Food makes us happy! :)
Tourists hiking up in Maligcong, going to the hot springs of Mainit, or breaking up their trip to Banaue or Kalinga have a good reason to make a stopover at the Bontoc poblacion: good food and coffee as well as craft beer at the new Bontoc Bed and Bistro.
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The table is set for Baguio’s bounty and the highlands flavors
The crux of international hotel chains lies in the homogeneity of its offerings – it’s good when it comes to expectations regarding service and facilities. However, it’s less than welcome if we’re talking about food. At a time when locavore eating is encouraged, it’s a pity that oftentimes when you eat in different branches of a certain hotel or restaurant chain, you get more of the same flavors, same dishes, same offerings. It’s even more lamentable when we’re talking of Baguio as a branch location, as the city offers a bounty of produce as well as traditional food from the highlands.
Ipoh is a popular day trip destination from Kuala Lumpur. This Old Town that flourished through mining is a two to three hours drive from Kuala Lumpur. Ipoh White Coffee may be commercially known and widely available but it is only in the old town of Ipoh where one can take sample a favorite delicacy the local hor fun (kuey teow), taugeh (beansprouts) and Hainanese-style steamed chicken. There are a couple of restaurants to go to but a lot of locals pointed us to Onn Kee Restaurant.
In this season of many gatherings, the Filipino’s iconic litson manok (roasted chicken) is ever present. Aside being a much healthier alternative to fried chicken, roast chickens are widely available and at reasonable prices. Adding to the many choices out there, Reyal Litson Manok is steadily making itself known in the roast chicken market. I’ve seen some stalls in Laguna and have been curious on how their taste fare. Especially with the tagline “mas masarap ‘pag may sauce (more delicious with sauce)”
Asakusa (pronounced as ah-sahk-sah) is a district in Tokyo renowned for its bustling Japanese tempura shops scene. This is where couple, Chef Jacob and fashion designer, Celine found their most memorable tempura experience in Japan. The tempura from a small and simple shop in Japan served by an old couple were one of the best they tasted that they were inspired to bring it in Manila. Hence, Asakusa: Home of Tempura was born in 2015 with its first branch at the Grove by Rockwell. Establishing itself as the tempura specialty house enjoyed by people in Pasig. Two years after, Asakusa opens its doors at Ayala Malls Vertis North to serve northerners in the Metro.
The rooftop views of Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit are not the only draw on the 32nd floor of this 5-star hotel. Parisian-inspired L’Appart Rooftop Bar and Restaurant offers an enticing landscape of flavors when new Head Chef, Nicholas Basset, mans the kitchen. Chef Nicholas lends his vast experience and inspiration from his global travels to whip up a refined menu that’s not only instagrammable but promises to pique one’s taste buds.
What do you do when you find yourself in Anilao on the eve of a brewing tropical storm? You pray for better weather and find other things to do while on staycation. For your Happyfoodies, it was a good excuse to foodtrip at the Eagle’s Nest Restaurant and Bar of Eagle Point Resort, perusing the menu and asking the friendly staff for recommendations and suggestions. We haven’t been anywhere around here for a long time so it was nice to find that the resort’s eating venue offers a great view of the sea (roiling as we sample the fare the two days we stayed there).
The first time I tasted the signature Gringo flame-grilled dishes, the Original Chicken, Southern Spice and Baby Back Ribs, I knew their distinct char-broiled goodness would become a local favorite. Together with their sauces, Lemon Herb and Hot and Spicy, and the sumptuous sidings, Gringo offers great value for their Mexican-Latin cuisine offering. From their first branch at SM North Edsa, they have since expanded to the Fort, Makati and now the newly opened branch at The Atrium, SM Megamall. The recent soft opening gave happyfoodies a chance to sample the other goodies in their menu.