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Showing posts with label Tagaytay. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tagaytay. Show all posts
Thursday, April 14, 2016
PAMANA in TAGAYTAY: The Real Heirloom Restaurant

 PAMANA is a must visit restaurant in Tagaytay. There is something about the ambiance and the vibe that makes you go for that nationalistic pride and have home grown dishes in your belly every time you go south of the metro. A trip there would not be complete without FILIPINO FOOD. HENCE, PAMANA!

PAMANA in TAGAYTAY is the epitome of Filipino Dishes. Here, diners are treated to solid Filipino Cuisine with a hint craftsmanship. From the same owners of the famous BARRIO FIESTA, PAMANA seems to be making a name by itself. From the word, PAMANA meaning heritage or inherit, certain dishes here actually came from different members and friends of the family. Even so, Chef Happy Ongpauco-Tiu made all of them pop and jive together and stand on their own. 

Near the Rotonda or the famous Tagaytay round about, Pamana has a huge seating capacity and has an impeccable view of TAAL LAKE. The scene from the third floor itself is just breathtaking. The place may get full at times so reservation is a must.
To whet the appetite, we were served certain Filipino delicacies partnered withe cheese and bread to dip. From sampaloc to piyaya and even buto ng pakwan. These are basically childhood classics to pass the time.

An instant hit, the OKOY BITES or small shrimps cooked in a small patty. Dipped in vinegar sauce, each bite would translate to a crunchy sound. Well made.
For foodies that love sour dishes, the NILASING NA MANGGA or drunk mangoes are just incredible. These fermented mangoes were submerged in beer for weeks. Interesting enough, the beer added flavor to the mangoes and made it work. If you like, go for the ones with chili peppers. The flavor profile is just amazing.
Seafood lovers would enjoy the PUSIT IN SQUID INK. Basically calamares but has a squid ink batter. One thing to note too is that the dip is laced with crab fat. So glorious yet deadly. I found myself getting a piece, one after another.
Another "healthy" dish would be the TINUKTOK. The minced coconut meat wrapped in taro leaves works well when cooked with the coconut milk.
The mains though are pretty much deliberately deadly and would definitely make your taste buds jump for joy. I have never knew that Filipino Food could evolve to such that it would be a  joy to eat these dishes over and over again.
The perfect example would be the SEAFOOD PAELLA cooked in ALIGUE or crab fat. The flavors of the sea works well with the addition of the crab fat.

If rice or paella can't be part of your diet, the noodles served in PAMANA is a must! That time around the SIZZLING PANCIT IVATAN was served. The pork adobo flavor was absorbed by the noodles that you would gladly order rice to eat it with. I know it is carbs on carbs but it must be done.
 Looking ever so simple, the LECHON MANOK na TINUPIG SA GATA must not be underestimated. Believe it or not, it didn't need sauce as the chicken meat was moist and flavorful. Being tinupig or cooked with coconut milk made the chicken flavor pop out.
This is seriously delicious.
Foodies and daredevils seeing this dish would freakout. One bite in and they will be hooked by the SIZZLING LITID. Litid is basically the sinews or the soft fat like cartilages that connects the muscles and bones. It looks like fat, feels like fat and tastes like fat but believe me it isn't.
As you can see, this glorious dish is made more delicious by adding bone marrow. You would be ordering additional rice at this point and maybe a anti-cholesterol pill.
What is a visit to a Filipino restaurant without Kare-Kare or Crispy Pata? Here in PAMANA, they made the two into one dish just so you get the best part of both worlds. The peanut flavor from the kare-kare and the crispy and crunchy skin from the crispy pata. This is the KARE-KARE CRISPY PATA with CRISPY TADYANG. The kare-kare recipe came from Barrio Fiesta while the Crispy Pata is from the Dad of Happy. She, on the other hand, made the tadyang into crispy flakes. Amazing!
I was pleasantly surprised to see the dessert was just as simple yet mind blowing just like the dishes that were served. Partnered with traditional local hot cocoa, different kakanin or sticky rice desserts were offered. Basically, a chocolate fondue party.

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Without a doubt, PAMANA is a must visit Filipino Restaurant whenever one goes to Tagaytay. Traditional Filipino dishes were brought out to capture the hearts and senses of the diners. Even if these were old recipes that were handed down, I could honestly say that the ingenuity of the chef behind the dishes showed the true potential of Filipino Cuisine.

