The Loft Hotel and Arcade

The Loft Hotel and Arcade is the latest destination for both locals and tourists in Iligan City. Although the hotel is still in the works, this commercial complex has already opened their doors on December 15, 2018 in the vibrant dining and entertainment district of Iligan. They offer a diverse mix of places where everyone can go and enjoy themselves. 

MOM’S PIG OUT

MOM’S PIG OUT
Boneless Lechon Belly

Mom’s Pig Out is a family-style restaurant that first popped up in Cagayan de Oro City. They are known for their crispy boneless lechon belly and native Filipino dishes.

BINGSOO CORNER

BINGSOO CORNER
Injeolmi, Matcha, Coffee Crumble

Bingsoo Corner brings Korea’s halo-halo to Iligan. With a variety of flavors to choose from, you’re bound to keep coming back for more of this shaved ice dessert. My personal favorites are Coffee Crumble and Peach Mango.

BO’S COFFEE

BO’S COFFEE

After a long wait, Bo’s Coffee has finally found its way here in Iligan. Discover the best local coffee brews at this Cebuano coffee chain. They proudly showcase high quality roasted coffee beans coming from Benguet, Sagada, Mt. Matutum and Mt. Katinglad. They also serve delicious breakfast meals, pasta, sandwiches, pastries, tea, and other blended drinks.

WATEVER FAMILY KTV

WATEVER FAMILY KTV

Watever Family KTV, the newest karaoke lounge in Iligan, features 18 airconditioned private karaoke rooms where you can unleash your inner diva. Each room is fully equipped with a powerful karaoke system and can accommodate up to 10 people. Sing along to a plethora of song choices with family and friends. You’re bound to have a great time with their budget-friendly rates. 

THAI ROYALE SPA

THAI ROYALE SPA

Thai Royale Spa is a multi-award winning spa chain that offers body massages and other relaxing treatments. With rates for as low as 200 PHP, everyone can devote a day here to pamper and rejuvenate. They also offer sparty packages starting at 5000 PHP.

LOKAL GRILL AND SEAFOOD *soon to open*

The Loft Hotel and Arcade is located at Gen. Aguinaldo, Pala-o, Iligan City.  It is right behind The Strip.

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Din Tai Fung in Taipei 101

A five-time awarded Michelin-star restaurant, Din Tai Fung is internationally known for their outstanding xiao long bao (小籠包 soup dumplings).

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A mecca for foodies, no trip to Taipei is ever complete without making a stop here.

It is located at the base of Taipei 101, a prime multi-level shopping center that features an observatory deck where visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of Taipei’s cityscape.

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With over 40 branches all over the world (there’s one here in the Philippines), customers wait in long queues just to have a taste of one of the world’s top ten gourmet restaurants as rated by The New York Times. Diners can stroll around shops in Taipei 101 while waiting to be seated.

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Thankfully, with their fast service, it didn’t take too long to get our queue number.

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Jude is so “gigil” and can’t contain her excitement!

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Curious dine-in guests can peer through the glass-fronted open kitchen and watch the cooks prepare the food right before their eyes.

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Food gets expedited quickly here so no diner will ever be “hangry”.

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If you’re someone like me who has never heard of xiao long bao before, these are steamed buns that have a delicate handmade dough with a savory meaty soup filling.

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Photo credit: http://thesmartlocal.com/

It is a culinary wonder how these magical buns are engineered in a way that it is able to hold the soup and meat with its thin, pillowy soft dough. Eating these dumplings do require patience, restraint and maybe a wee bit of practice because you don’t want to get your tongue scalded with the piping hot soup.

Here’s an instruction card on how to eat it:

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Photo credit: https://www.jeffersonscher.com/

Besides xiao long bao, Din Tai Fung serves many other delicious Taiwanese dishes from appetizers to side dishes to desserts.

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With dishes averaging around NT$200 (approximately 300 PHP), Din Tai Fung gives a dining experience worth more than what you pay for.

Definitely worth the long queue!

Open hours:
Sunday – Thursday: 11:00 A.M. to 9:30 P.M.
Friday – Saturday: 11:00 A.M. to 10:00 P.M.

