We always envisioned to expand nationally and bring the Mercato experience to key foodie areas around the Philippines.
We were hesitant to go out of Manila, but we found the right partner location – Ayala’s MarQuee, and the right foodie city – Angeles City, Pampanga, to launch our first ever Mercato market outside Manila – COCINA CENTRALE.
Here’s the photo essay of the Mercato of Central Luzon, at MarQuee Mall, Angeles City, Pampanga:
Related Blog Post: COCINA CENTRALE: Where the BEST of Pampanga Meets the BEST of Manila!
One of the criteria for choosing a good Mercato location is to be located near a garden or a park and near the dancing fountains 🙂
Together with Enervon, we searched for the best of Pampanga vendors for Cocina Centrale.
When we conducted the taste test for Cocina Centrale, we were pleasantly surprised that most of the food from Pampanga and Central Luzon vendors were indeed yummy.
We like the Green & White feel of the market located at the MarQuee Park.
Here’s the tent and booth layout for Cocina Centrale with the list of pioneering vendors below:
|
COCINA CENTRALE |
PRODUCTS |
1). |
CRUNCHY BELLY |
CRUNCHY BELLY, CARLOS SPECIAL STEAKS |
2). |
DADS MOMS |
BOBS SPECIAL DIFFERENT SISIG |
3). |
CHEAT DAY |
BURGER, SPECIAL BURGER, SUPER SPECIAL BURGER, CHEESE STEAK |
4). |
LARIZA’S GRILLE |
SEA FOOD AND STREET FOODS GRILL |
5). |
KEBAB SANTOS |
KOFFA KEBAB WEAL, SHAWARMA KOFFA KEBAB |
6). |
WINGS /RHUM CAKES |
WINGS (GARLIC,MANGO,HONEY,ASIAN ZING ORIGINAL BUFFALO) |
7). |
PABALAN DELICACIES |
PASTILLAS, PEANUTS, CARAMEL, MACAROONS, GARLIC CHIP, TARTS |
8). |
CARREON’S SWEETS AND PASTRIES |
PASTILLAS, CARAMEL, PILI, CASHEW, ENSAYMADA, SANSRIVAL,HALEYN |
9). |
NUTRIFOODS |
VEGE-SHAWARMA,VEGE-SOMAI,VEGE-SISIGS, VEGE-BBQ |
10). |
MINERVA VARIETY |
SANSRIVAL (CHEWY),ARARO COOKIES,NANCY BALLS |
11). |
NUTS N’ ELSE |
PEANUTS , CASHEWS, GARLIC CHIPS |
12). |
AIZA’S SWEETS |
PASTILLAS, SWEETS PASTRIES |
13). |
MR.PARKS BREAD |
BABY SHU,CHOCO SKU,CUPCAKES,SORA, WALLNUTS CREAM CHEESE, CUSTARD BREAD |
14). |
HEAVENLY SWEETS |
CAKE POPS (CHOCOLATE,VANILLA, COOKIES, RED VELVET,TRIPLE DARK CHOCO,ROCKY ROAD) |
15). |
EAGLES NEST |
THAI GREEN CURRY, STIR FRY GROUND PORK |
16). |
FRENCH CREPE’S |
CREPES (SUGAR,CHOCO,BANANA,BAILEY’S) |
17). |
SUGAR N’ SPICE |
CHOCO CHIPS,OATMEAL CHIPS,DOUBLE CHOCOLATE CHIPS, MUFFINS |
18). |
KOKO BURI RESTAU |
KOKO FRIED CHICKEN (ORIGINAL AND SOY GARLIC) PRIMAVERA |
19). |
JIIN CORP. /JIIN BAKERY |
MAMOOSE TOFU CHIPS, PIZZA BREAD, HARRY BREAD, DONUTS, WALNUTS, KOREAN CAKES, COOKIES, HOTDOGS SANDWICHES |
20). |
LURINGS (ELLAS BBQ, HOUSE) |
CHICKEN PAMPANGA INASAL,PORK INASAL, BEEF CALDERETA, BBQ PRODUCTS |
21). |
PABURRITO |
BEEF BURRITOS, LANGGANISA BURRITO, CHICKEN BURRITO,SPINACH QUESADILLA, QUESADILLA & MEAT |
22). |
RAMBURRITO |
CHICKEN AND BEEF BURRITO, RAMEN |
23). |
WICHES |
AMERICAN SANDWICHES AND FRIES |
24). |
MOMS 101 |
PACO SALADS,RARE- KARE,STUFFED PALITAW, SINANTAN (GINATAANG HALO-HALO) |
25). |
ORGANIC (MS.EDNA) |
ORGANICS PLANTS , ORGANIC PROCESS FOODS |
I always look forward to the excitement of opening a new market and not knowing what to expect.
