Highside Restaurant: This Is a Man's World...

Walking into Highside Restaurant is like walking into a lair of testosterone where the James Brown classic “This is a Man’s World” comes to mind and the whole thing is unabashed about it. The set up is quite the sports bar du jour with the modern and vintage motorbikes, crude oil drams fitted as chairs, helmets, surf boards, skateboards, hubcaps, semi-monster tires, vintage license plates and NBA games streaming through the two flat screens mounted on the wall. 

Surely in a place like this, masculine aphorisms with a mild touch of mischief wouldn’t be wanting, just check out these tongue-in-cheek signages that will subconsciously make one chuckle until you psychoanalyze it. 

As the only girl inside this milieu at this time, I order what I deem as the manliest but proverbial dish in the menu and that would be a straightforward hamburger, the Burnout Burger to be exact. This burger has a mixture of beef and pork meat and it comes with complimentary thin fries and the default FF dip of the Philippines, the thousand island dressing. The dish arrives and I gobble it up to an acoustic rendition of Alice Cooper’s “I’ll Never Cry” blasting through their fireball surround sound. 

The burger happily doesn’t make me cry, as it in fact is tasty with good grilling flavors but it doesn’t burn me out either. It could be bigger, like the fist of an MMA fighter perhaps and the meat is not cooked through. We can play around with the done-ness of beef, but I don't we can do the same with pork, unless it’s a veritable sushi. The other items on the menu must be better as I hear that the chef is an award-winning import from a touristy island south of here. The staff members are easygoing and sophomoric in appearance and as for the internet habitué, sorry, this here is Wifi-free because they want us to party like it’s 1995. 

As I conclude my circumspection and my time at Highside, I look at the other side of the coin. I realize the intention of the owners with the decor, the ambience, and the reasonably-priced fare of roughly P35 - P300; Tacloban is yet to have a consummate sports bar where the guys coming from all walks of life can just be guys, talk, drink and munch on nuts and trail mixes like they do and perhaps go full boar in a spot that reminds them of a man cave. Highside is that right now; that or at the very least this joint is grazing the trail for more of it’s kind to come.

Rustic Coffee

Rustic's logo was a collaboration I really liked being a part of.

Rustic Coffee, that coffee shop in Burgos St. across Asian Dev't. College.

I didn't tell about it before but in the past year, I ran a coffee shop called Rustic Coffee here in Tacloban City. The concept for Rustic was simple. Dishes were from our kitchen (mine and my husband’s), drinks were like how we wanted it, prime coffee and the decor was a mix between rustic, minimalist and Scandinavian which is my current mood and our whole idea was not to compromise with the flavors at all. I wanted for the atmosphere to be relaxed and one where if you went, you'd feel as though you were on a quest for something original. For example, we wanted to serve a Marinara sauce that wasn’t sweet or that contained ketchup; we wanted to serve a white sauce that had all sorts of herbs and aged cheese more than the Béchamel-y type which is the usual here in the Philippines. 

The chalk art in Rustic was a nod to the coffee shops I truly admired in cities like NY and London.

Personally, my dream was to enhance the coffee culture in our city. The part where coffee or tea is like an extension of your arm and for you to come over and feel that you are in a place of it’s own league when you walked in - not in a high brow sort of way, don't get me wrong but only something sincerely unique. If this  approach meant alienating particular demographic(s), it wasn’t our intention, but sometimes I think one has to just do what one has to for the sake of expansion, palate-wise and in the realm of cuisine in general.

Here are examples of our fare:

I always enjoyed introducing new blends from other places where premium coffee were grown and blended.

At Rustic we made our own entrées, we mixed up our own red and white sauces
for the pizzas, pastas and the panninis .
 
Our initial plan was only to serve coffee, tea and boulangerie items which we did at first but when we served our pizza as a temporary special, many people requested for it that we did a whole section of pizza too. The same happened with the pasta dishes. Some dishes though picked up and some didn’t. I found this to be true with the Quiche which I was happy to introduce because it is such a complete meal of it's own, but it appears, nothing still beats the 3x daily dose of rice for most.  

Of the clients I liked best were the ones who were sincere about their quest for new cuisine. One time a person came in and said he never had quiche before and that he did not know what it was, he was on a student's budget so we gave him his drinks for free. I wanted that spirit and I wished there were more of those that came in, even if it meant giving drinks for free.  I liked the clientele we gained despite not having a conventional media blitz, grand opening or even a big sign, just pure word of mouth and sojourners who found us by chance and I was happy for most that walked in. We literally had people from all walks of life - students from the nearby schools, employees, US and European expats, international volunteers from NGOs and tourists. We even had bakery shop owners come check our rustic breads and sandwiches which was quite heartwarming for me. 