Thanks to Jude Bacalso as well for introducing me to this place and to Taiwan Leisure Farms Development Association and Ma’am Jane Syjuco of Everbright Travel Agency for my memorable trip to Taiwan!

Also, special thanks to Sir Allan Sze of Goldlink Travel and Tours for treating us to this gourmet dim sum on his birthday.

Read about my Taiwan Travel Guide here
What to Eat and Drink in Taiwan
Rice puff making at Tea and Rice Resort
Rice harvesting at Fairy Story Village Organic Farm
Mosquito repellent making at Forest 18 Farm
Dragon fruit picking at Xing Ke Dragon Fruit Farm
Pear picking at Dong Rong Farm
Grape Picking at Zheng Hsiung Farm 

What to Eat and Drink in Taiwan

Although it is impossible for me to sample everything that Taiwan has to offer in a span of 5 days, these are my favorites out of everything that I tried when I was there.

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Hot Pot

A notable Japanese influence on the Taiwanese cuisine, hot pot dishes are sometimes called shabu-shabu in Taiwan and they are very popular throughout the country. Literally a hot pot filled with water, ingredients are cooked by placing them into the pot piece by piece as the water boils.

Because Taiwan has an abundant array of the freshest, organic ingredients, this dish requires no condiments as it already possesses natural flavors that would make it delicious as it is.

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Taiwanese Tempura
Photo credit: Jude Bacalso

Another Japanese-influenced grub is the Taiwanese tempura. Although it is more of an oden than it is tempura, these ready-to-eat steamed fish cakes are available in most Taiwanese 7/11 branches. They come in different variants and are served with sweet sauce or hot sauce. Lobster roll and fish tofu are not to be missed.

Bubble Milk Tea 

Taiwan is the birth place of bubble milk tea so it only makes sense to have it when you are there. Although I have not tried it at some artsy cafe, I did grab a bottle of bubble milk tea from a convenience store and it was really good.

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Oolong Tea

A soothing cup of oolong tea is must when visiting Taiwan. Very similar to green tea, it has a rich fragrance with smooth and refreshing finish. There are several varieties of oolong tea and depending on how it was crafted, it can taste light, robust, fruity, floral, earthy, and/or smokey. 

Another reason to drink oolong tea apart from its taste is its health benefits. Oolong tea is not only rich in anti-oxidants, vitamins and minerals; it is said to reduce obesity and stress, boost the immune system, control diabetes, improve mental health performance, reduce high blood pressure,

lower the risk of getting cancer and promote healthy bone, skin and dental health.

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Marigold Infused Water

I’ve always thought that marigolds are merely ornamental plants that repel mosquitoes and other garden pests. Turns out it’s more than that. Marigold has been highly valued for its therapeutic uses. It has antibacterial, antibiotic, antidepressant, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal and antiseptic properties which make it a very useful plant. It is also rich in antioxidants that help fight and prevent cancer. At Forest 18 Farm, they infuse their water with marigold leaves and it tastes so refreshing!

Taiwan Beer

Taiwan Beer is an award-winning pale lager that has its distinctive flavor coming from the best locally grown Formosa rice. Its mild and smooth taste makes it

pretty wonderful on its own or a good accompaniment to any kind of food. 

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Gao Jha
Photo credit: Jude Bacalso

Unique to Yilan County, gao jha is a specialty street food sold at Luo Dong Night Market. This seemingly plain, unpretentious snack is anything but simple. It is made up of minced chicken, pork, and shrimp meat which is simmered in chicken stock for several hours until it forms into a paste. Once cooled, it is cut into squares, dipped in cornstarch and then deep fried until golden and crispy. 

Gao jha has a crunchy crust with a soft and gooey inside that is bursting with exquisite, complex flavor. Be careful though as you bite into these tasty treats because they are served scalding hot!

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Mulberry Pasta

A signature dish of Fairy Story Village Organic Farm in Yilan County, this savory pasta is made with organic mulberry sauce then topped with crunchy pork floss and chopped spring onions. Definitely one-of-a-kind!

