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. 

We're very fortunate to have a healthy food scene in the Philippines.   Even cafes like Little Owl Cafe update their menu from time to time.

I've previously shared about this place so I'll skip the intro and get on with the food.  The service was better and the food was served with not much idle time to spare.

All Star Breakfast

Omelette Chorizo Rice (270 php)

Don't you agree that the Omelette Chorizo Rice takes the semblance of the Japanese Omurice dish?  Taste-wise, it is very different.  The glaced sauce and savory chorizo is specially chosen to appeal to the Filipino tastebuds. 

Starter

Sisig Tacos (220 php)

I must say that this is not the first time that I've encountered a fusion dish like this.  What I like about Little Owl's  Sisig Tacos is the harmonious ingredients.  However, I felt that the shell isn't at par with my standards for soft shell tacos. 

Glazed Cauliflower (220 php)

It's amazing to see everyone addictively popping vegetables into their mouths because of the Glazed Cauliflower.  The flavor and texture is perfect that even the pickiest kids will eat this for sure!

Lechon Kawali Bibimbap (320 php)

Chicken Satay (350 php)

Chicken & Waffle (270 php)

Beef Tapa & Cheese (295 php)

Pastas

Truffle Mushroom (350 php)

When presented with a glorious pasta dish like the Truffle Mushroom, how can I not oblige myself? 
I loved this to bits!

Shrimp & Aligue (350 php)

Forget about the cholesterol because the Shrimp & Aligue will completely woo your taste buds. 


Mains

Beef Rendang (420 php)

With some staple, the tender and supremely succulent Beef Rendang is an excellent choice when you're craving for a Malaysian spiced dish. 

Kimchi Salmon Sinigang (420 php)

If you're looking for a unique and unforgettable new dish to try, then go for the Kimchi Salmon Sinigang.  This is a really ingenuous!



I am very much impressed with the menu update!  A perfect execution for Little Owl Cafe!  My primary visit here would always be for the Toby's Estate Coffee.  Now, I would certainly order good food to go with it. 

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There's also lovely melodies being played.  And, we were so fortunate to be seated right next to it.  

Which reminds me... When I was a child, piano was my favorite instrument.  I was never fond of dolls.  All the time, I brought my piano toy with me.  I wonder why I gave up on that interest on playing the piano.  But, I still get goosebumps whenever I hear a beautiful piano melody though.  

Food

Soup

Vegetable Sinigang na Miso (225 php)

The Vegetable Sinigang na Miso wasn't as sour as I hoped.  I wished they had a level option. 
Meat

Kare-Kare ni Juanita (655 php)

The Kare-Kare ni Juanita has a sweet note on top of the usual subtle peanut-butter hinted kare-kare blend.  It reminds me of our local Filipino peanut butters that are sweet.  Yum!!!

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Cafe Juanita has a timeless enchanting atmosphere unlike any other.  I bet its effect will always be as mesmerising even with multiple visits.  I highly recommend this place.

When my mom's best friend came home from the US, I recommended that they dine at Apag Marangle Kapamangan Restaurant.  We've been meaning to dine at their Pampanga branch but could no longer find a consolidated time given our work.  Mom loved it so much and she wanted to try more of their dishes so she decided that we celebrate her birthday there. 

So that Sunday, we made reservations.  

Only to find the place barely empty on a Sunday night.  We reserved the entire mezzanine area which has the best ambiance.  It has kawayan tables and benches with a fish pond.

Look at how huge their menu is.  It takes the form of a giant leaf.  There are so many options.  Although we are a group of almost 30, we couldn't try them all and we had a lot of left overs.

Although Apag Marangle is found at the heart of Makati specifically at Park Square, their interiors and dish presentation will make you feel like your having a native-style salu-salo in Pampanga or some provincial area.

Pulutan

♥ Chili Garlic Camaru (185 php)

My cousins wanted to try the exotic dish of Chili Garlic Camaru.  It was dominantly garlicky so you really can't tell that you're eating insects.  This was passed in between tables several times before we finished this though.  Some are not daring enough to try.
 
Seafoods

Ningnang Pusit

Among all our orders, the Ningnang Pusit did not make a lasting impression because it is simply grilled squid.


Nasi (Rice)

♥ Nasi Marangle (275 php)

Although we ordered the Nasi Marangle as staple, as you can see it already has enough viands to consider as a meal in itself.  I'm not sure if its just our Ilocano roots but we loved this very much since it's similar to the Ilocano dish pinakbet with the addition of rice.

Tabang Talangka (175 php)

The boys opted for the Tabang Talangka.  I think they had to burn this off at the gym later on.

Manuk (Chicken)

♥ Pepalukluk Manuk (415 php)

According to my aunt, there's a similar Ilocano dish that looks like this which my Angkong used to cook.  Since we never got to try it, the Pepalukluk Manuk is the closest that we will get to try.  It is very light tasting on its on so have it with the bagoong or vinegar sauce.

♥ Kalderetang Bibe (415 php)

The Kalderetang Bibe is so good!  This is one of the dishes that was first to be emptied.


Sabo (Soup)

Suam Mais (220 php)

The Suam Mais reminds me of sweet corn in soup form.  At first, it was comforting but I couldn't the cup.

♥ Bulalo (545 php)

The Bulalo is a classic and it wins over the other soups we ordered.

♥ Bulalo (545 php)

 The price is just right given the amount of meat.

♥ Sigang King Kamias Bangus (320 php)

We also loved the Sigang King Kamias Bangus.

Pagmayumu (Desserts)

♥ Meyumuang Kamuti (135 php)

The oldies ordered the Meyumuang Kamuti.  It was surprisingly good that even though we were all full from our overwhelming amount of orders, we found this pleasurable to eat.

Leche Flan (Big) (175 php)

The Leche Flan is delicious but nothing extraordinary.

♥ Ebun Malat Ice Cream (65 php)

Our top pick for dessert is the Ebun Malat Ice Cream.  I did not really dive into the salted egg craze despite receiving so many salted egg chips as gifts but one spoonful of this boy this is Ebun Malat Ice Cream and I'm a fan.

Inuman

Buko-Pandan Juice (70 php) and Lemon Grass Tea (70 php)

For drinks, any of the choices are good.

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
I highly recommend Apag Marangle especially for Balikbayans and foreigners who want to experience native Kapamapangan cuisine including exotic ones.  The pricing is reasonable and the ambiance and service is nice.  The serving size is good for sharing so the bigger the company, the better.  For us, this seems to be an under-rated establishment.