Happy Foodies

<div class="alignwide"><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7f8bGMvomxmH40HA6aMByqJEzGP0fhLY_lYq1gPD2MRurWofTJ0_11Z15iDQuBcrD2o20nbRCWwoE5uCxGww6E5fjM6G5vypnwZqp2D5MSb3U4AieAt8MBF6vF3u3ZX8yWFQF2diYi5Ekwzz1qT67uCuB70xeRe5XWT7tRBxN_7inOYhYnExTg8s9__4/s1024/onn-kee.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7f8bGMvomxmH40HA6aMByqJEzGP0fhLY_lYq1gPD2MRurWofTJ0_11Z15iDQuBcrD2o20nbRCWwoE5uCxGww6E5fjM6G5vypnwZqp2D5MSb3U4AieAt8MBF6vF3u3ZX8yWFQF2diYi5Ekwzz1qT67uCuB70xeRe5XWT7tRBxN_7inOYhYnExTg8s9__4/s16000/onn-kee.jpg"></a></div></div></div> <p>Ipoh is a popular day trip destination from Kuala Lumpur. This Old Town that flourished through mining is a two to three-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur. <a href="http://www.happyfoodies.com/kafe-panglima-dua-lima-old-town-ipoh-coffee/">Ipoh White Coffee</a> 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 <strong>Onn Kee Restaurant</strong>.</p>

<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVMv-7dHW1wRpdABWXvFYVsSYxnT_nHLOWSxjaXAIun9q8NZ_FpYLLYDgtBoRW4AMhHxbi4q7EvcA2KfjG4n_Hr4PyfqjFxTsmb6-D4YSG8_5_TWmO0bsXJFIcFYtfLp-pjliy9_48Zn-6nslIgOU1nVN1QNwiiIgvhr78pmmMf9AqiW0xnPgHzi0yirI/s1024/chew-love-tacloban.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="684" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVMv-7dHW1wRpdABWXvFYVsSYxnT_nHLOWSxjaXAIun9q8NZ_FpYLLYDgtBoRW4AMhHxbi4q7EvcA2KfjG4n_Hr4PyfqjFxTsmb6-D4YSG8_5_TWmO0bsXJFIcFYtfLp-pjliy9_48Zn-6nslIgOU1nVN1QNwiiIgvhr78pmmMf9AqiW0xnPgHzi0yirI/s16000/chew-love-tacloban.jpg"></a></div><br>Adding a dash of lively colors to the once Typhoon Yolanda-stricken city of Tacloban is Chew Love. I chuck a soft laugh when I hear my tricycle driver say “Ang cute pala dito ah! (This place looks cute ah!)” when he finally found the place. Borne out from the ashes of the devastation of Tacloban, entrepreneur, Coke Young-Go, found opportunity from the rubble. Chew love is a product of pouring in her creative interest in fashion, food, and photography. It’s hard not to miss this restaurant with its lovely European/Country-inspired theme that’s a sure head-turner.<p></p>

<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-l6lSMNgenGZTvOLZjlxtr2exbG2xM8SEtxWkAM57eLnA0EQR4OdXJyiEMM6kO17kFlVs2dyrJfvNaXTnZ1pwFO8cHVXDAJawRadADJas9dDMl8an_RrcrMIvGPZC_SlJG5I_w0kAFJumBAYCiE14XcloQ2QmByysIl2HAzSfJwkOc-Wj-HaqpAXa1a4/s1280/sagada-brew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-l6lSMNgenGZTvOLZjlxtr2exbG2xM8SEtxWkAM57eLnA0EQR4OdXJyiEMM6kO17kFlVs2dyrJfvNaXTnZ1pwFO8cHVXDAJawRadADJas9dDMl8an_RrcrMIvGPZC_SlJG5I_w0kAFJumBAYCiE14XcloQ2QmByysIl2HAzSfJwkOc-Wj-HaqpAXa1a4/s16000/sagada-brew.jpg"></a></div><br>As repeat visitors to Sagada, we at Happyfoodies were both overjoyed and saddened during our recent visit.  Saddened because a) <a href="http://www.happyfoodies.com/sagadas-misty-lodge-and-cafe-food-worth-walking-kilometers-for/" title="Sagada’s Misty Lodge and Cafe: Food worth walking kilometers for">Misty Lodge's restaurant</a> is closed as Chef Bogan is attending to her mommy duties in Manila, b) <a href="http://www.happyfoodies.com/masferre-country-inn-and-restaurant/" title="Chicharon with Kamatis & Bagoong and other much-missed eats at Masferre">Masferre Restaurant</a> has taken off our favorite Kamatis Bagoong at Lechon Kawali in favor of a menu more oriented towards foreign guests.  But on a bright note, we chanced upon a new, welcome addition to the eateries lining the town's main street:  <strong>Sagada Brew</strong>.  It was actually the recommendation of Wanda, our kind hostess at Rock Inn Farm, to try out the new place (talk about very friendly competition).  It was also a blessing to come on an off-peak season when a lot of eating places are closed for repairs, which helped directed our feet to this shop.<p></p>