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Xiao Long Bao

Xiao long bao are steamed buns that have a delicate handmade dough with a savory meaty soup filling. It is a culinary wonder how these magical buns are engineered in a way that it is able to hold the soup and meat with its thin, pillowy soft dough. Eating

these dumplings do require patience, restraint and maybe a wee bit of practice because you don’t want to get your tongue scalded with the piping hot soup.

I got lucky to have had them at Din Tai Fung, a Michelin star awarded restaurant famous for their xiao long bao. This deserves its own post (link to follow).

Thanks Taiwan Leisure Farms Development Association and Ma’am Jane Syjuco of Everbright Travel Agency for this fun and educational experience!

Read about my Taiwan Travel Guide here
Rice puff making at Tea and Rice Resort
Rice harvesting at Fairy Story Village Organic Farm
Mosquito repellent making at Forest 18 Farm
Dragon fruit picking at Xing Ke Dragon Fruit Farm

Soon to Open in Iligan: Ichang Japanese Restaurant

Here in Iligan, there’s always something to look forward to. Cafes and restaurants have been popping up lately and one of them is Ichang.

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Found at a prime location in Iligan where a sea of restaurants are located, Ichang stands out with its distinctive Japanese aesthetic and colorful noren hanging right in front of their doors.

Ichang is named after the owner, Ichang Hayakawa, a Japanese national hailing from Shizuoka prefecture. He runs this restaurant together with his Filipina wife, Cherryl who happens to be one of the chefs manning the kitchen. 

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Already on its dry run, Ichang is set to launch on the 8th of September this year. 

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Thanks to Dan, a common friend I share with the owners of this restaurant, I received an invitation to sample some of their dishes (my boyfriend tagged along hehe).    

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Kani Salad
Served on a cold plate, this light salad composed of imitation crab meat, ripe mangoes, cucumber, lettuce served with a creamy roasted sesame dressing. A favorite!

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Yaki Udon
Thick Japanese noodles stir-fried with veggies and meat. Bound to please the Filipino palate. 

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Futo Maki
Literally meaning “fat rolled sushi”, this sweet hand-rolled Japanese sushi is filled with tamagoyaki, oboro, sliced cucumber and shrimp. Another favorite!

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Tonkotsu Ramen
Made with a rich pork broth, this delicious noodle soup dish is topped with tender pork slices, boiled eggs, naruto and a handful of thinly sliced green onions. A must try for ramen lovers! Yes, yet again, another favorite! 

i don’t know if you can tell but so far I’m absolutely loving their dishes!

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Together with Ichang, Cherryl and their chefs

Ichang is located at The Strip, Pala-o. Don’t forget to save their opening day on your calendar! The whole Ichang team will be waiting for you there.

Where to Eat in Alabang – Brunch at Cafe Breton

Westgate Center is a lifestyle district in Alabang where a number of casual restaurants and cafes are located – one of them is Cafe Breton.

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Serving breakfast as early as 7 in the morning, Cafe Breton is a place where expats and locals come together for their gourmet crepes, exquisite coffee, and all-day breakfast.

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The contrasting wall colors, wooden furniture, and unique accent pieces add a country rustic charm that makes the cafe look timeless and inviting.

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The focal point of this cafe is the kitchen where you can watch them prepare your food right in front of your very eyes.

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True to their claim, they do have excellent coffee! Their cappuccino is rich in flavor with a smooth, velvety foam on top. I think it’s the ultimate morning pick-me-up.

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Cafe Breton’s menu has an extensive breakfast selection that includes crepes, galettes, sandwiches, desserts, coffee and many more. Price ranges between 150 to 300 PHP per dish.

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La Primavera Veggie Scramble
A creamy omelet with a medley of tomatoes, mushrooms, spinach, and gruyere cheese served with buttered toast.

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Adam and Eve
A delicate crepe stuffed with soft, stewed apples topped with a dollop of vanilla ice cream and a dash of cinnamon.

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I may not be an early bird but I do love me some great brunch!

The combination of good customer service and pleasant dining experience made love Cafe Breton instantly. We’ll definitely come back here if we can.

Wild Onion Pub and Grub

Centerpoint is the newest dining and entertainment hub located at Domingo Velez Street in Cagayan de Oro City. Lined with karaoke lounges, bars and restaurants, this strip truly comes alive at night.

