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Monday, August 28, 2006
Pampanga Food Trip- A Culinary Tour of Pampanga 1.0
Spanky Tours Group Photo in Zapata's Mexican Restaurant. (Left to Right) Anton, my wife Rachelle, my son Aidan, Jay from Globe, Yuga of Yugatech.com fame, Abe from Convergys, Spanx our passionate tour guide blogging at spankyenriquez.blogspot.com, and Ajay of Annalyn.net or Blog-o-rama fame.
I don't know where to begin.
This was one of my dream culinary tour because I know that the Pampanga area is home of the best dishes in our country. Thanks to Spanx for sharing with us the word-of-mouth culinary secrets of the Pampanga area. We are now going to name this the Spanky Tours of Pampanga because of his passion and enthusiasm to show us around his hometown. This is a one-of-a-kind culinary tour and it beats the tours of any travel agencies because of Spanky's personal approach and you can feel the passion in him when he starts to share stories, food and history of the place. This meet was a barkada-food-gimik-cum-eye-ball of online friends and blog readers who like to eat, travel and take photos.
Someone should start to organize a Viaje del Sol equivalent in Pampanga, to promote do-it-yourself culinary tours in Angeles and San Fernando. In the absence of such, I'm glad that we have Spanx to show us the way and we are happy to share this experience with you. These culinary tours are not limited only to Filipino food because the intent of these food explorations is to savor the best of the best in the Pampanga area. We just scratched the surface and these Pampanga tours will be an ongoing series until we have explored the best of the best.
Join us in this food experience and we can assure you that this is one-of-a-kind adventure.
I was excited to finally meet Ajay, Spanx, Jay, Abe and Yuga. We were a cozy group of 8 and the sleepy rainy weather that morning have filtered out the real foodies. The photo above was taken at Shell NLEX Starbucks and we are all on-the-go as the food adventure awaits us.
The Characters
The blog overlord Yuga (as Annalyn would describe him) with the camera bought by Adsense :) BTW, I also shared some tips on photography and I had fun showing Yuga some photography tricks along the way.
Spanky Enriquez is our passionate foodie tour guide. Definitely, not a dull moment with this guy. Doesn't he look like Troy Montero? Still a bachelor so we were teasing him that the next tour will include a blind dating angle into it :)
I finally met Ajay who featured Our Awesome Planet in blog-o-rama when I was just starting with my blog. She is a certified foodie and she beats all of us in the eating marathon.
My son, Aidan, who may be the most photographed baby in the whole world! This was a cute kodak moment that I'm glad I was able to capture.
We were also joined by Abe and Jay and I will respect their privacy because I'm not sure if they want to be highlighted in public via my blog.
First Stop: Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
One of the last remaining American restaurant of this kind and this was the reason we initiated this culinary tour. Spanx was raving about this secret honest-to-goodness american restaurant in Angeles, Pampanga. I was just so curious with this place because nobody in our sales group even know about this place so I guess this is through word-of-mouth.
Where can you find a true Shit-on-a-Shingle the way the American soldiers would have it? Made of ground beef with cream of muchroom and placed on a bread. Best eaten ASAP as this will get soggy in time. It sure doesn't look good to eat but it was otherwise! My wife was asking for a second taste but alas, i just finished it off without realizing that i haven't really shared my food with her.
If you are craving for a burger, this beats all the fast food burgers in the area. The meat was as tasty as it can be. You got to taste their french fries with mayo and sweet mustard -- you'll love it, I did!
>> Read more: VFW 2485 Canteen
Merienda Stop: Zapata's Authentic Mexican Restaurant
One of the last remaining authentic mexican theme restaurant in the country today. Can you think what is your best mexican restaurant? You can only name a few in the metro area huh? Either they did not survive or they resorted into a fast food type of quality in their food. When was the last time you would rave about a Mexican restaurant? I think this may be the only time and you can only find this gem in Angeles City.
The tacos were crunchy the way it should be with its crispy fresh ingredients and an addicting cheese. And you know what, they have this imported chili sauce that puts the Caramba Chili sauce in this picture to shame.
