Visayas Traverse: Iloilo City

Day1: Iloilo City

Date of Travel: 13 October 2013

Super Special Batchoy from Ted's Old Timer

 We started our trip with a batchoy feast by heading to the La Paz Public Market. I was looking to sample three brands but we didn't find Netong's so we just had Ted's and Deco's. Both offered slightly different tastes -- Ted's with better prepared noodles and Deco's with a more flavorful soup. The toppings differ whether you choose "special", "super special", or "extra super".

A "KEEP LEFT" sign at the Iloilo Coliseum

 In Jaro, we headed to the Iloilo Coliseum to try to watch a live cockfight. Unfortunately, tickets were at P400/person -- a hefty price for something we're not fond of. We did get to watch local blade-less cockfight in Guimaras the next day though.

St. Anne Parish in Molo District

 After dropping our bags at Lola Corazon Pension House, we headed to Molo to see the feminist church and get some Pancit Molo.

Sunset from Fort San Pedro

An hour before sunset, we rode the wrong jeep and found ourselves heading back to the Town Proper. We were supposed to go to Baybay before dark for some talaba but rerouted instead to Fort San Pedro for the sunset. A lot of locals were hanging out by the area and the orange sky coupled with the crashing of the waves was really pretty.

Where we Stayed

Lola Corazon Pension House

This is the best value accommodation I have experienced so far. For P550 we got a spacious room with a spacious bathroom, cable TV, AC, closet, tables, and chairs. The pension house also has a spacious receiving and dining area. The only cons I can think of (which are not much of a big deal) are the 11pm curfew and the location -- only one multicab route passes by the area which is a short walking distance from General Luna St.
SMART 0999 880 1229
PHONE (033) 300 6466

How We Did It

Iloilo Airport to La Paz Public Market:

From the Iloilo International Airport, we rode a shuttle to SM City Iloilo (P50). We followed the crowd to the main public entrance of the mall where we took a multicab to Iloilo Town Proper. Almost all routes go through the town proper but just ask to be sure. At the town proper, we transferred to a La Paz multicab and enjoyed the ride until we got to the La Paz Public Market. The market is very easy to spot.

La Paz Public Market to Jaro Cathedral:

From outside the market, we hailed a multicab to Jaro. There are a lot of multicabs passing by so be careful.

Jaro Cathedral to Iloilo Coliseum:

The road encircling the Graciano Lopez Jaena Park is a one-way road so we were not sure which one is headed back to the town proper and which one isn't. We tried asking but people kept giving us different directions. We've been crossing the park a number of times already so we just decided to walk a few blocks until the end of the one-way road. We went to the direction of Biscocho House, which can be seen from the park, and walked a few meters until we could get on a Jaro-CPU multicab to the Iloilo Coliseum.

Iloilo Coliseum to Calle Real:

We hailed a multicab outside the Iloilo Coliseum and got off when we saw the SOCORRO bldg on our right. This is Calle Real. You can also choose to wait for Roberto's Siopao on the right side of the road before getting off.

Iloilo Town Proper to Fort San Pedro:

Ride a Jaro-CPU multicab. Get off when you see a clear view of the sunset.

Iloilo Town Proper to Breakthrough:

At the Iloilo Town Proper, look for the multicabs that go to Arevalo(P10). They have a terminal near one of the department stores. Just ask around. You might pass by Merci which sells just-cooked Piaya along the streets.

Iloilo Town Proper to Port(Parola):

Get on a Jaro-CPU multicab until you see the outrigger boats loading passengers along Muelle Loney St. If there is not a lot of passengers, the multicab might drop you off just after Fort San Pedro. Don't be annoyed or discouraged and enjoy the short walk. You'll pass by the Port Terminal of the big Superferry ships and the terminal for multicabs.

The Hardworking Traveller is a collection of travel guides and travel accounts that aim to help the DIY tourist with travel planning. The author is a generation-y kid struggling between her reality of needing a corporate job and her dream of becoming a hermit.

For questions, reactions and itinerary requests, please contact her here. She will also gladly customize a trip for you in exchange for coffee (or milk tea).

Raintree Teapresso Blends: Not just tea

Address: 141 Katipunan Ave., St. Ignatius Village, Quezon City

I would always pass by this place and I would always gaze at how nice the shop looks like. It was never crowded which made me more curious as to who their customers might be.