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One of the places to visit is a gastropub called Wild Onion Pub and Grub. They offer a casual dining experience and provide tasty food and specialty drinks at reasonable prices.

Classic Burger and Hiroshima Bombs are some of their best sellers so, of course, we had to try those.

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Classic Burger 
Branded for a personal touch, this burger boasts a thick beef patty, packed with veggies that’s sandwiched between fluffy, tender buns. It also came with a side of crispy fries.

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Cucumber Lemonade
Served refreshingly ice-cold, this delightful mix of cucumber juice and lemon juice is good for relieving the summer heat.

Hiroshima Bombs
These are croquettes filled with mashed potatoes, mozzarella cheese and jalapeno bits served with a sour cream aioli dip. The Hiroshima Bombs are the bomb! They were flavorsome and surprisingly substantial. To all fellow potato lovers, this is everything you need.

I actually prefer this one over the burger.

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Dining at Wild Onion Pub and Grub was such a pleasure. The waiting staff was very accommodating and the food is good.

We will be back soon to try more of their food and when it’s not too early for cocktails. Happy Ending and Gugmang-Giatay sound too interesting too pass. Haha!

Wild Onion Pub and Grub offers:
15% discount on the total food bill every Monday
15% discount on the total food bill every Tuesday for Nurses, every Wednesday for Bank Employees and every Thursday for Teachers

Tedts has moved!

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After more than a decade of opening its doors to the public, Tedts has finally bid adieu to their Roxas branch in favor of a bigger and better location.

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Taking pride in sharing their family recipes since 2005, this homegrown cafe and bakery has now officially become a household name here in Iligan. I’ve been a Tedts loyalista for many, many years and to see them grow this big makes my heart swell with pride and joy. 

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Today, they have launched the soft opening of their Quezon branch which is located right across Rosalinda store. 

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They gave free cupcakes to their first 150 customers and featured independent music artists to play live in the background.

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Tedts is known for their delicious artisan cupcakes which have become a popular pasalubong for both locals and transient tourists. Each cupcake is handcrafted with love and baked fresh from scratch everyday.

Don’t miss out on Iligan’s finest delicious treats and head on over to Tedts! In case you’re wondering, their second location at Zamora-Lluch Streets is still operating.

Where to Eat in Bohol – Guiseppe Pizzeria and Sicilian Roast Gastronomia and Wines

If you’re going to have a food tour in Panglao make sure to stop by at Giuseppe Pizzeria and Sicilian Roast Gastronomia and Wines. This restaurant is one of the popular culinary destinations in the island and is on every itinerant epicurean’s radar. Despite being away from the buzzing beach scene, people still flock here for a taste of authentic Italian food.

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Run and owned by a chef from Sicily named Giuseppe Sgroi, this restaurant prides on serving gourmet dishes made with the finest produce that is locally sourced or freshly imported from Italy.

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During the day, Giuseppe has a casual and inviting atmosphere. They feature an open kitchen allowing diners to see the chefs at work.

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Their specials menu is something that should not be overlooked.

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We went for Pizza Gregorio. It’s a chewy, handmade brick oven pizza with thin blistered crusts topped with tomato, mozzarella, sausages, salami, smoked ham, and parma ham.

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I would have preferred it to have some greens and a tad more cheese but it’s already good as it is. I love it!

TIP:
Their pizza servings are HUGE. But I’ll let you in on a secret… You can actually order half the original size of their pizza.

It’s not written on the menu so just ask their wait staff about it.

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At night, the restaurant transforms into a intimate, romantic setting perfect for spending amorous moments with a significant other.

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They have a wine cellar filled with an excellent selection of wines, liqueurs and spirits that you can enjoy.

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Another thing we tried is their Antipasti. It’s a decadent artisanal cheese platter which I imagine would pair well with wine (it was only later on when we found out that it’s actually possible to order wine by glass and not just by the bottle).

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From left-right, top-bottom: smoked salmon, parma ham, salami, blue cheese, pepperoni on top of a salad, smoked ham, Parmesan cheese, pizza bread, formaggio al forno (baked carabao cheese), mozzarella cheese with tomato slices, grilled seafood and rotoli de malenzane (eggplant filled with tomato and cheese).

