Being a foodie is a cultural appreciation.  But, my cultural appreciation is not limited to food.  I'd like to believe my family is the same which is why I am very grateful that we all got to Batad in the Ifugao Region.  We stayed at Batad View Inn and Restaurant which we found on the interested where we had numerous meals which I can now share with you. 


The reviews we read about this place were mostly made by foreigners.  During our entire stay, we were also in the company of foreigners.  Isn't it ironic that they got to visit this place before most Filipinos?  


The view and Ifugao vibe is priceless. 


I enjoyed dining here when I was restless from trekking and even so after a comfortable rest.  To breathe and feel the fresh cool air has become a rarity for me. 


Although there has been some influene of mcivilization , I still find that they have their own identity.

Food

Breakfast

Batad Specialty

Longsilog with Coffee or Tea (165 php)

I was expecting food to be a bit ethnic like the Pinikpikan and such that we encountered in Baguio.  But, the food is pretty much the same as here in Manila.  The server highly recommended the Batad Specialty Longsilog as something we should try.  She told us that it is different from Ilocos and Baguio but as far as I can tell it was not significantly distinguihsable.  Here in the Philippines, it seems every household has their own blend of longganisa right?

Chicken and Pork (With Rice)

♥ Fried Pork Chop (175 php or 3.25 USD)

If there's one thing we went crazy over its the Fried Pork Chop!  This is so good that we ordered this as much as we can - breakfast, lunch and dinner for days!

♥ Fried Pork Chop (175 php or 3.25 USD)

Sometimes, we even order extra  Fried Pork Chop ala carte!  But, there was one time where it was cooked by someone else.  We got so disappointed because the taste and texture was different.  I hope they can keep this consistent cause it is the best home made pork chop we've tried!

Fried Chiken (175 php or 3.25 USD)

Compared to the Fried Pork Chop, the Fried Chicken seemed like a failed mimicry. 

Curry (175 php or 3.25 USD)

Nothing particularly noteworthy with the Curry.

Spicy  (175 php or 3.25 USD), Tinola  (175 php or 3.25 USD), Pork Chopsuey  (175 php or 3.25 USD), and Ham & Chesse Omellete (100 php)

As you can see, the dishes looks like a typical FIlipino home-made meal. The Spicy is just a spicy version of curry. 


Rice here is very sacred so they can't stand even a grain being wasted.  Aside from being brought down sack by sack placed on their backs, we were also shown and taught how this was meticulously processed.

Ginger Tea (50 php)

The coffee and tea here is instant.  But, with the atmosphere, you'd still want to have some as  often as you can.

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
It takes more than 10 hours and hundreds of trekking steps to reach Batad View Inn and Restaurant  from Manila.  Yet, for its breath-taking rice terrace view, fresh dewy cool air and addictive home-made pork chop, I would definitely want to go back here.  I found the expensive pricing of the dishes to be well-substantie by the labor it requires for them to to carry the ingredients through  a long trek.   Let's support our ethnic "katutubo" (tribes) guys.  Please visit this place! 

Tip: To find this place, contact them prior so they will meet you in Banaue and trek with you.  (Cellphone signal is not so good so expect delays in communication)

It is part of Filipino culture to make a stop from churches and religious shrines.  Located on the way to the National Shrine of Mount Samat is Ima Flora's Pamangan. 


Ima Flora's Pamangan is a huge eatery that offers an unbelieavably affordable buffet for 200 php and ala carte budget meals ranging from 70 php to 400 php.


The dishes it serves are popular Filipino home dishes.

It offers a refreshing wooden cabin ambiance. 


Buffet (200 php)
We opted for the buffet because it is a steal deal!  Look at all the dish options for only 200 php!


These are replenished quite often.


Among the dishes I enjoyed the most are: ♥ Crispy Talangka, ♥ Langka, ♥ Green Mango Salad, and ♥ Sweetened Cassava.


Big groups are very welcome here as it has really long tables.


You can see different kinds of people dining here from families to friends, bikers and both locals and tourists alike.  Did I mention, it also offers free WiFi?

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Before or after heading of to the National Shrine of Mount Samat, make a meal stopover for Ima Flora's Pamangan.  You won't regret it!  It also has a pasalubong store which I found to be convenient.

