Leyte's Consumate Deli Experience: Italian Market Deli

A Delicatessen to me is a place that houses cured meats, a plethora of cheeses with names unpronounceable at times, exotic oils, olives, antipasto delights; and most especially one that constructs those foot-long deli sandwiches which contains a myriad of tastes that takes my palate into a journey so ambrosial I have to write about it. 

Said experience and or place is no longer foreign to us Leyteños (and I say this with giddiness) because guess what? We now have our very own Deli here in Leyte!

The Italian Market Deli located at Brgy. 93 Bagacay, inside Villa de San Juanico Subdivision (close to THE bridge), is as ideal as it gets in the realm of delicatessens. Hand on heart I can vouch for the authenticity of this joint and even dare to opine that the Subway franchises I've been to in the Philippines lose luster when pitted next to this veritable deli in Tacloban. 

the Deli's flagship sandwich - the Spicy Italian.

Delis are gratifying and I will say Italian Market will not leave one wanting. Go ahead and sample those promising cured and seasoned meats i.e., Copicola ham, black forest ham, sausages, peppered hams, baloney, assorted salami and blocks of cheeses like Gruyère, Swiss, mozzarella, Parmesan, Cheddar and so on. Turn neither to the right or left my friends for these items are no longer stuff to wonder about for here and now, it has become tangible. It is a plus of course that the prices are friendly for items so rare in our parts. I personally like it that the owners are welcoming and are eager to share the deli experience with everyone too. 

Deli meats.

 Fromage, formaggio, queso, cheese!

Assorted sausages.

Italian Market Deli too has a cornucopia of non-perishables one can take if concocting one's own creations is preferred.

Items one will fall in love with!

flavored-olive oils and dressings

And here are ...
My deli meat and cheese going through the blades of glory.

Check out that marble-ization !

Gruyère, one of the few things that truly ages beautifully.

Tarry no longer and vamos!

The location may be away from the city center but let me say, it reminds me of those times driving on a less traveled road in a quaint beach town (say Siesta Key, FL), looking for something to eat, being non-expectant but then... Serendipity! Italian Market Deli.

Aslan Café and Restaurant, a Turkish Wonder in TC

Mural of the Hagia Sophia

Wow! Today I found this place that rouse me up from the mopes. This authentic Turkish restaurant is on the corner of Paterno and Gomez Sts. and a place that all of us should check out, for the flavors, the ambiance and to experience something what we would consider “out-wordly.” I have not been to Turkey but I have been to a few Mediterranean restaurants in my day and when I walked in here, I was genuinely transported. It gave me joy that this is here in our town. 

Mousa, one of the owners, is quite the amiable bloke.

The menu is in Turkish (with English translations), it has descriptions and includes kebabs, Turkish meatballs, a staple of pita bread (Turkish style which is thinner than the Greek's), egg dishes, salads, beef lamb, spiced up with their own unmistakable flavors and all are Halal. So far there were at least 30 items on the menu and I know now where I will be having dinner for the next 30 nights (more or less). How sweet it was for Mousa, the gracious, polite owner to give me complimentary Stuffed Grape Leaves with couscous when I asked if they had some. Their homemade hot sauce is not like any, the meatballs' breading is also very distinct. I am very biased to this café now.

Stuffed Grape Leaves Mediterranean to the core.

 

The murals at Aslan depict iconic spots in Turkey such as the Hagia Sophia, the Brosphorus Bridge, ruins in Ephesus and in here I found something serendipitous: Shishas! It might be nice to look into this, inhale the water pipes and enjoy their coffee too! The coffee is traditional Turk and unambiguous. 

 Shishas (water pipes)

 

Rumi's proverb (shown above, Rumi's name in Turkish which appears as "Hz Mevlâna; Mousa informs me that this saying translates as, "This world is our test and one chooses to make it bad or good.") Mousa is good to converse with about Byzantium, Rumi, Gibran and so on. 

Mousa's mother is the mastermind behind the recipes, this made me so glad because this way we will be treated to authentic flavors, untarnished and uncompromising; soon, they will feature Baklavas! Wooo! I can't contain it. 

May I recommend this to all of you? Yes, it's unlike our Filipino dishes, it has a distinguished robust flavor but I've always believed that to experience new dishes is to be teleported to the very place where it came from and besides, cuisine, should be an ongoing education. 