Side story*: (this is something personal that I just want to write here but if you're not interested, you can skip ahead to the actual review)

The first time I actually tried to visit the shop, it was unusually crowded. Customers filled the tables up to the outside tables. I was with my boyfriend and we have just parked the car when I suddenly demanded to back-away immediately. I spotted my ex-boyfriend with his group of friends at one of the outdoor tables two steps from our parking slot. We were still friends but I hated the idea of seeing him laughing his heart out with his group. Not that I have anything against him or his friends, I just don't like seeing them all together.

As we were backing out of the tight parking slot we were previously eager to slip into, I tried to duck my head and cover my face, afraid they would see me escaping their presence. Having them see us leave without even going into the shop would only make the situation more awkward. And thankfully they didn't because they were too pre-occupied chilling out.

Actual Review: (this is the part you want to read)

Before visiting the place, I was confused at what they really sell. I have no idea what a "Teapresso" was (Could it have been Tea + Espresso? But that's too much caffeine!) and I didn't think it looked like a Milk Tea place. It turned out that the place was a fusion of a coffee shop and a milk tea shop.

The core product of the shop are tea-based drinks which the shop claims are always freshly brewed. Jars of dried tea leaves alongside other tea paraphernalia are displayed on one side of the shop while a big exquisite espresso machine sits behind a counter in front. Different seating options are available according to one's mood and need. Serious workers can opt for the counter with numerous electric outlets while chilling friends can go for one of the red sofas. The shop is designed to resemble the cozy and laid-back ambiance of a coffee shop and is made more approachable with the friendliness and childishness of milk tea.

As for their product, I wasn't really in to their teapresso blends. I prefer my milk tea light and simple and theirs was more sophisticated and flavorful. I didn't know espresso machines can be used to extract tea since tea leaves are much less dense than ground coffee beans and might produce either a too bitter or a too bland shot. But that's just me and I really don't know anything about tea.

If you don't enjoy tea, then there's still more for you in this shop. What I come back here for are their French Macaroons. They're the best and they have the widest selection of flavors I've seen. I've tasted 5 out of the 18 here and although a few really stood out, all of them were really good. The macaroons were soft and chewy but still firm enough to not crumble with every bite. The varied colors are fun to look at too. I think the ESPRESSO one had real ground coffee in it which adds texture but not bitterness. For starters, you can never go wrong with NUTELLA. And STRAWBERRY is a good intro too.

And if you end up loving their French Macaroons enough to want it everyday, why not take home three more or a dozen, even. They have a confectionery dedicated to their macaroons right beside the main shop. Its for macaroon lovers who don't want to be disturbed by non-macaroon customers.

Aside from their lovable macaroons, they also have other pastries that are equally lovable. I've tried their Red Velvet Cheesecake and it definitely stands out from all other cheesecakes that I've had. For one, it has a different texture. I think it's softer and creamier than a regular cheesecake. It doesn't have the crunchy rigid crust that I usually love but it's okay 'cause I don't think that would work on this one anyway. The cream cheese frosting is also divine. It doesn't feel like cream either but its pronounced taste and perfect level of sourness perfectly matches the red velvet cheesecake below it. With this unusual combination of texture and flavor, you wouldn't actually remember you're eating a cheesecake, just some cake of awesomeness.

I just had one complain about this piece though, it wasn't cold enough! The display freezer doors were left open for some reason. The staff might have been putting something in it or I don't know. Either way, it decreased the level of awesome-cheesecake by one level.

All in all, I think Raintree is a nice place to hang out at whatever time of the day. On mornings, you can get your daily perk with the teapresso blends. At lunch, have some cake for dessert. Or a macaroon as a snack before finally calling it a day. Nearby residents usually come by to pick up their teapresso blends or to spend some quality time with a different vibe.

How to get there:
There are no public utility vehicles that pass by the place but I guess you can get off at the Katipunan-Santolan intersection and walk back to White Plains. Its just a 5-minute walk.

Amazing Thailand-Philippines

It was in Germany when I first discovered Thai food (notice the irony). Generousfurniturespecialisttito treated us one night to a luxurious dinner for four because we were nearing the end of our semester abroad. He said he hasn’t used his 1000 euro gift certificate yet and he wanted to make our stay memorable (though it already was for the fact that we were there). So anyway, it was because of that night that I developed a fondness for Thai food. I don’t really remember what we ate that night but I definitely recall feeling so amazed and exultant upon my first bite.

One night, foodtripbuddy brought me Pad Thai. I have mentioned to him about my interest with Thai food and so he randomly searched for a Thai restaurant (using the internet, of course) and surprised me with one. Although the Pad Thai didn’t compare to my first one because I didn’t have a euphoric reaction, it was good especially with the vinegar-like sauce. And so, I excitedly suggested visiting that restaurant one dinner.

