Maasin at the Port Area
It was a good feeling to be back in Maasin. The last time I went to this Southern tip of Eastern Visayas was two years ago. Now, it has progressed but still remained the southern charm that it have.
Its been a long time since last visited and it has always fascinated me to roam around in this lovely city. My favorite part, the port area.
View from Kinamot sa Abgao
In Maasin, there is this great restaurant that is known for its great food and warm accommodation. The first time that I went there was around 2006. The name is Kinamot sa Abgao. It has improved. Now, they have a hotel beside the restaurant.
Kinamot sa Abgao
Going inside Kinamot
Kinamot is a word in Visayas to “eat using your bare hands”. We Filipinos are familiar with this way of eating and there is a proper etiquette in doing so. You may either use your left or right but you have to make sure that your other hand is not used. There are exemptions like eating shrimps, crabs and shells but as much as possible, it is avoided. In eating using your hands, you have to make sure that the food that you take is just enough to enter your mouth and must be very clean afterwards.
Going back to the restaurant, it is situated just beside the breakwaters. You will experience a cool breeze of the sea. We even saw fishermen catching fish while we were dinning.
Inside Kinamot sa Abgao
Here are the foods that are must have:
Kinilaw
One of the best tasting kinilaw that I ever had. The combination of sweetness and the tang our sourness plus the freshness of the fish has made this a fantastic dish. This is highly recommended.
Inihaw Platter
Inihaw platter is a combination of grilled fish, squid, pork bacon, beef and chicken. At first we thought at this is just a small dish good for two. But then it came, we were three and still we had a hard time finishing it. This complimented the kinilaw. The grilled squid was cooked just right leaving it very soft.
San Miguel Pale Pilsen
The kinilaw and the inihaw platter were great with with a bottle of San Miguel Pale Pilsen. The combination of grill and kinilaw is the perfect match here in Kinamot. They also have a hotel beside the resto named Villa Romana Hotel. When you go to Maasin Southern Leyte, never miss this opportunity to eat beside the bay with one of the best kinilaw and gilled that I tasted. Bare in mind, Kinamot sa Abgao.
Published on June 13th, 2011 in
Bicol
Sizzling Tuna Steak
When we went to Daet, Camarines Norte, we were told that there is this restaurant that serves good seafoods. As soon as we finished our work, we began our search for this since lunch was fast approaching. Then we saw KFisher through constant inquiries from tricycle drivers.
Sweet and Sour Cattle Fish
Just straight to the point, their sizzling tuna steak was very good. Never to be missed. We ordered for a sweet and sour cattle fish. It was another main dish I would say superb. The meat was very soft and tender. They know how to cook cattle fish right. Take note, if you over cook this, it will be as elastic as a rubber. Kfisher was a place to go when you are in Daet. They also have a wide array of dishes to choose from. This 2 were stunning. It will always be my first order when I go back.
Going to Daet, Camarines Norte is like an adventure if you are coming from Naga city. First, you have to pass by the great planes of Maragao, San Fernando, Milaor and Libmanan. Then you will pass by the mountains at Sipocot. Then you will pass by Bitukang manok at Villazar, before your go back to low land when Daet is resting. It was full of fun and I never had a dull moment during the trip. This culinary secret at the area is no secret to them. In fact, they are famous at the place. You may ask any tricycle driver and they will lead you straight to KFisher. To KFisher, thank you for a sumptuous and delicious meal.
Published on June 8th, 2011 in
Bacolod
Pala Pala Fish and Seafood Market at Bacolod
In Bacolod, there is this special place that we went that is similar to Dampa along Roxas Boulevard. In fact, this has been there for a long period of time and I guess even earlier than Dampa. It is called Pala-Pala. Like any other seafood market and restaurant, you will go first to the market to get your fresh pick and bring it to a nearby restaurant and cook it the way you like it.
Fishes at Pala-Pala
That style of cooking has made us more and more attracted to this and it always gives us the feeling of hunger during the waiting time.
Seafoods at Pala-Pala
During our visit to Bacolod, we decided to take the opportunity to eat at Pala-Pala. Pala is a word for shovel. It is because during the earlier days, fish were literally shoveled to containers when they buy. That is how abundant Bacolod is. Now, it is still the same, you just have to buy it per kilo and without the pala.
