Nostalgia

Food Place Review - Bongbong's Piaya, Robinson's Place, Dumaguete City

2010-03-31T12:47:00.000-07:00

After almost sixty-five days of buzzing like a bee, I have finally came to a chance of getting back to civilization, have a cup of coffee with some friends and do an update talk as for what has been happening around. Being too work-addicted is not much fun after all.

We went back to Dumaguete City to do a systems' check on one of our projects and at the same time undertook a side project while we stayed, of which gave us a descent extra more funds for some things else.

We planned to have our coffee session in Sans Rival's Robinson's outlet in Dumaguete, our friend from Japan is giving a treat. Unluckily for us, the place was filled with people - mostly wives of soldiers. There was a Military Static Display right in the main entrance of Robinson's Place. The vigorous armored vehicles parked right outside as kids had their time to have a fill of the inside of these vehicles. On the other side, some adults were very checking the guns and ammunitions displayed.

Bongbong's Piaya was just a stall away from Sans Rival, we decided to try out their food instead. Since the first time I have tried Bongbong's products eight years ago, I actually fell in love with their piaya. It is like an unleavened bread with a sweet caramel or ube sandwiched in it. It is also excellent when served hot.

When we got in to their stall, we were shocked by what we saw. There we see the baker count some bills and...to our great dismay, handled the piaya he cooked with his bare hands! The cooking area for the piaya is visible to public. One of our friends could barely stand the sight and instead of going through the afternoon with special Bongbong's Piaya, we ended up having coffee and lasagna in Sans Rival -after waiting 30 minutes in the queuing line that is.

For this incident, Bongbong's Piaya was an EPIC FAIL.

Food Place Review - Carmela's, Pagadian City

2010-01-31T10:32:00.000-08:00

It was an unplanned session as a friend and I along with two more decided to try out some nice italian afternoon snack. One of us suggested to have a 45-minute drive to Pagadian City and get some carbonara from a well known place called Carmela's.

Side note: Effective this day we have decided to have a format of our review for every food place in this sequence - Food, Service, Cleanliness. We will no longer be hinting on the exact prices but we will only indicate amounts as "very affordable", "average", "reasonable", and "overpriced"

The Food - We ordered a couple of servings of carbonara, empanada, siopao and softdrinks (coca-cola.) Of course, we all know what coca-cola products are and almost everyone in this civilized world already tried these drinks, so we are not going to review these products ever.

Carbonara (Spaghetti) - the servings we got were generous, very generous in fact. As for the way it was presented, nicely average as we expected. After tasting them, WOW, excellent. The food we had met our expectation for a carbonara. We all agreed it is worth rating 9.00 / 10.00.

Empanada - the serving is as big as that of Jollibee's pies-to-go and are very affordable. They are served in a small plate, quite too ordinary. Unluckily, the empanada is something we can all consider as a me-too product, nothing really unique but is worth trying. We all agreed to rate it at 5.00 / 10.00.

Siopao - we all know what a siopao is. That white bread-like stuff filled with meat inside much like of a meat-bread just that siopao is steamed. The siopao's were fairly priced as very affordable products from this establishment and comes fully stuffed. We can all sense that the meat used were freshed as it didn't have some diturbing smell nor taste. Their siopao is really a delightful treat! We rate it at 8.50 / 10.00. (We were still at the heavenly satisfaction from the carbonara).

Service - well, the establishment is a "self-service establishment. So the only criticism we can give is about their sales-people at the point-of-sale area. Unluckily, the way they are staffed is much like of an ordinary bakery and we think they will be better-off if they had uniforms. At this category, we can only rate them at 4.00 / 10.00 as they tidy enough.

Cleanliness, the place is clean and is presentable. 8.50 / 10.00.

From the outside the establishment looks like an ordinary rural restaurant. Given the fact that this establishment already has a huge following from its clientelle, it is probably a good move for the owners to "upgrade" the place. (Though this is already none of our business are what were there for is the food and not the place.)

The final average ratings:

Food = 9.00+5.00+8.50 = 22.50/3 = 7.50

Service = 4.00

Cleanliness = 8.50

Food Place Review - Hayahay (good pizza)

2010-01-21T20:01:00.000-08:00

A very busy new year indeed!

It was around a week ago when a friend from Manila called and asked if we can assist him with his business transaction in the Negros Island. Being the only long time business friend he had, from this area of Mindanao and Visayas, we committed to spend the whole three days with his team while they are in Negros.

Off we go then from Ozamiz City, colleagues - the usual four of us - gathered and drove straight to Dapitan City to cathc up with Cokaliong.

