CWY Roasts The Entire Fish

Not quite certain if  the title is the actual name of the restaurant (because it sounded so literal), but if it really was then they seriously know how to roast a fish right up to the bones. We got introduce with this humble restaurant by our dear Chinese friend Max out of asking if we have tried the famous “baked fish” in Dalian. Being the curious food adventurous couple we are, told him I think we have tried such dish once when hubby and I went to Beijing last April. But our friend anxiously convinced us that this dish is different and no one else can bake anything like it in Dalian, unless if I will visit Sichuan province to taste the original ones. Carried away by his strong words, we just said to him  2 words – surprise us!

Roasted Catfish

Hapi T’yan at Hap Chan

It was father’s day, enough reason to treat our loving dad out for dinner. This time I took all the liberty on choosing and reserving a place for us. We wanted somewhere near, nice and a resto to simply pig out – yes we don’t diet :p Then I remembered the name Hap Chan.

It wasn’t my first time to eat at Hap Chan,  first visit was weeks ago at their McKinley Hill Taguig branch with some office mates and all I can remember is I had this big burp and a happy face when I stepped out. Now it had me thinking, hoping that there’s Hap Chan in Alabang  so i goggled up and eureka! there’s one located in Filinvest (one answered prayer)

its interior boasts with high well-lighted ceilings

I have to say going there was pretty easy, while cruising down Commerce Avenue the road which leads you straight after Filinvest tollgate exit, surely you can’t miss a big flashy red signage of its name hanging vividly along the avenue.. so easy to spot! Though parking could be a headache, good thing there’s a parking area located just beside the building which would only take you 2 minutes of walking to and from the restaurant.

The interiors were lovely.  High ceilings and well-lighted lights illuminates the area complimented with dark red sofas, wooden touches of chairs, tables and wall cabinets – so modern-ish, perfect for family dining experience. One thing also their reservation didn’t disappoint me at all once we arrived we were humbly greeted, led immediately to our table and served us with tea. You should have seen how my sister’s eye lighted up when she realized that the tea was free and unlimited.

As expected food was so delish! We enjoyed every part of it.

The Eight Treasure Soup  P160 regular size, good for 3-5 persons

Yangchow Rice P199

Crispy Canton, P240

 

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. All is based from author’s own experience, thoughts, resources and means. Information and reviews provided are for general public purposes only.

Travelogue: Bohol Diaries Day 2 – Part 3 Chocolate Hills, Butterfly Garden, Peanut Kisses hunting, Coco Vida & party craze at Oops Bar

After we passed through the winding forest-y road of Bilar, we were led to a town called Carmen home of the Bohol’s scenic yet so famous tourist spot – the Chocolate Hills. At a distance it was already a spectacular view which looked like little sweet Hershey kisses which fell from the skies. And as you go towards it – you will be more amazed.

A perfect view of the hills from the dock.

Tip: Going to the very top of viewer’s deck has 2 entry points. First is by a winding inclined pathway located in the left most part entrance of  the view site. The other one is n the right side which basically has narrow steep cemented stairs. I recommend that you try them both so you can get the full view from each sides.

Lush green trees grew at the foot hill. During rainy months, the hills will look more lively since it is bursting with different green hues.

This is how it looks when a hill was forcefully burned. Boholanos normally do this process to avoid a possibility of immense uncontrollable forest fire especially during summer months.

Next stop was the Butterfly Garden in the town of Guadalupe. The garden is very pretty and humid perfect habitat of different butterfly species. Butterflies normally roam around the garden, so it will always be exciting  catching up with them. We didn’t spend a long time in the garden as we need to head back to Bilar to see the hanging bridge. Sad to say I didn’t have any pictures to show you since I’m not good dealing with heights.

Colorful butterflies fly freely in the garden. If you will be quiet enough with your steps you might be able to picture them.

Butterflies hang in plants.

Brown butterflies sitting on a leaf.

Now as we are approaching on the last league of our tour, we headed back to Tagbilaran to buy one of Bohol’s famous delicacies – Peanut Kisses!

This is shape simalar with the Hershey's but as locals say it is basically shaped to signify Bohol's aging treasure - the Chocolate Hills.

Tip: Go to any marketplace in Tagbilaran so that you can buy the peanut kisses in a cheaper price. I remember paying P45 only for 200 grams, plus you can get a good discount is you buy in great quantity. As for souvenir t-shirts and key chains head back to the stalls near the Blood Compact site. They are way more cheaper compare to any souvenir shops in Tagbilaran.

As the sun sets we headed back to Panglao. But our last day didn’t end without having a fantastic dinner and party craze at the shores of Alona. So after we rested and kept ourselves refreshed, we immediately looked for a cozy fun ambiance along the sandy stretch of Alona – and there we found Coco Vida Bar.

Open air breeze in Coco Vida is a just romantic, perfect for intimate dinner.

Dinner was nice – really nice compare to any restaurants in Alona we have already eaten before. Most dishes that they serve are Intercontinental from burger, pastas, salads, steaks down to finger picking foods like calamares and fries. The greatest thing with Coco Vida is not only they serve in huge amount – yes it means sulit on what you pay but the food is totally deliciouso!

Opps Bar at night.

And to totally enjoy the night, we decided to hit Opps Bar which is few meters away from Coco Vida. At 9pm, the bar was just filled with few happy giggling customers – all relaxing, chit-chatting and having their drinks. But as soon as people were piling up on each non-occupied tables and music tend to change from old school trance to r&b party hit songs – it was definitely a sign that one hell of a party is about to start. And it was!

