Oysters have been one of my favourite foods since college. Growing up deprived with eating talaba, I started eating it when I relocated in Iloilo not so long ago. I fell in love with it. Later on, I’ve got obsessed with it. I always go out with my family, classmates or barkada during free time or dinner time for one small batya of talaba for only PhP25! That’s incredibly cheap! Oysters are very cheap in the Visayas, particularly in Panay, since it is one of Panayanon’s staple seafood. When I moved back to Manila, oysters seemed to be more of a luxury rather than a staple. Known to have aphrodisiac properties, steamed oysters are offered in every town in Panay. They say, it’s a nice food to eat before “making love.”
food
Refreshing at Le Bistro Vert
The stress of fast-paced city life has left us something to crave beyond the usual stuff that we see, feel or eat. We look at the countryside and imagine the fresh foods that the people consume there. How we wish we could have those in the metropolis, however, we are imprisoned with a whole lot of love from MSG and other stuff. The good thing though, fresh farm produce cooked to perfection and served by one of the country’s best chefs, is just located right at the heart of Philippines’ financial capital—right at the heart of Makati City!
Le Bistro Vert (“The Green Bistro” in English) promotes sustainable food by sourcing out its food ingredients locally, from small farmers, organic farms or community groups. In turn, these fresh produce-void of those fertilisers and other harmful ingredients—are cooked to perfection by Chef Sau Del Rosario, one of the finest chefs in the country.
Finally! I Have My Bowl of Deco’s La Paz Batchoy!
I haven’t eaten La Paz Batchoy since…I don’t remember. Heck, I haven’t eaten Batchoy when I went home in Iloilo just a couple of weeks ago! Although there are batchoyans here in Metro Manila, but I wanted to taste something different from the usual batchoy (yes, Lucky Me! therapy! Haha!)
I just found out that Deco’s La Paz Batchoy has opened up its first branch here in Manila…even though if the outlet has been open since last year pa! It’s located in the newly-opened Southgate Mall near Magallanes Interchange in Makati (for commuters, its the big blue building with a television on top…and its on “EDSA-Mantrade”…sabihin nyo lang sa konduktor na “Mantrade”). (more…)
Manna from Camiguin: Pastel
Ask anyone in my folks in the office who likes to have a taste of manna from CDO (short for Cagayan De Oro City) or the pride of Camiguin, and everyone agrees it’s the “pastel”. Nope, that’s not one kind of crayons you use when you’re still elementary, and it’s not about the color. It’s a delicacy from heaven.
Pastel, is a sweet delicacy from Camiguin Island, known for paradise in Northern Mindanao. These are soft, fragrant and sweet buns filled with the original yema (made mostly of milk, eggs and sugar) or any other flavors that gives this delicacy that makes the food melts in your mouth.
Boxes of 6 are sold at stores in Camiguin towns or at the shopping centers of Cagayan de Oro for about P50 and Boxes for 12 at around P120. It’s a hit pasalubong for anyone craving for sweets and anything Camiguin or CdeO (of course don’t forget the lanzones and the pineapple).
Namit! A Glimpse of Ilonggo Cooking and Culinary Traditions
Ilonggo cuisine is one of the most famous in the islands. Known for the La Paz Batchoy, Pancit Molo, Chicken Inasal and more, the delicacies of the people of the gentle folks of the Western Visayan region of the Philippines gives a glimpse on its intricate culture and civilization.
But again, Ilonggo cuisine doesn’t end with the institutionalized La Paz Batchoy that many people know about through popular instant noodle brands. There is more to Ilonggo cuisine that meets the eye.
Here’s a short feature documentary produced by the City Government of Iloilo together with ON Creative Productions:
Part 1:
Part 2:
A Glimpse of Ilonggo Cooking
One of Philippines’ finest cuisine is that of the Ilonggos. This video documentary produced by the City Government of Iloilo, gives food trippers and local and foreign tourist what Ilonggo cooking is all about. From the famed La Paz Batchoy to Tinu-om. Going to Iloilo wouldn’t be complete without eating or bring home a pasalubong.
Click on the Link below:
