Food Trippings » International

Albay Food Tour Series #2: Balay Cena Una

Sharlyne Ang — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 14:28:42 +0000

When I was in Legazpi, I announced in Facebook that I was there when suddenly, Denden Villanueva, my grade school batchmate in St. Scho Manila messaged me to visit her restaurant in Daraga. I felt excited about it because it’s been ages since we’ve seen each other. Imagine, we were in prep when we became classmates. I didn’t realize that she’s now managing her family’s restaurant. The restaurant started years ago and was dormant like the Mayon Volcano nearby and just recently opened last May 2009, now with my schoolmate managing it.

The restaurant is called Balay Cena Una (in Filipino, Sinaunang Bahay) which is situated in Daraga, Albay. From the name itself you’re going to get a hint what the restaurant is all about. It’s a two-storey restaurant which used to be an old colonial house. The interiors of the place is a combination of the old and modern colonial theme. The place felt very relaxing and with the delicious food, you’re definitely not gonna go wrong with this. Actually, this is a fine dining place especially during dinner time because most guests from high end hotels in Albay dine here.

Heart of Palm and Apple Salad @ Php 85

Now the most important part is the food. They serve European-Asian fusion cuisine. Of course they have the usual Bicolano dishes but they added some twist. The owners of the restaurant boast their chefs who were trained in Europe but Bicolano at heart: Chef Dick and Connie Condeno.

We started with our appetizers. The first one was the Heart of Palm (ubod in Filipino) and Apple Salad. Actually the apple in there is Makopa (Java apple or Mountain apple in English). This is my first time to eat a dish which has Makopa in it and the most interesting part is that it’s combined with ubod. The salad indeed is very refreshing because of the hint of light vinaigrette.

Makopa Shake @ Php 60

We were also served Makopa Shakes. This one is mixed with coconut milk to add flavor to Makopa because it can’t stand alone. The Makopa gave texture to this very delicious and refreshing shake. Good job on the makopa shake, I really loved it!

Fresh Lumpiang Ubod @ Php 85

Another appetizer is the Fresh Lumpiang Ubod which is a very common Filipino dish. This one is just like your home made lumpiang ubod which can’t go wrong.

Pasta Cena Una Especial @ Php 180

This one is really my favorite, Pasta Cena Una Especial. It’s made of fettuccine mixed with coconut milk, taro leaves, saffron and shrimps. Mmm. I really love this (did you realize that I said this twice??). This pasta is really unforgettable. Now this is European-Bicolano fusion cuisine.

Marinated Boneless Chicken @ Php 195

The next dish is the Marinated Boneless Chicken. The chicken was marinated with fresh lemon juice. This dish is complimented with rice. I liked chicken because it was very tender and tasty. The mixture of sweet and sour is very pleasing to the palate.

Cena Una Chocolate Cake @ Php 80

Now we go our favorite part of the meal, desserts. Balay Cena Una is famous for its scrumptious desserts. Denden sampled us with 2 of their best desserts: Cena Una Chocolate Cake and Mt. Mayon’s Choco Boulder.

The Chocolate Cake was very moist and it’s so delicious! It wasn’t that sweet.

Mt. Mayon’s Choco Boulder @ Php 60

If you’re a person who likes fruity desserts as well as rhum, now this is the dessert for you. I also enjoyed this dessert but I like the Chocolate Cake more .

Albay food tripping is incomplete without going to Balay Cena Una. For urban people, this fine dining restaurant is way cheaper than what we have in Manila. Every centavo is well spent in this restaurant. By the way, they have lunch buffet on Sundays for only Php 395 (?).

Balay Cena Una is also a venue for private functions and gatherings. They have a big function room at the back of the restaurant. Also, they have a small house wherein guests can stay overnight. The room can accommodate a family. Very cozy.

For inquiries, you may contact Lourdes (Denden) Villanueva at 09178684030 or you may email at balaycenauna@gmail.com. You can visit their Facebook page here.

Balay Cena Una

Calle F. Lotivio Street
Daraga, Albay

Unit 8 Cafe: Italian Fusion Cuisine By the Bay

Sharlyne Ang — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 16:27:12 +0000

Fruity Wonton Salad @Php 285

SM Mall of Asia is such a big mall with lots of dining places to choose from. A lot of them are already existing in other establishments but one of its unique restaurants is Unit 8 Cafe located near the bayside of the mall.

Fellow food bloggers and I were invited a few weeks ago to taste the delicious dishes that Unit 8 has to offer. Basically their dishes are a mixture of different international cuisines. So let’s start the foodtrippin’!

The Fruity Wonton salad is very good most especially if you’re health conscious. The wonton is made of cream cheese. It’s served with raspberry vinaigrette on the side.

Chili Crusted Tofu @Php 180

The Chili Crusted tofu is served with sweet chili sauce on the side. Under the tofu cubes are fried noodles which is good for pica-pica.

Eggplant Rollini @Php 295

Eggplant Rollini is one of my favorites here in Unit 8. This is a very unique dish and I didn’t even realize that it’s eggplant until someone told me that it’s made of eggplant. This is somewhat like canneloni but instead of pasta, they used eggplant.

Fish Fillet in Soy Sauce @Php 325

Here’s another favorite: Fish Fillet in Light Soy Sauce. I loved the way the fish was prepared. It’s very tender and juicy.

Beer Battered Fish and Chips

Their Beer Battered Fish and Chips are probably one of the best Fish and Chips I’ve tasted here in Manila. I loved their tartar sauce.

