Iloilo City: A Gastronomical Adventure

March 18 - 20, 2011

they say iloilo city is one of the food lover's mecca here in the Philippines. i rarely look forward to a food trip when traveling but this idea made me excited for this trip.

as much as i want to explore all the food stops, we were only able to try some given the quick trip we had in iloilo.

here goes...

MOOON CAFE

location: sm city iloilo

budget: ~200 php

actual expense: ~200 php

note: technically, mooon cafe is not from iloilo origin. i think it came from cebu but since we're talking about food stops, i included this in my list.

what I ordered: chicken parmesan wih rice

overall verdict: cheap but yummy! restaurant was kinda fusion of agave and momo cafe.

my order

the following dishes were ordered by my friends

DECO'S LA PAZ BATCHOY

location: four seasons hotel

MY actual expense:~80 php

note: the restaurant was inside the hotel

what I ordered: batchoy (the smallest size) and coke in can

overall verdict: i love the unlimited chicharon that you can mix with the batchoy. hehe.

BIBINGKA

location: Molo Plaza

actual expense: ~20 php/pack

note:we just saw a lady selling these so we bought 1 pack to taste test it

overall verdict: not the usual bibingka that i eat. it was like a mixture of sticky rice and niyog.

COFFEE BREAK

location: walking distance from Highway 21 Hotel

budget:~150 php

actual expense:~200 php

note: their local version of starbucks. there's a free wifi upon purchase of their coffee/cakes

what we ordered: better than sex cake, tiramisu, devil's fantasy, chocolate truffles, triple temptation and caramel frappe

overall verdict: disappointed with their best seller which is "better than sex". the other cakes were just ok.

devil's fantasy

chocolate truffles

better than sex

tiramisu

triple temptation

caramel frappe

AFRIQUE'S

location: smallville

budget: ~200 php

actual expense: ~127 php

note: a recommended restaurant for italian food

what we ordered: meatball pasta, seafood pasta and pizza (i forgot what flavor)

overall verdict: the flavors of pasta are too sweet for my liking. i like my pasta to be sour. for me, the servings are only good for 2 people.

meatball spaghetti

seafood pasta

pizza

LUNA'S ARROZCALDO

location: walking distance from Highway 21 Hotel

budget: ~150 php

MY actual expense: ~60 php

note: i think this is the only cheap restaurant near the hotel which is open in the early morning

what I ordered: arrozcaldo and mineral water

overall verdict: actually, nothing to rave about. hehe.

arrozcaldo

BREAKTHROUGH

location: Villa - Arevalo

budget: ~200 php

MY actual expense:~172 php

note: shared the food with another friend. bill was divided by 2

what we ordered: baked shrimps, sizzling crab meat, rice and pepsi

overall verdict: yummy!!! since we were pressed for time, we ate within 10 minutes. haha.

baked scallops

sizzling crab meat

rice

TED'S LA PAZ BATCHOY

location: Jaro Plaza

budget:~200 php

MY actual expense: ~50 php

note: walking distance from the church

what I ordered: combo meal (batchoy and softdrink)

overall verdict: hhmm... so - so

JD BAKERY

location: departure area of Iloilo International Airport

budget:~150 php

MY actual expense:~50 php

note: we arrived early at the airport so we dined in while waiting for our flight

what I ordered: baked macaroni, carrot cupcake and revel bar

overall verdict: yummy for its price. hehe.

baked macaroni

revel bar (L), carrot cupcake (R)

THE GARDEN CAFE

location: near Jaro Plaza

note: we stubled upon it accidentally while searching for the jeepney stop

overall verdict: cute! the place was used to be a korean school turned in a cafe. everyone inside was studying. hehe.

THE LA PAZ BATCHOY TEST

The ultimate question: Which is better, Deco's or Teds?

The Answer: *drum roll* DECO'S

as my friend told me: "it's the noodles"


til my next gastronomical adventure...toodles!