<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEB10u1Oq6Gwhbyrw5h17inZv1_4hA6OTWSGfHpCyDIA-9sJam1KM-jbbmtotViUKT_ZxHSyEUmDcZSDeKj_RD45NVtPfsXU6WyeNZ_BUbk47O4p5GGplPrYzfn64jQaAfqL1PxFXqCKvqCAGYQjm76y0ohE3Rtxy-xcK5okvCOah0HhIHegIlaecg6as/s1280/buffalo-swing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEB10u1Oq6Gwhbyrw5h17inZv1_4hA6OTWSGfHpCyDIA-9sJam1KM-jbbmtotViUKT_ZxHSyEUmDcZSDeKj_RD45NVtPfsXU6WyeNZ_BUbk47O4p5GGplPrYzfn64jQaAfqL1PxFXqCKvqCAGYQjm76y0ohE3Rtxy-xcK5okvCOah0HhIHegIlaecg6as/s16000/buffalo-swing.jpg"></a></div><br>It's always nice to discover non-commercial establishments run by young entrepreneurs hoping to make it big in the food business. One such establishment in the heart of Pasig is <strong>Buffalo Swing</strong>. This family-ran hole-in-the-wall resto has been serving excellent buffalo wings and more for more than two years already. Enjoyed mostly by nearby residences like the Riverfront and offices in Ortigas, people who knew about <strong>Buffalo Swing</strong> may have kept the existence of this wonderful little resto to enjoy it for themselves. But something this good would likely be known in the foodie world eventually. Join happyfoodies with guest foodie Jen as we sample their house specialties.<p></p>

<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8AolDTn0RODqkMNvdIoa7YeugqB5NGsiBeuBLfNJPbq1nKvVM83v_Ohe6UKdfSEfolhQnjJaVw64j1X_DmkN4V6083mZMZqQyZUhVgNzpTvF3ZwOnKa4W7UDw8eLmFLUnPtDPL1oHMT8Ei4Aq6eJ24Mjm69ZCNUViXQrDRhNYMvgQCvwIWIvkm0sDi4E/s1280/mrs-bakers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8AolDTn0RODqkMNvdIoa7YeugqB5NGsiBeuBLfNJPbq1nKvVM83v_Ohe6UKdfSEfolhQnjJaVw64j1X_DmkN4V6083mZMZqQyZUhVgNzpTvF3ZwOnKa4W7UDw8eLmFLUnPtDPL1oHMT8Ei4Aq6eJ24Mjm69ZCNUViXQrDRhNYMvgQCvwIWIvkm0sDi4E/s16000/mrs-bakers.jpg"></a></div><br>It's always a delight to find good restaurants outside of the metro. <strong>Mrs Baker's</strong> in Nueva Vizcaya is worth a stop when traversing the roads to Tuguegarao or Banaue. This two-story establishment with warm and homey interiors is owned by Chef Jehan Damasco who has competed on international pastry competitions. Established in 2010, Chef Jehan had cooked up a sumptuous menu of local favorites and international flavors that not only Nuvo Vizcayanos rave about but those fortunate visitors enough to have stumbled upon this gem of a resto. We went here twice when we were in Nueva Vizcaya and here's to share some of our favorite dishes.<p></p>

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip_k3V7RhuajN2PizGwEJrX6H_e-Yc0KKNLzskQiB0d_gBYeRfVqv1UvRlngkp4N1G-YqaA7xOubWH_rdC82Zyk1_JBo_UDh_d4axBRfBtxm8_JBO6ew29sHxLjipDK5bZ7qOQ6zmwr120mKupxNVWXfM3rmz-3LfYtXJDVQ4jfq7wBZJD7xpB30nnykk/s667/miisty-lodge-cafe.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip_k3V7RhuajN2PizGwEJrX6H_e-Yc0KKNLzskQiB0d_gBYeRfVqv1UvRlngkp4N1G-YqaA7xOubWH_rdC82Zyk1_JBo_UDh_d4axBRfBtxm8_JBO6ew29sHxLjipDK5bZ7qOQ6zmwr120mKupxNVWXfM3rmz-3LfYtXJDVQ4jfq7wBZJD7xpB30nnykk/s16000/miisty-lodge-cafe.jpg"></a></div><br> <p>The perpetual nip in the air is simply made for good eating.</p> <p>One of the finer pleasures of Sagada is gustatory in nature. Everything -- the weather, the elevation, the views -- seem to inspire indulgence. Dunno but there's something about hieing off to the boondocks that make even the mundane special, like ordinary coffee or instant noodles become a treat especially after a hike.</p> <p>Perhaps, by stroke of serendipity, <strong>Happyfoodies</strong> found accommodation in the town outskirts some 1.5 kilometers from the sentro. Meaning yes, we're away from where most of the eating places are but by luck, very, very close to <strong>Misty Lodge and Cafe</strong>. Our host, Derick, of Yabami Lodge recommended it as we were looking for somewhere closer to eat apart from <strong>Rock Inn's Bodega Cafe</strong> some 350 meters away. Smoked out from the Panag-apoy rites, we decided to drop by at dinner time as the cafe was on our way home anyway. So, did we like the food? Well, we came back a second and third time during our three days in Sagada. It was that good.</p>

