Bacolod is known for the warmth of its people -- making it go by the nickname "The City of Smiles." When I went to Bacolod last month, I knew this province has more to offer than smiles. Apart from its wonderful sights, this province is also known for GREAT FOOD.
Lacson Street is one of the busiest streets in Bacolod and is loaded with a plethora of cafes and restaurants to choose from. And that's where I had a good helping of Bacolod's delights.
MANUKAN COUNTRY
Located a couple of meters away from SM Bacolod, Manukan Country is a chicken paradise. Not that chickens are having the best time of their lives here, but it is a haven for people who love chicken and are looking for a rustic version of Chicken Inasal.
The place is a huge plaza that has a lot of separate restaurants inside. Outside, you will be greeted by staff calling for customers to come and dine.
The chicken inasal, isaw, and isol are a must-try. Double the experience and flavor by eating with bare hands. There are sinks located inside the stores where you can wash your hands before you dive into action.
The price is something I'm very happy about. I had a full, hearty chicken meal (including a bottle of soda and two servings of rice) for less than 150 pesos.
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| Grilled chicken thigh served with rice and toyomansi. |
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| Chicken Isaw served with gout and arthritis. *insert an I-don't-care look here* |
CALEA PASTRIES AND COFFEE
Calea is a known spot in Bacolod for sweet-toothed people. They have several branches in Bacolod, most of which are located on Lacson Street.
Armed with an array of great cakes, coffee, and other beverages to drool for, this local version of Starbucks had satisfied my sugar pangs really well.
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| Calea's SM Bacolod branch. |
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| Broken Glass Cake (this has chunks of flavored gelatin set in a creamy frosting on top of graham and brown sugar crust) |
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| Mocha Frappuccino |
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| Hot cappuccino |
MAMBU GRILL AND BISTRO
Located at the heart of Mambukal Resort in Murcia, Mambu Grill and Bistro welcomes their guests with a variety of local and signature dishes. They serve an array of meat dishes here, from pork to seafood. Other than the time it took for them to serve my order, I am very happy with my dining experience here.
Their Sinuglaw is a must-try.
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| Mambu's version of Sinuglaw is a killer. It's served with chunks of tuna and roasted pork belly with onions, chillies, tomatoes, and a creamy vinegar dressing. |
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| Their Ribs isn't bad as well. |
C'S CHOCOLATE, CAKES, AND COFFEE
Lacson Street is home to a great cafes and pastry shops, and C's is one of them. So if you're into sugar and caffeine loading, C's is a home for you.
I personally recommend their banoffee pie, best paired with hot cappuccino. The triple chocolate cake was a sugar overkill though.
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| Banoffee Pie. This is now one of may favorites. |
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| Chocolate Truffle Cake. Deadly by looks and taste. It's too sweet for me. |
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| I always have believed that a cup of hot cappuccino is the answer to everything. *wink* |
NEGROS MUSEUM CAFE
Located right beside the Negros Museum in Bacolod, this place is ready to provide a nice, classy blend of local and western cooking. I tried their shrimp salad (I can't recall the exact name of the dish) and their chicken sandwich. Both were very satisfying.
The service was excellent -- the staff is very warm, polite, and accommodating.
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| Roasted chicken sandwich with TLC and Italian bread. |
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| Fat shrimp, sliced eggs, mint, lettuce, and other greens tossed in balsamic vinegar dressing. |
21 is located on Lacson Street and is one of the famous fine-dining restaurants in the place. I was after only one dish when I went here, and that is the dish Bacolod is known for -- Batchoy.
The serving is good for two people.
It's definitely a must-try, especially if you don't mind the gout attacks and the clogging of your arteries.
It's definitely a must-try, especially if you don't mind the gout attacks and the clogging of your arteries.
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| 21's version of Batchoy -- innards and noodles swimming in a rich beef broth topped with home-cooked pork cracklings, a fresh egg, and scallions. |
PENDY'S AND BONG-BONG'S
Pendy's and Bong-Bong's are souvenir/pasalubong shops you should include in your to-visit list.
Pendy's is famous for their kalamay-hati and the ever-delectable Napoleones.
Bong-Bong's branches are located almost everywhere in Bacolod. They got an array of native delicacies and pasalubong items, including peanut kisses, napoleones, otap, barquillos, and so much more.
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| The sugar frosting, warm and creamy filling, and the melt-in-your-mouth texture of the pastry shell. So much goodness in a box of napoleones. |
I wish I had the time (and money) to try other Bacolod must-eats during my visit to this wonderful city. Bacolod is a great city and is now one of my favorite destinations.
I'll definitely see you soon, Bacolod. Namit Gid!
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