Upon arrival in Dumaguete City's lovely port, the bright boulevard and the joyous though laid back theme greeted us with yet another warmth.

It was already 4:30p.m. when our friend called that he had arrived. and so we are still trying to figure out a good place for us to dine. Hayahay popped out of the blue and so we went.

The usual order of beer, vodka and pizza it was. Our Manileño friend were mesmerized by the pizza they had in hayahay, one of them said - this is way better than shakeys! Oh, I forgot to narrate, they hang out in Shakey's for pizza in Manila if not Pizza Hut.

The hot chili sauce if we call it, added some spice to the night. We stayed until midnight drinking and eating without regrets.

Everyone agreed to give it a 8.10 / 10.00 all in all if not for the 45 minute waiting time we had for pizza.

Food Place Review - Sarap Pinoy (Halal), Ground Floor Gaisano Capitol, Pagadian City

2010-01-04T07:03:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to All.

It has been a few weeks since we last made our entry. Travelling around the southern island of the Philippines is indeed fun, though tiring due to it's area. Again we have decided to spend almost a week in Pagadian City where a good friend had something prepared for the season.

As we have enjoyed our stay in this place, we thought of trying out something we don't see everywhere. Food for the muslim (and simply because we are not Muslims, this makes it an entirely unusual experience).

The place offers good coffee! Well, coffee was just the plus, they have a nice set of Mindanao delicacies, dessert mostly such as dudol, dadal (we are not making this names up), suman, cassava cakes, palitaw and more. They also have an unforgettable set of viand - caldereta, kilawin, beef steak, giniling etc.

We tried out almost everything to our satisfaction. Not to mention, we were surprised that our group of six people only billed out at Php 900.00!

We had two sessions eating in this place for the entire week. The place is clean, though some of the staff are obviously amateur in dealing with customers - they are a bit shy - the food they have compensated well. The place is managed by a lady Muslim, we forgot to do an interview with her, she does know how to handle customers.

Now, unlike our unlucky experience with a restaurant in Dumaguete where we got sick, we never had problems after eating in this place called "Sarap Pinoy."

We rated the place with 8.20/10.00. This place is worth a try and a recommendation.

Food Place Review - Sunburst Fried Chicken, Hotel Camila Dipolog City

2009-12-10T08:00:00.000-08:00

It was back to Mindanao. Preparing for a project 200 kilometers away.

As we have already tried one of Dipolog's Best - Big Joe's, we took a chance of giving this one a try.

Yes we have been in this place a couple of times five years ago, but that was then when we only dine merely because we need to - without the effort of rating the place.

Each of us ordered one of their specialties - of course the fried chicken. It is served warm and crispy with a cup of rice and some patato fries. Serving time was a bit long, 25 minutes. Seeing that it wasn't so busy, we expected it to be faster. Nonetheless, the food was well cooked - yes, you don't want to serve half-cooked chicken like Ka Waway did. It chicken was tasty and juicy, well prepared we can only guess. Finger-lickin good as a known franchise calls their fried chicken.

The down part is, the management may have unwittingly ignored some customers to smoke within their air-conditioned place. Whic is bad.

If only the management can impose a level of discipline to it's clientele in terms of smoking, they could have a higher rating.

We rate this place as: 5.10 / 10.00

Food Place Review - Mang Inasal, Robinson's Dumaguete City

2009-12-05T20:27:00.000-08:00

It was not too long when a friend called and asked if we can hold our meeting in Robinson's Dumaguete City instead of our usual - Bethel Guest House.

After a two-hour meeting, everyone hungered for something heavy thus a suggestion of having lunch was immediately approved. We picked Mang Inasal, remembering they had good chicken barbecue when we tried them out while in Bacolod City.

The usual, as we approach the cashier a number on a stick was given to us. As we have placed the order, we were directed to a table for six people by one of their crew, Rhea was here name. Inspite of the obvious stress that had already overwhelmed their team, she managed to smile at every customer that comes in and provide a table at least.

The time was already 1:30p.m. when we went to the place, it took a long 25 minutes before they were able to serve us. That was kinda weird though, the usual takes only 15 minutes, 18 maximum. Nonetheless, the wait paid off when we got the food, everything was well done, and yummy!

As we have observed, there were 15 members of the entire crew, could be more had we seen the entire kitchen from where we sit. Unluckily, only two of the service crews managed to be "customer friendly" and the rest...probably lacked the training or instructions on how to receive customers. Maybe the management can insturct the rest of the crew to learn to at least smile at customers, great them with courtesy. That makes an enitrely different experience and will be more satisfying especially when eating.

