Restaurants: Mooon Cafe

Located at the heart of the Ayala Mall in Cebu City, Philippines, Mooon Cafe (Yes, with three O's) offers Mexican-Filipino dishes that would make you go "OOOh-la-la." Their menu consists of classic Mexican cuisines and refined Filipino dishes served by waiters and waitresses dressed up in traditional Mexican clothing. The ambiance is inviting, with orange lights surrounding the restaurant and large dining sets for those with big appetites. In addition, you get what you pay for: the quality of the food you're paying for is worth every coin you'll spend.

Please click the image to see full image

You have to be early though, because if not, you'll end up getting stuck in a long line other customers wanting to go to the Mooon.

* Price: A
* Serving: Medium
* Food: A
* Ambiance: A
* Service: B+ (the place gets too crowded sometimes)

Restaurants: Deco's

La Paz Batchoy is one of the the trademark, specialty dishes of La Paz, Iloilo. It has been commercialized by a few noodle companies but nothing truly beats the original. The true essence of Ilonggo Batchoy can be found here: Deco's.

Although the chain of batchoy stores has not reached the shores of Manila yet, it is a must-visit when you come to Iloilo. You cannot miss the taste of the noodles (called MEKE) with garlic, pork, liver, and chicharon, mixed together in one aromatic soup. Pair it with fresh pandesal or puto for an even more satisfying experience.

Each bowl of La Paz batchoy costs from Php45.00 to Php75.00. You can also order 4-pcs of puto for only Php20.00.

To satisfy your cravings visit any Deco's branches or call Deco's La Paz at 3201079

Restaurants: Allan's Talabahan

You can't leave the province of Iloilo if you haven't visited this place yet. Not only do they serve absolutely delicious and mouth-watering talaba, they sell it at a cheap price too!

Welcome to Allan's Talabahan in Oton, Iloilo City. They serve the biggest and juiciest oysters in town.

Here, you'll find that you just can't get enough of those oysters. You can also add other grilled dishes to complete your meal. They have the uber-tasty, grilled pantat (or hito in Tagalog, catfish in English). I don't know where they get their fish, but I'm grateful because the fish they serve is meaty and tasty to the bone. They also have the classic grilled liempo, chicken, BBQ, and other seafoods. You can never go wrong with the food they serve.

And more than that, you get super value for your money! The small bucket of talaba (oysters) only cost Php25.00. Beat that! And their oysters are HUGE! Here in Manila, you'll get it at around Php100.00 already. Imagine this: there were 7 of us, we ordered 7 buckets of talaba, 5 orders of liempo, 4 orders of pantat, 7 bottles of softdrinks. But we only paid a total of around Php800.00. Hah!

Allan's Talabahan is a bit far from the city proper, but I promise you, a few minutes of travel isn't enough for the satisfaction you'll get.

Nothing But Desserts

At the heart of Iloilo's sizzling night life is a shop where you can get all the sweets your teeth are craving for. After a night of partying, drinking, karaoke-ing, and food tripping, the perfect way to end the night is simply by having a taste of desserts at Nothing But Desserts.

They offer mousses, cakes, and trifles. All their desserts are prepared intricately and delicately, as if they were wonderful pieces of art. From chocolates to caramel, to coffee, to fruity cakes, they have it all. Prices for their cakes-in-a-glass (I like to call it this way because most of their signature cakes are served in a small glass) are at a standard Php110.00 -- Not bad for a fully-loaded sweet experience. They also have square cakes that range from Php 500.00 ++.

Nothing But Desserts is located at The Avenue, Smallville, Iloilo City. Oh I do hope they'll open one here in Manila real soon! If you happen to visit Iloilo, you MUST visit this place. =)

Iloilo: Angelicum Chapel @ Christmas

Each year, Angelicum chapel has one of the highest electricity bills come December. This is mainly because of the Christmas lights that they set up all over the Lezares Mansion inside the Angelicum campus in Iloilo City. For the residents, this has become an annual tradition, and most visitors who spend Christmas with them are given the chance to visit and marvel at this amazing showcase of lights.

Angelicum started this trend. Now, a lot of towns in Iloilo also adorn their parks and plaza's with lights. Pototan, for example, has their town plaza filled with different lights that wrap the trees and bushes. The Central Philippine University also followed Angelicum's trend and had their campus wrapped in lights.

If you're in Iloilo during the Christmas season, don't miss these spectacular lights.

