Second time going on a "food trip" in Pampanga this time with friends from the office - one holiday on August 30.
magic school bus!!!
francis with jena & jing (of the HK foodtrip fame! hahaha)
As said in my first blog about the Pampanga culinary tour (read about it here), I have officially fallen in love. True enough, love is sweeter the second time around.
C' Italian Dining
C' Italian Dining is not new and almost all who has gone on a food tour in Angeles has marked this place as a must-try stop. This is my first time here and the place was not hard to find as it is right smack in the middle of Don Juico Avenue which is quite when you take the Friendship Highway from the SCTEX exit.
Lovely place which reminds you of an old-style enoteca (wine repository) surrounded by ceramic plates signed by celebs and personalities who have eaten at the restaurant. Also a multi-awarded restaurant by the Philippine Tattler.
The exterior is also romantic and lovely. Twas drizzling though when we arrived so we settled inside.
We all wanted to order a lot from the menu! Definitely need to comeback!
We ordered the Saint Jacques and Angelico Panizza + Penne Roberto.
complimentary bread and pesto. do not fill yourself too much!
angelico panizza with alfalfa sprouts and baby arugula
angelico panizza
saint jacques panizza (wanted to see and taste more scallops though)
penne roberto - uber rich and creamy! really good for sharing
If you have not tried Yellow Cab's Dear Darla Pizza, here is how to eat your panizza. I love Dear Darla since it has more toppings but the crust is not as crunchy as the original Panizza. Uncle Cheffy's comes closer.
grab a "strip" of panizza. place arugula and alfalfa sprouts at the end
roll and enjoy! forgive our pose-y shots! hahaha
RFW Halo-Halo
Found along the street of Sto. Rosario (in front of the Carmelite Monastery, right Jena?), we decided to stop by RFW for a refreshing halo-halo find.
The Carmelite Monastery is more known if you need directions.
For Php 50, you get a big mug of halo-halo which is very unassuming at first sight. All you see is ice! But once you dig in you start to unearth the nice homemade goodies inside.
leche flan (sayang 1 pc lang) and corn (which came out as a surprise we did not expect)
sweetened saba banana
chunky macapuno (sweetened young coconut) which was soooo good!
we asked what milk they used - and the ate said it was their secret! quite nice as it was sweet and creamy (no undissolved) sugar bits. what do you say our "selectively" lactose intolerant friend? =p
I know we just devoured a feast at C' Italian but we had to try their Tokwa't Baboy which was also famous. The soy-vinegar sauce was nice and sweet. The pork could have been grilled a bit more but was ok.
For Php 140 you get a sizzling plate of Tokwa't Baboy.
The surprise was the nice freshness and green flavor the sliced celery stalks and leaves gave! The flavors were more rounded and gave a new dimension of texture. Worth replicating at home.
The palabok was said to be also a must try but we just could not take another bite! When we visit again!
Susie's Cuisine
Off to our last stop - not to eat again but for some pasalubong! Susie's Cuisine is located behind the Nepo Wet Market if you trace your way back from RFW. Beware the one way street!!! ;)
They have a dining area which boasts of authentic Kapampangan Cuisine. A lot of people stop by here to bring home Pampango delicacies like Uraro, Turones De Kasuy, Leche Flan. etc.
The place closes a bit early than other places so make sure to catch them up to late in the afternoon.
Got a small bilao of Tibok-Tibok (velvety maja blanca made from fresh carabao milk w/ latik), Ube Halaya (right sweetness and texture in between a jam and pudding also served w/ latik) and Empanada (chicken & ham + cheese) to bring home happiness! :)
Php 20 each (L), small one available for Php 10. Look how much ham & cheese is inside. The chicken filling is also generous and has a nice peppery flavor with raisins and egg.
Ube (purple yam) and latik (caramelized coconut milk until coconut oil is rendered) is heavenly! P90 for a small take-home styro pack.
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Aside from these adventures, there were some fun "misadventures" which we will keep among ourselves! Hahaha Hope you get to visit this wonderful culinary destination - definitely worth the drive!
Promise to get back my blogging "mojo" soon. Been weeks since my last post but definitely a gazillion things I have in waiting. :)
