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Showing posts with label pampanga. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pampanga. Show all posts
Monday, April 2, 2018
WHERE TO EAT IN ANGELES, PAMPANGA: Kamangpangan Food Trip

 Believe it or not, I found myself in Angeles, Pampanga not once, not twice but three times in the past couple of weeks. One of the biggest problem that I had to endure was that I didn't know where to eat. Seriously, I had no clue where to go and what to have for lunch, merienda, and dinner. For Pete's sake, my mother is from Pampanga and some of my friends are from this beautiful city. Thankfully, I had a couple of days worth of food with some friends that gave me insights on where to go or what to check out.
The first stop of the day was lunch at FORTUNE TEAHOUSE. Fortune is a well known restaurant in these parts. They have a couple of upscale fine dining spots and also a relaxed establishment in malls.

 Aside from the usual Dimsum dishes that you may wish to try out, their combination shabu-shabu is quite impressive. The stock used will surely make your stomach warm up. Plus, the fish fillet wasn't bad as well. Fortune Teahouse is located in Sm Clark, Newpoint, and Vista Mall.
 
 To cleanse the palette, one might head on over to GILL'S SHERBET and Ice Cream. Every time I visit our family in Pampanga, sherbet has been the highlight in every meal. Gill's is well known in Nepo Mart, Angeles. Just ask anyone and they could direct you to the stall.
There are actually different flavors and it's quite a treat. Personally, I prefer the old school coconut based one.
 Now if you're looking for something more authentic and local, you might want to head on over to MILA'S TOKWA'T BABOY and SISIG. This place is known to many as the best hole in the wall for the tokwa't baboy or tofu with pork. Outside, you get to see different grilled items that you may want to try out. Don't be scarred as these are different parts of the pig.
Inside, you'll be surprised at the converted home. A lot of tables and chairs are prepared for the guests. It's somewhat basic. You get everything that you may need. Aside from the grilled items and the other Filipino dishes, don't ever leave without trying their version of the Tokwa't Baboy. I believe the addition of the celery adds crunch and a different texture for this perfect beer match chow. MILA is just off the main highway so it's not hard to find. They're at #195 San Andres St., Sto Domingo, Angeles City.
 
 For the sweet tooth, one might head on over to TEASPOON CAFE. Located on the Fil-Am Friendship Highway, this cafe will definitely make you jump with joy. Sweets and pastries and cakes placed TEASPOON CAFE in the map. Don't forget to get a box of those cashew petite fortune as they are highly addictive.

 For dinner, you may want to head on over to NAMARI JAPANESE BISTRO. Inside the Best Western Hotel Metro Clark along McArthur Highway, this Japanese Restaurant is a sight for sore eyes.
 Fresh dishes like SUSHI and SASHIMI are prepared in a way that would excite a dinner. It's not the usual california maki that you get here. There's some flare with the items. It seems that Namari is trying to tackle different dimensions of the Japanese food culture. It has fresh sashimi, then cooked items like steak, plus noodles.
 If you want more bang for your buck, you might want to try out their teppanyaki buffet. It's pretty solid.
Found in the same building as NAMARI, it has it's sister restaurant the CACTUS JACK SMOKEHOUSE. From it's name, you know that they mean business.
 They brought out everything but the kitchen sink. They had a couple of platters that would make any foodie jump for joy. One was filled with ribs. Fall of the bone and super tender, it went perfectly well with the corn bread. The other platter, must not be overlooked. There, you have your very own cochinillo, a young pig roasted and cooked to perfection.
 Everything was actually a blur so I think Namari and Cactus Jack would be better off discussed in a different post. Yes, they make their dessert in house as well.
Breakfast wise, there's this one place that you should check out. They serve unlimited drinks, and unlimited rice. The meals that they have also have a number of viands that makes everything worthwhile. I'm talking about KANIN UNLTD. Literally means unlimited rice, this place is perfect for heavy eaters. 

 From tapas to tamales and even champorado (chocolate rice), they make sure that you go out with a stuffed stomach.
Now for the ultimate pasalubong or take home, one might enjoy a trip to SUSIE'S. This place is known to have a number of delicacies that you may want to bring to your home. Here's a huge box that has a number of different sticky rice desserts to take to the office or even small gatherings.
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Special shout out to NANAY'S GOURMET TUYO. It's actually a nice way of having your HERRING. It's already deboned so no worries there.

After spending more than 24 hours eating in Angeles, Pampanga, I hope this little adventure would help you out and decide where to go or what to try out. Cheers!
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Saturday, June 11, 2016
PICCOLO PADRE: The perfect Italian Restaurant in Angeles