RELATED LINKS:
The BOUTIQUE BED and BREAKFAST
The ORIGINAL HAWAIIAN BBQ
TSOKOLATERIA: Perfect Chocolate Place in Tagaytay

PAMANA RESTAURANT
Tagaytay-Nasugbu Highway
Near The Boutique Bed and Breakfast
http://www.pamanarestaurant.com/

Disclaimer: wrote this based on my experience. Was invited to try out the dishes in Pamana.
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Tuesday, April 12, 2016
TSOKOLATERIA in Tagaytay: A Chocolate Heaven

 
 TSOKOLATERIA in TAGAYTAY is a romantic place for chocoholics to enjoy each others company. Located in The Boutique Bed and Breakfast in Tagaytay , Tsokolateria has an amazing view of TAAL LAKE and is close to nature.
Because of the cold weather in Tagaytay, the Happy concept group has made chocolate more accessible and available to the vacationers and foodies alike. By opening Tsokolateria, they gave a new meaning to chocolate.
Drinks are the most popular things to order at TSOKOLATERIA, be it sangrias or different kinds of hot chocolate made from their house blend of tablea.
From their version of BATIROL or local chocolate to something spiked up and with bits of chili, you will get what you wished for.

Flavored chocolate drinks are not unusual but at TSOKOLATERIA, they made it into art. From chocolate mallows to something different.
Shot glasses filled with different flavored chocolate drink makes it a fun experience.
 More than just drinks, TSOKOLATERIA has a lot of chocolate infused dishes in its extensive menu. Granted that it might sound weird, the dishes actually worked well with one another. The chocolate flavor might be just hints but it is there to complete the theme.

Small bites and appetizers were great partners for the drinks offered. From those with chocolate dips to cheese with adobo flakes, you can't go wrong with any of them.



For indecisive diners, Tsokolateria offers PANDESAL BRUCHETTA SAMPLER PLATTER. From Fish to cheese and even adobo flakes, you get to try a whole bunch of bites to go with your drinks.

Surprisingly, TSOKOLATERIA also offers solid main dishes. From pasta to rice dishes, you have a variety of awesomeness.
 The CARBONARA has white chocolate shavings while the SPICY TUYO has bitter cacao to even out the flavor.
The BLACK RISOTTO dish wasn't bland as other restaurants would have it. This had layers of flavor. The dash of Davao's choco powder and the squid ink went well together. The crunchy squid was just the cherry on top.
 For a deadly and mascular dish, the BACON LECHON KAWALI was well cooked. Crunchy and delicious. Made with cacao nibs and partnered with mountain rice, you won't go wrong with this.
 What is a dessert place without well, dessert?
 Waffles are traditionally desserts but in this instance, they also made them into savory dishes.

Not only are they normal waffles, but the batter were made with hints of chocolate.
If you're a fruit lover, you are in luck. The strawberries are fresh and abundant. Meanwhile, banana also goes well with dark chocolate.
If you must only have a couple of dishes, I would suggest that you go for these two.
 The BIBINGKA PANCAK SOUFFLE and the traditional looking CHAMPORADO. The souffle must be eaten as soon it is served. The cold temperature in Tagaytay could take out the fun in it. On the other hand, the CHAMPORADO was just perfect. The fish chips and even chicharon partnered well with the chocolatey sweet taste of the Champorado. This is a definitely a must get.
 And to end the meal, more chocolate drinks. Just because.

Food In The Bag is now in Facebook. Click Here to follow and like.
If you are into INSTAGRAM Follow me @foodinthebag.
With the opening of TSOKOLATERIA in TAGAYTAY, foodies are given more dessert options and variety that could spice up their out of town visit. Granted that chocolate dishes might be overly sweet, it is done perfectly and executed well enough to enjoy the meal at TSOKOLATERIA.




RELATED LINKS:
The BOUTIQUE BED and BREAKFAST
The ORIGINAL HAWAIIAN BBQ

Located in:
THE BOUTIQUE BED AND BREAKFAST
Aguinaldo Hi-Way, Silang Crossing East,
Tagaytay
(046)413-1885 / (046)413-1798
It is right in front of the new Ayala Mall in Tagaytay.

