San Fernando, La Union is one of the most progressive urbanized city in North Luzon.  Hence, you can find modern restaurants all over the place.


Krabous is one of the low-key restaurants.  It is even located at the second floor of a building.  Thus, no visible store front.


 
It's quite impressive that we even found this place. 

Despite being far from the beach side, the decorations made us feel it was just nearby...


The place was really designed to entice our appetites for seafood and also to offer the convenience eat them with our hands as there was a washing area.

Food 

We availed of the Unlimited Crab & Shrimp buffet for 599 php.  To our surprise, it offered more than that. 


Aside from various types of crab and shrimp dishes, there are also other seafood.  For soup there was Sinigang na Salmon.


As you can see, the dishes are bountiful even though it was not packed with customers.


Since we're not crab experts, we couldn't identify which crab specie this is. 

But, it was so thin and you could hardly get some tasty crab meat. 


Perhaps, if we didn't see these bigger Mud Crab separately sold by the weight, we'd be content with what we had. 


Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
If you're looking to filling your hunger with seafood then you can try Krabous Seafood Restaurant.  But, if you're palette is more inclined to flavorful pleasures, there are a lot choices within the same price point. 

Prime Facie are Latin words which we usually encounter in law.  Who would have thought that it would be a name of a modern-day speakeasy bar? 



With it's hidden nature, comes exclusivity.  While Vitto's Wine Bar and Restaurant was packed, bright and loud during our night of visit, Prima Facie was barely occupied.  


Aside from our long table of 20 which our host reserved for a consumable amount (which he didn't reveal), there was only one couple by the bar.




Food
Prima Facie shares the same food menu as Vitto's.

Soups & Salad

Truffle Soup (230 php)

Who would have thought that we would encounter a Truffle Soup could be difficult to finish?  This Truffle Soup is based on a very thick cream such that would lump into the spoon.  With just a few lumps, you'll feel too overwhelmed to even continue.     


Main Course

Chicken in a Basket (550 php)

Seafood Paella (960 php)

The Seafood Paella was very flavorful.  The precision in the cooking time is evident and prima facie here.  Each ingredient was succulent.


Pizza

Scallop Pizza (520 php)

Everyone loved the Scallop Pizza.  The toppings worked harmoniously together.

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Prima Facie is a great speakeasy bar with good food and tranquility for intimate conversations.  The price is quite reasonable too.  It also has a huge selection of wines and cocktails.

Specialty Side Dishes

Rice Ball, Tteok-Bokki, Jap-chae and assorted Ban Chan

Seafood Jeon

 
The key to a quality grilled meat is to make use of charcoal. 

Beef Belly and Doenjang Beef Belly

♥ Cream Cheese and Mozarella Dip

It even has the unlimited cheese dip.

♥ Cream Cheese and Mozarella Dip

♥ Charcoal Grilled Egg

When all the meat and cheesiness gets overbearing, this charcoal grilled egg will refresh your palate.  This is unlimited too.

Samgyupsal Wraps

 You can also ask for a refill of the fresh lettuce and sliced garlic.

Doenjang Beef Belly Cuts

We enjoyed grilling so much, we didn't even notice the grill plate being all burnt. 

Daepae Samgyupsal

But, the server noticed it and asked our permission to change it into a clean one.

♥ Samgyupsal

The servers are so attentive and well-trained.

They even have a grilling plate tray ready to replace burnt grilled plates anytime. 

Drinks
Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
CCYG Chung Choon Yeon Ga (청춘연가) definitely has what it takes to be the leading Korean BBQ chain in South Korea and even here in Manila too.  We're eager to see how prominent it can go.

 

Food

Purple Yam Hokkaido Cake (250 php)

Purple Yam Hokkaido Cake  (250 php)

Although I like purple yam, I do agree that this Purple Yam Hokkaido Cake is quite rich and dense.  It is difficult to finish despite us having this for sharing.  I like the crumby part though.   

Organic Carrot Cake (200 php)

The Organic Carrot Cake is an interesting option.  Plus points on the organic carrot idea.  But, to be honest, this received more love than the Purple Yam Hokkaido Cake whether or not the carrots were organic.  It was the perfect pair for our coffee and tea orders. 

Matcha Green Tea Latte (190  php)

The Matcha Green Tea Latte makes use of Jasmine tea as base instead of the usual water.  Thus, every sip has a fragrant aftertaste of jasmine that distinguishes itself from the Matcha.  Whether you find that harmonious or of contrast depends on preference.  Personally, it was fine with me.

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict

Our food stop at Natalna Grille is brought about by the extensive research and planning of my very dependable work senior. 



We all love surprises so no one really bothered to check the place out beforehand.  So we had no clue on what was waiting for us beyond this small gate. 

 
Outside the sun was harsh.  Stepping inside into its spacious and well-decorated dining area gave us instant comfort.  





The table wares were already set up upon our arrival.


The beach was not as scenic as those you can expect from a beach resorts.  But, we could still enjoy the fresh sea breeze and hear the enchanting waves.

If you listen closely to the sound of the waves, you'll discover that the pattern of the waves of every beach is different and unique.  That alone offers a unique experience each time.

Food

Appetizers

♥ Calamares (150 php)

There's no gathering where the Calamares with spicy vinegar dip isn't welcomed. Hence, it was the perfect choice for our starter.

Soup

♥ Sinigang Bangus Belly (225 php)

Grilled Seafoods

♥ Tuna Belly (195 php)

When by the sea, its only natural to order fish so we ordered Tuna Belly.  The Tuna Belly is so tender and tasty.  Wishing this was bigger in portion! 


Grilled Pork

Pulpog (170 php)

Since we came all the way from Manila to La Union, we were eager to order its local dishes like the Pulpog.   The Pulpog is pork belly grilled over charcoal so it carried a smoky and bitterish flavor. 

♥ Dinakdakan (170 php)

Dinakdakan is an exotic dish of the Ilocos Region which uses boiled then charcoal grilled parts of a pig's face or "mascara" and liver .   This one is authentic version which makes use of the pigs brain that gives off a distinct sour taste that blends well with the calamansi dressing.


Grilled Beef

Lengua with Brown Sauce (225 php)

The Lengua with Brown Sauce is lengua with not-so-creamy gravy.  As you can see, the gravy appears in jelly like chunks.

Vegetables

Pinakbet (195 php)

The Pinakbet is tomato-based with a hint of shrimp paste.  The vegetables used were all fresh and cooked with crunchiness.


Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
We're glad to discover and share that Natalna Grille offers a very relaxing beach front dining experience by serving homey local dishes.