Showing posts with label Featured Foodspot. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Featured Foodspot. Show all posts

February 8, 2016

Rafael's Farm: A Tranquil Haven 20-minutes away from Tacloban City!

Scenic view of the majestic mountains behind Rafael's Farm. November 30, 2015.

You don't have to go far

Rafael's Farm and Garden Restaurant is located in Babatngon, Leyte. It is the next town north of Tacloban City. It can be accessed through Maharlika Highway going to San Juanico Bridge, but instead of turning right to Samar Island, you go straight thru Tacloban - Babatngon Road. Only twenty minutes from downtown Tacloban City, most people that come here look to get refreshed and get away from the crowd and the pollution in the city. You can ride PUVs to get here via Tacloban-Babatngon Jeepneys for a fare of Php20.00 at the New Bus Terminal in Abucay. Although this is cheaper, PUVs in this route don't travel as frequently as southbound PUVs. If you don't have a ride of your own, I recommend you rent a tricycle for a fair of Php50.00 per person. The upside for this is the tricycle will immediately take you there, unlike the Jeepney, where you'll have to wait until the PUV becomes full of passengers. 

Rafael's Farm and Garden Restaurant.

Natural Re-connection

Tucked in a quiet, undisturbed location that has scenic views of mountains, Rafael's Farm is the perfect place to relax and unwind. With sophisticated landscaping, a vast lawn my daughter enjoyed running around, and tranquility that resonates through the whole place, staying here for a few hours would certainly re-energize you. They also have a man-made river. You can use their small boat and just row around. They have a tree house to get you a bird's eye view of the farm, unfortunately we weren't able to get up there because there were people already. The soft breeze of air, the relaxing music they're playing, and their posh outdoor living area will reconnect you to nature, where your soul longs to be.

Man-made river.
Tree house.
Covered walkway leading to the old restaurant area that was destroyed by Typhoon Haiyan. 
You can hangout under this tree that gives ample shade.
Delicious Food, err Unwanted Visitors

Their food, I have to say, is quite good. My favorite had to be the Baby Back Ribs, it was so tender that it fell off the bones and their signature barbecue sauce went well with it. The grilled tuna was also delicious. My partner ordered tuna sandwich. Among the fine dining restaurants in the city, Rafael's Farm is in the upper echelon. The downside though, was there were so many flies. They literally came out of nowhere. Before our food arrived, it was all good, and then suddenly they came. They destroyed our whole meal experience. No matter how good the food was, the flies just stole the show. With that, they then turned on their industrial fan and pointed it at us to drive away the pesky creatures. I suggest you just eat inside instead. 

Outdoor Living and Dining Area.
Baby Back Ribs.
Fried Chicken.
Tuna Sandwich.
Grilled Tuna.


After lunch, we hanged out and roamed about. My daughter especially enjoyed running around their ultra-wide lawn. If there's a place I'd like to go to after a hectic week at work, I'd come here. I just hope they've already solved the problem with the flies. 

 Rafael's Farm and Garden Restaurant is a tranquil haven that's easily accessible from Tacloban City. If you want to de-stress, just relax and have good food, this is the place.

 Source: Rafael's Farm


Other Photos





Pinakbet

February 7, 2016

Kuting Reef: A Quiet Escape!


Dusk at Kuting Reef, November 15, 2014. Tucked in a quiet 3-hectare cove property in Macrohon, Southern Leyte, is Kuting Reef Resort and Spa, a 20-minute drive from Maasin City, the capital of Southern Leyte. 
Quite the Quiet Escape.

We went to Maasin City to climb Mt. Hanginan, where St. Francis Xavier's Chapel is located. After saying our prayers and thanking the Lord for all blessings, we hiked down the 400-meter tall mountain back to Maasin City. There we rode a PUV to Macrohon, the next town south of Maasin. As we entered the resort, what greeted us were the friendly staff and the rustic ambiance that immediately took away our exhaustion from the long hike at Hanginan. Kuting Reef is a privately-owned resort and spa, that offers water activities like kayaking, scuba diving, etc. It is a 3-hectare property full of coconut trees and a posh landscaping that'll surely get you down to relax. Aside from the very native look and feel of the resort, the place is pretty modern. Their cabanas, are large, and air conditioned. They have a resident masseuse that cater to room service massage or anywhere in the resort. They also have a complete toilet and bath with hot shower. Since we came on mid-November, there weren't many guests, so it felt like we had the whole resort to ourselves. So I'll recommend you visit on non-peak months for that feel of exclusivity and quietness. 

View of the pebble beach facing west of Southern Leyte, fronting the island of Bohol.
Paved walkways leading to single cabanas.
 Fresh and Flavorful.