The Frenchman from Baguio selling French Crepes was an instant hit at Cocina Centrale.
We enjoyed our Nutella Bailey’s crepe and glad we ordered early because the long lines never shortened until closing time.
There were a lot of home-based Pampanga products like pastillas from Aiza’s Pastries,
Super yummy WoW Bawang – Peanuts with Crispy Garlic Chips from Nuts N’ Else, and
… and modern desserts like Cake Pops from Heavenly Sweets.
We also loved the chewy Sansrival from Minerva Variety who came all the way from Orani, Bataan.
The Korean Baked goodies were also a hit like the mini Cream Puffs from Mr. Parks, and
Don’t miss to try Koko Buri’s Soy Garlic Fried Chicken,
that is cooked upon order with its signature soy garlic glaze.
Aside from the French crepes, our favorite in Cocina Centrale are the All-American Burgers with crazy fun sounding names from Mighty Bun 🙂
TIP: Make sure to dine al fresco amidst the greenery 🙂
Cocina Centrale also features our best vendors from Manila like Cheat Day grilled burgers,
Thank you also to Food Trucks who were all sold out on the opening day — The Cheese Steak Truck,
Thank you also to Chef Sau of Villa Cafe and
Claude Tayag of Bale Dutung, who are our guests of honor in officially opening Cocina Centrale.
Special Thanks to DOT Regional Director Ronaldo “Ronnie” Tiotuico for all the all-out support for Cocina Centrale.
Thank you to the Manila and Pampanga media for covering the opening of Cocina Centrale!
Most specially, thank you to Ms Norie Ubalde-Raniel, Ayala’s MarQuee GM for the trust and partnership in bringing the Mercato Experience to Pampanga!
Thank you to all the 4,000+ foodies for supporting the opening of Cocina Centrale!
Thank you to my business partner RJ Ledesma for a successful Cocina Centrale launch last June 29!
Most of all, Thank you to the Almighty God for blessing our Mercato Business that brings happiness to home-based vendors and awesome foodies around the Philippines 🙂
Join us every Friday and Saturday night starting at 4pm onwards at the MarQuee Mall, Angeles City Pampanga!
COCINA CENTRALE
The Premier Night Food Market in the Food Capital of the Philippines @ Ayala’s Marquee Park, Marquee Mall, Angeles City Pampanga. (Take Angeles NLEX Exit)
Every Friday, and Saturday from 4pm to 3am
Mobile: (+63 917) 840-1152
Telephone: (+632) 812-0102
Email: admin@cocinacentrale.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CocinaCentrale
Twitter: @CocinaCentrale
Live an Awesome Life,
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If you have tips on awesome food and travel destinations, please email me at anton@diaz.ph.
P.S. It’s easy to go here, go via NLEX and exit via Angeles City exit. You should see MarQuee Mall at your right, just after the Toll Gate.
I have come across your site and I have lived in the Philippines for a number of years. I would like to make some guest posts to the site if you feel that would be appropriate.
I am just happy to write related articles about the Philippines if I can put a small link in my Bio.
Let me know
Regards John
Congratulations on expanding outside of Manila, Anton!
Thank you so much Lori for the comment and for the congratulations 🙂 We are very excited about it 🙂
Anton