Metro Vigan Cafe: A taste of Asian Ilocandia Cuisine

My Vigan experience will not be completed if I hadn't tasted Vigan's very own delicacies and cuisines. That's is why I'm really thankful to the management of Metro Vigan Inn and the people behind Powercom for inviting Geejay Travel Log to this wonderful visit, tour and food trip to Vigan. Well, this serves as my second entry of my Metro Vigan Inn blog series. After my feature blog post of their hotel, click here, now I'll be featuring their newly launched in-house restaurant which they called Metro Vigan Cafe.

To give you a short background, Metro Vigan Cafe is just right inside the vicinity of Metro Vigan Inn. It is an in-house restaurant specially made both to the guest of the inn and as well as to other people (non-guests) who are looking for cuisines having a twist or taste of Vigan. Have you tasted Kare Kareng Bagnet? How about Sinanglao and Poki Poki? Not yet? Well, these are just some of the cuisines awaiting for you when you pick Metro Vigan Cafe. Metro Vigan Cafe specialized in Asian Ilocandia Cuisine!

A visit at Missy Bon Bon Breadshop of Cagayan de Oro

During our last few days in Cagayan de Oro (CDO), the group started to seek on "Pasalubong" centers for our friends and families back in Manila. We visited the Monster Kitchen and the famous VjANDEP stores which are both located in Cagayan de Oro to buy unique items and foods that are especially made in CDO and other parts of Mindanao. But just when we thought that our "pasalubong" shopping spree were done and having an empty stomachs, we came across to this store with an interesting interiors and appealing menu. The store is named, Missy Bon Bon Breadshop.

I used the words appealing and interesting on describing this bread shop, simply because they used colors such as yellow, blue and brown on their interiors which is really eye-catching. Plus, not to mention their cute logo and the graphics/doodles drawn on their walls.

Modern Filipino Cuisine at Sentro 1771

A few days ago, I received a message on my Facebook wall from Sir Anton, author of pusangkalye.net, inviting me to join them in a food event hosted by Sentro 1771. So who am I to say no? This is a great opportunity plus another write up for me, so right away I said yes without any hesitation (and it was clearly a clever choice).

Sentro 1771 is part of the 1771 Group of Restaurants. The group includes Cafe 1771, Winebar 1771 and Sidebar which is located in El Pueblo Real de Manila Ortigas and Chateau 1771 situated in Greenbelt 5. If you're wondering what's the significance of 1771, well, it is a street number where the first restaurant of this group originated. Going back, Sentro 1771 is known for serving local Filipino cuisine but reinvented them and added a twist of Swiss and French style. Have you heard/tasted Adobo sa Gata? How about Lamb Calderata? Hmmm how about Corned Beef Sinigang? These are just some of the best sellers in Sentro 1771. It's unusual and creative but I assure you great satisfaction. Especially those who are fond of Filipino dishes. By the way, Sentro 1771 is located at Serendra, BGC, Taguig and also in Greenbelt 3.

Food Trip at "Food Truck Park" in Capitol Commons, Pasig City

Food truck is a mobile kitchen or canteen that sells and transport food. Commonly they are in the form of vans and school buses that has an installed kitchen and a large opening or window for food display. These mobiles are also coated with the brand's prints and logos in which I believe is used to have a quick recall to potential customers. In the US, food trucks are now making their way and name in the food and business industry. Food Network channel even produced a show called "Great Food Truck Race" wherein different food truck businesses compete on each other and at the end of every episode, the truck who sold the least will be eliminated. The show is now on its 4th season which also shows how popular are food trucks today and how it is being patronage by people.

Food trucks are not something new in the streets of Manila, but putting 10 or more food trucks in one site is a different argument. Yes, 10 food mobiles that sell from appetizers to main dishes, and even, desserts. An organization called "Metro Manila Food Truck Association" gathered food truck owners and joined forces to an exciting gustative adventure for Pinoy Foodies.

Tous les Jours | Waffles & Loyalty Card Launching

Tous Les Jours (pronounced as "Tu-Le-Juru") has already established its name in Metro Manila since the day it started. A sign of this are the store branches that are popping out all around the Metro. Manileños are now learning about the freshness of Tous les Jours products and just yesterday, I have been a part of another Tous Les Jours milestone as they opened their 12th store located in SM Jazz Mall, Makati.

Isdaan Floating Restaurant of Calauan, Laguna

A place that took the definition of restaurant to a whole new level. A floating restaurant that take customers into a different world. That's how I define Isdaan Floating Restaurant of Calauan, Laguna. Though Isdaan Floating Restaurant is a Thailand inspired place, with all those larger than life statues of Buddhas, little monks and mermaids, they still managed to incorporate a touch of Filipino culture through their food. Yup, they serve appetizing Filipino food here. By the way, another site of Isdaan is located in the northern part of Luzon - Gerona, Tarlac. They have the same vibe so it will be just a matter of how close you are on these two sites in terms of deciding on which branch you're going to pick and visit.