Iloilo Resort: Isla Naburot

I've had the chance to visit this wonderful place a few years ago and there's no one word to describe it. It's magical, tranquil, home. My friends and I spent a few days on the island (thanks to Mike, grandson of the Alice Saldaña, the owner of the resort) and we were so lucky to see the island preserved of its beauty. Coral reefs kept the waters alive, the trees made the atmosphere so relaxing, and the food is simply to-die-for. I hope one day I can visit the place again.

This information is taken from their multiply site:

Isla Naburot is small islet just off the western coast of Guimaras island, just 50 minutes by pumpboat from Iloilo's Port San Pedro. The island's white beach is nestled between the mainland and the rest of the island, creating a natural cove. A coral reef is found just meters away from the shore, and when the tide is low, guests can walk around and wade in the surrounding waters, even cross over to the mainland.

The back side of the island, facing the open sea, is where the dock and the well-known "Balay ni Boy" is located. This house has been featured many times in magazines, tourism documentaries and even in commercials. The sunsets viewed from here are amazing.

When not swimming, snorkeling, boating, island-hopping or fishing, one can enjoy lazing on the beach, swinging from a hammock or feasting on the famous Guimaras mangoes. There are six cottages for couples or small families and a big house called the Balay Bato for the larger parties. The island's get-away-from-it-all ambiance is its main draw. No noise, no pollution, no stress, just nature in all her beauty, peace, rest and relaxation. The food here is also unforgettable. Just ask anyone who has visited us.

For inquiries or concerns, contact Isla Managerment at:
islanaburot@gmail.com
0918-9098500 (Dr. Theresa Saldaña Araneta)
Isla Naburot, Brgy. Sinapsapan, Guimaras

Restaurants: Krua Thai Cebu

One of the highlights of our trip to Cebu was the last dinner before leaving for Manila at Krua Thai. We got to experience Thailand food in the middle of Pinas, who'd have thought of that? I haven't seen the restaurant here in Manila yet, so I don't have any basis of comparison. But all in all, here are the things that amazed me about the Krua Thai:

1. Food = Yummy. You have got to try their Tom Yam soup for a spicy, tingly start
2. Restaurant ornaments: from the draperies, to the "big faces" hanging by the wall, to the jewel-studded classic images of Thailand.
3. Inverted umbrellas = one of a kind. The umbrellas hanging upside-down on the ceiling is a marvel to watch.
4. Eccentric Jars & glasses (goblets): The kind usually found in King Arthur movies or during the height of the Knights' reign. Very cool!

If you plan to go to Cebu, don't miss this. Krua Thai is at:
Unit K Crossroad Mall, Banilad, Cebu.
Tel No. : +63(32) 231-8338
Fax : +63(32) 231-8338

Cebu: Philippine Taoist Temple

If you're in Cebu, you have got to visit their Beverly Hills, home of the Philippine Taoist Temple. Upon reaching the temple, you will be mesmerized with the amazing view of Cebu City and be captivated by the windy, fresh atmosphere. The place is so peaceful and serene that you can't help but feel so holy every time you face the altar.

The Philippine Taoist temple has been one of the many tourist attractions in Cebu. They have a small version of what seems to be the Great Wall of China, and they also have this gigantic dragon structure where lots of visitors take their pictures.

Also don't miss the MA-CHO Temple... a temple for the macho-wannabes in the world, just like my boyfriend Marc hehe:

Restaurants: Kagura Cebu

If you're looking for a good Japanese restaurant in Cebu, then you can't miss Kagura at A.S.Fortuna St. Banilad, Mandaue City. The place itself is very nice, with bamboo floors and bamboo walls with kimonos hanging on the walls and traditional Japanese umbrellas adding a homey feel. You get to experience the Japanese way of eating while kneeling (seiza), but for people who aren't used to this, you can just sit in whatever manner you want to. So take off your shoes, slip on those sandals (provided by the restaurant) and find a comfy place to sit and enjoy your meal.

Expect to be served with great authentic Japanese food served in bento boxes with matching chop-sticks. Best of all, they serve a WIDE variety of Japanese meals, not just the usual maki/sushi/tempura/rice toppings that *some* Japanese restaurants offer. They also serve Sake (Japanese rice wine) for those who are curious as to how it tastes. All in all, you'll really feel as if you were in Japan.

Unfortunately, when we went there, there was a rodent patrolling the place hahaha. But we were already in bliss after having finished our meal when we found that out so we didn't really mind. Hopefully, the restaurant team does something about it or else their sales will greatly be affected.

So if you're looking for a taste of Japan in Cebu, don't ever miss Kagura.