Mi Bonitos Restaurant: Pretty Food but STILL LB Food

I've always somehow known that the Spanish word "bonito" meant something nice. Whenever I passed by, dined in, or thought about dining in at Mi Bonito's, I always thought it is something good. And it always is. I have to kick myself for putting this off so many times already. I believe I owe it to new students in UPLB, tourists planning to visit LB, or anyone who has anything to do with LB and still hasn't tried Bonito's food, to give them at least a sample of this little treasure set right in the heart of this little University town I love.

I’ve been in and out of LB long enough to see the transformations this place has gone through over the years. Some were the inevitable improvements for keeping up with the times like the improvement of the general ordering system, the aesthetics, the addition of a centralized air conditioning system, and the likes. But while first time diners may clue in on that easily, there were some changes that were noteworthy because for me they embody the intangible yet strong connection of this place to the culture that is elbi. I guess I can say at least 50% of the store has been changed from the original structure from way back 2004. And it wasn’t to keep up with the times but because the owners had no choice. In 2006, the store wasn’t spared by the ravaging winds and rains brought about by the super typhoon Milenyo that left LB and even our street in Cubao without electricity for weeks in its wake. If I remember it right, a tree fell upon one corner of the structure causing the wall to collapse. I had wondered then what would become of this nice place. Well, I guess now you have the testament to the resilience and creativity of the family that manages this place. Mi Bonitos rose from the rubble more beautiful, stronger, and more organized.

And now to the food. Yes, bonitos are fishes from which yummy bonito flakes are made and, yes, bonito means pretty in Spanish, and that’s just characteristic of the plates of food they serve --- always yummy and always pretty. This one below is my favourite appetizer that I sometimes eat as a meal by itself. They call it tomato surprise, and while my boyfriend still can’t pinpoint the surprise part of it for him, for me it is the surprisingly addictive taste and texture of this appetizer that lent the dish its name. The tomato is breaded but its tangy sweetness can still be tasted through the crisp breading and the touch of lettuce is refreshing. A plate serves 2-4 as an appetizer. Or one if I were you.

This one is here is my favourite entrée. And my boyfriend’s. And my eldest sister’s. This hefty (compared to other restos at least) squid serving is always served hot and perfectly cooked. As a matter of fact, I haven’t been quite successful in replicating the perfectness of the texture of their grilled squid at home. It’s seared and crunchy in certain parts on the outside but juicy and tender inside.

I have never been able to finish a serving of this all by myself, not even the combo meal.

If you’re into the healthier options, you ought to try their fruits and greens salad. You may choose from four different sauces to go with it. They have honey-mustard, strawberry, pomegranate, and balsamic. I always choose their pomegranate sauce for this salad because for me the sour notes marries the sweetness of the fruits and the slight bitterness of the greens happily.

It was pretty before I forked into it. Hehe.

And this one, their huge ravioli lasagna, hits the spot every time. Okay, I may be abusing the word always here but the ravioli is always perfectly cooked and the mushroom and cheese stuffed inside is just right, not overwhelming and doesn’t make you go digging for the pockets either. I like it with red sauce because I’m a big tomato fan but you may opt to go with the white sauce if you’re into the thick and creamy. This can feed two adults and leave them rubbing their full tummies afterwards. The one below has white sauce in it. Oh I can't remember why. It's my cousin who ordered it I guess.

See how huge that is.

They also serve mojitos, my favorite mixed drink, and theirs is made with Bacardi. It goes well on its own or with a hearty dinner or better yet with these crisp onion rings (hehe) and a good conversation. If you can’t handle even a tweeny bit of alcohol, then may I suggest their fruit smoothies instead which I don't have any picture of (sorry!). They cost only 45 pesos per serving and come in tall glasses so I say they’re quite a steal if you compare them to what you get from other restaurants.

...and whoop goes my brain

Sorry. We've eaten half of it before we even thought of taking a picture. Hehe.