Turkish meatballs and Pita bread

NB: The owners have been in our midst immediately after Typhoon Haiyan and have been involved in relief and rebuilding with the Turkish government. They were instrumental in facilitating Turkish President Abdullah Gül's visit which brought awareness to Tacloban. Already, they are making a story that will eventually dovetail right into the fabric of our island town. 

An abstract of a dervish dancer fashioned in Jalaluddin Rumi's time. I was a bit of a Rumi devotee in my early 20's and this brings me back. 

The Restaurant at Hotel XYZ

As an establishment, XYZ and it's restaurant is posh in our island city. Very genial modern interior, with contemporary fixtures, lighting, design details and so on. As far as the restaurant, by now I have well established that almost all eateries have menus across the board though this is understandable for the place because the patrons are also far-reaching.

XYZ resto's dishes are from Filipino, Dim sum, Thai, American and even pastas are served up here. This restaurant both caters to the hotel guests and any sojourner who wants to sample their cuisine(s); I will say that based on the dim sum I ordered, food quality and preparation are tops. The dining atmosphere is luxurious as I mentioned and the staff is courteous and professional when facing a client.

Location: Zamora St.
Prices: from P85 - the mid hundreds

This hotel and restaurant does augment Tacloban particularly in the areas of tourism, business, hotel and cuisine.

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Âyo Cafe: Something Pleasant Away from the City

Away from the bustle of Tacloban City proper and along Apitong Road sits this attractive café named “Âyo.” Nestled in a strip mall structure area, it’s a good place of reprieve when one is traversing the diversion road on the Maharlika Hwy. The resto has a mixed fare of Filipino and international cuisine, pasta and sandwiches, drinks are served primarily in pitchers and the clientele consists of people who only know where it is. To be candid, it’s making me wonder whether the proprietors (which are also the owners of Sunzibar and Canto Fresco) consciously opened this eatery here especially for customers who do not want to be bothered by the agitation in the city. Be that as it may, it is enjoyable as a place to eat.

Âyo does have tasty preparations but the Chef’s specials on the board is pricey as they come understandably because the ingredients are a rarity in Tacloban and Leyte. Example: Lamb Chops w/ Couscous Salad for P800, special cuts of beef and other entrées prepared with international flair for just as much.  Happily, these are not all that they serve. On the menu are more reasonably priced items which share an affinity for the items served in Sunzibar. Parking is not hard to come by because as I mentioned, Âyo is not at the hubbub of TC.

Location: Apitong Road, towards the right if you are heading north of Maharlika Mwy
Prices: from the P150’s to the higher triple digits

PS: Âyo was named after the Cebuano/Visayan word for “good.” if you don’t believe me, check out the decal of the word's definition on the upper right of the wall of the place (pictured on the collage). A clever touch yes?

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Garlic-Parmesan Pasta at Home:

The challenge here in Tacloban City, to be candid, is trying to find the authentic ingredients for a particular dish you want to make at home. For example, quarter blocks of your favorite and what would be considered as exotic cheeses here will not necessarily be available willy-nilly. The moment it comes in hand though (usually at Robinson's Supermarket), one must seize the op or else lose out on it. While dried Italian seasonings and other herbs can be accessed, the fresh ones are still elusive, unless you are allied with the dealers of the restaurants.

So, about last week, considerable amounts of Parmesan cheese from a block somewhere came to our possession and the husband obliged me with his Garlic Parmesan Fettuccine which he makes so exquisitely and I have terribly missed. I made grilled chicken with my secret dry rub concoction to complement it. It was special, but we shouldn't get spoilt because as I inferred, finding authentic ingredients here can be likened to Indiana Jones looking for archeological artifacts. 

Ocho Grill: Sutokil Extraordinaire

no photo of the Tipay, it was consumed before the cam could click!

Ocho Grill is a culinary mecca for the whole island of Leyte. When this resto emerged years ago, it was an instant hit and if you've ever been, you would know why. The concept of "Sutokil" which is short for sugba-tola-kinilaw, translated in English: grill, soup and raw, marinated in vinegar (alá ceviche) was solidified in our city by this restaurant. All manner of seafood, meats and vegetables are arrayed in their raw form while the patrons would hand over the items to be prepared to their liking either grilled, as a soup/broth, ceviche-style or even deep fried, et violá, your food will be served to be enjoyed at your table. 