For our case, this combination plate of buritos, enchiladas, and chili con carne is enough for us to share after eating at VFW. Even after walking off the food we ate at Puregold, Clark for a shopping spree as Spanky proudly say that this is one of the supermarket with a good variety of merchandise, we were kinda full. But who can resist these mexican dishes? So off we go and indulge ourselves after all, this is a culinary tour. There were quite a handful of patronizers so we know we didn't go wrong in trying some of their food.
>> Read more: Zapata's Mexican Restaurant
Pasalubong Stop: Susie's
Susie is in the heart of Angeles City in the public market area so just imagine the traffic we had to go through to reach this place. We just didn't know what to order for we are still full but as we spent some time looking and looking we noticed that palabok was one of the favorite to be ordered by the customers and so, Ajay ordered one for take out. For a mere P35, I can say that it was worth it. This is a good alternative for the palabok of Amber and Jollibee when you are within the vicinity. Now I'm wondering why Pampanga was not known for palabok when it fact, they serve once of the best palabok in town together with their now known halo halo.
This is one of the best place for pasalubong shopping. I bought Sasmuan polvoron for my friends in Singapore in this place and it definitely beats the goldilocks version. Sasmuan polvoron is also available in SM Megamall and Centerpoint stalls. By any chance, would you know if they have other stalls within Makati?
The pride of Pampanga --- Tibok Tibok! This carabao milk de leche just have the right sweetness, milk taste and jelly consistency that beats maja blanca in any given day. My range of dessert vocabulary just got extended and I'm wondering where I can find this in the metro. Would you know?
Halo-Halo Stop: Razon's
This is one of the first few branches of Razon when it started to expand out of its original Guagua Pampanga location. The Razon outlet is very humble in its appearance and the inside interior is just like eating in a kitchen of an ordinary Filipino household. Now, I understand why the interiors of Razon's in MOA is a simple kitchen counter.
>> Read more: Razon's Halo Halo in Mall of Asia
The best halo halo in town. It is only P50, P10 cheaper than the ones sold in the metro. Quality is also the same but I would say that the quantity of the ingredients in my halo halo now has more. I like this version better because you really get to taste the macapuno with its chunky cuts and bigger slices of banana/ saba. Adding a last touch to this perfect halo halo is its mouth melting shaved ice along with its rich milk.
Here is a picture of the group inside Razon's Angeles city branch and stopping over at one of the original branches never fails to meet my expectation. BTW, Thanks to Yuga who treated us and paid for all the Razon's halo halo!
Mother Earth
Mother Earth is one of the most popular Ka-pampangan brands (of the Tayag family fame) when it comes to meat. Worth noting is their Sisig that we bought as a pasalubong. I heard they are also available in Shopwise supermarkets so you don't really have to go to Pampanga to buy one. But if you are in the area, this is one of the must stop overs.
The Dinner Finale: Mely's Sisig
This is the best sisig place in Pampanga, contrary to the popular belief that Aling Lucing's Sisig near the riles (train tracks) is the best. I once raved about Aling Lucing along Pasong Tamo but I heard that the quality deteriorated already as this is a franchised branch.
Read more: Aling Lucing's Sisig -- Pampanga's Best finally in Makati :)
Most of us are exposed to a sisig served in a sizzling plate and it is usually crunchy. But pampanga's best sisig is all about its taste and how the chopped pig ears are mixed with an excellent combination of vinegar, pepper, and secret ingredients. It was really sinfully good. The only thing also is that there are a lot of fat chunks which gives flavor to this dish. But for some, this would be a major turn off.
If you want crispy, you need to order this crispy pig ears. This is one of the best I ever tasted. It is their version of lechon kawali but better!
After all the eating marathon, we forgot to serve some space for dessert. We ended at 9pm. Spanky was surely the best foodie tour guide of Pampanga and we promised to have a part 2 of this culinary tour of Pampanga.
