FLAVOURS OF ILOILO

If noodles are your thing, look no further than PANCIT PANCIT !  It may be far what and where it used to be - literally and figuratively, but its comeback to Iloilo's gastronomic scene is a much welcome news for foodies. Years ago, it just popped up along Quezon street in Iloilo city, where it operates as a hawker-style noodle shop. It had tables and chairs set uo along the sidewalk when the metal crafy shops closed late in the afternoon.  Check out it how it used to be   here and here . PANCIT-PANCIT. Metal-craft shop (Passad) by day,  Noodle-shop by night Then it stopped operating to the dismay of its legion of fans....  Now it's back and just opened a few days ago at the Food Hub of GT Town Center in Pavia. So no more waiting late in the afternoon as it now operates full-time, big-time! This is good news for me since it's nearer my hometown and I can satisfy my noodle cravings anytime.  And speaki...

Tinda Lapaz has a lot of food finds to offer. There's the quintessential of Ilonggo cuisine which had its birthing and carrying the name - Lapaz Batchoy (take your pick from Ted's Oldtimer , Deco's Original and Netong's ). There's also the popular hang-out - Madge cafe ; and rows of carinderia's and bakeries. And of course, there's the row of halo-halo stalls lining almost half of the market's "facade". So yesterday, fulfilling one of my long "to-do, to-eat" list, I ventured to Tinda Lapaz and beat the searing November heat (and it's not even summer time yet) with an "Extra" serving of halo-halo at 5G's Refreshment. (And the 5 G's turn out to be G lenn I, G lenn II, G race, G reg and G ene.) Just like the batchoy, halo-halo comes in Regular, Special, Super and Extra. I counted more than 15 ingredients ranging from fresh fruits to colorful "trimmings". Of course I went for the Extra as my def...

This is the TITANIC ! It consists of 30 scoops of ice cream - ube, mango, chococlate, vanilla and strawberry on a bed of fruits topped with brownies, chocolate chips and cookies then smothered toffee sauce. This urban legend of a dessert can be experienced at BIGBY'S CAFE & RESTAURANT . This is BIGBY'S CAFE & RESTAURANT . Located at the 2nd Level of Festive Walk Iloilo, its creators came up with an idea of creating an atmosphere fit for an adventure into the different cuisines of the world.  The menu, the interior design and service style were created to position the concept midway between fine dining and fast-casual dining.  Based in CDO (Cagayan de Oro), the restaurant stared back in 1998 and its concept has evolved into a fun dining atmosphere through its unique “worldly” decors that hang on every wall.  These are complemented by the wide array of wittingly-named dishes of generous proportions. And let's start of gastronomic trip with a loc...

Just a recent discovery, I thought this was the original biscocho . It was almost stale breads toasted again to have a new lease of shelf life. Somebody then told me this is referred to as podpod . But still it's the same as how the biscocho orignated. Podpod in local dialect is simply crumbs and I had no idea why it was named as such. Looking at the variety of breads that become podpod , it really shows that these bakeries put nothing to waste. A pack costs 5 pesos only and you get slices of breads - pan de sal, pan de leche, catalugan , spanish bread, pancho or pan de coco , star bread, pogi , and a whole lot more. Sometimes, if you're lucky you'll get hopia, mamon and cupcakes too.

With Schublig, Bratwurst and Hungarian, this sausage platter always find itself on the dinner table when ever we are at Mojave Grill and Steakhouse. Whether partnered with beer or wine or just part of the meal with rice (still the Pinoy in us), the trio always an irresistible treat. And while we're in Mojave, I can't help but mention one of my appetizers - Fried Mozzarella sticks. Big slices of mozzarella fried with batter and served with a Mexican-style sauce.  And try this potato skin crisps - you'll surely ask for more! You can even order these Mojave specialties even if you're in other restaurants at The Avenue - Bauhinia, Amalfi or Bourbon Street. They're all in the same family so just mix and match your orders for a very delicious treat.

"Eat's" finally here! The largest luxury buffet restaurant chain in the Philippines opened their 12th branch in Iloilo last Aug. 13, 2020 l ocated at the 2nd level of SM Southpoint beside SM City Iloilo Vikings Iloilo features massive and elegantly themed structures, reminiscent of other Vikings branches that leaves one standing in awe of its lavish architecture. Inspired by eclectic vintage European train station, it is gives diners a feeling of luxury the moment they enter - a prelude to an opulent dining experience.  An Instagrammer's paradise - each nook and corner is a like magnet for you to take a selfie.  That aside from the burst of colors and lavish presentation of the luxurious buffet spread... ILOILO, are you ready  to  EAT LIKE A VIKING?  Vikings Luxury Buffet Iloilo features several multi-cuisine stations that will surely satisfy all of your cravings as it boasts the largest buffet spread in the ...