A Walk In The Woods

2010-02-25T09:28:00.000-08:00

Cross post from http://bastaigatsikat.blogspot.com

Ramen Girl writes:

Honestly, I haven't been to the lake for 8 freaking years! So it's been a really looooong time. T_T

We missed the turn and almost ended up farther up (in Gaas?) but good thing we figured we were heading to no man's land so we turned back and eventually found our way back to the other side of the lake... Whew! The woods can be tricky sometimes...

Take nothing but pictures.
Leave nothing but footprints.
Kill nothing but time.

RameNoodles invade Lake Danao!!! ♥

Lots of pictures to tell the story. Wait for them to load.

All in all a good trip... Indeed good things come to those who wait. :)

Big's Roys

2010-02-12T05:55:00.000-08:00

We went to Big Roy's just before they closed down the place for renovation. It is now open for business again. This review was done prior.

If you're looking for the most affordable fine dining experience, then Big Roy's is the place to be. They offer Italian, Mexican, Filipino, American, and just about anything you expect on a diverse menu. They even have servings in platters that is good for groups or "barkadas". They have snacks and delicious appetizers on the menu as well as high-quality steaks.

Noodle Boy says: Well, it's the real deal sisig. Folks from Pampanga would be proud! Trust me, I know :) The callos is perfect also, from its distinct spanish taste to its rare texture that made me sweat while eating it. The bouillabaisse soup... was Cafe Laguna-like! Woohoo! That which ended a very wonderful evening, plus the fact I was with my Ramen Girl. Amazing dinner and evening with Ramen Girl. Weeeee!

Rating: 5/5

Ramen Girl says: I love their sisig; it's hardly an appetizer for me. Their burgers are awesome, too, which ought to take pictures of next time. They have yummy dinuguan and pancit. Their pasta is really good and their steaks are incredible. I just love their bouillabaisse soup! The food is simply fantastic!

Rating: 5/5 stars

Callos

Sisig

Bouillabaisse

Big Roy's
Real Street, Ormoc City
Tel. No. 255-

Sabins Hotel - Part 2

2010-02-12T05:32:00.000-08:00

Still can't get enough of their pizza. Our favorite is the SEAFOOD PIZZA.

The next choice of snack would have to be their CLUBHOUSE SANDWICH.

A bit pricey but you get your money's worth. Besides, it's a hotel. You don't expect them to price it like it's fastfood.

But nothing beats the glorious Ormoc bay sunset than this location.

Previous post for Sabins Hotel in here:
http://theramenoodleshow.blogspot.com/2009/12/sabins-hotel.html

Gen's Kitchenette

2010-02-12T05:08:00.000-08:00

This is Ormoc's version of Max's Fried Chicken. Known for its juicy battered chicken, a house party held in the city will not be complete without an order or two of it in the menu.

Noodle Boy says: Ahhhh the original battered chicken as much as I know. Still delicious as ever!!! The place is older than me yet the quality remains the same. Ambience makes you feel like your in a family's place. Everything is just cozy. No Fancy Stuff, No BS! Just great food and experience :) Prices are lil above standard though but it's worth it.

Rating: 4/5 stars

Ramen Girl says: Chicken from Gen's reminds of my childhood birthday parties. Aside from hotdogs and spaghetti, there's chicken! And apparently, it comes from Gen's. It has the right blend of spices to it and not too much flour, which makes it the best battered chicken in town! Saved for another story, I've had an unfortunate incident with their chicken a few years back. But this recent food trip we've had brings back really fond memories.

Rating: 4/5 stars

Gen's Kitchenette
Can-Adieng, Ormoc City

Golden Roy's (Chicken)

2010-02-06T06:20:00.000-08:00

People say it's the best chicken in town. RameNoodles finds out for themselves.

Noodle Boys says: HOT HOT HOT! Wooooohooooo! Finished all the food that the ladies failed to consume. Hehe! Advantage to Noodle Boy. The chicken was extraordinary and the liempo was also great. Enjoyed a glorious meal that night. :)

Rating: 4/5 stars

Ramen Girl says: It's great stuff they got but it really didn't fancy my taste. I'm not the biggest fan of spicy sawsawan, so there. 'Nuff said.

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Roasted Chicken

Liempo

Sans Rival

2010-02-06T06:13:00.000-08:00

The home of the best Silvanas. Really.

Noodle Boy says: Simply the best Silvanas I have ever tasted. Period.

Rating: 5/5 stars

Ramen Girl: So where can you find the world's greatest Silvanas? IMHO, it's in Dumaguete City! We've come a long way to find it and EUREKA!!! It's incredible and it's the best I've ever had. Truly coming back for more.. Or maybe have some delivered? Tee hee.