***Also Has branches in Quezon City, Boracay and Baguio.
Disclaimer:Wrote this based on my experience. Was invited to try out the dishes.
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Thursday, April 7, 2016
The Original Hawaiian BBQ: Tagaytay's Ribs and More

 The ORIGINAL HAWAIIAN BBQ in Tagaytay has been known as the go to place for RIBS and other delicious dishes. Opened as the in house restaurant of THE BOUTIQUE BED AND BREAKFAST (click here to see my experience), this restaurant opens up its menu to foodies all around. It makes use of the cool weather in Tagaytay to keep its patrons close to nature.

To start everything off, the ORIENTAL CHICKEN SALAD (320Php) is a good bet. It gives you a refreshing and healthy take before you go for the delicious heavy dishes.  
A bit funny, the ONION TOWER (200Php) makes use of huge onions to make those crispy rings. Served with three types of sauces like the Garlic Mayo, BBQ and even gravy.
 Hitting the ground running, The BUTTERED CORN with BONE MARROW were put on the table. A bit risky but the corn was creamy and buttery. Definitely deadly but very good.
To help scoop the buttery juices, QUESADILLAS were offered.
 Even until now, I still crave for the CRISPY SPAM MUSUBI (275Php). Deep fried spam with rice, this bite sized critters are so good. The sweet and tangy sauce gave it a different taste. I love this.

 If you are into potatoes, the ULTIMATE BAKED POTATO (150Php) is a must get. Creamy potatoes alongside crunchy bacon. You won't go wrong with this.

 It may come as a surprise but the ORIGINAL HAWAIIAN BBQ offers delicious seafood dishes. One of them is this MUSSEL SCAMPI (290Php). Cooked in a bamboo, the mussels are a little spicy but they were delicious and flavorful.

 If one can't decide, the FISHERMAN'S CATCH (530Php) might be the dish to get. It has different types of seafood perfect for the choosy foodie.

 One seafood dish that would make me drive all the way to Tagaytay would be the SEAFOOD TACOS. Deep fried mussels, oysters and squid are placed in a wrap and accompanied by sauces to give you flavor profiles.

 These are but the appetizers. When they say main course, be careful because they are good for 3-4 persons. I kid you not. The perfect example would be the BBQ PLATTER (850Php). Shrimps, chicken, pork, fish, mussels, and squid.
 As the name of the restaurant suggest, they have RIBS to die for!
 The Original Version is a bit tangy and sweet. Perfect for someone starting to discover ribs. If you are into something sweeter, the WAIKIKI'S ROOT BEER SESAME RIBS might be fore you. The flavor of the root beer is present with each bite.
 Spicy rib lovers would go for the SAM CHOY'S HOT and SPICY RIBS. A little of hickory taste is there but be warned this is not for the faint of heart. The meat is well marinated and the spice level might be a little too hot for you.
 No one can eat of these dishes without rice. At The ORIGINAL HAWAIIAN BBQ, they made it a point to give into that vibe. The best rice ever would have to be the SPAM RICE. This baby right here could be your morning lunch or even dinner.
If in case you're not in the mood for anything fancy, the PINEAPPLE CHICKEN RICE might be the dish for you. It is a meal in itself. The chicken tasted sweet because of the pineapple marinate and it does go well with the rice.
 DESSERT is one of the strong suits of this restaurant.
From an assortment of ice cream inspired dishes to a camp fire smores, you could not go wrong with any pick.

Food In The Bag is now in Facebook. Click Here to follow and like.
If you are into INSTAGRAM Follow me @foodinthebag.
The ORIGINAL HAWAIIAN BBQ is not just any restaurant. It serves delicious dishes priced perfectly for the foodie and is without fail. I would have to go back for the fish tacos and even maybe that platter and the spam rice. Definitely worth a visit.

Related Links:
The BOUTIQUE BED AND BREAKFAST in Tagaytay


Located in:
THE BOUTIQUE BED AND BREAKFAST
Aguinaldo Hi-Way, Silang Crossing East,
Tagaytay
(046)413-1885 / (046)413-1798
It is right in front of the new Ayala Mall in Tagaytay.

***Also Has branches in Quezon City, Boracay and Baguio.
Disclaimer:Wrote this based on my experience. Was invited to try out the dishes.
Read more
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