Upon arrival at the restaurant, I slightly got disappointed not because it didn’t look like a Thai restaurant (which it very much did) but because I didn’t have my camera with me. The design of the restaurant was amazing. Its pagoda-like structure definitely stands out along the street. There’s no way one could miss that Thai resto.

Muang Thai
taken from another blogsite

Inside, it was overflowing with wooden furnitures, Buddha and elephant statues, and various Thai ornaments. It almost felt like Thailand except that they were playing modern pop music. There was also one corner where they were selling Thai delicacies, accessories and souvenirs. Beside our table was a big gong and I wondered what would happen if I suddenly hit it. Would a waiter come and take my order or would they run in panic and scold me?

Anyway, their food was good. I couldn’t tell if it was authentic Thai but I know it didn’t had the same impression as my first Thai food did. We ordered

Red Chicken Curry

and Bagoong Rice.

The curry was spicy enough but it would have been better matched with plain rice. On the other hand, the bagoong rice could stand as a meal itself. It had a lot of toppings. The meals weren’t extraordinary (or maybe I’m just being biased to my first Thai experience), but it would be a worthwhile place to visit. The interiors are really amusing. There’s a lot to look at and to talk about, just in case.

Because I don’t have nice pictures to show and because I’m quite still stuck with my first Thai cuisine, I’ll just redirect you to this blogsite if you want to know more about the restaurant. (I just found her blog via Google).

http://www.chyngreyes.com/2010/03/muang-thai-cravings.html


ไชโย! Chiyo!


Muang Thai
138 Malakas St., Diliman, Q.C.
927-4305/426-4123


494 Banawe St., Sta. Mesa Heights, Q.C.
741-8696
Php150-300

Amazing Thailand-Germany

Ever since one of our Pinoy friends/hosts from Germany treated us to a Thai Restaurant, I have been fond of Thai food. Maybe it was due to the fact that the restaurant we ate in was really a high-end (for rich people), authentic Asian (ingredients and servers especially imported from Asia) restaurant in Munich (most expensive city in Germany in terms of food and housing).

Entering through the gate and walking across the courtyard, it really felt like being transported back to Asia (except that I was wearing a winter jacket and that the cold breeze was blowing through my dark stockings). I remember it looking like a Japanese zen garden with bonsai trees and wooden benches but without bamboo trees and with a white Christmas tree on one corner (my memory about this is actually fuzzy because I was very distracted by the cold). Walking inside the restaurant, we were greeted by a big aquarium (although I think it wasn’t filled with Koi but with some edible fish) and a glass fountain. We were supposed to have a buffet but we, unfortunately, arrived one-hour late and the buffet table has been closed. And so, the German-speaking, well made-up and good-looking Thai servers seated us in a room with a bar and a Grand piano.

I don’t remember what we ordered but I remember exclaiming a long “woooow!” with a smirk on my face, as if I’m seeing my crush from afar (although he was indeed there with me, experiencing the same amazing food sensation). I believe it was the most amazing, not to mention most expensive, dinner I had (yet). I'm not sure how much generousfurniturespecialisttito paid but I know he had a 1,000 Euro gift certificate and still had to pay extra and tip.

Mangostin Asian Restaurant

don’t mind the smudge on the lower-left, that’s really part of the picture

Appetizer

the one where you have a variety of dip options

This may be Pad Thai

Duck Breast

first time I’ve eaten a duck, felt normal

Curry

For titowithayachtandanisland

Exmoustacheguy’s amazing food

And just when I thought my foodgasm (I really don’t want to use that word but I think it’s what best captures the emotion), generousfurniturespecialisttito orders for dessert! We had

Fruits and Sorbet Platter,

and a Sorbet Selection.
(I think the red one was tomato)

This one’s a Carrot Sorbet.

I remember it tasting just like a carrot but sweeter and creamier. I believe it was made from pure carrot extracts.

Now I don't remember what flavor of sorbet this is (update: jigsawlikesjapanesedumplings says its luya/ginger) but the sugar crystals were really fun and amazing. I was nibbling it strand by strand. I think I enjoyed the sugar crystals more than the sorbet itself.

Anyway, I am really thankful to have been treated to that restaurant. It was a very special and memorable evening. We still had drinks and a hearty chat later that night.

This entry wasn't really supposed to be about that Mangostin Restaurant. But the memory turned out to offer more than just introductory story.

ไชโย! Chiyo!