Related Posts:
Forget-you-diet, ultimate food trip in Angeles City, Pampanga by Ajay
Pictures from the Pampanga Food Trip by Yuga
August 28, 2006 in 18. Ultimate Philippines Tours, Pampanga | Permalink | Comments (31) | TrackBack
Saturday, August 19, 2006
Piazza Serendra slowly coming to life...
The Best of Serendra by Our Awesome Planet
Piazza Serendra slowly coming to life...
Bonifacio High Street and Serendra Piazza (a Photo Essay)
Top 10 Restaurants In Serendra by OAP
1. Chelsea, Chelsea by the Market Market!
2. Abe means good filipino food!
3. Duo of Serendra: Chef Mao and Larry Cortez
4. Breakfast at Portico's
5. Mezzaluna-First Night High!
6. Cupcakes+Sonja: Opening Nights and Creating the Cupcake Craze in the Philippines?
7. Balducci Birthday Bash
8. Aloha Polu Kai!
9. Thai at Silk @ Piazza Serendra
10. Oh My Guava!
I visited Serendra last Friday night and still only a few people know that Guava (Aug. 11) and Gaudi (Aug. 15) are opened already. The white balls are in place and my son, Aidan had fun playing hide and seek between them. There are still a lot of construction happening in the place and my estimate that it would be fully operational in September. The ground floor of Piazza is all restaurants so Imagine my delight in seeing all the new names exclusive only in Serendra. The second floor are mostly services for the Serendra community. Parking is still free and the place is not too crowded yet.
Let me give you an early preview of Piazza at Serendra.
This is the center of the entire compound. The architecture is nice and upscale. I'm curious on who designed the entire place and what is the inspiration behind it.
Check out my post: Oh my Guava!
This is Gaudi's second branch after Greenbelt. I'll try it out one of these days.
Gaudi, Serendra: +632 854 0474 (for reservations)
Portico seems to be opening soon, maybe in a weeks time.
Rumor has it that the Chef Miguels will be here and I can't confirm that yet. There is a Mezza Luna also near Legaspi Park and I'm not sure if this is the same. (would you know?)
The much awaited, Sonja's Cupcakes!!
Xocolat Dessert Place -- woohoo!
The second floor hallways are very attractive in this photo.
Even the rest rooms are designed very well.
Piazza, Serendra is directly across Market Market and basement parking is available for free (so far).
August 19, 2006 in 35. The Best of Serendra and Boni High Street | Permalink | Comments (13) | TrackBack
[Dear Awesome Planet #5] a few photography and blogging questions
Hi Anton,
I'm reading your blog for almost a week now and I must say that I'm impressed with it. The contents are very informative and the pictures are well composed (especially the food pictures). I also like taking pictures of where I'm going and what I'm doing and I'm currently using a Canon 350D to record these. But I have a few problems, First is that I'm not getting any good food photographs with my on-board flash, everything looks washed out or overexposed. The second one is I often get asked sometimes stopped by managers, store owners, waiters, guards, etc in taking photos which I find very irritating/disappointing. They often ask for some kind of permit or something.(kelangan ba talaga non?)
I would just like to ask, are you using any kind of setup/equipment for this food shots like some backlight, reflector cards, etc or are you just using available light inside the resto? And also, how do you gain access to these restos. I mean, do they really allow you to take pics of their menu, food and interior. Do you have any pre-arrangements with the owners/managers or you just walk-in like any regular customer and take pictures.
For now I'm resorting to landscape and travel photography because of that no-taking-of-picures-unless-you-have-a-permit thing in malls and most establishments in Metro Manila (tourist destinations are easier to photographers)
Barry
Hi Barry,
Thank you for these timely questions and let me answer them point-by-point.
1. Available light vs. Flash
Most of the time, I use available light especially during the daytime. When I enter a restaurant, I make it a point to choose a table that is directly under a light, near the window, or have lots of candles. I use an external flash especially at night but I must admit this is intimidating. So I use it less often and only when I'm lazy to be creative in finding available lighting sources.
