Happy Foodies

<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> Pirates used to roam around Coloane, the Southern Region of Macau. But for the evening of our visit at Miramar Restaurant, 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.

<figure class="wp-block-image alignnone"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ironwulf/4659581935/"><img alt="Smoked Salmon" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1303/4659581935_d3aa52ddaa_b.jpg"></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Horizon's Champagne Glazed Cold Smoked Salmon</figcaption></figure> It was a stark contrast from our <a title="Little Turtle" href="http://www.happyfoodies.com/2010/05/18/macau-little-turtle-with-big-noodles/">last meal in Macau</a>. As soon as we enter the 3rd level of Crown Tower within City of Dreams, we knew we’ll be treated to a luxurious dining experience this time around. We were at Horizons, a restaurant known for its grilled steaks and seafood.

<figure class="wp-block-image alignnone"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ironwulf/4614796455/"><img alt="Octopus Noodles" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4028/4614796455_b356bfdc31_o.jpg"></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Octopus Noodles</figcaption></figure> The noodles came one after the other. It seems overwhelming but after at least a two hour- flight, we were famished and ready to eat just about anything. It’s my first time in Macau and what better way to get started but to sample some good ole local food. “We’re heading to the Little Turtle,” said Joao, our Portuguese with Chinese lineage guide. The name was intriguing enough to make everyone want to check it out.

<figure class="wp-block-image alignnone"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ironwulf/4271055199/"><img alt="Ayam Penyet" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4010/4271055199_566e337772_o.jpg"></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Ayam Penyet (SG$6)</figcaption></figure> Resto Surabaya Lucky Plaza is said to be dominated by the Filipino crowd, but in a hidden corner of this mall one can find a really good Indonesian restaurant called Resto Surabaya. It has simple interiors with earth colors and a comfortable dining area. The Ayam Penyet (Surabya style Fried Chicken) was tasty at every level from skin to meat, especially with a dip in the chili spice.

<figure class="wp-block-image alignnone"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ironwulf/4131237538/"><img alt="Maggie's Buttered Squid (SG$6, 8, 12)" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2774/4131237538_168735904d_o.jpg"></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Maggie's Buttered Squid (SG$8, 12, 16)</figcaption></figure> Hopping from a hole-in-the wall restaurant to al fresco street dining, then to a humble stall in a kopitiam and later, to an unpretentious mall restaurant, food tripping is one activity I cherish when I'm in Singapore. The food offering is so diverse I can eat different cuisines from different parts of the world depending on what my appetite dictates that day. During my week-long stay, I tried the different restaurants my friend recommended which were all good at the particular type of cuisine they serve yet inexpensive.

<figure class="wp-block-image alignnone"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/oggie/4028353869/"><img alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2622/4028353869_eb8b47359a_b.jpg"></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">No Problem Sutukil Restaurant Fresh Catch</figcaption></figure> One of the indelible impressions that going around Cebu City left me is that Cebuanos simply love to eat. I've visited this so-called Queen City of the South every year for the last four or so years and seeing new eating places coming up just amazes me. The last time around was for another work assignment when we went around and saw signages on lampposts advertising either lechon (roast pig) and pochero, a kind of beef soup.

<figure class="wp-block-image alignnone"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/oggie/4527707215/"><img alt="8065 Bagnet Ginataang Bagnet" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4061/4527707215_289ba63593_b.jpg"></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">8065 Bagnet Ginataang Bagnet</figcaption></figure> The menu listed a grand total of 20 food items, six of which are bagnet main dishes and another six as bagnet budget meals. It takes a lot of gumption to offer just about only one thing in your restaurant and build the menu around it. Braver still to name your restaurant after it. But 8065 Bagnet does not disappoint.