This literally got me weak! Every single bite exploded with flavor. The different textures and flavor profiles of the cheeses went well with the accompaniments.

It was a very well-balanced platter. By far, the most memorable dish I had to date! The cheese platter was so huge that it was all we had for dinner.

Giuseppe Pizzeria and Sicilian Roast Gastronomia and Wines is not to be missed when in Bohol. Keep in mind they are on the pricey side though. Plus, they charge 10% of the bill for the service fee. But considering their generous portions, impeccable service and excellent food, you’re bound to get your money’s worth.

Some photos belong to Yobz Tolentino

Read about my Bohol Travel Guide here

Where to Eat in Bohol – Gerarda’s

Tucked in the quieter streets of Tagbilaran City, Gerarda’s was once a quaint house before it became into a buzzing restaurant that it is today.

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This family-run restaurant is adorned with old photographs and house decors giving it that warm atmosphere like you never left home.

As soon as we entered Gerarda’s, we were greeted with a warm welcome from their courteous staff and immediately we were escorted to a table fit for two.

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While waiting to get accommodated, we were given a complimentary bowl of nuts to munch on. Why this simple yet brilliant idea never caught on is still one of life’s biggest mysteries to date.

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Gerarda’s has great service! The wait staff was attentive and accommodating while patiently walking us through the menu.

We ordered chicharon bulaklak and dinakdakan to go with our platter of rice. Our food came out from the kitchen sooner than we thought.

Chicharon bulaklak, literally flower crackings in English, is deep-fried pork mesentery and is a popular pulutan in the Philippines.

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Dinakdakan is an Ilocano dish that I’ve never heard of before. Traditionally, it is said to be made with grilled pig parts such as ears, face, liver, and offals which are tossed in a tangy dressing with mashed pig brain and minced spices. Think of it as an offspring of two Filipino classic recipes: sisig and kinilaw.

But Gerarda’s did their own spin on it by using bagnet in place of the bizarre pig parts for a crunchier texture. And for that thick creamy finish, they swapped mashed pig brain for coconut milk. It is the bomb! If there’s something you shouldn’t pass in Gerarda’s, it’s their dinakdakan with a twist.

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Gerarda’s is the place in Bohol where families gather to bond, reconnect, celebrate a milestone or just simply have a great meal. Their food is suitable to the average Pinoy palate and surely will not disappoint.

TIP:
Get a reservation since Gerarda’s is always full.

Read about my Bohol Travel Guide here

Where to Eat in Bohol – The Buzzz Cafe by Bohol Bee Farm

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The Buzzz Cafe is a local organic cafe and restaurant chain in Bohol that promotes an alternative lifestyle through clean eating.

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Using only the freshest ingredients from Bohol Bee Farm, The Buzzz Cafe offers a farm-to-table dining experience to meet the demands for healthy, sustainable cuisine in Bohol.

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They also carry an array of locally produced delicacies and personal care products made from selected quality natural ingredients.

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Here’s a not so aesthetically pleasing view of our haphazard table.

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For starters, we were given an amuse-bouche platter of their homemade squash bread,

cab-cab with green tomatoes, and their best-selling spreads (honey and pesto – which by the way I cannot get enough of).

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We ordered their signature organic garden salad – a bowl of mixed greens bathed in honey mustard dressing and garnished with handpicked edible flowers. It was quite enjoyable to eat. Obviously, I ordered this for the novelty of eating flowers like a hippie. That’s one less item off my food bucket list. 😉

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Their humble fresh herb pasta is simple and light-tasting.

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I love the kamote fries! They’re already great on their own. The dip is optional!

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Make sure to give their unconventional homemade ice cream selection a go. They’re exceptionally good!

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Treat yourself good food without the guilt at The Buzzz Cafe by Bohol Bee Farm. It is perfect for diners who are making conscious efforts to eat local, sustainable, organic food that satisfies the palate. They have branches located in Island City Mall, Alona Beach, and Galleria Luisa.

TIP:
If you want to get more out of your money, eat in the Island City Mall branch. The serving portions there are more generous.

Read about my Bohol Travel Guide here