Also, one of the reasons your shots are washed out or overexposed is that you maybe using the automatic modes of the camera. I normally use manual settings and set my aperture and speed at the optimum rating. When I use flash, you always need to check the histogram to ensure that the highlights and shadows are not clipped. I know there are lots of technical details and maybe I can just show you one of these days -- this is the best way to learn.
I don't use backlight, or reflector cards. I'm organizing a part 2.0 of our Pampanga culinary tour maybe you can join us so that I can show you.
2. Is Permit really needed to take photos?
In my one and a half years of photo blogging experience, you only need this for established malls especially Ayala malls. I was only accosted three times in my blogging career (if there is such a thing). First, was in Taste of Asia, where SM supermarket management tried to stop me. But when I finally published my blog post on Taste of Asia, Herbert Sy personally thanked me for it. Second, was in Chocolate Kisses where the assistant manager told me to stop with a raised eyebrow. After I published my post, the owner of Chocolate kisses personally apologized and told me that she already reprimanded the manager. Lastly, was in Guava, where they suspected me to copy their concept or menu and they were overly protective. On the last point, I can understand this for the likes of Go Nuts Donuts where the kitchen is exposed, but it should be OK to take shots of the donuts.
Here are some tips:
a. It is better to apologize later than to ask permission to take photos. So I go ahead and take the shots but first taking personal shots with my wife or son in the foreground. Most of the time if you ask permission, the guards would automatically say no and tell you that you need a permit. The best way to counter this is ask why and challenge them.
b. Build a relationship with the owner or manager. I would normally have a chit chat with them and tell them where I will use the photos. They have the right to know. I find that only the insecure restaurants tend to be protective and implement a no-photography-policy. I took pictures in Lemuria without any problems. The restaurants are afraid to be criticized or be copied, so if they are not confident with the quality of their food and service or if they have a concept that can be easily copied, they would tend to implement a non-sense no photography policy.
c. Be responsible with the photos you've taken. The reason that establishments would not allow you to take photos is that they were burned before. In the case of Chocolate Kisses, there was a group of people who published a whole page write-up in print media of how bad the food is and their service. Bloggers need to be responsible also so you don't say the food sucks (even if it is so), or you don't create a negative publicity for the restaurant or food. As for me, I simply don't feature them.
3. Pre-arrangements, Invited or Walk-ins.
I'm proud to say that 100% of my restaurant reviews are walk-ins. Even if I am invited (I'm getting some lately), I make it a point that it is unannounced and only visit if I am in the area. I want all my blog posts to be unbiased, objective, and based on the experience of the walk-ins. The only time I agreed to go on an invite basis, is when I joined Ivan's culinary tour of Binondo, which I already know will be a great experience! I find that the best restaurants in the Philippines provides the best experience even for walk-ins consistently anytime of the day or no matter how old the place is-- that is my benchmark.
Also, my intent is to document my culinary adventures with my family. This is my own biography for my son to read when he grows up. How often did you wonder how your parents lived when you were born? I make sure that every dinner or meal has a purpose and an occasion. It could be a birthday, reunion, get together, EB/ meet up, entertaining visitors or trying out a new place.
At the end of the day, even if I don't have a photo of the place, I can still blog about it. When I looked back at my old articles, I realized I was not as diligent in photographing all the details in the restaurant. Just lately, I really love to take photos of the food and I plan to make a career out of it. That is why, the reason I am pissed when I'm not allowed to take a photo is that I lose that learning opportunity for me to improve my shots. Photography is practice so the more you shoot, the more that you would improve your craft.
I do hope these help. I learned this over 1.5 years of blogging in Our Awesome Planet. By the way, I learned most of my food composition techniques with Lori's dessertcomesfirst.
Sincerely,
August 19, 2006 in zz. Internet Marketing, Cool Sites, Other Interests | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Oh my Guava!
