panglao Archives ⋆ Leia Khu

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

Posted on January 21, 2016January 21, 2019 by xerox

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.

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.

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

Their specials menu is something that should not be overlooked.

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.

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.

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

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

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).

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

Traveling Solo: Alona Beach, Panglao, Bohol

Posted on December 30, 2015January 21, 2019 by xerox

Since I had so much fun traveling solo to Chocolate Hills, I decided to travel alone once more the following day. Originally, I planned to go to Anda Beach but commuting from Tagbilaran to Anda takes 4 hours! I only had an afternoon to enjoy another moment of solitude and I thought I’d rather spend more time at the beach than on the road.

So I ditched Anda Beach on the last minute and opted to go to Alona Beach instead.

Only 30 minutes away from Tagbilaran, Alona Beach is a tropical getaway in Panglao Island with a gorgeous stretch of white sand, swaying palm trees and pristine azure waters.

Alona Beach has one of the best diving spots in the Philippines and is a popular destination for divers from different parts of the globe.

There are a variety of hotels, restaurants, cafes, bars, travel agencies and specialty shops to choose from within or near its vicinity.

Alona Beach carries a sleepy beach vibe so its nightlife is fairly quiet than that of Boracay and Cebu.

Laidback beats are played open air by the shore – making it an awesome place to just chill out in the evening.

Alona Beach is Boracay’s easygoing cousin without the overwhelming number of vendors, rowdy crowds and hyper-commercialism. It is a serene vacation spot with a lively nightlife scene – offering the best of both worlds!

To get there, I took a tricycle from JJ’s Seafood Village to Panglao Island which cost me a whopping 500 PHP.

Thankfully, I was able to bargain with the driver later on to make that a round trip fare.

Please don’t judge me. Back then, I didn’t know better.

The cheaper way to get to there is to take a Tawala-bound jeepney at Dao Terminal. Although the trip will take about an hour, the fare would only be 25 PHP (but 50 PHP if you have a huge suitcase). A far cry from my overcharged tricycle fare.

TIME
Tricycle ride to Panglao Island – 30 minutes
*Jeepney ride to Panglao Island – 1 hour

EXPENSES
Tricycle ride to and fro Panglao Island – 500 PHP
*Jeepney ride to Panglao Island – 25 PHP

*other option

Read about my budget hostel of choice in Panglao here
Bohol Travel Guide here

Moon Fools Hostel

Posted on December 18, 2015January 21, 2019 by xerox

There are dozens upon dozens of hotels and resorts to choose from in Bohol – particularly in Tagbilaran and Panglao. However, most of these are catered to affluent tourists and if you’re a glampacker like I am, finding a place to stay that is comfortable yet affordable at the same time can be a trying task. But luckily, while I was perusing the bowels of the Internet, I found Moon Fools Hostel.

Moon Fools Hostel is a newly-opened bed and breakfast located in Brgy. Tawala, Panglao Island. Only a walk away from Alona Beach, it is surrounded by restaurants, convenience stores, travel agencies, rental shops and many more.

This industrially themed hostel prides itself as a clean, friendly budget hostel that is committed to making conscious efforts to be eco-friendly.

They also take pride in having supported homegrown artists by commissioning one-of-a-kind handcrafted wooden key chains.

Moon Fools Hostel has 2 dorm rooms, 3 matchbox rooms and 2 private rooms all with great air conditioning and free access to WiFi.

TIP:
Book your accommodation in advance. Since the number of rooms is limited, they are usually fully booked.

I stayed in one of their dorm rooms for only 400/night (introductory price) and was offered a complimentary continental breakfast.

They have gender-segregated communal shower rooms and lavatories too.

Currently, some facilities are unavailable such as hot shower, public kitchen and lounge area. Other rooms were unavailable as well when I was there since they are still undergoing minor renovations. I honestly was a little disappointed when I realized that the photos on their website are only artistically rendered images. But it does look very promising.

It is also worth mentioning that Moon Fools Hostel sits right above a bar that blasts loud music until 2 in the morning so expect a rough night if you’re an early sleeper.
EDIT: They just installed soundproof windows!

That being said, Moon Fools Hostel is heaven sent for young travelers on a budget. The place is clean, safe and comfortable. With a very strategic location at a competitive price, I’ll surely go back there when in Bohol.

Some images are taken from the official website of Moon Fools Hostel and are believed to be in the public domain. No copyright infringement intended. Credit is given where it is due.