A Weekend Food Trip to San Fernando

The best part of any road trip are the food stops. And any drive to San Fernando, Pampanga won't be complete without the mandatory food stops.  Sometimes the journey, more than the destination, makes any trip a little more special.  And for my mom and aunt, it was also a short trip back in time...

And off we go on a short road trip...

Pampanga has always been known for its culinary heritage. And this short road trip didn't disappoint. Just an hour and half's drive north of Manila, it's far enough to get away from the city, yet close enough for some real good eats.

First stop: Susie's Cuisine.  Be prepared to see an incredible assortment of local food products...

...Susie's famous Mochi...

...and Empanadas.

And there's more...

...Cassava Cakes and Leche Flan...

...Chicharon...

...and all kinds of nuts.

Next stop: Nathaniel's. Boxed, wrapped, packed and bottled, you name it, they probably have it.

The wide assortment of local products is always tempting, like the local puto, always a winner.

Have a quick snack and be sure to bring home some of the treats.

Nathaniel's line of all-natural juices, including the popular Buko Pandan (Coconut).

Before the drive home, we made a lunch stop at Fortune Seafood Restaurant. The Assorted Cold Cuts was a great way to start the meal, with pork, chicken, century eggs and seaweed....

...Hot Spinach Soup came next...

...followed by Salt and Pepper Pork Spare Ribs, Sweet and Sour Prawns and Yang Chow Rice.

A Tofu with Mushroom dish completed the meal.

Back in Manila, I quickly went through the day's shopping expedition...

...which included Susie's Mochi...

...assorted suman...

...and just had to take a quick bite of the Duman...

...sweet with that distinct taste and flavor that can only come from the rare and seasonal green rice...

...Maja Blanca, a rich coconut pudding dessert...

...topped with latik (made from coconut milk)...a sweet and decadent dessert.

Then there is Nathaniel's Frozen Buko Pandan Salad, a sherbet made from coconut and flavored with pandan...

...rich, creamy, perfect to beat the heat.

And Tamales. You can't go home without Susie's tamales.

Wash it all down with Nathaniel's Buko Pandan all-natural juice. Overall, a pretty good haul. Can't wait for the next road trip...

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