Guava is the first restaurant to open in Piazza @ Serendra area. This one-week-old restaurant offers Filipino fusion with unique food items in the menu. Bernard Dee is the Chef consultant who created the fusion menu with items like Kare kare with Bagoong & Tsokolate, Monggonisa, and Pininoy na Foie Gras. He warmly welcomed us together with Gary who gave us very good food recommendations and allowed us to take photos. Chef Bernard even cooked us Salmon in Guava broth and it was not even in the menu. He also took time explaining to us the different guava dishes they serve and how it is prepared and cooked.
So while having fun with our usual photo food session as the dishes arrives on our table, one of the owners started questioning us. I thought to myself, oh no, not one of those old school No Photography policies again. One of them even told me to set an appointment if I want to take photos -- how ridiculous is that? They can't believe that I do photography as a hobby and I don't get compensated for it -- they probably think I'm nuts (But you all know how I love what I'm doing). They kept on giving me a skeptical eye that I might steal their menu since I'm not from print media or tv. When I told them that I blog places I go to and I want to feature their restaurant, one of the owners again gave me a frown (I told myself, why do I even bother give this resto free advertising). She said they plan to franchise the restaurant and they don't want it to be copied by anyone -- which is fair I guess. All of the five owners were there, and only Gary really gave us a warm smile and greeting-- we truly appreciate it!I dislike restaurants owners do not care about customer service. But I guess, lets give this 60sq pioneering resto in Serendra the benefit of the doubt that this would only happen to me and it is an exception.
The Verdict: We love the Monggonisa (definitely a must try!) and Sinigang in Guava broth. My wife avoids eating Sinigang as much as she can but to my surprise, she loved the soup. She even asked to have my share! It was an interesting concept that the Pritchon is prepared in front of you with various selections of sauces but it just occupies a space where you could still add a table. We were hoping to try the Pininoy na Foie Gras but it was not available so if there would be a next time, we would surely try this best selling appetizer. The bagoong tsokolate is a winner because of its unique taste where the saltiness of the bagoong is subdued by the chocolate. Stay away from the desserts. Overall, I think it is expensive at P400/ head with rice at P45 and 3 pieces of pritchon with small cuts of lechon already at P185. As for customer service, let me know what's your experience once you've tried this place.
The place is quite small, even smaller than Lemuria. I'm not sure if I would call this hole-in-the-wall but they won't qualify just because they are located in Serendra. Here is a photo of Chef Bernard Dee entertaining the guests. The interiors are simple conforming to the overall theme of Guava. It was named Guava to give it a modern Filipino name and it offers guava inspired dishes like Sinigang in Guava broth.
Check out the Guava Menu before you tried this place out.
Guava Menu (Front)
Guava Menu (Back)
Pritchon from the bar is carved on the spot which makes this dish interesting.
You have a wide selection of six (6) special sauces: Chili-garlic, Sour Cream and Chives, Sour Cream and Garlic, Sweet Soy Chili, Peanut Sauce and Black Bean Sauce.
Pritchon from the bar (P 185) "with garnishing of chives, wansuey, cucumber, onions and leeks." We just thought that it is an itsy bitsy pritchon and it costs P60++ per bite, este per piece.
Monggonisa (P125). " Monggo with cuts of longganisa. A must try dish because you never had monggo this way. "
We must admit that this is not-to-be-missed dish and you won't go wrong with this. The Mongo is cooked perfectly well with the right consistent taste. The flavorful homemade longganisa in the center makes this a killer dish, definitely. It only costs P125!
Pandan Wrapped in Ubod in Watercress Salad. (P185). "Julienned ubod with Shitake, Shrimps, and Wansuey Dressing."
Nothing exciting but there are big slices of Ubod which taste OK together with the sweet wanseuy dressing.
< no photo, sour graping >
Guava's Kare Kare with Bagoong Tsokolate (P385).
" Oxtail, tripe, and vegetables with peanut sauce. Savour the dish with bagoong flavored with chocolate. "
I've tasted better kare kare but they use real ox tail that makes this a worth while dish. You just had to try the bagoong tsokolate.
< no photo, sour graping >
Salmon in Guava Broth (P 455)
Oh we loved this! Specially with the Salmon combination. As I said, this is the dish created on the spot by Chef Bernard and it is indeed very very good. No photo for this dish for I was given a raised eyebrow.
