Kamote sa Lawas

Kung may dahilan man para balik-balikan ko ang Lawas, ito iyon:

Wala na atang tatalo sa sarap at kamurahan ng kamote fries na ito.

Mas gusto ko ang kapal nito kaysa sa nasa may Mabini plaza. Isa pa, naglalagay ng hiling ang nagtitinda lalo na kung marami kang bibilhin. :)

Nakakatakam tuloy. :3

F. Baylosis: Review

Here in Batangas City, when we talk about crispy pata, F. Baylosis (Facebook page) would surely come into the conversation.
Even though I heard them since high school, I've never eaten there because our family is not much of an explorer when it comes to dining (settling for restaurants nearer us or inside the malls).

But last week, when my friends and I met in SM Batangas and craved for crispy pata for dinner, we gave in because one, we never dined there before and two, it's not to far from us. We just walked to GC Berberabe, where the restaurant is located (map here).

It was a beautiful place, and it has a fine dining feel in it. It would be a perfect place for promenades and parties. And that's what was happening inside their main building when we arrived there so we were seated in Boracay Garden.

THE PLACE

Bora garden

The lady singer aka "Ang babaeng walang pahinga" (Sang the whole time we were there.)

It was designed to have the ambiance of a beach, complete with fine sand and comfy rattan chairs (which sinks when you sit on it), though a sight of a swimming pool would be better (they have none).
Though I appreciated the sand, it was so fine that it's uncomfortable to step on already. It would be better if they put on coarser ones. I also wonder on where they get it, because that fine a sand would be hard to reclaim (for example, Boracay sands are not permitted to be reclaimed, as per environmental laws).

Feel the sands

THE FOOD

Anyway, we ordered rice, crispy pata and pakbet (Menu price exclusive of 10% service charge).  (Photo while waiting, courtesy of @saniboink:  http://instagram.com/p/YXgBWjxuww/)
Maybe because of the walk which exhausted us a bit, we got really hungry, so we hadn't got energy to do anything else but to wait for the food. So every minute counted, and counted we did. The food was served 37-40 minuted after we ordered. Would that be considered slow service? For us hungry bunch, it did.

NOMNOM food!

But they made sure the food was worth the wait, because it really was delicious. The crispy pata was not only skin-crispy, the ligaments and fleshy parts were so soft that we only left bones. It deserves to be THAT well-known, even tough it is not that big. The pakbet was a good choice to partner off with the pata and rice. Even vegetable-non-lovers would try it, because it has strong pakbet flavor that lessens the veggie taste in a good way.

It was a good meal, though it would be better if we ordered one viand more, because we were not totally  full; our hunger was just satisfied.

When the bill came, we paid P264/person. With this price, plus the experience, I can conclude that the place is best for fancy dining and dinner dates. The ambiance and heavenly good food would be perfect for a romantic evening with a special someone. It would be a good starter if the evening would end in a good coffeehouse.

It could be an eat out place if you have money for it. But if you want to pig out without shedding too much cash, this place is not for you (not for me, actually, the cheapskate that I am).
But I did not regret eating there, no. Good food come with a good price naman.

I would want to come back with my willing-to-pay-for-a-meal grand/parents.

Summary:
Service: ★★☆☆+0.5
Price: ★★★☆☆
Taste: ★★★★★
Ambiance: ★★★★☆

Anniversary Date at Cafeno

If you ever went to a Laiya beach, you would not not notice this restaurant. It is located on the side of an eye-catching Spanish era type house. When I first saw it, I immediately got curious on what food they offer. I even searched it in the internet - and when I did (NOMNOM LINKS - [afraid to use their images due to copyright laws etc]) , my curiosity heightened that I even posted (on FB) about my craving to go there. So when my dear boyfriend asked where we should have our anniversary, it's on my list. Because he's ever thoughtful, he picked Cafeno. :3

So, from Lipa City bus stop, we rode a van going to San Juan for 1-1.5 hours (Php 70 each).
Note: One would have to wait for the van to be full to depart. It has also the possibility to be a not-so comfortable ride, depending on how big the passengers are. Patience is a virtue.


THE PLACE

I was giddy with excitement when I saw the place's interior - it oozed with uniqueness and creativity~. Here are some photos with their tables:

Lamp, candle holder, earrings and sewing machine mixed to add this table a creative touch.

The sewing machine table.

Another table design, this time it's simple. Made from tiles, with a cute seashell on top.

The 'coffee table'.

THE FOOD
Because we hadn't had breakfast yet, we ordered breakfast meals, plus desserts.

