FLAVOURS OF ILOILO

It’s official! Bluejay Coffee and Deli claims to make the best ensaimada in Iloilo. As this big standee advertisement greets patrons in their Amigo Plaza Mall, one’s curiosity is heightened if it can stand up to what it claims. And that’s exactly what I did ..... Months ago, I tasted their ensaimada and though it was indeed good that time, I still have reservations upon this claim then. It was a little bigger as the popular Megamelt or Muhlach, but cheesier (that is having more cheese toppings), had a bit more butter and softer on each bite despite being dense. But it was sort of deformed that time – maybe I got the one at the bottom of the pack. But to my surprise when this reinvented ensaimada came, it was a lot bigger and looks very different from the previous one. Most noticeable was the two-tone cheese topping it had. My guess it had keso de bola and cheddar but it was never confirmed – secret of the trade I was told. As it was reheated in the microwave oven for around 10 seconds,...

Nothing but Desserts introduces not one, not two for four new trifle creations as it brings its dessert collections to almost seventy. Wow! That’s a dessert for every single day for more than two months! With trifle treats that looks goods and definitely tastes better, its make every visit an indulgent trip into dessert haven. I was lucky to have tasted all these four treats in just one setting during a food tasting session organized by the dessert restaurant at The Avenue Complex. And truly it was one truly one sweet day! First was a rich trifle and by the name alone you can already taste how good it will be – Belgian Chocolate Trifle ! Rich and creamy Belgian chocolate in a cup topped with cream more chocolate and cherry, it surely will make every chocoholics dream come true. Every spoonful gives one more than enough intake for a needed (or dreaded) sugar rush. Next was Mocha Trifle – layers of light cream with the essence of mocha and sponge cake topped with cherry and chocolates....

Known for having the sweetest mangoes in the world, the island of Guimaras capitalizes on this fruit to boost its image to tourists. So it's no wonder, why this fruit became the motif when Gov. Felipe Nava requested a custom made mode of transport to be used by the Capitol to ferry guests to and from various attractions on the island. Our group was fortunate enough to have been accommodated in this stylish jeepney of our way to Camp Alfredo. The jeep can seat 13 people comfortably (not including the driver) but can go maximum with 18. It even has a space at the back to put some bulky thing that may take up the leg room.The seat covers, ceiling, exteriors and interiors play with a lot of mangoes (both green and yellow) that you'll feel the sweetness of it during the travel. This jeepney was specially built be Pasajero Sosyal industries of Pavia, Iloilo (as the sign said) and small wonder since the company is known to make stylish jeepneys back in Iloilo. You explain, they de...

Nope, they don't serve a crabby patty nor has a yellow sponge for a cook but it's striking yellow fixtures and all "al fresco" ambiance makes it an odd man out among the chic restaurants around The Avenue Complex. But yes their logo would make kids and kids at heart have a second look. I learned that the co-owner hails from Gen. Santos City and owns the most popular restaurant (with a different name) before her stint in Iloilo City. She was a native of Marbel (Koronadal City), and a proud Ilonggo by blood that is why,she came here in Iloilo City to let the Ilonggos, and also the people of Panay,and the tourists, experience the NEW TASTE of alimango (crabs) and Sugpo (prawns) - as clarified in one of the comments below :) One of the regular customers (an Ilonggo) gave her an offer she obviosuly didn't refuse, thus Mr. Crab Co. was born in Iloilo City, a few weeks ago. The simple menu highlights what the restaurant is offering best - crabs! And one can choose from ...

Dainty Restaurant is among the famous old school Chinese restaurants in Iloilo City. Aside from serving their specialties in their mezzanine floor they also have this snack house in the ground floor that is combination of a turo-turo, short order, bakery and take out store. Taking almost centerstage in this part of their store is a display of baked goods and here's a batch of their "tinapay" I bought days ago for the purpose of blogging first before gastronomic pleasure. I just love their hopia monggo especially when hot off the oven or just came from the microwave. It's not your usual looking hopia yet tastes much better for me. It's a monggo-filled flattened flaky bread if it can't be considered as hopia. Though this one wasn't as good as the ones I had before. The ensaymad a is among the best "ordinary"variety - just filled with monggo with margarine and sugar topping. best eaten when hot or maybe microwaved for a few seconds. Just the us...

We used to make "Pancit Molo na hubad" when ever there are some left-over Pancit Molo wrappers. We just cut it into strips and cook any like miswa and sotanghon, at times tasting and looking like Pancit Molo without the balls. But in the groceries there are dried pancit strips called lang-lang and making into a soup won't require left over wrappers.

Life was bittersweet but her penchant for baking made her enjoy the sweetness of it more often. Out of a hobby, coupled with enthusiasm and perseverance, Grace Javelosa made a big switch - from being an employee to managing Iloilo’s Pride, RGies Delicacies. In a small rented abode tucked away in a maze of streets in Alta Tierra Village in Jaro, she and her husband Ramon raised the family. “As a wife, a mother of three and career oriented (both working as an insurance agents), juggling my time between them took dedication and hard work but I see to it that I still hone my skills in the kitchen” she reminisced. Cooking is in her blood. “But I never thought of it as a business for I know the hard work it entails”. Throughout the years of perfecting her craft, she finally found that “one little spark” that started it all. “It was one of those family gatherings that I first tasted butterscotch and instantly loved it” she says. “One of my sisters-in-law made it for the occasion and since th...