Abe's Farm: Countryside Dining

A good place to bring overseas visitors for true local ambiance and authentic kapampangan cooking is Abe's Farm located in town of Magalang in Pampanga. Magalang is a 30 to 45 minutes drive from the Angeles City exit of the NLEX.

Abe"s Farm is not only a restaurant. It also has accommodations, spa and massage services, and a swimming pool for people who like to stay for longer period to enjoy a quiet time in the country.

The food in Abe's Farm is good but not really great. The menu is the same as the one at the Abe's Restaurant in Trinoma in Quezon City and at the Serendra at Bonifacio Global City. But their Sinagang na Bangus Belly in guava broth is a stand out. If you are planning to go a weekend, best to reserve at least a week before. The place was full during the time that we went there.

Arguably the Best Pako Salad

Binulo Restaurant's Pako Salad (piddle head fern) is another good reason to dine at this restaurant located inside the Clark Air Field in Pampanga.

Mixed with tomatoes, boiled eggs, shrimp and peanuts and priced at a reasonable P140 (US$3.4) this is arguably the best pako salad that I have so far tasted. Definitely better than the one's served at 2 famous Pampanga restaurants, Aling Cely's (near Nepo Mart) and Everybodys Cafe (in San Fernando). But my brother says that the Pako Salad at Ugu Bigyan Garden Cafe in Quezon is even better. That one I have to try!

Tastiest Crunchiest Chicharon

By far the tastiest and crunchiest chicharon (crispy fried pork rinds) that I have tasted is the one served at Binulo Restaurant in Clark Air Base in Pampanga. This appetizer is named Pititian with Atchara. Priced at P200 (US$4.87)for a small bowl, the dish is definitely not cheap.

But you get what you pay for and this case you get a truly appetizing chicharon which should ideally be dipped in vinegar and then eaten with the atchara (pickled unripe papaya). My 90 year old mom loved this chicharon and in fact ordered one bowl which she consumed by herself in one sitting!