Restaurant Review: Le Cou de Tou

Hello Foodies!

Looking for a hangout? A personal favorite is from the Arts Capital of the Philippines! Are you guys getting a hint now? It's in Angono! A municipality in Rizal region, located 30 kilometers east of Manila.
Something interesting is the restaurant's name which is Le Cou de Tou. It seemed french during the first encounter then I realized It sounded "LIKO DITO" , a tagalog word for "turn here". It was hilarious.

Upon the entrance, there is a counter where you can order beverages. My favorite part is the dining area. You will chow down in a nipa hut or " kubo"  in Filipino. My acquaintances and I have been hanging out in Le Cou de Tou numerous times, so we already have a favorite hut near the stage. In the evening, there's live band performances.

TASTE VERDICT

The restaurant serves Filipino food. Their house specialty is Budbod. It is a rice dish topped with meat, tomatoes, egg, onion and chives. It is called Budbod because a part of its preparation is to sprinkle the toppings, "to sprinkle" in tagalog means ibudbod. 

In Le Cou de Tou, you can choose the meat that goes with your Budbod. You can either choose beef, pork or tocino (a sweet Filipino breakfast dish made with pork). The best budbod is the mixed one. I liked the taste of their Budbod. It is delicious although it wasn't something extraordinary, maybe because I am so used in eating Filipino food.

They also serve other Filipino food aside from Budbod in which we have also tried but whenever we decided to hit on Le Cou de Tou, our choice will always be Budbod.

☺Dishes are affordable price starts at Php 60.00

RECOMMENDATION 

Le Cou de Tou is something I would recommend, not just because of their Budbod but the place itself. It isn't extravagant or lavish but it is cozy. It really is a great hangout with friends. I wouldn't recommend it for someone who's all in for something fancy. 

Just an advice: You may want to make advance reservations for lunch and dinner because it is jam-packed during those hours, especially in the evening and weekends.

Contact number: (02) 470-0383

How to get there:

It maybe difficult to find for the first time because it is inside a subdivision, however you can always ask as it is known in the area.

My Kind of Sisig: Tofu Sisig Recipe

Hey Reader!

I have learned a new tofu dish and i want to share it with you because it is so easy to make and it is so scrumptious. But first let me give you details about the dish.

What is Sisig?

Sisig is a Kapampangan (a Filipino dialect) term for "to snack on something sour". It is a Filipino dish made from parts of a pig and liver, usually seasoned with calamansi and chilies. It originated in Pampanga, Philippines.  There are different variations of sisig some are made with chicken, squid, tuna and if you are vegan your pick might be tofu.

The authentic ones are made with pork, it is so delicious but it is full of fats, it's a 100 times no for health, so I searched for its variation and I decided to try TOFU, since my mom have already bought some.  To tell you honestly eating tofu has its health cons too, I might blog it soon, and compared to super greasy pork variation of this dish I would recommend other variations. I have tried other variations such as chicken and squid sisig, it's delicious too.

Ingredients:

500 g tofu, cubed
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 bell pepper, chopped
2 finger chilies, sliced 
dried chili flakes (optional)
3 tbs. oyster sauce
2 tbs. soy sauce
1 tsp. sugar
2 tbs. water
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1 red onion, chopped

Procedure:

1. Heat oil in a wok or pan. Fry the tofu until it becomes golden brown.  Don't fry it excessively. Drain the tofu in paper towels to get rid of the excess oil then set aside.

2. On a bowl, combine oyster sauce, soy sauce, sugar, water, mayonnaise and black pepper. Mix well then set aside. ( you can always adjust the consistency and the taste of the mixture based on your preference)

3. Saute garlic and bell pepper then add the tofu and chilies. Stir-in the mayonnaise mixture. 

4. Before serving, mix-in the chopped onions, the raw onions enhances the flavor of the tofu sisig. Add more thin slices of red chilies for garnish. You can also serve it with slices of lemon or calamansi.

Note: 

If you want to add more spiciness, you can add dried chili flakes on the mayonnaise mixture. It is usually served with few squeezes of lemon or calamansi but as for me I personally do not like any variation of sisig with lemon or calamansi except for the one made with squid.

ENJOY! :)

Food Review: Marina's Special Bibingka, Rosario Cavite

Holiday season is coming! I bet you guys have been eyeing Bibingka! I'll recommend a place where you can buy the oh-so-yummy delicacy. I'm sure some readers can relate to bibingka but for some who doesn't know, let me spill some information about Bibingka.

What is Bibingka?

Bibingka is a Filipino rice cake made from rice flour and coconut milk, there are also other variations.The bibingka's texture is soft and spongy. It is usually served on a charred banana leaf, as it gives an additional flavor. My favorite part is the toppings, grated coconut (niyog) and the slices of salted egg.