Tapsilog. The kapeng Barako shot is a must-try.

Steamed chicken with 3 condiments.

My favorite part of the meal: atchara. This is the best atchara that I tasted  so far.

 I had the chance to try adding a barako shot to my rice, and it was a great experience. It only gave a hint of coffee, so one would not need to worry that the shot would ruin the rice-plus-viand taste. In fact, I think it became an appetizer.

I enjoyed my coffee after the meal, with sugar. J enjoyed his with sugar and milk.

Then, desserts were served.

Ice cream sandwich

Calamansi sherbet

I ordered the ice cream sandwich, but i was so full soI just ate the ice cream, which is creamy yummy, and left the sandwich part to J.
We also tried calamansi sherbet. It was so refreshing and not that sweet, which added to its awesomeness. It has calamansi peel bits which added flavor to the dessert. It will be an awesome treat after beach strolling in Laiya, or just for beating the summer heat.

I didn't have the chance to taste their famous Kapeng Barako ice cream because it was not available that time. Meaning, I have a reason to go back. :D

I'm sure GMA's 'Ang Pinaka' Yummy would reconsider their list when they dine in Cafeno in San Juan, Batangas. :)

Summary (the only flaw in this restaurant is that it's very far from me!):
Service - ★★★★★
Taste - ★★★★★
Cleanliness - ★★★★★
Price - ★★★★★

I loooove Cafeno. Have you tried dining there? What should I try on their menu next time I go there? :)

(Check out other photos here. :D)

Enchanted Farm Cafe

UPDATE! 
Tingnan sa baba ng unang entry...
Wala pa ulit akong makainan sa Batangas. Ta muna sa Commonwealth.


Ikaw ga ay mahilig kumain? Gusto mong makatimos ng kakaibang pagkain? Ay siya'y punta na dine sa Enchanted Farm Cafe bago sumapit ang Feria Rd. sa Commonwealth. Taas iyon ng Human Nature. 

Hindi talaga ako mahilig sa burgers pero natakam ako sa burger nila kaya sinubukan ko. 
Enchanted burger ang tawag - 30% baboy at 70% gulay - na may kasamang kamote fries at side salad ang aking inorder sa halagang P130. 

Sa Human Nature store ko kinain para may libre na ring kape (haha mahirap maging pooritang adik sa kape). Ang una kong tinikman ay 'yung kamote fries. Ay anu gang pagkakasarap ng sawsawan noon. Buti't napigilan ko ang aking sariling ubusin agad 'yun at naisipan kong litratuhan ang aking pagkain.

Enchanted Burger at ang libreng unli kape sa Human Nature :3

Noon pa'y mahilig na ako sa kamote. Nabili nga ako sa Lawas at Plaza ng tigsasampu. Ayong mga 'yon, matatamis. 'Yung sa Mang Inasal sinubukan ko rin. Masarap din 'yun lalo na pag sawsaw sa ketchup nila, kaso sobrang bigat. Pero itong kamote fries ng Enchanted Farm, sa sawsawan talaga ibinuhos ang sarap. Para siyang mayo na may pampaalat na 'di ko mawari ang inilagay. Ayos din ang pagkakahati sa kamote dahil maninipis; hindi nakasasawa. [Kahit sa sunod kong kain duon ay 'yun na laang, solb na.]

Pagkatapos kong lantakan ang kamote ay 'yung burger na ang aking isinunod. Sa unang tikim ay nakakatuwa rin ang lasa. Hindi ko nalasahan ang gulay sa patty. Pero kalauna'y kaalat na. Pwedeng iulam sa kanin, o ipulutan. At dahil kay tira pang sawsawan 'yung kamote, pinunit ko ang tinapay sa burger ay isinawsaw sa mayo hanggang maubos. Kasarap. Isinabay ko na ang salad sa burger para pampabalanse ng alat. 
Ilang beses ko nang natikman ang salad nila, pero hanggang ngayo'y 'di ko pa rin matuklas kung ano 'yung oil na nilalagay nila. Matam-is-tam-is na parang may 'hint' na maasim. Pag kinakain ko ang side salad na iyon, feeling ko lagi'y ang sustansya ng kinakain ko. 

Sa kabuuan ay natuwa ako sa aking kinain. Ramdam ko'y sulit naman. 
Gusto ko namang subukan sa sunod 'yung all veggie burger nila. 
Sa uulitin, Enchanted Farm Cafe!

Dulcissima Bakeshop

There's a relatively new pastries shop in Batangas City opposite BDO in P. Burgos Street. 
It's Dulcissima Bakeshop! 

