multicolored cellophane. Now Biscocho Haus has a whole new packaging for its popular butterscotch. Still retaining the popular multicolored cellophane look, the new packaging seals in freshness of their moist and chewy pasalubong item. But it's long overdue for the pasalubong shop to have considered this very important part of their business. It doesn't only gives it more visual appeal but also prolongs the shelf life of their products. The main pack still is the same that I haven't really noticed it when this individually sealed packs came out. But I hope they could have done better regarding their stature as the most popular pasalubong shop. Yet this packaging is still way behind Rgies Delicacies which looks appetizing inside out. Here's hoping that pasalubong shops will greatly improve their packaging give pasalubong from Iloilo not only a distinct taste but also a whole new look - with pride!

Iloilo’s dessert mecca is up for a melt-in-your-mouth French sugary experience this 2011.After a satisfying lunch or dinner, stop by to get a taste of the best desserts in town. Take a bite; French style, at Nothing but Desserts ! And be sure to savor first one of the must-taste confections this 2011. Roll your sleeves for the irresistible bunch of french macarons in mouthwatering colors to heighten your dessert trip! Don’t go home without tasting the tempting lot of flavors! Choose from the enticing citrusy Lemon, sweet tangy Orange, flavorful Pistachio, and the delightfully fruity selection of Strawberry, Raspberry, and Hazelnut . Whether you’re in for a family bonding time or a friendly getaway, the selection of N othing but Desserts’ French Macarons are sure to get you smitten. Nothing but Desserts The Avenue Complex Smallville, Mandurriao, Iloilo City

Weeks from now, Iloilo City will again dance to drum beats and get into a frenzy as it welcomes everyone to Dinagyang 2011 . A top tourism event and among the most popular festival in the country, Dinagyang is a 3-day of non stop fun, activities, events and it's one of the best times to eat, drink and be merry in Iloilo City. Apart from the ati-ati contest and cultural presentation, among the highlights of the festival is the annual Dinagyang Food Festival held along Delgado St. Here, everyone can savour the best of Ilonggo cuisine as more than 40 participating hotels and restaurants showcase their best dishes in tune with the celebration. Two years ago, I wrote this article for a local daily and it can still serve as guide of what and where to eat for Dinagyang 2011. So mark your calendars now an get ready to experience on of the best festivals in the country. See you in Iloilo City for Dinagyang 2011. Dinagyang Festival 2011 Schedule of Activities: October 14, 2011, Friday ...

Few weeks ago, much to my surprise, I got dinner gift card from Piazza Pizzeria . It seemed the restaurant owner traced my personal account on Facebook and gave me a gastronomic Christmas present. I’ve never really met the owner, Ms. Nina, in person but sort of communicated online through my blog when I featured the restaurant before. That was the first time I’ve been to the restaurant and their Supreme Pizza left a lasting impression on me that every I went to Piazza or the restaurant beside it, Uncle Tom’s, I always order that pizza. (Yes, you can “import” orders (foods but not drinks) from the pizzeria even if you’re at Uncle Tom’s). So aside from the plate of Uncle Tom’ fried chicken and Pancit Bam-I that time, we got complimentary items from Piazza consisting of a Family Supreme Pizza -thanks for the upsize :) , two servings of barbecued chicken with java rice, a plate of baked scallops and two mini pitchers of freshly squeezed lemonade. As all my previous visits only just had t...

A few hours from now, we will welcome the New Year with a bang and bid goodbye to 2010. The past year had been very good blogging year as I have discovered and rediscovered more than a lot of gastronomic delights and a few things or sorts that added color to Flavours of Iloilo . As a last hurrah, here's a look back to what, why and how 2010 become such a gastronomically momentous year. JANUARY Enjoyed Dinagyang both culturally and gastronomically … reacquainted my palate the delights of Breakthrough, Buto’t Balat, Peppy Thai and Esca’s … officially met members of the Iloilo Bloggers Inc at Green Mango… discovered the buffet at Emilion, Balbi’s dinuguan and diwal … invaded Uncle Tom’s, Kopi Roti and the riverside boulevard with the Skyscrapercity Iloilo peeps … awed by the trip in Guimaras esp. with the Pulang Pasayan trip … food trips at Mang Inasal, JD Roadhouse … got myself a new (and real) digital camera! FEBRUARY Experienced the Jaro fiesta more than the food … had a “bukolic...

Among the things I like about Green Mango is that constant innovation of its menu. From new items to new combo meals, the Filipino fast food restaurant is always on the go. Just like last Friday, the restaurant invited us for another food tasting session of their latest combo items – GM SoOOHper Meals . From the name alone you’d know you’re in for a super treat – big in taste but light on the wallet. It’s like a mix and match combo or I’d say a choose your own combo meal. From three carbohydrates-based items, one gets to pair them with three proteins. So it’s a choice between yummy spaghetti, award winning canton guisado and flavourful pancit palabok. More choices come next as one gets to pair it with delectable chicken barbecue, perfectly fried chicken and mouth watering fried pork chop. As this was a food taste session, all these combos were presented to us and we just choose what our stomach’s grumble that time and mine said “pancit palabok with fried pork chop”. I haven’t tried th...

TheVenue Function Rooms at The Avenue Complex was the perfect venue for the Philippine Blog Awards Visayas held last Nov. 27, 2010. Being one of the organizers, I looked nowhere else for TheVenue that had it all – p rime location, complete facilities, great food choices plus variety and people who are more than willing to help you for all your needs . Good thing everything went as planned and all the participants had blast even before, during and after the awards night. It was also among the few occasions that owner consented on a menu that come from different restaurants in the complex for usually it is exclusive to a single resto. Our menu was a good mix of house specials from five of the best restaurants in Iloilo City – all located within The Avenue complex. For starters we had a savoury Pumpkin Soup from Mojave Grill and Steak House that got all perked up for more of what’s to come – both for the awards night and gastronomy. The restaurant also provided an American Salad bar ...