Our Interior:

An honest review: 
"Came across this place by chance and very glad I did. More like an inner city Sydney cafe then any other place I've been to in Phil.
Had an excellent veggie panini, coffee was okay but not great, which is about the best you can expect in the Philippines where American-style childish, sweet concoctions are everywhere.
Good atmosphere and music, very quiet when I was there, I hope it succeeds."
               -- David Sanderson, from Sydney, Australia.

Another:
I recommend everyone to try this place. Word Class menu. I got new fave desserts.
  -- Kaye Valle 

Having Rustic Coffee was rewarding, however, it did take up a lot of my time. It was a joy having this fantasy/bucket list realized but I am a rolling stone after all even if I love the patina that comes from moss. Would I do it again? Yes, but perhaps in another place and in another time. 

One other aspect of Rustic I liked was my staff, all the growing pains we had, from the first bunch namely, Melca, Aiza and Eva, then as things moved on we gained Jeffrey, Daniel, Ian, Dianne, Jorell and Anabelle. The hodgepodge of all the personalities I dealt with and encountered was an experience I would not trade. Yes, we were not all perfect but we sure did have fun, heaps of it, all replete with laughter, trials, errors, successes, failures and certainly with hope. 

Rustic Coffee for me was an experience for my life's book, I did it and was happy for it, more filled than when I began. God is good to me no doubt, to have indulged me with a bonus, thank you Lord. Rustic was not without my husband, that most instrumental man I sometimes call JAT, treks upward like these are indelible in my life because of this person. And then there are those who came and made Rustic Coffee Rustic Coffee, YOU.

 Thank you to YOU, you know who YOU are, all that came to Rustic Coffee. It was cool to have you. 

The Haiyan Food and Coffee Shop at Bislig, Tanauan, Leyte

I was finally able to check out this only game in about 5 towns coming from Sogod to the Palo, Leyte area named Haiyan Restaurant. As we can see the namesake, “Haiyan” is dervied from that devastating typhoon that ravaged Leyte in 2013. I wonder if the owners want to thumb their noses and defy said calamity by christening this eatery as such, or perhaps it's their way of exhibiting their resilience.

As for the entrées, some dishes are cafeteria arrangement while others a' la carte and most are classic Filipino dishes like Kinilaw (ceviche-type fish), pancit and other meat preparations, no annotations needed. Beside the main restaurant is a coffee shop as well and I also noticed a motel being erected within the premises, which will complete a trifecta of service and hospitality.

The décor is eclectic here, with the ubiquitous use of quality wood on the floor, walls, tables and chairs. The staff members are welcoming and helpful. The entire area is al fresco, so just be patient with a stray dog or 2 and the occasional vector visitors which can't be avoided but rest assured, the place is pleasantly rustic and even classy as a whole.

Oriental lattice woodwork.

 Creative and well thought out wood sculptures of lasses which has pocket of drawers.

Hotel Lorenzo's Cafe

The other day’s city-wide black out combined with the hot and humid temps took me to the café part of Hotel Lorenzo in Avenida Veteranos. I was desperate for a cool ambient indoor space while walking around town hence, the impulse to come here. Hotel Lorenzo’s set up is pleasant enough and has the "big city" hotel feel up with its luminescent tiles, chandeliers and tall glass doors. One gets the feeling of Joe Firday’s “Just the facts Ma’am” attitude here, though yes, it has a homey touch to it too.

The café serves daily breakfast buffet to the tune of P280 I believe, but I was too late for that. When I came over, breakfast was being served alà carte and I ordered a light one with the Caribbean French Toast and un petit taz cafe creme. On the whole I believe the eatery exists to cater to the guests of the hotel, wi-fi connectivity is well accessed, and the staff was amiable enough. What can I say, the place was comfortable, straight to the point and clean.

Location: Avenida Veteranos
Prices: Varies, is wide range as menu extends from variable cuisines, all sorts of beverages and so on.
About: P85 - the mid 300’s

Perhaps I’ll come for the buffet breakfast next time, yeh? 

~~

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?

~~

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!

~~~~~

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
~~

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
~~~

Panato Bread Co.

Panato bread co. a bakery located at Justice Romualdez St. across the Eye Referral Roman architecture building in TC is both unpretentious and necessary. It's in a small space within the block but because of their dedication to their clientele it is such an added bonus to the people of Tacloban. Hot and newly made Bicho-Bicho and Lubid which are variations of doughnuts are always available. I personally go there for the Kabak, a famous Visayan hardened, deep fried bread, encrusted with sesame seeds because it elicits very pleasant childhood memories from the first crunch to the last. 

Panato is not an eatery per sé, there's not a lot of customer space but, how about this idea - buy a bunch of Kabak, Bicho-Bicho, Lubid and ice cold Coca Cola, head for the sea in Magsaysay Blvd. park at the side overlooking the water, eat, drink and relax, and tell me if you're not in Paradise.

Location: J. Romualdez St.
Prices: Reasonable, honest
~~~~~

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!

~~~~

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
~~

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)
~~~~~