Arabela Bakehaus & Coffee Shop

Located in Liliw also known as the “Tsinelas Capital” of the Philipines,  Arabela is one of the most sought after resto in the said town as recommended by Trip Advisor. The place is clean and cozy, yet the ceiling is quite low (so better watch out for your head haha.), I guess it’s designed for midgets.

The owners started the restaurant by selling cakes and brownies and later expanded into a resto. Today they are known for Cakes, Pastries, Coffee, Pasta, Pizza and their Salad which is inspired by Italianis.

I ordered Strawberry Shake (I do not like the taste, I don’t even know if it is made from real strawberry or just derived from Strawbery Jam). I also ordered Macaroni Salad (macaroni was a little bit haft cooked), Pizza & Fettuccine is just fine, nothing so special. But what I enjoyed the most are their Seafood Pesto and of course their cakes – which of course are their main specialties. I love their Choco Chip Cheesecake which I believe is the best chocolate cake that I've ever tasted, the delectable creamy rich taste of chocolate mixed with chips which made me ordered another serving and of course their Blueberry Cheesecake which has a perfect blend of sweetnees and blueberry flavor.

Rating:
7 out 10

Halo Halo de Iloko

Halo Halo de Iloko is one of the must visit resto in San Fernando, La Union. The resto offers Filipino dishes featuring the Ilocano taste as a part of owner’s advocacy.   

Halo Halo de Iloko’s dining area is an art haven that showcase wood works, photos, colorful paintings, artifacts, traditional items, and other ingenious materials which reflects the owner's love for travel, food, photography and arts. The restaurant was featured in several television shows which includes: Kris TV, Unang Hirit etc. and magazines such as: Living Asia, In Flight Magazine, Food to name a few.

The food selection banners Ilocano/Filipino dishes. The best sellers are:  Okoy Tikyoso, Sinampalukang Buknok, Surfer’s Mixed Sea Food in Sweet & Spicy, Pinakbet with Bagnet and of course the star of their restaurant the "Buko Halo Halo" . The nice presentation equates with their quality ingredients and taste. 

Rating:

7 out 10

How To Get There:

1.) From San Fernando, La Union ask the locals about the location of Halo Halo de Iloko, their resto is located in Zandueta St.

Matutina's Seafood Restaurant

Matutina's Restaurant is one of the must visit resto in Dagupan City (they also have branches in Urdaneta). It was already featured in GMA 7's TV show and even featured in Karen Davila's newspaper column, so I've decided to take a visit and experience for myself what they have to offer. The resto was named after the wacky, high-pitched helper (kasambahay) of Donya Delilah who appeared in the popular 80’s sitcom “John en Marsha.” The restaurant was named as such because Dagupeños fondly called the owner of “Matutina” after the said character.

"Sooo Pinoy", a national search for the ultimate Pinoy dish sponsored by Unilever, Inquirer Lifestyle and Dept of Tourism recognized Matutina's for being one of the country's best restaurants that serves "Sinigang" and "Daing na Bangus". Bestsellers from Matutina’s are: sinigang na bangus, crispy hipon, pusit kilawen, inihaw na bangus, sizzling bangus sisig, buttered talaba, and buttered spicy hipon.  The food taste great, it was served and prepared well. Though, I'm just disappointed with the Mango Juice that I've ordered, I thought it was a fresh mango juice, it was just Mango Juice in a can.

Call it hospitality or marketing strategy, it is one of those resto's that is classified as no turning back zone (how can you turn back and decide to live if waiters immediately prepare a dining plate complete with utensils, sweets and a pitcher of  water in your table). We also waited almost an hour before our orders were served, perhaps due to the influx of customers. It's a good thing, that their Dagupan branch is just beside Tondaligan Beach so I was able to walk around and take some pictures.

Rating:
7 out of 10

How to Get There:
1. Ride a bus bound to Dagupan.
2. From Dagupan, ride a jeep bound for Bonuan/Tondaligan.
3. Tell the driver to drop you off in Matutina's

Erwin and Milas Kainan

"Erwin and Milas" Kainan offers a great alternative to other restos and cafe in Pagsanjan a.k.a. the Tourist Capital of Laguna. We've been a regular "suki" to this resto every time we are in Pagsanjan. We ordered a jumbo serving of Halo Halo, Buffalo Wings on a Chili Sauce and of course their house specialty which is "Sweet and Spicy Pancit Canton" - a must try on their menu, an affordable yet satisfying meal.

