Flavors of Ilocos: A Fusion of Flavors at Bigaa GastroPub

Pizza, pasta, and quesadillas with a surprising and flavorful local twist, and the comfortingly familiar become new, exciting, and different. And that's what you can expect at Bigaa GastroPub. 

A visit to Vigan allows you to experience the rich history and culture of the capital, but there's nothing quite like local flavors to get you in the proper Vigan vibe. Bigaa GastroPub offers its own unique take on classic favorites infused with local flavors, completing your Vigan experience.

Flavors of Ilocos: Sun, Sand, and Sea and a Boodle Feast at Vitalis Resort & Spa

Sun, sand, and sea. And great food. The calm and serene Sabangan Cove in Santiago, Ilocos Sur, was just the perfect spot for a leisurely lunch by the sea.   

And the second time's a charm. My second visit to the north's newest summer destination was marked by the clearest and bluest skies, along with a cooling breeze for a perfect day for lunch overlooking the beach.

Flavors of Ilocos: Infinite Possibilities to Start Your Day Hotel Luna

The start of a new day represents infinite possibilities. And at Hotel Luna, it all begins with breakfast...

Waffles and bacon. Vigan longanisa and fried rice. Beef tapa and pork tocino. Corned beef. Dried fish. Limitless combinations make for interesting mornings. And you can try something different every morning during your stay at Hotel Luna.

Flavors of Ilocos: Paella, Vigan-Style at Hotel Luna

Our culinary journey of authentic Ilocano flavors continue at Vigan's Hotel Luna, with a lavish dinner spread showcasing unique and distinct regional notes as well as inventive twists on classic Spanish dishes. History and a rich culinary heritage combine for an evening of bold local flavors, served daily at Hotel Luna.

Hotel Luna's Executive Chef Raymond Quitilen impresses once more with his signature dishes, from traditional and rustic starters to comforting and hearty mains, to mark our arrival in Vigan.

Flavors of Ilocos: Irene's Vigan Empanada

Finally, we arrived at Vigan. And there's no better way to celebrate your arrival than a freshly made, crisp and savory, authentic and true-blue Vigan-style empanada.

After a long 6-7 hour drive from Manila, less the food stops, coffee stops, and pit stops, nothing like a taste of local flavors to get you back in the groove. Welcome to Vigan...

Flavors of Pangasinan: Matutina's Seafood Haus & Restaurant

They say the best part of any long road trip up north are the food stops. And on an epic road trip from Manila to Vigan, you'll find some pretty good stops for a leisurely lunch along the way.

Long known for its bangus, or milkfish, a food stop in Pangasinan is almost mandatory on any long road trip up north. In fact, missing it makes your road trip, well, just an ordinary road trip. One worthy stop is Matutina's Seafood Haus & Restaurant and their wide variety of bangus dishes. So trust your tummy and make that turn...

Casa Marcos: Classic Heritage Dishes since 1945

An iconic name in the metro's restaurant scene returns to Quezon City, bringing back its classic heritage dishes to its loyal customers and a whole new generation of diners. Since it first opened in 1945 along then Dewey Boulevard, Casa Marcos has been known for its gambas, almejas, paella, and steak ala pobre, dishes that still bring you back to simpler times. And now you can relive those days with a visit to Casa Marcos at Quezon City's Il Terrazo.  

Ever since Senor Marcos de Guisasola, a Spanish Jai-Alai player, opened his restaurant in the original Dewey Boulevard location, Casa Marcos has been the place to celebrate family milestones, business meetings and other important gatherings, when Senor Marcos often cooked and even sang for his loyal guests.  When he returned to Spain, a  close friend and loyal customer, Ben Del Rosario, acquired the restaurant and managed Casa Marcos during its heydays in the fifties to the early eighties. Today, the third generation of the Del Rosario clan continue to manage the restaurant with one goal, to bring back its storied past with its classic heritage dishes (for more on Casa Marcos, check out my previous posts on the classic all-time bestsellers here at http://dude4food.blogspot.com/2014/08/traditional-heritage-recipes-at-casa.html and its return to the restaurant scene here at http://dude4food.blogspot.com/2012/01/bringing-back-good-times-at-casa-marcos.html).

Sweet, Smoky & Hot Flavors at Chili's

Sweet. Smoky. And refreshingly hot. Bold flavors comprising Chili's distinct and comforting Southwestern-inspired menu, masterfully blended in new and exciting dishes. 

Chili's introduces its new Sweet, Smoky & Hot line of signature dishes to spice up your summer, with starters and mains to complete your sweet, smoky and hot feast.

Food News: Epic Dining Curations by Visa

Exclusive perks, freebies, discounts, and memorable dining experiences. Visa once again brings irresistible epicurean experiences with its Epic Dining Curations for Visa cardholders...

Simply pull out your Visa card, and experience the very best culinary delights through a carefully crafted and curated list of the biggest names in the dining industry. All these, with just one card.

Conquering the Digital Age at the Zomato Restaurant Summit

The internet and the emergence of social media can be considered one of the greatest equalizers yet, allowing small businesses to compete and engage their market on equal footing with the leading players. With it comes new challenges and opportunities, shifting from traditional strategies to innovative marketing solutions. Zomato, the world's largest online and mobile restaurant discovery service, held the first ever Restaurant Summit last May 19, 2015, with the country's leading local restaurateurs, industry experts, and foodies converging at Shangri-La Hotel in Makati.  

The one-day summit was a unique forum to share ideas and insights, discuss trends and issues, and learn best practices bringing the industry to the digital age.