Haven't added the grated coconut yet.

What I liked about Marina's Bibingka?

I have been eating bibingka ever since I was a kid and the bibingka from Marina's is just the best ever bibingka for me, so far. Their bibingka made me set a standard when it comes to bibingka. I loved it because it is soft, moist and buttery. The topping is so delightful, there's a lot of it on top of the bibingka which balances the taste. It is not so sweet, the salted egg and melted cheese compliments the bibingka. It's a great companion to coffee or tea. Another good thing is that Marina's Bibingka is available all-year-round, hooray! I would definitely recommend it. You should add this to your must-try list! 

Add caption

For orders, you can call or text them at: 

0908-536-8716 or 0949-667-3047

Location

It is located in Marseilla, Rosario Cavite, few walks away from the church. As long as you see the plaza you'll know you're near. The location is on the innermost area beside the plaza. Marina's Special Bibingka is well-known by locals and other tourists, you can always ask. 

How to get there:

View Larger Map

Note: I thought it was Aling Luding's Bibingka, I have updated this blog and changed it to Marina's Special Bibingka. I do apologize. I ordered boxes of bibingka there yesterday to make it sure. It was still thumbs up for their bibingka, Marina's Special Bibingka. 

Price is Php 240.00 per box

Pan-fried Spicy Turmeric Chicken Recipe

Hey readers!

I've been cooking lately and from time to time I'm going to share some of my recipes. Today I'm going to share one of my favorites. I'd learn this recipe from a previous culinary class. This dish may look fancy but it's easy as 1-2-3! Hoping you guys would like it!

What you'll need?

1. Spicy Turmeric Marinade:

3 Tbs.            Apple Cider Vinegar            

5 Tbs.            Coconut Oil or Palm Oil      

3-4 Tbs.        Turmeric Powder                 

1 Tbs.            Brown Sugar                         

2 pcs.             Red Chilies ( sliced)                           

2 Tbs.            Fish Sauce                          

5 cloves         Garlic (chopped)
                      
(Note: you can add more garlic if you please, I love garlic so I usually add more.)

2. Your choice of either meat or poultry, I used CHICKEN. The marinade is also great with tenderloin. 

                    

Procedure:

1. In a bowl mix the apple cider vinegar, coconut oil, turmeric powder, brown sugar, chilies, fish sauce and garlic.

2. Prick the fillet with fork, so that it can absorb the marinade.

3. Combine the marinade and chicken in a ziplock bag, release the air out. After zipping the bag, make sure that the chicken fillet is coated by the marinade. Set a side for at least 30 minutes.
4. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat, pan-fry the chicken fillet until it is caramelized don't over do it and you're done! 

Note: The marinade has oil in it,  it's alright if you don't add oil in the skillet when pan-frying. I love eating it with rice and Romanian lettuce. Eating it together with lettuce neutralizes the taste. 

So there you go! Enjoy! :) Let me know if you have tried this recipe comment below and don't forget to recommend! 

First Ever Restaurant Review: Tiolo BBQ • STEAKS • PASTA

Tiolo BBQ • Steaks • Pasta

This is my very first published review and I'm planning to post my other restaurant reviews as well, I decided to do this restaurant review first because we've been eating out to Tiolo for quite some time now and I want to share my Tiolo experience. ☺

by the way, that good-looking guy in the photo is my boyfriend : )

How did I know about Tiolo?

Their sign board was eye-catching and it looks inviting, by the time I went home I browsed some blogs about the restaurant, the reviews was quite good so I included it on my list of restaurants I want to experience. :)

What I liked about Tiolo?

♥ They offer variety of dishes. Pork, Beef, Chicken, Seafood, Veggies, you name it!

♥The atmosphere of Tiolo was good; not great but not bad as well. It is just simple, nothing fancy. 
♥ It is affordable for a whole dose of Western Cuisine. The price for main dish ranges from Php70.00 to Php400.00 ($1.57 to $9.00)
♥ The serving was just right to satisfy your tummy.

Taste Verdict

Among their main dishes, I have tried their Baby Back Ribs, Hamburger Steak (which is pretty much Salisbury Steak) and Beef Steak; I've also tried their soups which are cream of mushroom, cream of asparagus and their famous pumpkin soup.

♦  For the Beef Steak it is thumbs up because it is so flavorful and succulent. 

♦ The Baby Back Ribs was too sweet for me and the fat was just so thick, the serving was plentiful though. 