I visited this eatery a few times before and I will say, it has only gotten better. It seems that they have perfected how to grill the scallops (Tipay) which is garnished with garlic and butter and wherein all these elements are cooked while in the scallop shell making the shell it's own cooking ware. Mind you though, Ocho didn't pioneer this technique of grilling scallops but they have elevated it into a work of culinary art. Try all the items if you are able, one visit at a time because of a truth, I haven't found anything that I didn't approve of yet, that includes the Grilled Panga (Grilled Tuna cheek) and the calamari. From the prawns, large sea bass, pompanos, mullets, tuna, to the pork belly, beef shanks, chicken cuts and so on and so on, all combinations and possibilities are delectable.

And here lately, they have added gratifying assorted cakes and what a plus it is. Ocho is quite a good food staple in Tacloban and the clientele ranges from Juan dela Cruz the average to the Juan dela Cruz at the other side of the spectrum. People from all walks of life and even clientele from all over world have graced Ocho, as it's a default place for Leyteños or Samareños to take foreigners to if they want to eat worthy Filipino food.

Location: Sen. Enage St. 

Prices: from 120's - 300's and even higher. 

It maybe pricey for lowly folks like me but it's good if one wants to splurge on a birthday or anniversary and such.

A post script:

 the succeeding venture of Ocho brought about the Tipay visual I originally wanted to share!

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Seafood and Ribs Warehouse

Got to check out a new Warehouse-themed Seafood and Ribs place that just opened in the Candahug area. Basically one will be drawn here for the sake of it's ambiance. The design and interior here reminds me of the Steak and BBQ franchises in the US like Texas Roadhouse or Cody’s and it’s very well done, very satisfactory.  Food preparation is “Sutokil" (grill, broth and ceviche style). The seafood and meat items are all raw, situated by the front door, one chooses the items, you hand and dictate how you want the food prepared to the staff and it is served to your table. Based on stature and food fare, Seafood and Ribs Warehouse may propose as a competition to Ocho Grill, the good news for Warehouse is that they are polar opposites in location so patrons from the Marasbaras, Palo area and further south can easily access a Sutokil at this resto.

My gauge for the viability of the “sutokil” is how the grilled scallops (Tipay) are done, I found that the Tipay in Warehouse could use a bit more grilling and seasoning. The tiger prawns were excellent though, so much that I couldn’t take a photo of it as it got consumed in no time. The clientele are somewhat upper scale and I believe everyone that can are coming over as it’s the honeymoon stage.

Location: Candahug, Palo
Prices: ranging from P200 - 500 (special items are at market price, prawns for example is P200/gram.)

It’s worth checking out for the curious, try it and see for yourself.  

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Sunzibar Café

Sunzibar, located at Burgos across Habagat, the outdoors store, has Tortillas freshly made every day. Though the menu goes across the board from Mexican, Italian and Asian dishes perhaps it’s the Tortillas that bears their flagship. I had the barbecued pork belly; it had a good flavor, the fresh salad was a nice touch too. My companion had Quesadillas and Beef Teriyaki. We liked all of it despite the wide range of flavors and the red berry ice tea was refreshing.

I am now beginning to see why most restos in TC are like Jules Verne’s novel "Around the World in 80 Days" in terms of flavors as opposed to honing on to a specialty, I believe this is the case so that eateries will have the ability to accommodate the restless palate of the Taclobanons that swing from that kind to this kind of cuisine at any given time.

The interior deco here is mostly rustic with hard wood as their canvass and the Diego Rivera-inspired paintings makes for colorful accents. Amenities like the bathroom are to be raved about, we all appreciate it when establishments care in this manner.  I was told that the owners of Sunzibar are the same as Canto Fresco and that they share a kitchen. I observed one customer order pizza from Canto and I think that versatility is a plus; there is no WiFi connectivity. With Sunzibar's longevity (from 2000), I am sure people have already checked this joint out numerously and that’s a good thing!

Location: Burgos St.
Prices: ranging from P85 - P150-ish
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Sal's : for Grown Ups?