See the map clearly at http://wikimapia.org/#lat=13.756358&lon=121.0579877&z=19&l=0&m=b

It was my brother Sam's birthday (October 27) when I first bought something from them. I really thought that their packaging was beautiful enough to be a gift; it looks elegant and expensive.

It has a striped texture, and along with the choiced design (perfect fonts and bake-girl "mascot") and color, it really looks elegant.

Sam receiving the pastries. :) He loved the cream puffs~!

I bought cream puffs, cupcakes and cream puffs with choco on top (I really don't know what it's called). 

 ₱15

 ₱ 18

 ₱ 20

My brother REALLY loved the cream puffs that I have to buy again because five pieces were too insufficient. 

Sam enjoying the cream puffs.

As for me, it's my favorite among the three too because the not-too-sweet filling and the caramel compliment each other.

As of now, the store already has a table for people who would like to eat there, but the single table and their space strongly suggests that their products are for take-out.

Summary:
Service - ★★★★☆
Taste - ★★★★☆
Cleanliness - ★★★★★
Price - ★★★☆☆

Lomi FaceOff!

Almost every corner/barangay in Batangas has one lomi house. It is one of the province's delicacy because it differs  from other lomi in the Philippines; it has viscous texture. 

In Alangilan alone, there are more than five lomi houses, mainly due to having many schools in the said barangay. But I frequent on these three lomi houses because I prefer their recipe; they are Emjaykas, Irene's and Mega. 

Want to try Batangas lomi but can't choose where to eat? Let me help you with:

LOMI FACEOFF!

Criteria	EMJAYKAS	IRENE'S	MEGA
Soup	1	2	3
Viscosity	2	3	1
Place: Ambience	1	3	2
Condiments	2	1	3
Sahog (Other ingredients)	3	2	1

For the soup, the tastiest is Mega's. I think this is also why it's the most famous among the three. Their condiments are also tastier and have more variety than the other two. Although for viscosity, I like the Irene's more. It's also a factor that the lomi is viscous while it is being eaten, and Irene's last longest. (Though I had known a restaurant which served a longer lasting viscosity - Ynah's at Ilijan, Batangas City. Their famous seafood lomi is sorely missed - the restaurant closed already.) 
But for the toppings, I applaud the three for being generous with them. I have eaten at more famous lomi houses in Batangas and some of them even lacked onions and they can be counted in one hand. Emjaykas has the most number and variety of toppings (some fish or squidball, liver, meatball, egg). But because of I am a liver lover, I liked Irene's  more because their lomi has 2 slices of liver with the biggest size relative to the two. 
As for the condiments, the crushed, toasted garlic of Mega is the main reason for its high score. This is the unique thing in Mega that makes its lomi irresistible. 
For the ambiance,  Irene's definitely the best among the three. It has the biggest space for customers, and the cleanest too.

All in all, Irene's is the best lomi house for me. Try them all and share your experience with me. :)

Brother and Sister's Korean Restaurant at Libjo, Batangas City

Since most of the industries here in Batangas City have Koreans as bosses and employees, it's just fitting to have a Korean Restaurant here. It was opened in May 2011 but because of its distance to other establishments, I have only eaten there twice. It is located in BSC Building opposite Camacho Trading  in Libjo, Batangas City.

To get there, my friends and I rode a tricycle (P10 per person) from SM City Batangas.

And, here we are! 

 We were the only customers when we got there so basically we hoarded the place. >:) The restaurant staff was friendly in assisting us to our tables and in getting our orders. Most of us were first timers: we weren't familiar with the Korean food names. Good thing the staff was very accommodating to our questions and he explained the menu to us.

In the ordered bulgogi, japche, gimbap and topokki.

But first, the sidings!

...Until the last piece!

I loved the nori and the peanuts. The kimchi and the other 2 sidings prepared us for Korean spice. After some minutes, our orders arrived!

Topokki

Gimbap

Japche: what do you call the white strips there? I love it!

I did not have the time to take a picture of bulgogi because of hunger but it was beef with noodles and soup. It's my favorite dish so far. (I generally love beef dishes.:D) We really enjoyed the food especially the gimbap - it only took seconds for us to consume it. I also enjoyed the Korean taste of topokki, though my friends didn't because of its spiciness.

Summary:
Service - ★★★☆☆
Taste - ★★★★☆
Ambiance - ★★★★☆
Cleanliness - ★★★★★
Price - ★★★☆☆

I'll definitely visit again, but with someone who will pay for me, hopefully! :P