Several years back, I recall a foreigner's plan for his restaurant in the Philippines. He was going to cater only to the foreign crowd and he just knew they would pack out his restaurant morning, noon and night. It didn't happen and not even close. He lost many Filipino customers, who would come in, sit down, read the menu and then leave without ordering. The restaurant was … [Read more...]
Fatboys, Fatboys, Whatcha Gonna Do?
I am not an official Bacolod Restaurant Reviewer but I enjoy passing on information to other foreigners when I find a gem. My family and I very recently discovered a gem while dining out for lunch. Fatboys Restaurant, across from the Triangle in the Chinatown section of Bacolod City known as Shopping. If I go to a restaurant and it is not worth a crap, I don't pass that … [Read more...]
What’s The Latest Balita?
There are always many interesting things going on in the Philippines and there is never a dull moment around my house or in Negros Occidental! October 16-20 kicks off the Main Events and the last weekend of the annual MassKara Festival in Bacolod, The City of Smiles. MassKara is the Bacolod version of Mardi Gras and Carnival, only without the public nudity. The next election … [Read more...]
Where’s The Beef?
One of the burning questions among foreigners who are visiting the Philippines for the first time and among those who are actually retiring to the Philippines is about food. Food is indeed an international language, as everyone has to eat to remain healthy! Most people I know, Filipinos and foreigners alike, enjoy eating delicious food. I am not an exception! Even though I … [Read more...]
Pleased to Meet You
I have learned over the past 28 years that expats living in the Philippines all have different agendas and needs. We cannot all be put together in one painting and be painted with the same wide brush! We are all unique individuals and I never met anyone exactly like me. Some expats have the need to get together with other expats several times every week to be happy living in … [Read more...]
Mooon Cafe Is Nuevo Wavo
Mooon Cafe is among the Nuevo Wavo or New Wave brand of restaurants that are turning out quality Mexican style food at affordable prices in the Bacolod Area of the Philippines. I also like to refer to Mooon Cafe as a fusion restaurant, incorporating Southwestern, Tex-Mex and South of the Border recipes with local Filipino cuisine favorites. While not commercially geared toward … [Read more...]
Shanghaied Into Chow King Philippines
After living 9 years in the area of Hong Kong and mainland China before retiring to the Philippines, I made the statement that I would not be eating Chinese food ever again! Been there, done that too many times and I didn't want to do it again. However, I was not thinking clearly when I made that statement. Filipino cuisine is influenced by Chinese cuisine in a big way! I knew … [Read more...]
Confessions From A Jollibee Tagalog Speaker
Garlic Bangus, Longganisa, and Palabok Fiesta. Those are a few of the Tagalog dishes on the menu at Jollibee Restaurant, which is a Filipino icon at home and abroad. Those Tagalog dishes are fried milk fish with garlic, Filipino style sausage and rice flour noodles with crab or fish sauce and garnished with small shrimp, ground pork skins, hard boiled eggs and chopped spring … [Read more...]
Philippine Foodie Scene Looks Good
The foodie scene in the Philippines is not bleak, as the Philippines is much more than only fish and rice these days. More and more Filipinos are enjoying food that was previously looked upon as foreign food. The vast majority of the new restaurants that have opened over the past 12 months in Bacolod City, where I live, are not serving Filipino Cuisine exclusively. An expat … [Read more...]