Authentic Turkish Shawarma

For authentic shawarma, the place to go is Bricks and Copper Restaurant at Zentrum Plaza along Shaw Blvd. in Mandaluyong. The place specializes in Turkish cuisine and their best seller is the pita doner more popularly known in the Philippines as shawarma.

The doner can either be beef or chicken stuffed in fresh pita bread and huge serving is filling and priced reasonably at P99 (US$2.45). You have a choice of two sauces, yogourt and salsa. I prefer the salsa for a more spicy flavor.

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!

Ketchup Community of Restaurants

Right in front of Wright Park in Baguio City is the Ketchup Community. This is a community of five restaurants specializing in dishes ranging from Filipino exotic food, to Thai, Mediterranean, Indo Malay, and American dishes. I tried the pork ribs (P200 or US $4.87) at Canto. The best selling point of the ribs is its tender meat. The taste was just okay. Based on my experience with Canto, expect reasonably priced not so great food at the Ketchup Community.

Baguio's Star

Star Cafe one of Baguio city's oldest Chinese Pinoy restaurants along Session Road continues to be a favorite among locals and tourists. Hungry for a simple comfort food, the waiter recommended that I try their Star rice. This rice dish is actually chopsuey rice with a sunny side up egg topping.

At P110 (US$2.60), it was a great meal. It was served hot and the "chopsuey" of baguio vegetables was generous, and the special sauce that came with it flavorful! The dish was real STAR!

Baguio Bounty Salad

The pride of one of Baguio's most celebrated restaurants Cafe by the Ruins is its Baguio Bounty Salad. This is a lettuce salad with watercress, shrimps, chicken and assorted fruits which includes strawberries, bananas, and mangoes and bathed in strawberry vinaigrette dressing.

While the salad is good it falls short of expectations. Priced at P300(US$7.30), serving is generous and can be shared by four people if you are ordering other dishes. Italiani's Sicilian Chicken Salad which is also a vegetable salad with fruits and chicken taste a lot better but cost P425 (US$10.36) good for two persons.