Mangostin Restaurant

Near Isar river, Munich, Germany

Thai food

Longganisa from Cafe Quezon

One rainy afternoon, foodtripbuddy and I were again on the search for a coffee shop. It was already closing time at the library and we needed to find a new place to work at (plus, I was a bit hungry). I remembered that there’s this curious place along Maginhawa St. that I have long been looking for. I didn’t know exactly where it was and I was thinking that we could just ask around for it. Unfortunately, the rain made it quite difficult and inconvenient to stop by people on the street and inquire. And so, we ended up at this nice looking cafe, still along Maginhawa St.

Cafe Quezon
picture taken from www.spot.ph

Whenever I and my friends drive along Maginhawa St., this cafe never fails to catch my eye. I don’t know if it’s because of its wide glass panels, or its white name display, or its peculiar spot between two residential houses. But whatever it may be, I have always deemed the place to be quite expensive. To me, it looked too much classy and clean to be affordable. But because I and foodtripbuddy have already agreed to go for the next nearest cafe, I thought it was time to finally give the place a try.

Interior of Cafe Quezon

The cafe wasn’t that small but it was a bit crowded. There was that extra table (can be seen in the picture) set awkwardly in the middle which made it difficult and inconvenient to get to the back tables. Other than that, the shop housed rattan-metal chairs, soft brown couches, and wooden benches which all gave it its modern Filipino theme. The interior was really simple, with only this

pot holders from different tourist spots pinned on a rattan background with a wooden frame

and another ethnic display on the other side as wall decors, but it was good enough.

As its name suggests, the cafe specializes in delicacies from Quezon Province. Its menu consists of different dishes with longganisa as its main ingredient. Foodtripbuddy ordered

Longganisa Spaghetti (P95)

and Coffee Float (P50).

While I (not wanting to eat a lot and dreading pasta dishes) ordered

Chicken Honey Mustard Sandwich (P75)

They were good in terms of presentation and even better when it comes to taste. The Longganisa Spaghetti surprisingly held its flavours in a sumptuous combination. The tomato sauce wasn’t too strong, the noodles were perfectly firm, and the longganisa discreetly melded with everything else. We even tried putting vinegar into it and the taste was still amazing. One flaw is that there wasn’t enough sauce. Maybe it was really made that way to make one craving for more.

Similarly, the Sandwich I ordered was equally (if not better) good. The Honey Mustard Sauce is what brings out the taste. Although there was enough sauce on it, the bread itself was too small. Maybe that fact also serves the same purpose.

Meanwhile, the Coffee Float wasn’t outstanding. The flavour of the ice cream was too faint that the drink seemed to be just black coffee instead of a float. Moreover, the initial temperature of the coffee was too hot that even though the cold ice cream had already dissolved into it, it remained hot and awkwardly drinkable.

Overall, the place served good food. It had a vast menu for appetizers, meals, desserts and drinks that it seemed to be more of a cosy restaurant than a chill-out coffee shop. Although I do appreciate cafes with real food to eat, I believe that one that offers too many options isn’t really a coffee shop anymore; rather, it’s a small restaurant with wiFi, comfortable seats, and a lot of caffeine drinks. Moreover, the waiters were quite inattentive. It was a challenge to call on someone because they weren’t really “waiting on” their customers but were busy preparing orders in the kitchen.

Anyway, I’d still recommend it as a good place for online/computer work. Internet is free and charging of laptops is free for the first 30 minutes and P50 afterwards.

 Cafe Quezon

179 Maginhawa St., Sikatuna Village, Q. C.

Mon-Sat 9:30am-9:30pm

Php45-200

Noriter Cafe: That deceitful chocolate

One chill evening, while I was browsing through blogs (as I occasionally do especially when I have nothing important to do), I came upon this blog entry, http://thelostboylloyd.blogspot.com/2011/04/campus-food-trip-cafe-noriter-silliman.html. I read through it and immediately gained a strong interest (almost a need) to visit the place. I then searched for more detailed articles about the cafe's counterpart in Manila to show to my food trip buddy.

I randomly messaged him, "may pupuntahan tayo! :D" and then showed him this link, http://unclank.com/lets-play-at-noriter-cafe-food-and-restaurant-review/. As expected from him, he enthusiastically responded with "sige! punta tayo! :D" (note: exclamation points mean excitement). And so, as soon as we had the chance (2 days after), we eagerly found our way to

Noriter Cafe at Vito Cruz.