There’s still a ton of other options and you can see the complete menu and pics of other dishes in this blog. You’ll see that their prices are above the average student budget but I believe it’s worth having a few meals here in a week because theirs is a service you can count on and they don’t skimp with the food and presentation even with their more affordable combo meals. Take your parents here when they visit you or maybe that Philo1 classmate you’ve been meaning to impress and you will never go wrong--- not even with the comfort room. :)



P.S. Thanks to The Pinoy Byahero for taking pics of the menu and also my cousin ate Dhey for the pics. :)

Northern Delicacy Down South

How can you miss these blatantly bright goodies?

                 My first taste of this delicacy of the north wasn’t here in LB and it was nothing less than authentic. It wasn’t as brightly tinted though for my first wasn’t orange at all. I had it at the Secret Garden in Vigan, Ilocos Sur during our Humanities 2 field trip in that region. The experience was very memorable. I and my friend sneaked beyond the allowed perimeter with the help of a very kind kutsero who took us to places the rest of the students were not able to visit, the Secret Garden being one of them. I have a penchant for deep fried goodies paired with vinegar dipping so when our unofficial tour guide asked if we would like to taste what he thinks is the best empanada in the area I just went for it. I wasn’t so surprised when I enjoyed my first tryst with this crisp delight, greasy, smelly fingers and all. I promised it won’t be the last time I’ll have it but it was just not very easy to find it in Cubao or the rest of QC. I had even less luck in LB---until recently. Imagine my delight when I found not one but two shops that sold it in LB upon my return.  

Platform Nine-and-Three-Quarters no less.

              

            I have to be honest that I didn’t really pay much attention to the name of the establishment the first time I went here. Blame it on the less than eye-catching piece of tarpaulin that held the name or the brightness of the color of the empanadas that was shared by the arch of the door or maybe blame it on my excitement. The name just didn’t seem to matter. The seating area is humbly furnished, with all the carinderia necessities. They can do better, I know, but I didn’t mind then and I still don’t at present after countless visits. I chose Kasuy’s over the other shop in front of the late Barracks Computer Shop because of the seating area and the notion that holes in the wall I fondly call Grove’s platform nine-and-three-quarters hold a certain kind of surprise within them, pleasant or otherwise. 

At this point I really wished I had a better camera with me.

And surprised I really was. The first bite transported me to the Secret Garden. It reminded me of the goodness I thought I’ve already forgotten. The shell was crisp and hot and the moment you dig your fork into it the steam gives you a waft of the Vigan longganisa crushed and mixed with shredded papaya and mung beans and an egg that was cracked just before the whole ensemble was sealed into its shell and sent to its boiling grease bath. Empanadas they serve are always piping hot and always paired with genuine sukang Iloco. If your timing’s right, you’d be able to sample the freshly cooked ones with the egg yolk still oozing by the time you split it into half, Vigan empanada at its best. If you’re still in doubt of the authenticity of what they serve, the manong that mans the place would sometimes play Ilocano pop songs and even sing to tunes while making the empanadas. And that, my friends, is the mark of authenticity not so easily faked.

A Taste of Boracay

When I started this blog months ago I promised to just write about food places in Los Banos and I tried to keep that until I decided to take a break from the university and start working in Manila. Being away from LB for so long placed this and all the food blogging on the back burner until I and my friends decided to reward ourselves with a much needed getaway to Boracay.

I didn't even have food blogging in my mind until one of my friends mentioned it over a very late dinner at Ole, one of the restos that serve Spanish, Mexican, and Cuban food in Boracay. And thanks to my supportive girl friends, here's one a little out of place but hopefully helpful helping of LB Food Trip.

Night Caps Redefined

We had a somewhat long and uncomfortable trip to Kalibo (thanks to ZestAir's unforgettable service) followed by a shuttle ride and boat transfer from Caticlan to the island of Boracay and so the girls and I just lazed through the afternoon and decided to take a power nap before heading out for dinner. The power nap stretched into a full length sleep and before we knew it, it was already past midnight. Unwilling to lend what remains of the night to slumber, the girls and I went to D* Mall to grab a very late dinner before enjoying the proverbial Boracay night.

There were still a few restaurants open but we kind of jumped into what appeared to be the most inviting and, well, alive at that unholy hour. Ole boasts of a menu bursting with Spanish, Mexican, and Cuban dishes. I say "bursting" because they have a pretty long list of dishes for a restaurant that is open 24 hours a day. Plus the place looked quite homey and unpretentious.