It was already pretty late and PICCOLO PADRE was our last stop of the night for our Pampanga Food Trip. I was actually full from visiting a lot of restaurants and thought that I couldn't eat anymore. But when I saw the dishes, somehow I realized that I still have another compartment empty in my stomach.
Located in PRIME ASIA HOTEL in ANGELES CITY, PICCOLO PADRE screams Italian as you enter. The Different art works on the wall and even on the ceiling takes you to a different time and place.
To start the meal, The SEAFOOD PLATTER (850Php) was served. The Pan Fried Chilean Black Mussels were cooked in its own juices with a little help of the olive oil. You can also choose if you would want your oyster Natural or baked. On this instance, we preferred the baked because it was creamier and gave a different flavor profile. The Ahi Tuna was also seared nicely. The baked scallops was also pretty good as they were plump. This would be a nice way to start a meal.
One of my favorite pasta dish would be the GNOCCHI. I was pleasantly surprised that their version of the GNOCCHI was spot on. Usually, this would be served over cooked but not here. Each bite would result into an explosion in the mouth. A little bit al dente just the way I like it. This was served in a creamy gorgonzola cheese sauce with walnnuts.
The deadliest dish of that day would have to be the FOIE GRAS and MARROW SAFFRON RISOTTO (950Php). A combination of everything that would scream perfect. The Foie Gras was just spot on. It was creamy and buttery. The fact that it had bone marrow on the side made each bite smoother. The risotto was well cooked with the saffron flavor bursting in each bite. This was on of my favorites.
In Manila, you rarely see restaurants serving VEAL. Here in PICCOLO PADRE, they have this OSSOBUCO alla MILANESE. Basically VEAL SHANK. Veal could be a little gamey but this was perfect. It was tender and had that perfect bite you would look for. The way it was cook. Just wow.
Dessert was also grand. The Cannoli or tube like dessert pastry was filled with cream that made it a little more heavy. I didn't care as I enjoyed it so.
The Tiramisu had a mild taste of coffee that it made it a perfect ending for a grand meal such as this.
If you are into INSTAGRAM Follow me @foodinthebag.
PICCOLO PADRE is a Hidden Gem. This Fine dining and Italian restaurant truly delivers delicious dishes and incredible service to its patrons. The Chef knows how to handle and prepare delicate dishes that would definitely make its visitors come back for more. This is a must visit place when in Angeles.

RELATED LINKS:
HOUSE OF CHOPS: Perfect stopover in Clark
CAFE FLEUR by Chef Sau
BANH MI VIETNAMESE EATERY by Chef Rex


PICCOLO PADRE
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0919-887-2195; 0917-500-47500
Prime Asia Hotel Narciso Street, 2009 Angeles City
Tuesdays-Sundays 5pm to 11pm
 

Disclaimer: was invited to this restaurant. wrote this based on my experience.
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Monday, June 6, 2016
CAFE FLEUR by Chef Sau in Pampanga


The first time I met Chef Sau in person was when he curated the buffet at Solaire. He was simple, funny and unassuming. The dishes he dished out were pretty good. So I was pretty excited when I learned that CAFE FLEUR would be part of our Pampanga Food Trip.
 Wanting to level up the Kapangpangan cuisine, Chef Sau del Rosario sought out to make a dent in the food industry by creating CAFE FLEUR. A renovated ancestral home, the building where CAFE FLEUR is located is something that goes well with its surrounding. It seems like any old house but with all the modern luxuries in it. The first floor has a couple of rooms that gives different personalities. One is very cafe like while the other seems to be an Asian marketplace.

The second floor houses a couple of rooms that would be great for small gatherings. Very artsy and works well with the overall theme of the restaurant.

Once settled down, a curated menu with selection of delicious dishes were served.
Tamales Pampanguena was the start. This has got to be one of the best Tamales I have tasted. The texture wasn't slimey nor was it hard. It was somewhere in the middle. Not really gelatinous but each bite reminded me of my childhood. The TINAPA TRUFFLE MOUSSE though was just astounding. The tinapa or smoked fish worked well with the truffle. Getting their homemade bread and dipping it in the mousse was just delightful. Smokey and truffle, it works.

The PAKO SAVAGE is your basic salad. This fern is actually abundant in Pampanga. Mixed with a slight sweet vinaigrette, it's pretty healthy and good.

Pampanga has been known for the SISIG. Sisig is your basic sum of all pork cuts placed in one delicious dish. Mixed and usually served on a sizzling plate, it has been said that Sisig is originally from PAMPANGA so my expectations were pretty high. Glad that they delivered. The addition of the poached egg made the dish whole.

The SISIG ala Chef Eric is something that was served and demonstrated during the world street food congress held recently here in Manila. I'm glad that I was able to experience it.

The CRISPY OKOY and SHRIMPS was done masterfully. The addition of the papaya as an agent to bring them all ingredients together made it a joy to eat. There was a slight sweet streak in this crunchy dish.

For the pasta course, the CITRUS ALIGUE PASTA was served. To appreciate this fully, you need to eat it as soon as possible. The sauce is tasty and deadly because of the aligue or crab fat. It could also dry up pretty quick too so it's best to mix it all up once you get it.

Fish lovers would also enjoy the RELLENONG BANGUS. It is creamy and the bangus or milkfish is a little smokey and goes well with the decadent sauce.

The ULANG GUAVA SINIGANG is a stroke of genius. The guava was used as a souring agent to this sinigang. The soup, served separately, is delicious and is perfect with the meal. Partnered with rice, you would definitely ask for seconds.

The LAMB SHANK CALDERETA has a very distinct taste. The lamb meat was tender. The tomato sauce alongside the other vegetables, works well.
The highlight of the meal though would be the PORK BELLY with truffled macadamia kare-kare. The pork belly was crispy while the kare-kare sauce was made with macadamia nuts. Usually, roasted peanuts are used to make the sauce. In this instance, the sauce had a sweet kick to it because of the macadamia.
It was an excellent meal. All the necessary elements of a great experience were there.
Food In The Bag is now in Facebook. Click Here to follow and like.
If you are into INSTAGRAM Follow me @foodinthebag.
From the start to the finish, the experience was amazing. CAFE FLEUR is a welcome addition to the PAMPANGA Food Scene. The service was impeccable and the knowledge of the staff about each dish was spot on. None of that usual generic answer. Rather, they would and could explain each dish pretty well.

RELATED LINKS:
 House of Chops: The perfect stopover in Pampanga
10 Dishes to try at the World Street Food Congress

Solaire's Fresh: Chef Sau's Filipino Food Festival

CAFE FLEUR
L-463B Miranda St. Brgy Sto. Rosario
Angeles City, Pampanga
0995 313 8413
Across Imerex Plaza Hotel


Disclaimer: was invited to this restaurant. wrote this based on my experience.
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