{cherry} EVERYDAY

So how was New Year’s eve for you? We decided last minute to spend New Year’s eve and the first 2 days of 2013 in Baguio. It was a good decision as you can really feel the holiday spirit there. It was cold and it was too cold. We love Baguio weather. Plus there weren’t too many firecrackers compared to Metro Manila where spending New Year’s eve at home feels like you’re in one big pot with popcorn popping all at the same time. It’s crazy and let’s not even talk about the pollution afterwards. Just see your nose as proof.

We didn’t have Media Noche spread but we ended 2012 with  a culinary feast as well…

Moroccan-Spiced Baby Back Ribs at the Hill Station

Hill Station’s version of the New York Cheesecake

Hot Chocolate and Bibingka at Choco-late de Batirol inside Camp John Hay.

There weren’t too many restaurants open during New Year’s eve night but good thing Rose Bowl was.

Breakfast at Azalea Residences’s Tradisyon Cafe. I love the chunky fruit jams here.

Forest House’s Homemade Bagnet. So so good. I had to keep myself from eating the whole thing.

I just realized that I love Bread Bowls. Kinda miss it.

Been craving for Chili and Little John’s nearly stopped the craving. I hope they’d make it with less beans next time.

But my family obviously enjoyed this one. Between the 3 of us, it was I who had the most strawberries, marshmallows for MG and banana for my son.

Of course, a Baguio vacation is never complete without a visit to Cafe by the Ruins. We had our normal fill of Crispy Tapa and Pinikpikan. Btw, it now has a second floor or a loft.

Ruins Coffeee. This is a must to end a good meal.

Finally satisfied my craving for Chili with Rumpa’s Chili Willi in Angeles, Pampanga.

Rumpa serves good Mexican dishes such as this one below. Servings are huge, too. Do eat there when you’re in Clark or anywhere in Angeles City.

Happy new year, everyone. Happy eating and more good food and appetite in 2013.

****separate posts for each resto soon. I’ll have to finish Singapore and Boracay Eats first. My number one resolution this year is to minimize back logs. Here’s hoping to doing just that. =)

BAGUIO EATS:
Baguio Food Part 1
Baguio Food Part II

I didn’t know that Baguio City is one of the Philippines’ foodie havens.  The only provinces or tours I know that showcase local food and restaurants are Pampanga and Viaje Del Sol of Quezon  (these two are in the north as there are also Cebu and Bacolod in the south).  A weekend is not enough to cover the best of Baguio food and restaurants.  In our case, it took us 2 consecutive weekends to cover most of it.  Yep, we didn’t get to go to all of them.  We can if we wanted to but our stomachs couldn’t keep up with our mouths.  So we had to choose and I believe, we chose well.  But not well enough because we forgot all about The Hill Station.  Tsk Tsk.

Of course, a visit to Baguio is never complete without dining at Cafe By the Ruins.  And this time I had the courage to try the Pinikpikan which tasted great.  It’s very similar to Tinolang Manok but with that kind of rustic or native taste.  The chicken is a bit chewy, too.  Try it and get your own opinion. =)

Crispy Tapa @ Cafe By the Ruins

 Pinikpikan @ Cafe By the Ruins

 a closer look at the chicken…I don’t know if you can see the coagulated blood there.

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I had a hard time finding Rose Bowl the first weekend we were there. The reason was it already closed down and it’s relocated at General Luna Road. Best decision ever as parking along Session and Harrison roads is generally impossible.

 Hototay soup @ Rose Bowl

 Crispy Chicken for the little girl

 Chinese dishes like the basic Beef with Broccoli and Fish & Tofu in Taosi Sauce

 Rose Bowl, an institution in Baguio City

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Baguio City offers very affordable dining. When I say affordable, it’s eating out with a P500 budget already feeding 4 people. And you can do that at 50′s Diner and Good Taste. But mind you, the food may be cheap but they don’t scrimp on the ingredients nor taste.

 Chicken Sandwich at 50′s Diner. This is huge. The photo doesn’t do any justice in showing its enormity.

 Chicken Cordon Bleu with lots of cheese.

 Burger Steak Meal for 99pesos. Comes with 2 big burger patties, a side of vegetables and iced tea.

 Good Taste

 A must try is the Garlic Buttered Chicken and an order is less than 150 pesos.

 Of course, you’re in Baguio. Vegetables here are fresh so order Chopsuey.

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I read a couple of blogs recommending Wood Nymph when in Baguio and we were lucky that it was just a short walking distance from our hotel, as in a house away.

 Banchan. I love the Kamote Tops and the Bean Sprouts. The resto serves huge bean sprouts which is alien to me. But I liked it.

 This is also good. The noodles are firm and chewy and the sweet and salty combination is just right.

 Seafood Soup. I didn’t like this mainly because it had a whole fish in it. I was kinda expecting more clams, shrimps and other type of seafood. But if you like fish then you’ll love this dish.

More Baguio Food here.

Did I go strawberry picking last weekend?  Nope, but I did go to Baguio and savor food I could get my hands on.  And they were a lot.  So I must have gained a few more pounds over the weekend but who cares?!!!  I stopped caring the moment I discovered the joy of eating without guilt.  I’m telling you, it’s the best feeling in the world.  You get to eat your cake and enjoy it, too.  Or something like that.  The best part about the whole experience, aside from the rustic dining room tables and great coffee, is the cool weather. Every bite just seemed more pleasurable especially when you’re not sweating by the buckets.

Ernie’s Kamote Bread and Herb Cheese at Cafe by the Ruins

 Molo Soup at Cafe by the Ruins

 Spaghetti with Meatballs at Pizza Volante along Session Road

 Pizza Margarhite at Pizza Volante

 Watercress soup with Egg at Cafe Sabel, Bencab Museum

 Fresh Veggie Salad at Cafe Sabel, Bencab Museum

 Bencab’s Chicken Paprika at Cafe Sabel, Bencab Museum

 Dining with this magestic view of the mountains…