<figure class="wp-block-image alignnone"><img alt="Bonchon Spicy Glaze Chicken" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/8014/7676206078_88e90581b6_o.jpg"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Bonchon Spicy Glaze Chicken</figcaption></figure> <p>I always pass by <strong>Bonchon</strong> at SM Megamall but never had the chance to try it before. One reason why? It's always full and I somehow lack the patience to wait especially when I'm really hungry.   Good thing your Happyfoodies were invited for a taste test at one of their newer branches at Bonifacio High Street. This time I got the chance to get to know what makes people go crazy about this Korean Chicken.  As it turned out, Happyfoodies will discover there's more to Bonchon than its popular crunchy chicken.</p>

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/6208/6068633168_ac9d664ee6_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="500" height="667" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/6208/6068633168_ac9d664ee6_o.jpg" width="500"></a></div><br><figure class="wp-block-image alignnone"><br><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Fried Chicken with Hash Browns and Vegetables at Rock Inn</figcaption></figure> <p>We came to Sagada on a weekday to explore the foodscape as much as the landscape.  The weather, as always, was conducive not only for hiking but also for good eating.   In the limited time we stayed, we found either newer places or newer offerings from the old reliables.  Here we share some of our favorites.</p>

<figure class="wp-block-image alignnone"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ironwulf/4814874291/?reuploaded=1"><img alt="Macanese Seafood Rice" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4141/4814874291_7ca51d310d_b.jpg"></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Macanese Seafood Rice</figcaption></figure> <p>"This is where we take our special guests" Joao tells us. Of course we felt honored hearing that statement. If one wants to treat guests to try great-tasting Macanese food, <strong>Ristorante Litoral</strong> would be the best place to go. Chinese influences may have a big part in Macau cuisine being close to the country, but being under Portuguese rule for years, it's inevitable not to fuse the better of two influences into one distinct cuisine – Macanese. It's Portuguese Cuisine using the best of the local ingredients found in Macau.</p>

<figure class="wp-block-image alignnone"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ironwulf/4781693430/"><img alt="Lagariero-Style Bacalhau" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4116/4781693430_0123110c01_o.jpg"></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Lagariero-Style Bacalhau</figcaption></figure> <p>Pirates used to roam around Coloane, the Southern Region of Macau. But for the evening of our visit at <strong>Miramar Restaurant</strong>, there were no more pirates, only us hungry visitors ready to devour any Portuguese food that would land on our table. A restaurant that started way back 1990's but closed at the turn of the decade, the establishment re-opened two years ago to again serve authentic Portuguese dishes on the quiet hillside of Coloane fronting Hac Sa Bay.</p>

<figure class="wp-block-image alignnone"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/oggie/4315556320/"><img alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4004/4315556320_ecaf60c228_b.jpg"></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Bale Dutung Brulee</figcaption></figure> <p>When traveling to the north, making a stopover in Pampanga is always a sensible decision.  And why not?  Kapampangans are really known for their rich food tradition.   But eating takes on a deeper, and should I say cultural, meaning when you make a stop at <strong>Bale Dutung.</strong> Tucked in a residential village, the place looks more like a house than a restaurant which it actually is, being the abode of chef/cook/artist Claude Tayag and his wife, Maryanne.  That said, the treatment we got was more akin to dining in a friend’s house.</p>

<figure class="wp-block-image alignnone"><img alt="Nam Heongs Chicken Rice" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3501/3915390983_f21df70ac0_o.jpg"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Nam Heong's Chicken Rice</figcaption></figure> <p>When in Malaysia, mention Chicken Rice and locals would definitely say <strong>Nam Heong</strong> as its equivalent. It's an institution known for cooking Chicken Rice using an age-old recipe which dates back to more than 70 years when the establishment started. Now, it has a number of franchises in Kuala Lumpur. But is the quality still the same? We trooped to one of their branches in<strong> Sungai Wang Mall</strong> to try out its famous Chicken Rice as well as some of its other offerings.</p>