My Friend Alan and Andy: Fishing around
There you will find the fresh catch of the day. From clams, seaweeds, scallops, fishes, crabs, tiger shrimps, lobsters, name it, you will be surprise that they have it.
Hyksos Tulahan
Inside Hyksos Tulahan
After the buy, we went to this restaurant named “Hyksos Tulahan” and we handed over our purchases from Pala-pala. To be fair with the other restaurant, they are also great but this one was recommended to us. We waited there not quite long and the entourage of our orders came in.
Tiger Prawns in Sweet Chili Sauce
First was the sweet chili tiger prawns. It was a smack down to the mouth. The prawns were cooked perfectly that every bite gave a tick sound. The sauce, sweet and steamingly hot.
Sizzling Adobong Pusit
Next was the sizzling adobong pusit. It as a squid on a sizzling place and cooked with their own style. It was another mouth watering dish. It went very well with the fresh steam rice.
Fish Head soup and Grilled Blue Marlin
Plus the grilled blue marlin and fish head soup. It was indeed a feast that we had. Good food with superb taste and quality.
Where to find
You may find Hyksos tulahan just beside Pala-Pala. You may also call they for reservation. Just another information, there is the old and new Pala-pala. What I am writing now is based on the old Pala-Pala. If you happen to go to Bacolod City, you may ask any of the tricycle drivers and they will bring you there at no time.
the Feast at Pala-Pala
Its another Rapsa experience that I will never forget. It made me realize that Bacolod City has a lot of gastronomical surprises. I also want to thank my good friend Alan Granada for bringing us to this wonderful restaurant. It was something I will go back to when I get back to Bacolod City.
In all grilled dishes, this is something that is always first in my list, Inihaw na Pusit. Either on the beach or in the city, this spectacular grill has always caught my attention. Everytime it is in the menu, this has always been my first preference and when it is on the dinning table, it will always be my first taste before anything else. For all of the pusit (squid) lovers, what will it take to say that it is perfectly grilled? The answer is the softness of the squid. Too much heat will make the squid rubberized. The softer the squid, the easier to bite, the juicier I becomes. That is the inihaw na pusit that I experience at Henry’s.
Where to find
Henry’s grill is located along Magihawa st. Teachers village, Diliman Quezon city. It is opposite the Bayan Telecommunication Corporate Center. I got to taste their inihaw na pusit during one of my drinking sessions with my friends from different regions who came to Manila. It was a good night of food, drinks, ambiance and good company. When you are in Teachers Village QC, I suggest you drop by Henry’s and experience how terrific they make inihaw na pusit. A real gastronomic experience in a relaxing place that makes your normal dinner, great!!!
This is one calamares that is perfectly cooked. They have perfected the crispiness of the breading and made the squid very soft. I remember a technique that was taught to me by one of our lineman in Bicol in how you can make the squid or cattle fish very soft and very tender. But I was never taught how to make a crispy coating outside. For my first attempt, I made the squid rubberized. Hehe. They is a technique that involves time, heat, color and smell that you have to master in order to have the right timing of crispiness and softness inside. In search for that quality, I found it at Chicken for the road. The blend of their squid wiht the red and green pepper has made it more delectable.
Where to find
Chicken for the Road is located along Araneta ave. (across SO-EN) Quezon city. They also deliver for free. You may contact them at (632)716-8866 or (632)411-3297. They also have a newer branch at Ortigas Home Depot , Julia Vargas, Pasig City. For this branch you may contact then at (632) 706-1966 or (632) 706-1965. For the squid lovers, this Calamares will bring you to another level of taste experience both in flavor and food texture.
Adobong Pusit
For adobong pusit, the darker the ink, the better!!! This one adobong pusit that I may say, wow!!! It is the adobong pusit by Mannang. I rarely order this dish and it was only an accident that I did. It was that accidental choice that revealed this wonderful dish that I will recommend you to have. Rapsa to men!!! The Mannang’s adobong pusit has the right balance of flavor from the saltiness, to spices. It has the right flavor that made it very delicious. It was mixed with pork and I guess that also enhanced the taste. If you are not into pork, you make ask for an all squid dish.
Mannang
Where to find
The adobong Pusit of Mannang may be found at Building A of Mega Mall lower level. It is beside Mann Hann or near the bowling place. To be exact, under Powerbooks. The service of the restaurant is also great aside from their great food. When you visit Mannang, just remember that their Adobong Pusit is something to look forward to. Ang itim at ang sarap!!!