They also have a restaurant named Baybayon Seafoods. They offer a variety of dishes from the freshest catch of the day. Their dishes are also affordable that dinner for two will only range from Php300.00 to Php700.00. What surprised me was the Chef was actually a neighbor of my partner in the town of Hinundayan, also in Southern Leyte. For dinner, we ordered their best-sellers which were grilled mackerel (Tangigue in Filipino), grilled pork belly, sisig (finely chopped pork face sauteed in garlic, ginger etc.), and for dessert, turon with vanilla ice cream (banana and jack-fruit spring roll). More of a pork-lover, what I munched down first was the grilled pork belly or in Filipino we call it Liempo. But as I tasted the grilled mackerel, it was so fresh and seasoned well that it became my favorite from the whole meal. They also have complimentary breakfast serving continental and Filipino breakfast dishes. I ordered cheese and tomato omelette, while my  gal ordered Daing na Bangus, fried milkfish marinated in vinegar and other spices.

Grilled Mackerel (Tangigue).
Sizzling Pork Sisig. Finely-chopped pork face sauteed in garlic, ginger, and other spices, served on a sizzling plate topped with raw egg and chili peppers for that extra kick.
Turon with Vanilla Ice Cream.

Infinity Pool for Infinitely Relaxing Fun.

What couldn't be more relaxing than an infinity pool? Although relatively small and having a depth of only five feet on the deepest part, the pool still provides an extra unwinding because of the scenic view of the sea and the tropical ambiance. The pool also has water jets to calm you from all the bustle in life. What's also great about their infinity pool is they regulate the temperature of the water. They cool it by the day and make it warmer at night. Now if you'd like to get your fair share of seawater, you can just simply go to the beach that's only a few meters away. But I must warn you that their beach is quite steep. Just a few steps from the shore and it'll already be chest deep. There are also sea urchins that you must be weary of.




Water Activities.

They offer a lot of water sports activities like scuba diving, kayaking, jet skiing, banana boat, and snorkeling. But at the time we went there, barely a year after Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) ravaged through the Philippines, most of their water sports equipment were damaged and only the kayaks were deemed usable. The unavailability of the other equipment though, didn't stop us from having fun. We paddled our way farther from the shore, the water was very clear that we saw fishes and corals below us. This made me wanted to try out scuba diving, but hey, first I have to learn how to swim. 

My partner and I tried their kayaks. 
This was the first time I tried kayaking.
They also have function rooms, scuba gear rentals, and did I forget to tell you that they have Wi-Fi in public areas? You can also rent the whole resort for virtually any event or gathering you can think of. Most people use the resort as their venue for weddings, training, and seminars.

Kuting Reef Resort and Spa is your ticket to a refreshing weekend. It is a three and a half hour drive from Tacloban City. An escape that doesn't punch a big hole in your pocket, and would certainly satisfy your cravings for Filipino cuisine.

Other Photos below

Receiving Area and Lobby.
Receiving Area and Lobby.
They have a small honesty store where you get what you wanna buy and then leave your payment on the drawer, all by yourself.
Dusk at Kuting Reef Resort and Spa.
Cabanas where we stayed for the night.
Paved walkways leading to single cabanas.
Cabanas where we stayed for the night.
Right end of the cove resort.
Closer look at the right end of the cove resort.
Left end of the cove resort.
Baybayon Seafoods.
Baybayon Seafoods.
Grilled Pork Belly.
Cheese and Tomatoes Omelette.
Fish and Chips for lunch.
View from the pool.
Still water that mirrors the tall coconut trees.
Kayaking fun!
Kuting Reef Resort and Spa. November 16, 2014.

Source: kutingreef.ph

September 22, 2013

Calle Z Café!

This place is a staple in the Tacloban City food scene. Located along Independencia Street, near the Leyte Normal University is a local bar and restaurant named Calle Z Café, famous for their Bulalo (Beef Shank Stew), their diverse music, and their casual yet night-out gimmick-y ambiance. The store opens at 6:00 PM and closes at 4:00 in the morning. Calle Z (Zaragosa) Café got its name from its former St. name Calle Zaragosa from the Spanish colonial period.

What makes this Café a must-try is really their Bulalo. Why? Because the meat is so tender it falls off the bones while you can sip out the marrow from the bones easily, an Anthony Bourdain favorite. Aside from the desirable texture, the Bulalo's broth is rich in taste and you can either dip it in soy sauce with lime or not.
Left: Cheese Sticks, Right: Fried Chicken
They also serve liquor, cocktails and other alcoholic beverages. Maybe an after-dinner drink with your buddies would fancy you here. Together with straight-from-the-grill dishes and some other pulutan (food taken with alcohol) and along with good music played all through out your stay, you'd be leaving with a happy tummy and good vibes. 
Upper Left: Photographs taken by Owner Gerry Ruiz (Photographer), Upper Right: Chopsuey, Lower Left: Grilled Pork Belly.

A favorite of a friend of mine is their Fried Chicken since it is served heftily and really affordable. Their Crispy Tenga (crispy fried pork ears) has to be my personal favorite because it taste a whole lot like Lechon's crackling skin. 

If you're hungry, wanting to hang out with your friends, or simply chill with good music, try visiting Calle Z Café because they serve not just food, but a great experience. Visit their site at CalleZaragosa.com.

November 12, 2012

Tadyaw Beach Resort and Grille!