Saverde is not located on a famous mall or at a main stream corner lot.  In fact, it is found in a conspicuous alley. 

Yet, it is full even on a typical weekday.

It may not look much from the outside, but you'll find it cozy once you step in.


Saverde has a lot of options from food to drinks.  I noticed most customers already know what to order so they could probably tell that we were tourists as we took a lot of time in deciding what to order.  What shocked us was the unbelievably cheap pricing!

If you're a fan of nighttime al fresco, don't you agree this is a decent spot?  It's not as popular as the air-conditioned areas though.

Saverde also has this pink hue function room.

Food

Buttermilk Toast (20 php)

When I first saw this, what I thought was.  Why don't they raise the price?  Are they even earning?  If I ordered a toast like this in any cafe in Manila it would surely be over a 100 php.  Believe me this
Buttermilk Toast is as good as it looks!  I am so willing to pay much more for it.  

Beef Tapa (75 php)

My favorite Filipino breakfast is actually Tapa.  I have a narrow preference when it comes to tapa.  Believe it or not, I am one of the few who did not fall in love with the tapa of famous Tapa chains like Tapa King and Rufo's.  But, I loved Saverde's Beef Tapa.  It looks so gourmet yet check out the price and you'll surely be surprised!

Chicken in a Basket (130 php)

The Chicken in a Basket is a great dish to order for sharing.  Because of the cozy ambiance, I'm sure you and you're companions would want to stay a bit longer.  You can munch on this to enjoy your stay even more.

Ice Blends

Iced Cafe Latte (60 php)

This is by far the cheapest coffee drink I have ever encountered!  I found it to be a bit sweet for my taste because I'm a black coffee drinker but my companions loved this!  Plus points for presentation too right?

♥ Mango Burst (60 php)

For a hot summer day, I can't help but be pleased by the refreshing Saverde  Mango Burst upon first sip!  I truly enjoyed this that I would order this over coffee drinks. 

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Saverde Coffee Shop reminds us that there are so many homegrown industries out there that deserve to be discovered! When visiting Bataan, check out Saverde Coffee Shop - Bataan's Leading Homegrown Coffee Shop in Abucay, Bataan.

If you've been to Hongkong, I'm certain you've encountered Hui Lau Shan 许留山!  It's so famous that you'll find in almost everywhere especially the busy districts. 


I was lucky to be invited for a sneak peek prior to its opening.  I'm sharing here what I had then.  I'm aiming to go back soon to try more!!!

Food

Handmade Mango Desserts

Mango Romance (170 php)

The Mango Romance is Hui Lau Shan's world-famous set because as you can see, it seems like an ideal sampler to order.   You get three desserts in one plate: (1) Mango Chewy Ball (2) Mango Crystal Jelly (3) Mango Mochi.  All of them are equally good!  I noticed the pricing here is cheaper than in Hongkong perhaps because their mangoes are sourced here in the Philippines.  Lucky us!!!

Handmade Snacks

Mango Mochi (90 php/3 pcs)

Mango Pancake (140 php)

The first time I've tried a Mango Pancake was in HK 88 Dessert in 999 Shopping Mall Food Court back in 2012.  Unfortunately, it closed down and I haven't had one since.  While I loved the Mango Pancake upon first try, I never thought that it could be as good as how Hui Lau Shan made it out to be.   The pancake had such a light and velvety texture that was well-complimented by the light and fluffy cream-filling and refreshingly sweet and tangy mango.

Drinks

Mango & Coconut 

Mango & Coconut Juice with Red Bean (110 php/18 oz)

When it comes to coconut juice desserts, I can only think of Buko Bar and Haokang Hongkong Desserts who offer the same.  While I am also still a fan of Hao Kang, I would say that this Mango & Coconut Juice with Red Bean is just as good.  Both of them offer them at subtle sweetness.  I think some would prefer this to be sweeter though.


My companions had these... I will try these out soon!


Hui Lau Shan 许留山 also offers desserts as take away!  I will buy some of these on my next visit for the family!

Welcome to the Philippines Hui Lau Shan 许留山!  I hope you can be consistent with the sweetness and pricing cause I will surely keep coming back for more!