Food makes us happy! :)
A haven for surfers to chill and listen to some bands and electronic music play. Surf Shack is inspired by the stoked lifestyle as evidenced from the many surfboards adorning the walls. Surfing photos in action and portraits almost filling up one side of the wall. Surf Shack is also home to local cocktails, craft beers and fusion pizza.
With a witty play of words on the Filipino term kubo, Cube-O Grill (pronounce as kub-o) is a native style, open-air restaurant mostly made mostly of beautiful hardwood materials. The restaurant serves Filipino cuisine. Their staple Cube-O Salo-salo platter has grilled goodies, beer food, vegetables and three kinds of rice (garlic anchovy, java and plain rice). A set meal best served to a group of friends and family coming from an exhilarating surf session or coming back from a trek at Tangadan Falls in La Union.
Happyfoodies has been on the road recently and traveling through towns we normally pass through on the way to Bontoc and Sagada brought some surprises to us. One of these is finding a place to have good coffee in Abatan, some 80 or so kilometers away from Baguio. Billeted at Garden Breeze in Bangad, we wanted to find out what else is out there, attractions- and food-wise, so we walked along the town center. After a hearty lunch of beef broccoli and soup at Kadan-Tom, we decided to find out if there’s a place where we can grab a cup of coffee and some dessert. Maybe it was a stroke of serendipity that we found Cafe Lounge 85 at the fringe of the town center where the coffee along with the view gave us a pleasant surprise.
Korean chicken founds its place into the Filipino palette. With a few Korean franchises imported to our shores and its growing branches, it just shows how Filipinos enjoy these Korean flavors. An exciting local venture opens in the fast developing neighborhood of Orambo, Pasig. Oppa Chicken Portico brings its unique variety of Korean Chicken flavors. And this time hoping to export the brand internationally from Manila. Happyfoodies had a preview of their Korean Chicken variants they are set to serve once they open their doors this November 28, 2016.
It was a year ago when we were introduced to the one-of-a-kind toast from Cafe Shibuya. Their 2 1/2 inch thick rectangular bread toast were not only sumptuous but has a pleasant interplay of flavors. With the colder season coming, who wouldn’t yearn for a good toast along with afternoon coffee? It’s also a good time to try Cafe Shibuya’s new offerings, the Salted Egg and Green Tea Lava Toast. Now, there’s even more variety of toasts that people can enjoy in the cafe.
Living up to the town’s reputation, Art Capital Cafe, is a cozy little cafe right beside a Caltex station in Angono. It serves up more than the usual brews but also showcases inspiring art pieces from up and coming artist. Art Capital Cafe was the last stop in our tour of Angono sites and eats. May we have saved the best for last?
I think along with a lot of Filipinos, I grew up eating street foods. They are cheap, accessible, tasty and filling. The popular grilled isaw (chicken intestine) is a staple favorite on our table and we make sure to buy only from vendors we know. While street food is delicious, there can be sanitary concerns on how they are prepared and served. That’s why growing up, I toned down a bit on consuming them. That may be why my mouth was all agape when I plateful of isaw and other Filipino street food favorites were set on our table at Balwarte in Angono. I miss eating them. The place is a new family-owned restaurant in Angono serving Filipino street and comfort food in a simple and clean dine-in setting.
Stop holding off on the whip cream and just let go of your sweet cravings once you enter Lava Mocha Cafe in Angono. Don’t be fooled by the somewhat funky though slightly tacky interiors. This cafe aims mainly for the student market from a nearby school. Prices are budget friendly yet in good portions and value. Most of all, they taste better than they are priced. But what you really come here for are the desserts.