Sal's is located in Burgos, exactly under a resto-bar named Capitan Tiago. The clientele when we had lunch here anyway, were business gents and ladies and Korean investors. Wheeling and dealing were being discussed though suited to our island town scale. The eavesdropping was not intentional because the voices were really audible.

The menu consists of mainly Filipino dishes, the ones we are familiar with but are prepared and adorned richly. The pineapple which is a universal symbol of hospitality is a part of this restaurant's design-scape and logo. The decor is an eclectic mix of glass, ceramic and flickery lights. I was taken with the buttered chicken which is of course fried, therefore fatty but was light! How is that possible?

It would also be good to note that Sal's is a franchise straight from the soul of Ormoc (which explains the pineapples), if this sounds familiar, it's because this is from that Sal's with the charming circular, al fresco dining restaurant close to the heart of Ormoc City. 

Just check out Sal's when you have the time if you haven't already and wear your grown up suit because, though they have color and a friendly ambiance, the guests can be... serious.

Location: Burgos St.
Prices: ranging from P85 - P200-ish
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Miyara's Patisserie: Refreshingly Quaint

If you are not partial to desserts or coffee or if you are on a diet, come and visit Miyara's anyway, if only for the ambiance. It is classy and lovely. Our hot, humid and wet days will be refreshed by this little treasure of a patisserie.

Miyara's fares are mostly cakes, Illy coffee and assorted tea flavors and they are superb;  one can tell that much care was put into designing and detailing this quaint place. You are made welcome with the sofa seating and because it oozes comfort, the kids don't want to leave the place for hours!

The romantic interior with a semblance of French Provence is somewhat transforming and all in all Miyara is truly a wonderful addition to Tacloban's patisserie and coffee culture.

Located at Cor. Burgos and MH del Pilar St.
 Prices: Coffee and Pastries: from the P60's - 120's
This place is trés gentil!

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The Delightful K Patisserie:

At the counter...

A very pleasant pastry shop with delectable desserts but I like it here mostly because the Spaghetti Bolognese is made just as how it should be! K Pat as how I believe people have nicknamed the place is pretty and refreshing. The flavored ice teas and smoothies are notable and the cupcakes are flavored just right.

You'd have to bring your own pocket Wi-Fi because this is not offered at K Pat, but if you do, all the other elements in this eatery will compliment your visit. 

The Spaghetti Bolognese I rave about.

Looks like an international clientele.

K Pat's attractive interior deco

Location: Corner Gomez and Paterno Sts.
Prices: from P80s - 130s average

I dare say, K Patisserie is a wonderful addition to our Tacloban City!

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C'es Trés Beau at Bo's :

Yes, yes, Bo's Coffee is a nationwide franchise and branches will be prone to the run of the mill usance of it. But this Bo's is special to me because it is reasonable. From the prices of the food and drink fare, the availability of the parking, wi-fi connectivity, the ambiance and the staff's service, dare I say, Bo's has done wonders for the coffee culture of Tacloban.

pay as you go...

chill, won't ya?

Try side items for the coffee, meaning the cakes, biscottis and cookies, a standard for coffee shops  but the blueberry cheesecake is also yummy.

Blueberry Cheesecake

Location: Avenida Veteranos across St. Paul's Hospital
Prices: from the P80s - 130s (ave)

It is a relaxing place and it's trés beau!

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Surp-Rice: Rice Topping Mania Hits Tacloban:

From as far as I can remember, the rice topping in a bowl came from Dimsum in Ding Hua in Cebu, Philippines. But upon returning this time around to Leyte, I have seen that rice toppings are as ubiquitous as rice is in this country, even in staple fast food centers like Chowking.

Surp-Rice Restaurant located in Burgos has mostly just toppings of varied meats on rice on the menu, the interior is somewhat hip too and I like it. Check out this decal of the spoken word about the pleasures of eating found in the eatery:

Location: Burgos St.
Prices: reasonable, promise
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Fall in Love with Chew Love:

A cute café that will charm clients with the outstanding murals, bright and uplifting disposition, capable internet and tasty fare. 

a feminine and country French-y feel here

dining outside will transport you to a vintage quaint town in Europe?

interior: promotes a relaxed and casual dining atmosphere

Location: Burgos St. Tacloban City
Prices: P60s, P80s - 140s (ave)
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