Asian Styled Barbeque Chicken @Php 285

The barbequed chicken is very tasty. I know it’s a common dish among us Filipinos but I seldom encounter a barbequed chicken that is very tender and tasty. Plus, it’s already deboned so I didn’t need extra effort to eat it. It’s also served with a cup of white rice.

Crisp Fried White Bait @Php 180

This is also one of my favorites. There are 3 dips to choose from: soy-vinegar, tartar sauce and spicy mango aioli. The White Bait is deep fried until it’s crispy. This is a very good way to start your meal here in Unit 8.

Fried Lasagna Rolls @Php 285

Fried Lasagna Rolls is another favorite of mine. This is just like Eggplant Rollini except that this is really made of lasagna.

Carolina Barbequed Country Style Pork

See how big their serving is? This barbequed pork can be shared by 2 people (except if you’re really, really hungry). The pork was marinated for a long time though I preferred the barbequed chicken more than this.

Grape Shake (@Php 110), Kamias Lychee Shake (@Php 95)

One of their unique shakes was the Kamias Lychee Shake. I expected that it was sour but actually it tastes more of lychee. It’s very refreshing. Actually, their shakes are made from real fruits. I ordered the grape shake and I could feel the texture of the grape skin in my tongue.

Frozen Mango Tango @Php 220

Ok, now we go to their very sinful desserts. The Frozen Mango Tango wasn’t that sweet in fact, it’s just right. It has toasted cashews in some layers topped with whipped cream. Yum!

Tiramisu @Php 230

Their Tiramisu is probably my favorite dessert among all the desserts I’ve tasted here in Unit 8. I can’t explain. It’s heavenly.

White Chocolate Bread Pudding @Php 175

For the White Chocolate Bread Pudding, it’s served with whiskey sauce and topped with vanilla ice cream on top. I liked the feeling of tasting hot and cold at the same time while I’m eating this dessert.

Unit 8 is one of the most unique restaurants I’ve ever dined in my entire life. The food adventure is different because of the uniqueness of their dishes. This is a place where you can enjoy good food while sharing it with your families and relatives. The ambiance is very relaxing because of the abundance of light green around.

Unit 8 Cafe

G/F South Wing Entertainment Mall, SM Mall of Asia, Bay Blvd.
Pasay City, Metro Manila
+632 804-0853

Cafe Juanita: Eclectic Ambiance and Great Food Combined

Sharlyne Ang — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 17:53:30 +0000

Inside Cafe Juanita

Many people have recommended me to dine at this restaurant because of its great food and ambiance. There are only a few sources that give information about this restaurant but the common thing they say is that its eclectic ambiance is truly remarkable.

Actually, one wouldn’t realize that it is a restaurant because it’s full of vines and its sign is hidden. Good thing I have sharp eyes and saw that it’s already the place we’ve been looking for .

Another photo inside Cafe Juanita

When we got inside the restaurant, we were asked if we had a reservation. We didn’t have a reservation then; good thing that we were very early (arrived at 5:00 pm, Saturday) so we were able to get a table for 2. The waitress told us that the restaurant is usually full that’s why if you’re planning to go there with more than 2 in a group, it’s better to call them first.

The place is just small but filled with eclectic ornaments like lamps, chandeliers, masks, etc… It actually reminds me the computer game Sims Makin’ Magic and Harry potter. There were tea pots around and it reminded me Prof. Patricia Trelawney in the Harry Potter series because tea cups are being used to predict the future. Some people would feel creepy about the eclectic ambiance in Cafe Juanita because of its association with witchcraft. Well, for us it’s not really creepy, it’s actually cool and unique . By the way, everything displayed there is actually for sale.

Lamp Mask beside our table (fyi: the bells beside it is used to call the waitress/waiter’s attention)

Bagnet Salad, single order at Php 239

Since it’s just the 2 of us, we ordered only 3 dishes on the menu which are Bagnet Salad, Laing and Crispy Phai Phai. The Bagnet Salad is one of their specialties and this is really the best! Bagnet (fried pork belly) is originally from the Ilocos Region and when you’re craving for it, just go to Cafe Juanita. They made a different approach on it by combining it with fresh tomatoes while Bagoong Balayan served as its dressing. Cafe Juanita experience is not complete without trying this dish!

Laing Bicolano, single order at Php 138

I love Laing that’s why we ordered this as our main dish. Of course we paired it with rice because it’s much better with it. They combined ground pork and sun dried anchovies and wrapped it with Yong Tao leaves. The familiarity of the dish becomes different with that combination. It’s very delicious but the serving is a bit small for the two of us.

Crispy Phai Phai at Php 155

Crispy Phai Phai is like our local dried fish (or daing). Phai is a Thai seafood. Since it’s imported, its availability depends on their supplier. The Phai Phai is salty and we’re not sure if it’s supposed to be tough to eat. When you bite it, one should put extra effort on separating it from the whole thing. Just be careful not to exert too much force on it because it might break your teeth.

Crepe Samurai at Php 89

For our dessert, we tried their Crepe Samurai. It’s baked and made of custard with sliced mangoes. This dessert is yummy! Makes me still want for more. It’s somewhat like Creme Brulee.

I would recommend this place for couples who would want to have a romantic date. Just contact them beforehand so that you can get a good spot . In the aspect of budget, probably Php 250-300 per person is needed.

#2 United St. cor. West Capitol Drive, Barrio Kapitolyo
Pasig City, Metro Manila
(02) 632-0357