Bored and tired of staying home for three weeks, two friends and I turned into a consensus to go get some air and embark on a one-day vacation on a resort or simply a park before classes resume. With only a few hundred pesos on our wallets and with the power of the mighty internet, we stumbled on a locally famous (yet foreigners flock in, too) beach resort that is a 30-minute drive away from Tacloban City, PH. Personally, I have not yet gone to the place but I have heard from my friends that got there that the place is quite an experience. Now, I wanted to get in touch with that experience that they were talking about. We rode a Jeepney (Route: Tacloban-Dulag) to get there, the fare is about twenty five pesos (Php 25.00). 

We arrived at around 2:00 o'clock in the afternoon. Entrance fee is fifty pesos per person but if you will eat at the restaurant or rent a cottage, you don't have to pay for the entrance fee. Just a few feet into the resort, and I immediately felt nature grasping me into her sweet arms. At the heart of the resort is the big Tadyaw which means earthen jar in English. With a beautiful garden landscape, coconut trees only feet away from each other, and the scenic view of the Pacific beach, the resort blends modern and rustic styles perfectly. Because we did not have lunch yet we decided to eat at the resort's restaurant, Tadyaw Grille. 


A semi-fine dining restaurant, Tadyaw Grille boasts its oriental-style cuisine and an array of fresh seafood dishes. What greeted us was a very friendly attendant and an ambiance resembling a restaurant in a cruise ship. Told by the attendant herself, the house specialty is Nilasing na Hipon (Drunken Shrimp) and Liempo (Grilled Pork Belly) so that's exactly what we ordered. The 20-minute wait wasn't noticed because my friends and I chatted along. Compliments to the chef, the food was great. Not really a fan of shrimp, but the sauce it was cooked on tasted good. The grilled pork was cooked the way I wanted it to be, medium-well done. And with a dipping sauce of soy sauce, vinegar, lime juice, and chopped onions, the pair with Liempo was hands down flavorful. After the meal, we waited a little at the sofa at the restaurant's porch because the rain began to pour. When the rain subsided we immediately began to go around and explore the five-hectare resort. Walking around the place wouldn't be as tiring because of the relaxing environment and the soft grass as the pavement. Your stay at Tadyaw wouldn't be boring either, with many amenities to keep you in pace. They have fully-furnished modern cottages for overnight stays that fronts the Pacific, kiosks, and a pavilion for big gatherings. To my surprise, they also have a mini Zoo comprised of Philippine birds, monkeys, and a horse. Roaming around the place can also be done by riding the caddie cart. 


They also have sports amenities like  badminton, volleyball, golf, and for water sports are skim boards, kayak, airhead tube n' go, pedal boat and to mention a few. When we finished roaming around, we headed to the beach to get our fix of sea soaking. Unlike most beach resorts here in the Philippines, this one, although not white sand, was outstanding. The beach is clean, free from garbage and other impurities that spoil your beach experience. Whenever a guest goes to swim at the beach, a lifeguard will be on his post to ensure the safety of the swimmer in case something bad happens. After bathing at the beach we headed to the showers to rinse off the salty sea water off our bodies and when we finished changing our clothes too, we headed back to the restaurant to get some a snack. We ordered Halo-halo (tropical fruit melange). At ninety pesos each and served in tall wine glasses, this cool fruity dessert hit the soft spot on my taste buds because the ingredients were fresh and doesn't taste like the ingredients were just left hanging in the fridge. When we were done with the snack, we headed back to Tacloban City and went home.

If you want to visit a wonderful  destination here in Leyte, why not try Tadyaw Beach Resort and Grille because it is Definitely Pinoy! Facebook page: HERE.

October 27, 2012

Surprice!

To Filipinos, rice is not a side dish it is the star. Without rice, a meal is not complete. Some would rather have rice alone than the main dish that is meat or vegetables. A true Pinoy meal is consisted of rice then meat and/or vegetable follows. A slightly different way of eating is being introduced by a local restaurant in Tacloban City, PH. Rather than serving meals on plates, they're serving it on bowls. This style is similar to the Japanese Donburi, rice on the bottom of the bowl and the main dish on top.

Along Burgos St. and on the avenue of restaurants (Burgos St-Sto Niño Intersection) as I call it because on the place are many restaurants and bars side by side, stands a new fast food restaurant named SurpRice. Opened only in April of this year, Surprice have lured many customers already. Due to their signature 'Rice Bowl' style of serving food, it resulted into a unique dining experience. With a somewhat vintage ambiance and pop music accompaniment, it is quite certain to have a hearty meal at the place. And even with the great environment already, the food is still the star of the show. 

Having been to the place for just three times, I have only tried their Breaded Chicken (Php 59.00), Fish Nuggets (Php 59.00), Mongolian Rice (Php 74.00), Arroz ala Cubana (Php 49.00) and Jambalaya (Php 74.00). Their food is definitely worth trying. I for one, became their fan already because their food are delicious. My personal favorite has to be their Arroz ala Cubana, its ground pork or beef I think is full of flavor, and with vegetables it adds a playfully crispy texture to the dish. Their fish nuggets with sweet and sour sauce is also great. For a new dining experience and an authentic Tacloban City food adventure, you got to try Surprice and well, be surprised!

Popular Posts