Purple Yam Flan with Ube Jam and Vanilla Ice Cream (P85).
Ube jam is one of my wife's favorite but this dessert turned out to be a disappointment to her. There was a small scoop of the ube jam which tasted good but the purple yam flan was not. You have to eat the flan with the ice cream for it to taste better. No second taste for us.
Guava is directly in front of Market Market located in the mini rotonda.
You should take the Serendra driveway and parking is in the baseway. Go here while the parking is free!! Knowing Ayala, that won't last for so long.
Please let me know what you think of Guava. Thanks!!
August 19, 2006 in 35. The Best of Serendra and Boni High Street | Permalink | Comments (27) | TrackBack
Olay Beauty Imaging System - Finally in the Philippines!!
At last, I can finally share with you an interesting piece of patented beauty imaging system that our company is introducing along with the launch of Olay. This week we launched Olay Total Effects to the trade and to the who's who of Philippines society. Baghag has the scoop on the Olay Launch in Shangrila last Thursday:
Socialclimbing hag Log: OLAY Total Effects + TRESOR (thebaghag.blogspot.com)
" After a few times of usage of Total Effects, we met up with the other women who were part of this group, and had a nice lunch at Shangrila Hotel, to discuss the after effects of the product. Our skin underwent this "age test" through this cool machine which basically mapped out pores, age spots, wrinkles, and fine lines. Let me say this first-- my skin, is actually pretty bad. I have a lot of age spots and fine lines. To top that, I have huge pores. So when I took that skin test, and the result was that my skin fell on the 21- year old age group, I laughed it all off. But hey, it felt great! :D So I religiously used this product to this day :) Olay is the same product that our mothers used back when we were just tiny tots, and now I guess it is really our turn to start using the product. Our moms have sworn by it, and now I am one of the moms who swear by it :) (Olay Total Effects is not yet available in the local market, but soon will be :D)"
This cool machine that baghag was talking about is what we call the Olay Total Effects Beauty Imaging System. You will love this! The system identifies your facial skin defects such as age spots, and wrinkles. It objectively quantifies the severity of those skin defects vs that of your peers (in terms of age and race). The system provides accurate analysis for the women because its database is mostly women. Furthermore, all the people who have been tested to date in the Philippines is included in the database. How cool is that? So for men, you can also try it but your skin will be compared to a higher standard of women's skin. The first versions were developed in Japan and made commercially available as early as June of 1999 in Kyoto, Japan. These imaging systems are used in our SK-II prestige counters.
Of course, I have to try it and I was alarmed that my wrinkles are similar to a 40 years old woman! My skin spots and textures are in line with my age group (at least). I need to live a stress-free life! I'm also starting to be convinced that I need to use a skin care product. I was going to use my free Olay total effects sample, but my wife gave me THE look. BTW, you can have your skin tested over time so that you can track skin improvements specially, if you use a skin care product. The consultation is for FREE but of course, you just have to listen to an Olay sales pitch (which is not bad at all).
Olay Total Effects Beauty Imaging System. This system will be available in Olay Total Effects Flagship store and other Olay counters. We are bringing in six (6) beauty imaging system in the Philippines -- woohoo! I'll give you the scoop on where you can find these Olay Beauty Imaging Systems... very very soon.
It was such a hit in all our Olay launches and among the test group of women as baghag could attest.
It takes a digital image of your face under controlled lighting conditions. So this is just like going to a photo me booth for your face only :)
The entire test is only for 5 minutes. After taking the picture, you need to specify your age and race. Race is important because an Asian skin is different from a caucasian, and so forth. You will instantly know how your texture, pores, wrinkles, and spots compare with your peers. My wife can't wait to have her skin tested...
Olay -- Love the Skin You're In! Very soon in the Philippines!
The men and women of Olay Philippines during the trade launch in Top of the Citi :)
August 19, 2006 in My P&G Days... | Permalink | Comments (19) | TrackBack