This place rates at 8.30 / 10.00.

* they should have more chili ready for spice lovers like us.

Food Place Review - Big Joe's, Dipolog City

2009-11-25T08:14:00.000-08:00

Burger, anyone?

It was a nice sunny day when we got to Dapitan Port. We drove a total of 900+ kilometers around Negros. So we decided to spend the next 48 hours in Dipolog City to prepare our bikes for another long trip. Hotel Camila was chosen to be the place.

Lunch was in Jollibee. We can't really rate it yet, we don't do when we are exhausted, so Mr. Jollibee will nto be this post's topic. Six hours later, a friend hinted that he knew of a nice place to eat around the city. Off we went.

Big Joe's! The ambience is cozy. They had a coffee shop on side and the restaurant on the other. The staff were a bit slow but courteous and decent. Everything is neat and hygienic.

We were told that they had one of the best burgers in town, so each one ordered a quarter pounder...indeed it was a quarter pounder! Jollibee's champ was not even close especially to the taste.

We really got stuffed with the quarter pounder so we decided not to order anything else except beverages. They have a variety of milk shakes, latte, espresso, and the usual other things in a cofee shop.

One thing we can never forget about Big Joe's was the management, they attend to every customer - be it an ordinary walk-in or a group of unknowns. Kool!

We have never thought such a nice place existed in a bit laid back city like Dipag (as the natives call it).

We cast a vote and rated it at 9.10 / 10.00.

Food Place Review - Ka Waway

2009-11-23T18:52:00.000-08:00

Before this post goes on, I'd like to reiterate that food is an essential aspect of human life. It is the means of survival.

This establishment tried to start their business with a bang by having their opening scheduled on the Buglasan Festival. It is situated a corner away from the boulevard, around 50meters away from the Globe Business Center, Sol Y Mar building.

The menu is comprised mainly of different specialties from different cities. It tries to equal Jo's Inato in ambience, while in an attempt to be at par with Mang Inasal's marketing.

The attempt is to be commended, unluckily, they have failed in both. My group came in at 7:00p.m. We had to ask for the menu, while it should have been a standard for the waiter to approach the table and hand-out the menu. This is not the issue though. After 15 minutes, we decided on which ones to order, and so goes the waiter.

The waiting time is horrible, it took them 52 minutes to serve five chicken inasals. We had to wait another 20 minutes for our Blue Marlin, and had to again spare an extra 10 minutes (on top of the previous waiting time) for the sisig.

Now...the food. It was awful. We tried to get the attention of the management through the waiter, but we were ignored. Chicken was not properly cooked. The fish...seemed to have been in ice for weeks. Nothing is fresh, nor did anything taste good. This is an added insult to injury. Remember we waited fairly long???

Their place is in disorder, not sanitary.

We got sick for a couple of days from their food.

This place is not worth being recommended to anybody.

We rate this for only: 2.00/10.00 (We do have to rate them at least for the effort of putting up an establishment).

Food Place Review - Lumi's Place, Kanlaon City

2009-11-12T04:04:00.000-08:00

Hello again!

This time, we take a look on a place in a peaceful and soothing place of Kanlaon.

Yes, it is the mountain by the royal couple Kang and Laong, as what the Myths of the Philippines have told us since we were young.

Indeed this is a very nice place everything is fresh especially the food.

It is a three-hour drive from the capital of Negros Oriental.

In Lumi's Place, you can find one of the best estopado - they have native chicken and duck. Their tinola is as great as well.

We never had problems in both price and health after dining in this very good place.

We rate this place as a 9.30/10.00. Highly recommended.

Food Place Review - Qyosko, Dumaguete City

2009-11-09T00:16:00.000-08:00

Hello Folks!

The first food place that we have come up with to be given a feedback is Qyosko. Open 24 hours, six days a week - they take sundays for rest. It is located along Perdices corner Sta. Rosa Streets.

What they have - they offer a wide range of freshly cooked Filipino, Chinese, and American food. They also have a coffe shop at one side paired with a free WI-FI connection when you dine in. Their price is relatively cheap, you can be stuffed with a budget of Php 65.00. We've been eating in Qyosko ever since the first time we've been in Dumaguete City and so far, we never had digestive-tract related problems.

The kitchen can be seen from the display area / cashier's area. It was orderly.

We recommend the place as a quick and good place to dine, when you are out there especially during night time.

We rate this place as: 8.10 / 10.00