We were already hungry but still a bit groggy from our power nap (hehe) and so we decided to order something that serves quick and is fail-proof. And what says quick in Tex-Mex lingo better than nachos, right?

I hope you can still see the Nachos in this pic. It was gone before we even remembered to take a picture of it. Hehe!

The nachos they have in this place may be considered run-of-the-mill with the favorite toppings of ground beef, tomatoes, onions, refried beans, and cheese but we were to find out later that regular as they were, their nachos were indeed quick serving and fail-proof in satisfying anyone's nacho cravings. It fared better in our group's verdict when placed against the nachos they serve at Two Seasons Hotel which we tried the day after.

The next dish that we tried was their fried chicken. We ordered two variants: their garlic fried chicken and the regular fried chicken. And, man! The chicken pieces were crispy enough to drown the insufferable yapping of the lady a few tables away (I remember this clearly. Haha!). And the presentation, I don't know if it's only me, but it actually hit the spot. It wasn't top chef but to think that they do this 24 hours a day, I'd say A for effort for the Ole people.


The experience might be quite hazy now, what with all the months that have passed since that night but what I'm still certain of as of this moment is that if I ever wound up in Boracay, hungry and groggy in the middle of the night, I would definitely go to Ole for a satisfying fix.


When life hands you lemons...


You've probably heard about it. You probably know it's one of the top rated restos not just in Bora but in the Philippines. And you've probably been there before. I haven't, I don't, and no, I have never been there before. Yes, I'm talking about Lemon Cafe. For those of you who are still curious, this restaurant is one of those in Boracay that lean on the posh side of things. The ambiance is definitely notches higher than most places but what I specially like about it are its lighting and the overall color theme. It's posh alright but doesn't take away from the coziness of the beach where it is located.

That's me and my cappuccino!

So let's get down to what they actually serve. I wasn't feeling well that day and so I went for a pick-me-up which in this particular day is a cup of creamy cappuccino. I'm a the-world-is-a-much-better-place-with-a-cup-of-coffee kind of person. It doesn't have to be gourmet coffee it just has to be hot and rich in flavor. And I'm no connoisseur so I can say I'm not very difficult to please. You might be wondering why I am giving this much of an overture already. Well it is because my smile in the picture doesn't quite paint the right picture. Yeah, the coffee didn't hit that sweet spot for me. But then again, it's probably because I'm a little sick. Oh well.

Looks good enough to eat... If only looking at it
is the only thing you'll ever do.

The next thing I ordered without trepidation is their Eggs Benedict. Do you get that feeling that when you're sick you just want to have breakfast all day? Well I usually get that. And this is Lemon Cafe we're talking about so they can't go wrong, right? Sad to say, for whatever reason, there was just too much lemon juice in the hollandaise sauce and the egg was a little overcooked. The bagel they used also lacked the chewiness that makes it what it is. Haaay... It's just sad when restaurants, especially highly esteemed ones, go wrong on classics such as this one.

This makes for a good palate cleanser.

We also ordered an Asian salad to share. The presentation gave the dish a refreshing visual appeal that was actually a good testament to its actual taste and texture. Had the eggs ben been a tad better, I would say that this salad actually saved our lunch from being a waste of money.




Here are two other dishes that my friends tried. The french toast didn't get good comments from my friends either and the pasta was not a good value for money, it turns out.

My friend's French Toast

My friend's Pasta

Looking back on our Lemon Cafe experience, it only made it clearer to me that presentation on the plate, no matter how impeccable, does not save a dish that doesn't taste good on the stove, grill, or wherever you cook it. Am I telling you now to stay away from Lemon Cafe? No, definitely not. I still have to try their other dishes to actually be able to tell you that. After all, I just had breakfast. There's still plenty to be had. It takes more than a few dishes for me to actually turn my back on a restaurant, especially one with so much accolade attached to its name.


I hope this review reaches the people of Lemon Cafe and that they would take it as well as the saying goes: When life hands you lemons, you've got to make lemonade.


