Enjoying the Sea Breeze in Virac
Posted by Ferdz on 22 Sep 2009 at 12:02 am and is filed under Gut Feel.
Tags:
Blue Marlin, Catanduanes, Grilled Fish, Pork, Potatoes, Seafoods, Virac
Crispy Pork Binagoongan (P160)
One of the perks of eating out of town is the chance to taste unpretentious food. Not to say we’re jaded by city food but there are times when one would just like to sit down to no-frills fare. So when your happyfoodies went to Virac in Catanduanes, we had to ask the locals where they’d prefer to eat out. One place that keeps popping up is Sea Breeze Restaurant. That it’s mentioned in Jens Peters’ Philippine Guide only whetted our appetite to give it a try.
Cabana dining at Sea Breeze Restaurant
Lagal[og] said: Sea Breeze is located alongside the pier in Virac but I can tell the waters off the wharf is clean as all I can smell is the fresh sea breeze. The rows of cabanas are clean and orderly, the seats spacious. My only misgiving is the very dim light at night-time which makes reading the menu rather difficult.
Ironwulf said: It’s interesting to see the rows of cabanas as dining areas near the harbor. Very refreshing with the actual sea breeze coming in especially during the evening. Staff was attentive and the service was really fast. I have the same qualms with the lighting. It can get very dim.
Pork Barbecue (P15/stick) and Kalkag (Dried Shrimp Rice P80)
Lagal[og] said: I smelled the aroma of something grilling so we ordered Pork Barbecue which tasted like it was marinated way before it was grilled – very tender and not overcooked. We also tried the Pork Binagoongan (pork cooked in shrimp paste) and it was really, really good. Chunks of pork were cooked in gata (coconut milk) and mixed with bagoong (shrimp paste) which gives the dish a tasty twist. I guess it’s a touch of Bicolandia. I really liked the blending of creaminess and saltiness. I would’ve loved the pork skin fried to a crisp but it’s a minor thing, really.
Crispy Pork Binagoongan
Ironwulf said: The Pork Binagoongan is also good, but I would have preferred less fatty parts and a little more spiciness. The Pork Barbecue sauce has a well-balanced flavor that I wouldn’t easily get tired of. The Grilled Blue Marlin was a pleasant surprise with its nice presentation. It was grilled well and the marinated flavor really comes through.
Grilled Blue Marlin (P120-200)
Lagal[og] said: I also love the Grilled Blue Marlin. The taste is clean, the flavor made obvious the lengthy marinating. The fish was grilled just right so the texture is flaky. I also love the contrast between the viands and the Kalkag (Shrimp Rice).
Potato Wedges (P25)
Ironwulf said: Another pleasant surprise was finding Potato Wedges here when I have trouble finding good ones in Manila. For P25, we got eight pieces of wedges properly cooked with skin intact and with that slightly salty flavor.
Lagal[og] said: The bill gave us a pleasant surprise – just a little over P500 for a hefty food serving good for 3-4 people. With tasty food and good value for money, Virac should be proud of this place.
Sea Breeze Restaurant
Sea Breeze Restaurant
Pier Site, San Jose
Virac, Catanduanes
Photo Cache
September 22nd, 2009 at 5:57 amI’ve never really been a fan of binagoongan, but the one you showed here looks really good that I’m tempted to sample it. It does look greasy too.
benj
September 24th, 2009 at 12:59 pmVirac! wow. Now that’s a bit out of the way.
witsandnuts
September 30th, 2009 at 7:07 pmThe cabana shot is a stand out.
Catanduanes: Rainy Day in Virac | Ironwulf.net: En Route - Best Philippines, Travel, Photography Blog
October 14th, 2009 at 8:31 am[...] Inside, the dim interiors make it look drab. But it does light up the beautiful stained glass windows wonderfully. I can say that the charm of this cathedral in my opinion, are those stained glass windows. We left the church and searched out for a decent internet café to attend to some email requirements. Then we walked by the shore heading by Sea Breeze Restaurant. [...]
Catanduanes Chronicles Summary | Ironwulf.net: En Route - Best Philippines, Travel, Photography Blog
November 14th, 2009 at 8:31 am[...] Enjoying the Sea Breeze in Virac [...]
lyka
January 4th, 2010 at 3:56 pmMy dad side of the family is from Virac and we’re there almost every year. Sea breeze is a good choice coz you get to enjoy the sea, which the province is known for, while munching on good Pinoy food. Its also a hang-out place for tourists looking for a place to drink beer…
It’s a treat for me whenever I encounter write-ups regarding our province since its not really top of mind when it comes to tourist destinations…Hope you can do more materials in Catanduanes. Thanks!
George
February 14th, 2010 at 6:21 pmÍ’m here now with my girlfriend in Bato, Catanduanes in my Mom’s hometown. It’s Valentine’s Day and me & my girlfriend will be heading out to Virac in few minutes for a cozy night & dinner. Destination… Sea Breeze! I’m sure we’ll enjoy the view, ambience, and of course… the food! My aunt boasts of the prawns, crabs, and lobsters there. Yum! Yum! Yum! This is goinmg to be a memorable Heart’s Day indeed. : )
Gee
June 18th, 2010 at 11:32 pmJust came accross this post. I’m speechless.
celeste valeza
September 5th, 2010 at 8:14 pmthank you for this post, the photos did great justice to the food and the place. i was born and bred in virac and will be re-acquainting with my quaint island after 22 years and will be bringing my family along. my kids have never been to the island and i would like their experience to be not so spartan as my childhood so i am very relieved to read your post, thank you so much, it looks like i don’t have to worry about having to cook the kids meals. they will enjoy the barbecue and my husband and i will certainly enjoy everything else. ‘mabalos tabi’ or in tagalog ‘salamat po’.
Danny
February 17th, 2011 at 4:57 pmThese posts really made me excited about Catanduanes. Heading out there with a group of friends next week. We will surely try the Sea Breeze…. Thank you posters!