At first, I was hesitant to go to the place because it was really far and I was thinking that we should not stay out too late. But foodtripbuddy insisted and so we started devising ways on how to best get to Vito Cruz. Since we already know (from past experiences) that Manila means intense traffic, we decided that its best to take public transportation. We then headed to SM Marikina for a cheap parking place and walked to LRT Santolan Station as soon as the rain stopped. A funny and amazing thing happened during that LRT ride but I guess I would reserve that story for another blog entry.


Anyway, after 18 train stations, 3 rain stop-overs, 2 wrong turns, and 1 scandalous scene, we arrived at Noriter Cafe. The cafe had a very nice location. It sits at a corner above Tapa King, with its entrance at a side street, making it easily visible from various sides while avoiding the heavy foot traffic on the main street. Upon entrance, one will immediately be greeted by a stairway reminiscent of Spanish era.

However, the inside of the cafe shows a different story.

As explained in other blogs, "Noriter" is korean for "playground". And thus, the goal of the cafe is to make one feel like a child again. The whole area exudes a feel of fun and comfort with its colorful chalkboard menu, toy displays, an array of custom-designed paper cups, semi-private lofts, and artsy wall drawings.

The cafe is really spacious and there's a lot of nice things to look at (not to mention, a lot of interesting vandalism to read and laugh about).

Students from U-belt have the same sentiments as we do

Although I know that I should have ordered the waffles (as recommended by other blogs), I just couldn't resist the temptation to get a slice of this

Chocolate Paradise

Moreover, although really pretty, I just gave up on looking for the price of the waffle on their 3-column chalk menu. It seemed like they just crammed all their other offerings on the rightmost part of their menu.

Anyway, the Chocolate Paradise cake looked deceivingly yummy and chocolaty and the chocolate chunks around it are what lured me in (ooops, should have taken a picture of the choco chunks). Unfortunately, all that were just a guise. At first bite, I convinced myself that the cake was indeed heavenly. However, after a few chews, I realized that it really wasn't. The chocolate cake tasted like one from a local small-time bakery. The chocolate icing was just bland and the chocolate chunks barely tasted like chocolate. It was chocolate hell, if I may say (the whole thing was still good to eat though).

Similarly, foodtripbuddy wasn't happy with his drink either. He ordered

Caramel Macchiato

and instantly demanded for some sweetener. With the sweetener, the drink was more enjoyable, though still too bland. Another bad thing about it is that its ice melts too fast which makes it more diluted and bland.

Overall, Noriter Cafe would score above average in terms of ambiance and comfort but would need a lot of improvement with its food and menu. It makes for a great hang-out and study place, just be picky with your orders.

I still would definitely want to try its waffle and its honey bread (as suggested by our Noriter Cafe friend) but I guess I wouldn't be coming back anytime soon. As I've mentioned a couple of times already, the place is really relatively far.

Cheers!

PS: Pardon if the pictures aren't that good.


Noriter Cafe
2nd flr, Reyes bldg.,
Estrada St. cor. Taft Ave.,
Malate
M-F (11am-11pm)
Sat (11am-10pm)
Php70-Php200

My Pao: Mami on a rainy afternoon

After a couple of U-turns along Katipunan Road, my food trip buddy and I finally agreed to visit a cafe in Taft Avenue I chanced upon in another blog. It was a city and some serious traffic away so we decided to take the train instead. He was allergic to dust and pollution and wasn't really supposed to be commuting, but he was the one that volunteered the idea so I had to give in.

We started towards SM Marikina for a cheap parking space but was forced to stay in because of the sudden rain. I didn't want to risk my shoes getting soaked so I suggested we look for an endemic restaurant to eat in. We searched the whole mall but found only one (actually, two. But the other one was just a lumpia stall and I really didn't want that one to count). So, here's

My Pao at the Foodcourt area.

Foodtripbuddy ordered

Chicken Asado Noodles

while I ordered 

Special Mami

and Pork Siomai.

He had nothing to say about his order, but he did find the Pork Siomai hilarious. According to him, we ordered 4 pieces of siomai but we only got 3 because the other one did not qualify as a siomai. What then is a pork siomai? A pork siomai is supposedly a pork meatball enclosed in a flour wrapper. Unfortunately, that certain piece was a pork ball AND a wrapper and cannot really be considered a pork siomai. The other 3 pieces held up and, although kinda dry, were actually good with lots of soy sauce.

Anyway, my mami was indeed special. It had ingredients I didn't expect a mami would have. It had a couple of dimsum and some small pieces of pork rind. The soup wasn't that distinctive but it wasn't too salty either. Just right for me.

Overall, that Chinese booth served to be a good way to warm the tummy and get full especially during this cold rainy season.

My Pao

SM Marikina Foodcourt

Price range: Php25-100