So there you have it. I only featured two of the restaurants that we visited for the lack of photos of the other restaurants and also because I feel that these two restaurants stood out from the other places that we visited. I hope to add more since Boracay is such a popular place both for locals and foreigners. Haaay... I missed blogging so much!

Burger or Pizza?

You've probably heard about Auntie Pearl's Pizza. You have probably heard that their burger patties are humongous. You have probably even tried their burger. But have you tried their pizza?

Auntie Pearl's has been open for I guess less than a year but boy, aren't they already so popular among students and LB locals! What I really find funny is that the place is called Auntie Pearl's Pizza and yet about 90% of the people I asked about the place recommended their burger. You ask them about the pizza and what you'll probably get is "Oh. Yeah. I heard it's great, too, but you should try their burger! Man that's a monster!" or "I've been meaning to try their pizza. Perhaps the next time I drop by I'll finally give it a try. But have I already mentioned that their burger patty is probably the biggest in LB?" It's no surprise then that that's the first thing I tried. And that's how I confirmed it. Their patties are indeed humongous! And perfectly cooked. And beefy. But you've probably heard about that already. To tell you honestly, I am not a burger person so I guess I'll just leave it to the others to tell you of the legendary burger of Auntie Pearl's Pizza. Because personally, I think their pizza deserves its place on the signboard.

Pepperoni and Mushroom Pizza with Jalapeno Pepper

Since we haven't really heard much about the pizza (and it was just a spur of the moment thing that we decided to spend a cozy LB afternoon at the place), I, my boyfriend, and our good friend Patrick who, by the way, frequents the place for the reasonably priced beer and good fellas of Auntie Pearl's more than their burger or their pizza, opted for the teeny tiny solo pizza above. It was a mistake my boyfriend had to pay for later by ordering another one, of a different flavor, and then treating me out to a 12" pizza two days after. 

Sausage, Garlic, and Hot Pepper Pizza with Jalapeno (We really like it hot!)

Needless to say, it blew us away. The thickness of the crust is perfect. It's a bit chewy but not tough and it's flavor is not overpowered by any of the toppings. They don't skimp on the cheese either. For me, it rivals the mainstream and more expensive pizzas out there. The price may not be very student friendly, especially if you get hooked, but the experience is worth saving for. I recommend the pepperoni and mushrooms pizza for those who like their pizza simple like me. And if you're going to the place for the first time, the first thing you have to remember is that you shouldn't be hulk hungry because the food does take a while to arrive. Some people may not be patient enough for that but personally I think the time they take to get the food perfect is very understandable. Also, don't expect to get five-star service. You are in LB for crying out loud! Loosen up! The next thing you have to keep in mind is that the solo pizza is not for adults. It's for toddlers! Better bring 2 or three of your friends and order 12" instead. You won't leave unsatisfied.

I'll probably be writing more about the food from this place but for the meantime, here's a shortlist of the things I think you should try:

Lasagna - The balance of flavors is great. It'll teach you a thing or two about what lasagna should really be.

Ice cold beer with their frozen mugs - Yup. They have frozen mugs in Auntie Pearl's! Have a bottle with your pizza if you can handle alcohol like a real eLBiyan. You can't go wrong with pizza and beer!

Onion rings - A bit pricey but it's unlike any other in LB.

Burger - Do I still need to describe it?

How to find it:

Ask your classmates or friends. Haha! Just kidding. It's located near Baan Thai and Ellen's Fried Chicken in Demarses. It's on your left when your facing Ellen's.

How Do You Pronounce Heavenly Pastries?

It's been just, what, 3 or 5 years since they started selling chocolate chip cookies by grams and yet Micha's bakeshop has already carved its niche in the LB food scene. From simple but oh-so-yummy choc chip cookies they are now selling pastries and cakes from their famed cream puffs to dark and moist chocolate cakes. Their pastries may be more expensive than the other bakeshops that sell pan de sal but each bite is guaranteed to satisfy your craving for home-baked goodies.

I am definitely a regular customer but I got into trying their blueberry muffin just recently. I am not a big fan of muffins but this one had me running back to the store for another one.