Ocean View Park & International Doll House of Bislig, Surigao del Sur

After our visit at the "Little Niagara Falls" of the Philippines, read full story here, me and my friend Baron were in a hurry to head back to the city of Bislig. The reasons are: first, its getting dark and we still don't have a hotel to stay in. Second, we heard that there is another must see place here in Bislig and it closes at 7 in the evening. So, after we found a place to stay-in for our 2nd night in this Surigao del Sur trip, we immediately got back on the road to visit the famous restaurant and doll house located in Barangay Cumawas, Bislig City - the International Doll House & Ocean View Park Restaurant.

Yup, you read it right. We are heading to a Doll House. The International Doll House & Ocean View Park (OVP) Restaurant is owned by a couple who resides in Zurich, Switzerland -- Mrs. Ruelaine and Mr. Werner Willimann. The restaurant and doll house are situated on a hill top. Therefore, one needs to climb up first for about 250++ steps before reaching these structures. It may sound tiring, but the view that this place can offer, as well as the food of the restaurant, and the intriguing doll house will definitely swept away all your sweats. And I guarantee that.

From Korea to the Philippines: Tous Les Jours

Korean craze is pushing to a new level! Aside from the Koreanovelas (Full House, Missing You, Endless Love), Korean bands and groups (KPOPs), photo poses (these are the poses in gwiyomi), dance craze (like gangnam style and gentleman), food and restaurants (kimchi, jampong, bonchon, KBOP) that is so popular in the Philippines, today, Korea has also started to bring-in in the country their Bake shop!

Sweet and Savory crepes of Crepes & Cream

My craving for crepes and ice cream started back when I was still in college. Melodica, a friend, was the one who introduced me to Crepes & Cream after our successful baby thesis defense in S.A.D (reminiscing those days makes me feel old. lol!). Ice cream in crepe has this balance of sweetness (the ice cream part) and blandness (every time I bite the crepe part) which makes it a great dessert and the main reason why I am fond of it. -- I'll be using again my smart phone for the photos of this entry... aw.

Swensen's : where Happiness Never Melts

Are you looking for something refreshing this summer? I suggest to try out these frozen desserts of Swensen's in the Mall of Asia (MOA), Pasay City.

My girlfriend and I were just walking and looking for something to eat  under the scorching hot afternoon in MOA last weekend when we came across Swensen's. The moment I saw the ice cream display and photos from the outside, I immediately ask my girlfriend if we can try it out and thank God she said yes (Yikes, I forgot again to bring my camera... smartphone mode again).

"Ihaw-Ihawan" at Larsian of Fuente Osmeña, Cebu

After our fun and tiring adventure in Cebu, we also need to charge up and eat up. So we visited the grilling haven of the city which is located at Fuente Osmeña , Capitol Site near Chong Hua Hopsiptal called the Larsian BBQ.

Larsian is a popular place in Cebu because of its grilled foods. Larsian can be compared to Banchetto of Manila however it serves mostly grilled/barbecued dishes. A variety that ranges from poultry meats down to seafood meats. I didn't google for photos about Larsian therefore I am really clueless of what does it looks like. So I was surprised to see that it was not a single restaurant but it was a big place comprise of many stalls but selling the same type of food. Yes, all the stalls in Larsian are selling the same type of food (well, that is just base on my observation) and this is by far the largest barbecue center that I have ever been.

Mad Mark's of Kapitolyo: Man Sandwich and Frozen Desserts

I've heard a lot of stories (mostly foods and "hole in the wall" restaurants stories) about the street of Kapitolyo. Kapitolyo or Brgy. Kapitolyo in Pasig is now renowned as the food haven in Metro Manila in the blogging communities.

Amici - Pasta! Pasta! Pasta! of Mckinley Hill, Taguig

Great pasta and gelato in one place. That's the best way to describe Amici. Me and my officemates visited the Taguig branch (Venice Piazza, Mckinley Hill) of this restaurant after the long and tiring day at the office. Amici is popular for its Italian cuisines which is from pasta to pizza and even their sweet and refreshing gelatos. Just a perfect getaway after work. Please bare with the photos below. I only used my camera phone for this entry (forgot again to bring my camera with me).  =]

8065 Bagnet of Estrella, Makati

Are you a big fan of Bagnet? Well, you don't need to visit Ilocos anymore just to taste this evil invented cuisine. There's this restaurant along Makati that serve not just the the famous deep fried Bagnet instead they give it a twist and flavored it with some of our other local cuisines. Have you heard of Bagnet curry? Bagnet dinuguan? Bagnet binagoongan? and Bagnet kare-kare? Not yet? Then visit 8065 Bagnet.