♦ The Hamburger Steak was sweet too, I have to put a lot of Worcestershire sauce because the sweetness was overpowering, it also comes with a mashed potato, however, I didn't like it because it was also sweet and the texture is different, it's not 100% mashed potato I guess.

♦ Among the soups that I have tried I liked the cream of asparagus the most. The cream of mushroom and pumpkin soup are , again, too sweet for me. (BTW prices of soups ranges Php41.00 to Php47.00)

What I did not like about Tiolo?

☻There is an area in there that is quite irksome because of the water droplets from the air-con and mind you it just spills continually. It lessens the coziness of the place. 

☻I was disappointed with their comfort room because it was so disgusting the last time I went there. It was so unsanitary. Though I wasn't sure if it's always like that. 

Recommendations

For someone who loves dishes that are sweet maybe you'll enjoy eating out at Tiolo, but for someone like me, I'm into something savory, the best picks are beef dishes. However, I haven't tried their seafood and pasta yet. Maybe next time it's going to be the next dishes I'm going to try as I want to update this review when I finally get to try the other dishes I haven't tried. 
Here's their menu:

Location:

Tiolo is located in Antipolo City,Rizal few walks away from Unciano Hospital and Mc Donald's. I love the location because it is very accessible and you can see it right away. It is situated on the main road if you are coming from Ynares Center to Shopwise Antipolo or vice versa. 

How to get to there:

View Larger Map

Check out their FB page: Click here
They are open 10am to 10pm

Philippines Travel Guide ; Types of Traveler

 

   There are varieties of traveler who travels for different reasons. Travelers ought to travel for fun, some for relaxation, some for business, some to experience different cuisines and culture and some travels to shop for rare finds. Different travelling personalities are always an issue when it comes in travel planning, the travel experience must sync in with the traveler’s preferences. Knowing your preferences can provide you quality travel experience, it’ll make your experiences unforgettable. It’ll give you satisfaction and you’ll know what to expect for your next journey.

The Usual Types of Traveler

 1.       Adventurous --The Intense Explorer ☺☻☺

The adventurous type of traveler are travelers who love more of the outdoors, they’ll tend to get bored with activities without much of a thrill. 

Activity Suggestions: 

Ø  Water Activities:  o   Flying fish / Banana Boat o   Parasailing o   Helmet Diving o   Island Hopping o   Sailing/ White-water rafting/ Kayaking o   Snorkeling

Remarks: Boracay Island, Bohol and Palawan are well- known for amazing water activities, nevertheless, there’s also a water sports complex in Camarines Sur and Bataan Phillipines. 

Ø  Land- based Activities: o   Mountain Trekking o   Jungle Survival Tours o   Rapelling o Ziplines/ Cable Cars/ Canopy Rides o   Bungee Jumping o   Theme park rides 

Remarks: If you’re more on the nature side, Subic Tree Top Adventure and Danao Adventure Park in Bohol are the best picks in Philippines when it comes to thrill seeking adventures. Theme parks like Enchanted Kingdom, Tagaytay Sky Ranch and Star City offers variety of fun and thrilling rides too, but I do recommend nature trips, you’ll discover a whole lot more.

Additional Suggestion: Some travel agencies also offer paranormal tours in Corregidor Island, Ilocos, Bohol and Baguio City. These paranormal tours will surely give you goose bumps.

2.     Relaxed – The Chill Traveler

The term “Unwind” is what they yearn. This travel personality is the conventional type of traveler; they just go with the typical itineraries.

They’re neither into intense water nor land-based activities; they’d rather book a spa reservation or watch the sunset and stroll by the shore. 

3.     The Food Buff

 During Tours, what excites them are the local delicacies, they’re always on the go when it comes to food, even the most exotic ones. 

Suggestions: Bohol-Virgin Island’s sea urchins, Royal Concourse Restaurant, Cebu; Sugbahan Restaurant, Mandaue Cebu; Ilocano delicacies like: Empanada, Bagnet and Poqui-poqui

Check out PHILIPPINE TOURISM's KULINARYA TOURS website for  food tour packages.

CLICK HERE for Philippine food tour packages

4.       Culture- The Urbane Traveler

The cultural type of traveler craves for art and  history, what interests them are visits to ancestral houses and museums. They are mostly conversant with the natives of certain places.

Suggestions: Vigan Heritage City, Ancestral Houses in Negros, Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite, Pinto Art Gallery in Antipolo City, Mactan Shrine in Cebu, Luneta Shrine and  Intramuros, Manila. 

5.    The Shopaholic Traveler

The type of travelers who are delighted with souvenir shops. Either they buy and sell or collect rare finds. This is typical for retail shop owners and entrepreneurs who are looking for business opportunities. However, some just love to shop.