FOODIE THOUGHTS: Breakthrough Restaurant (Iloilo)

Hmmm..I've had 1 lunch and, maybe, 3 or 4 dinner meals here already but this is the second time only that I've really appreciated this place for their food. Why? Because I'm not such a big fan before of seafood especially those that I have to remove shells. Bottom line, I just don't like getting messy with my hands, that's it.

But I've already had a change of heart, as we grow older, these are foods that makes you want for more as they are much healthier to eat. Still a bit rich but better than pork or beef.

Last August, a group of us who went to Iloilo for a leisure trip and one thing that was definitely set in the itinerary was to go here at Breakthrough Restaurant. A must. And we did, for dinner. We rode a cab coming from our hotel in Jalandoni St. and it just cost us around 120-130pesos only.

The place was not jampacked as it was already 8pm, and a good lot of the diners has already filed out of the place, fully satisfied, I presume.

So here goes our dining choices:

Chow time!

Buttered Garlic Scallops

"Diwal" clams, a.k.a. Angel Wings.. just look at their shape and color

Loved this! Buttered Shrimps

Our last order..mild Chili Crabs for 1 kilo

Buttered Garlic Scallops - Not that plenty in serving, just enough to tease your appetite. I like garlic and this dish is enhanced with it. I loved it! I wanted to have one plate for myself because I simply love them!

Diwal clams, a.k.a. "Angel Wings" - This is the first time I have tasted this and I liked it.  I like the cheesy part of the sauce and the meat was firm and it sure looks funny. 7pcs of this was priced at P400 (if I remember correctly). Expensive, right? But it's a delicacy and it's seasonal. It's not easy to find so I'm mighty glad that it was available that night.

the Scallop and the Diwal

Buttered Shrimps - Big, juicy, saucy sea creatures cooked to perfection. Just the sauce alone is ulam already. I find it relaxing to remove their shells and put them on one side while I do the others. Haha! I don't know why. Cooked perfectly as well.

Chili Crabs - We ordered 1 kilo! Whew! But we sure did finish all of it. After all, just a piece alone would've cost so much here in Manila. Like the Buttered Shrimps, the sauce alone is good to eat on its own. Just put it on top of the rice and it's good to go. We just requested for mild chili flavor as we have a child, and me, on this gastronomic dining experience.

The best thing that night..all of these dishes, including the 2 plates of rice and our drinks (soda and beer), was just priced at P1,600! The price will definitely be doubled or tripled if it were here in Manila. But the most happy out of all of us was me because my companions, the Reyes family (Ryan, Mayen & Blythe) said that it's on them. Yey!

Happy night it is! Thank you so much, again! =)

RESTO FACTS:
Breakthrough Restaurant
Villa Beach, Arevalo, 
Iloilo, Philippines
(63 33) 337 3027

FOODIE THOUGHTS: Stoops Bagnet Ilocos @ Makati

WARNING: If you have heart ailment or any other illness related to having high cholesterol in your body, do not visit nor pass by this place.

Why not? They serve the best bagnet that I've tasted! One will not be able to resist biting into the crispiness of this famous Ilocos specialty. Along with that bagoong sauce. Yum! Sinful but very worth it. Haha!

My Bagnet meal with KBL (Kamatis, Bagoong, Lasuna) P88

The place itself is a level-up carinderia-style and a bit cramped but people entering this joint are endless. I'm happy to have tried this. Thanks for the people behind the recommendation. I enjoyed the dining experience. Plus, the prices are very affordable. But I hope not to eat here often as I have to think of my health, haha!

Check out the other photos:

THE bagoong.. perfect combination

the other side dish..KKB (Kamatis, talbos ng Kamote, Bagoong)

A nice place to have a quality eat and some fun time with friends discussing how the food tastes so great but not good for the body..yet good for the soul. Have I mentioned that the serving of the bagnet is generous as well? Well, it is. Definitely money well spent on this one.