It is moist plus gooey in the middle. The balance of sweetness and creaminess is simply perfect.  It's best paired with cafe americano on cool mornings or frozen yogurt on hot LB summer days.

Each muffin costs P30 and may not be fit to have everyday especially if you're living on a student budget. I guess it's something to treat yourself to when you finally got yourself to come to class early, got a perfect 10 in your Bio3 quiz, finally finished writing all those library cards, or just because you feel like it.

I am not really sure how Micha's is pronounced since a lot of my friends pronounce it Mai-Ka's while I personally think it should be read as it is spelled. However you wish to pronounce it, Micha's bakeshop's pastries probably mean only one thing for the rest of LB and that is "Heavenly pastries!"

The Froyo Wave Hits LB

Cold. Creamy. Sweet. Tangy. Healthy. 

Still wondering why frozen yogurt is such a hit? Ice cream replacement can't get any better than that! It's a treat that for some takes a while to really like (shocking, right?) but once your taste buds learn to appreciate this heavenly treat, you'll sure be craving for it. 

Luckily for us who, according to my friend, have joined the froyo bandwagon, the craze has finally reached Los Banos. And if you're wondering if Los Banos froyo matches up to its Manila counterparts, your first teaspoonful of Chillet's froyo will erase all doubts. It is creamy, smooth, and packed with all the yogurt goodness (minus the probiotic goodness of course since freezing it kills the good bacteria) at a very reasonable price of P40. You can even add fresh fruits and other sweets as add ons starting at P10 each. I like mine with kiwi all the time. :)

Chillet's is pretty popular these days but if you're still wondering where to get that froyo fix, it is located at LB square just beside the Potato Twistix(?) store.

One of the Best of LB Nights: IC's Hot Tokwa

As freshmen, we enter the university, just like the "Naked Man" that stands bold (pun intended) in front of the humanities building, selfishly or selflessly offering ourselves to learning and at the same time, well, having as meager knowledge as the "Naked Man" signifies.

But I guess there's one thing that everyone leaving the LB campus, whether as successful graduates or not, knows very well: there are no other nights like LB nights. And there's no other nocturnal nook that embodies the LB culture as IC's Bar and Cafe so it's no surprise that the first food to ever be posted on this blog is one of this bar and cafe's signature dishes: IC's Hot Tokwa. The dish is basically deep-fried breaded tofu served with a special thick sauce and garnished with tomatoes, onions, and green chili pepper.

Personally, I'd say this has got to be one of the first dishes, or pulutan if you wish to put it that way, that you must order when visiting this place for the first time.

Here are 5 reasons why:

1. It's pretty cheap (P69 as of March 2011), making it good for any day of the week and not just Mondays when we still have most of our allowances.

2. It serves 2-4 people. Or even 6 depending on how you see it. On a second thought, this adds to it's cheapness.

3. It's served on a sizzling plate. And whatever is served on that plate not only looks but also sounds yummy.

4. It really is YUMMY. Adding soy sauce and IC's hot sauce makes it extra yummy. Ordering extra onions for P15 closes the deal for me.

5. It's supposed to be healthy. And is good for everyone, even our vegetarian brothers and sisters.

There are more dishes from IC's bar and cafe to choose from but here are the ones that I highly recommend:

IC's Quarter Pounder (I'd definitely write about this one soon.)

Sizzling Bulalo (and this one, too!)

Squiddybab or Squid Kebab (You can order it on a sizzling plate or as a rice topping)

Lumpiang Shanghai rice meal

Garlic Porkchop rice meal

Drinks:

Iced Tea (Yep, you read that right. Their iced tea here is one of my faves.)

Mocha Cremachino (Always worth the money)

Margarita (Alcoholic of course)

Weng-weng (Also alcoholic)

IC's bar and cafe is located on the second floor of the building beside Mer Nel's bakeshop. It opens at 6pm daily and closes at around 12 midnight on lazy days and 3-4am on party nights. Sometimes, they even close at 7am! They also have a branch at the LB Square (Iziz Tea Bar) but it closes earlier than the bar and cafe.

So if you're a freshie looking for a place to have good food at a student budget, don't be fooled into thinking IC's is just for grownup drinking because they sure do serve great food at student prices!