It's quite hard to find a nice parking space, so you just have to be patient or you can try other resto and cafe along the area.

Rating:
5 out of 10

Big Belly's LB

Big Belly's started out as a small kiosk in Robinsons Cybergate Tower 3 and expanded to have their own store and now with different branches including here in Laguna and Batangas.

The food is just average, but they have a good meal package at a very affordable price for only 75 pesos. A variance of  Pork, Chicken and Fish, then you can choose between different sauces (cheese, teriyaki, kung pao and garlic) plus a hefty serving of Rice bowl which also comes with a free drink, now that is what we call value meal.

What I personally like about the setting of the place are the display of pop culture paintings which features pot-bellied superheroes. Since this is one of the most affordable food station compare to those in food court, they usually have huge number of customers and order time might take a while.

Rating:
4 out of 10

Kainan sa Dalampasigan

One of the iconic and most popular resto in Los Banos, Laguna is the "Kainan sa Dalampasigan". Having withstood the test of time, Kainan sa Dalampasigan only proves why they are endorsed by the said municipality as part of Turismo de Los Banos. 

There are so many fond memories of family lunch/gatherings here (My Mom usually treats us during payday). To be precised, it was more than 15 years ago when we had our lunch here, my despida party when I entered a school in Baguio. Not much has changed in the interiors, though the chairs and tablecloths looked new. What I like about the resto is the restaurant's open air atmosphere and gaze at the Laguna de Bay. Back then, during the 80's and 90's the lake was still scenic compared to it's current condition which is cluttered with fish pens and water lilies. 

The resto's specialty is "Halo Halong Inihaw sa Bangka" but we ordered a different menu. Sinigang na Bangus etc. The waiting time for your order is usually 20-30mins.

Rating:

7 out of 10

How to Get There:

1. Ride a bus bound to Sta. Cruz, Laguna. Tell the conductor to drop you off in Los Banos Bayan.

2. Then ask the locals where the old municipal is, that's where Kainan sa Dalampasigan is located (beside)

Ryuma the Authentic Japanese Resto in Nuvali

Ryuma Restaurant is located in Nuvali, Sta. Rosa - offers an authentic Japanese cuisine with real Japanese chefs.  The restaurant is also a toy store, home shop, and part museum. Museum, in a sense that it also display a full suit of samurai armor. The resto is usually at full capacity during weekends.

Stuffed toys and toy dispensers are aligned near the entrance, all toys on display are for sale. Ryuma also have a mini grocery beside their restaurant which sells different kind of stuff (Japanese products). The unique set up offers a different kind of experience for all who wish to experience Japanese cuisine.

Rating:

6 out of 10

Going Back in Time with 50's Dinner

The 50's  Dinner is one of the must visit resto in Baguio City. The whole resto is themed in the 50's setting, thus why it's named after. The songs played in the jukebox are all vintage 1950's, including the portraits of actors and actresses famous during that era.

They serve not just big, but extra big serving of orders from breakfast to lunch and dinner. they will surely fill your appetite with mouth watering foods in their menu. And hey, the price is really affordable and worth it for every bite.

 

Rating:

8 out of 10

How to Get There:

1.) If you are in Baguio City

2.) It is located in Upper General Luna Road Corner Brent Road Baguio City, just tell the taxi driver you want to go to 50's Dinner.

Isdaan - the Floating Resto in Laguna

Isdaan, known as the floating resto is located in Calauan, Laguna. Owned by the same family that manage "Barrio fiesta" this resto have attracted throngs of visitors not only for the food they serve but also for the uniqueness they offer. Inspired by Thailand inspired theme,  they also  offer other attractions that gives a unique wholesome experience suited for the whole family. They offer different cuisine that you can order through their menu.

The only downside however is the waiting time for your food to be served, perhaps due to the large volume of orders (what we call in Tagalog as "Puti na ang mata sa gutom").

 

Rating:

7 out of 10

How to Get There:

1.) From LRT Buendia ride a bus bound for Sta, Cruz in Laguna

2.) Tell the driver to drop you off in Isdaan.