RESTO FACTS:
Stoops Bagnet Ilocos
7224 Malugay St. cor. Buendia Ave. 
Brgy. Bel-Air Makati City 

POTIPOT Island..is it worth it?

I've been to Zambales' prized islands Anawangin and Capones last year and those were experiences that I really treasure. Both islands have their own uniqueness and I sure am happy to have been there already. Last May, me and some friends wanted to try a new island on our list which is a well-talked about place called Potipot Island.

It's a very small island where you can go round about it in about 20-30minutes while doing a relaxed pace. It has a white and light brown sand shoreline and just 5minutes small boat ride from the shore of Candelaria, Zambales.

We just wanted a weekend getaway and Zambales is pretty near Manila and package prices are affordable for an overnight stay so we went in to get some of that fun in the sun.

We started early on a Saturday morning and compared to Anawangin and Capones' jump off point in Pundaquit, Zambales, this trip is a much farther long drive. It's a 4-5hrs travel time so one has got to be really comfortable in your transpo so you have the energy upon arrival.

We arrived there at exactly lunchtime and we were all hungry travelers. Our trip was organized by Travellers Journey Travel and Tours, owned by a high school friend, and she and her husband Rommel were very hands-on with regard to seeing the comfort of their clients. They suggested Dawal Beach Resort and Restaurant as it is the most frequented place by visitors. We ordered right away as we were famished!

After that filling meal, we headed to our resort which is Trinidad Bay Resort. Our room was just enough for the 5 of us, 1 double bed and 2 single beds. It got a bit hot as the sun was still perched high in the sky so we just rearranged the order of our beds and we were rewarded with the AC hitting us where it's supposed to. So we had our siesta while some stepped out of the room and roamed around the grounds of the resort and along the beach.

Nap time is done and we got out of the room and did some exploring. The beach was not impressive at this coastline and the sand was definitely very dark, water is grayish as well. I remember at that time, I was wondering how Potipot would be vastly different than this dark beach as the small island is 5minutes boat-ride away. Anyway, I did not test the waters' depth but just wet my foot with the small waves crashing in.

There it is! Potipot Island at the background.

Candelaria's beach front..nothing impressive

I love sunsets

the resort where we stayed in.. Trinidad Bay Resort

For dinner, we went to the other resort or inn near beside the one where we are staying at. We walked at the dark beach and we were scaredy cats, not because of ghosts or bad individuals, but because we might step on poop! Haha! But this place where we had our dinner offered a very very good deal on meals. First of all, they serve it buffet-style, and second, they offered dinner, breakfast and lunch the next day for only P500 all in all! It's a steal! I mean you just have 3 viands, soup, fruits and rice but it is a winner. And their food is delicious, if I may say. We were mighty pleased with it.

Then after dinner, it's Videoke time! =)

The next day, Sunday, we were off to an early start. But of course, not without a hearty breakfast.

great start to a great morning

And at that moment, even for just a few hours, we were excited to get to the island. We went at the beach and waited for a boat to pick us up. Again, Mary Ann and Rommel made sure that all of us were safe and secured, they also went with us, even for just a short time at the island.

so clear waters

There were a lot of people in the island that day. I guess all of us basically has the same things running on our minds. But despite that, we found a good place where a tree provided a shade for us so after liking this spot, we never veered far away from this place. We literally just laid on our backs on the sand while our bodies were gently being rocked by the very soft waves. It was so relaxing! It had a calming effect on me and I really liked it. That's why I did only this for 5 hours! I could not get enough of it and the shade was perfect, the sun barely kissed our skin with sunburn. Just a light tan.

this is life! life's a beach! =)

So was it worth it? I would say YES. Despite the number of people on the island, we still got the relaxation that we were after. Now that is another one island off my list. =)

TRAVEL AGENT DETAILS:
Travellers Journey Travel and Tours
Mary Ann Del Rosario
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002348320551
http://travellerandtour.blogspot.com/

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