Laser lights probing around the shores together with a hype vibe music

Tip: If you are the type of traveler that seeks happiness on wild craze parties then I recommend you to stay along Alona strip as most of nightlife scenes can be found. But if you prefer serenity then Dumaluan is perfect for you. Remember that it will take you more than 30mins to travel from one place to another and take consideration on the availability of basic transportation mode of Panglao – so its really hard to be in a place that you wont enjoy.

Always and ever present, a bottle of SMB

Sex on the Beach cocktail

Blue Lagoon cocktail

I could not count how many cocktails I had, even the rhum-cola drinks. Yes I totally soaked myself on that drink – why? Because it tasted like a sago, yummy! Opps Bar is totally the place to be if you want to chillax with your friends and dance the night away, so perfect for die hard party goers. Now who would have thought Panglao was once a quiet place, free from night life – not anymore especially if you are in Alona

Travelogue: Bohol Diaries Day 2 – Part 1 Trudi’s Place, Hinagdanan Cave, Blood Compact Site & Baclayon Church

One way to explore Bohol is by doing a country-side tour. Doing so allows you to experience remarkable and notable sites that Bohol got to offer. Generally this kind of tours are offered in most hotels and resorts all over Bohol, but if you want to save up you may hire a tricycle to do the tour for you. But as for us we have settled what Paragayo had offered.

So the tour lasted more than 8 hours, starting as early as 9am and ended minutes after the sun sets as I remembered. But before we hit the road we satisfied our hungry big stomachs at Trudi’s Place. Trudi’s Place is just 2-3 minutes away from where we stay, located right along Alona Beach which is really really perfect for breezy morning beach view. Food is usual nothing fancy at all, most of it are in combo-set which varies from all Filipino, American to Intercontinental meals. Cheapest is roughly at P75 and can go high as P150. Staffs were trained to be neutral, sometimes they take the effort to smile, be polite and accommodating but sometimes not.  If you are in a budget then Trudi’s is the place for you, but if you want to have more than the usual on food then you might be needing to walk somewhere else.

Plain Pancakes with Honey Syrup

Chocolate Pancakes

And so we started our country-side tour by first visiting Hinagdanan Cave. The site is located in the Northern part of Panglao, 15-20 mins drive from the resort.  Its a natural lighted cavern filled with stalagmites and stalactites. Sunlight passes through big and small holes inside the cave which allows birds as well to nest on high edgy rocks.  As we were told by one of the cave’s attendants, it is strictly prohibited to hunt and harvest the bird’s nest since Hinagdanan is considered as a bird sanctuary. Well it’s sure not bad to taste some Nido’s soup.

Hinagdanan Cave as light passes through the holes giving natural light

cave's high ceilings with many large stalactites

Next on the list was the Blood Compact Site and this time we went out of Panglao. Strategically speaking the site is located along the road going to the Northern part of Bohol. It was said that the area might not be the exact site where Datu Sikatuna and Legazpi made a friendship pact, but at least it is somehow closer from the original site. Until now the pact between the Spaniards and Boholano’s is being celebrated in Bohol, known as the Sandugo (One Blood) Festival where the town hosts dances, sport events, beauty pageants, community fairs and reenactment  to commemorate the pact that held 2 different nationalities into one.

Blood Compact Site commemorates the friendship pact between Spaniards and Boholano's

The view at the Blood Compact Site, just cant resist to take a picture of it.

Since our way is going to the Northern part, we headed straight to the famous tourist site – the Baclayon Church. Built in the late 15th century, Baclayon is considered as one of the oldest Catholic church in the Philippines.  The entire church was built out of coral stones which were skillfully cut, erected and arranged as bricks .  To be honest I was completely bedazzled when I walk through the church’s main altar. The natural lights created from the reflection of the glass windows and sun’s ray captured my heart as I deeply felt God’s presence in the place. It felt warm, silent and so secure when I sit and walk through the stoned cold walls. Though the whole place can be physically old, Baclayon stands out to be the most beautiful piece that both man and God ever created in Bohol. Definitely a must to see!

Baclayon Church on side view. Most of the stones errected are the original ones that were built in the late 15th century

Baclayon Church in the inside. Sunlight passes through the glass windows creating a more of holistic ambiance inside.

The inside of the church is a real reflection on how old Baclayon really is.

A Veneto Pizzeria Ristorante

Been there twice already and I would say that the food never fails to impress me. But one thing I noticed is that customer service never changed – its has been sloppy and mediocre on my perspective. We were asked to change tables twice thinking that I have called up for  reservation of 6pax 3 hours before dining time and the only reason they can say to me, well the other customers got in first. Staffs wont even smile back nor give a bright aura to offer comfortable homey feeling on customers.

Though the food was served not that long, somehow they made sure it was well cooked and hot. The food was yummy and the Italian taste is very much transparent in each dishes. A Veneto offers a wide array of choices on pasta with base selections of Marinara, Oil and Garlic , Nut Pesto and White sauces.  Toppings vary on chicken, sausages, meatballs, veggies like eggplant and seafood.  What I ultimately liked with A Veneto is that they serve big portions – 1 pasta plate is good enough for 2 persons and the large pizza which is 16inch diameter with 8 slices.

Lasagna Pasta for P260

Seafood Pasta Parmigiana for P250

Carbonara Pasta with Chicken for P285

Bacon Cheeseburger Pie for P420

Overall A Veneto is a great option when you have large group of  gathering on a tight budget. Prices are generously cheap and affordable in contrast with the large servings of each dishes. Ambiance is vintagy and rustic which I find it cool and fun. So if you want a nice itallian resto which can be seemingly cheap, A Veneto is a great choice.

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. All is based from author’s own experience, thoughts, resources and means. Information and reviews provided are for general public purposes only.