Rating: 5/5 stars

Dumaguete - The City of Gentle People

2010-02-06T03:47:00.000-08:00

Ramen Girl writes:

And gentle indeed! It's quite refreshing from our own bisaya dialect tone... You see, in Eastern Visayas, even though we speak the same dialect as the Dumagueteños, here we talk like we're fighting and arguing. But we're really not; we just talk that way. So if you see me in person and happen to talk to me, don't be surprised that I have such a loud voice for a small lady, and with quite a boisterous laugh at that. I am quite a contradiction really. It's just that you can't really match my face with my voice. And that's just the way it is, okay?

So, where were we? Literally, we went to Negros Oriental. It was a business (plus pleasure) trip. Nothing like it! The best experience ever... and with old friends and new friends showing us the true blue Dumagueteño life, it's just marvelous! You know why? Because being an Ormocana, the main difference IMHO between Dumaguete City and Ormoc City is the people. So there is a reason why the are called "GENTLE PEOPLE". Both cities pretty much have a coastal view and all with affordable food and cheap rent. Ahhh, the provincial life!

University Town is another nickname for Dumaguete City. Why? Because of the numerous schools in the area. The most famous of all being Silliman University.

The sight makes me want to kick myself in the head why I never considered studying here before. The scenic view of the sea and the well-known "Boulevard" is unforgettable too.

But most of all, you cannot argue at how disciplined Dumagueteños are. I mean, they even have some kind of valet parking for their motorcycles. If this was my hometown, you could never find anything like it.

Parking is so bad in Ormoc City that it's part of the reason why I gave up driving. The streets are already cramped with a thousand, yes, more than thousand tricycles and there isn't a single traffic light in the city. Motorists park just about anywhere. It gives me a headache every time I need to find a parking space.

But I digress.

Anyways, back to Dumaguete... the food there is AWESOME! We're saving those in separate blog entries so watch out for those. ;) Truly mouth-watering and savory, it really gives Dumaguete that extra oomph.

JCS Pizza & Dimsum

2010-01-19T07:27:00.000-08:00

This is your neighborhood pizza and dimsum place. The have lots of pizza choices and Chinese dimsum on their menu at very affordable prices, too!

Noodle Boy says: Where can you find great dimsum at a very reasonable price? Itssss here! The place is pretty simple and at first visit you get feelings of excitement that you never would have expected. The siomai and steam rice is as close as it gets to Harbour City at a very lower price. Teehee! The advantages of being in a small town is what I say it is. All in all if you have a quick and sudden crave for dimsum and in a hurry, this place is highly recommended. If only they could make more choices from their menu now that would be something to look forward to. Burp!!!

Rating: 4/5 stars

Ramen Girl says: Aside from the chinese food they offer, the place has really mad pizza! I mean, you can customize it if you ask them to. I like my onions in circles and not chopped, and they always gladly do it for me. I must take photos of those next time. The pizza is unconventionally square, not at all the usual round ones... but it's simply sumptuous! Back to the dimsum... yes, they have really good steamed rice and other rice toppings available. They even have hotdogs, too! It's a quaint place with just the right number of tables that don't get the waiters/waitresses in a frenzy when the place is packed. It's near the schools so mostly students hang out there and some occasional yuppies. The perfect snack house for me... if only they had wifi connection. ;)

Rating: 4.25/5 stars

JCS Pizza & Dimsum

Bonifacio Street,

Ormoc City

Area 6

2010-01-19T07:21:00.000-08:00

Area 6 is a fairly new bar that recently opened in 2009. It is right across the Gatchalian Hospital in Kangleon Street, Ormoc City.

Noodle Boy says: The unfortunate timing of our visit to this place was not planned, yet the ambience of the place is elegant and fancy which really surprised me. The place is secluded unlike most bars in Ormoc City, which concludes as its only downside. With all this, I lovetheir service and the way they prepared their food which was sumptuous and the personel was relatively fast. Price for the beer is pretty decent and the place itself is of comfort, thus making it a good place to unwind.

Rating: 3/5 stars

Ramen Girl says: The place reminds me of Antonio's Bar and Grill in Mandaue City, Cebu. It is has a home-y feel to it like you're just in your backyard or garden. They don't offer much on their menu and they have regular drinks, too. I didn't find anything exceptional with what they had except for their really clean restrooms and I was even quite surprised that they actually have a bidet in there! Prices are okay especially their bucket of beer which is pretty cheap for most bars around town. I heard in some days they have a live band playing, too. Next time we visit, I'll take more pictures.

Rating: 3/5 stars

Chicken and mushroom

Area 6

J. T. Kangleon St.

Ormoc City

Win a Free Boracay Vacation Package by WOW Philippines Travel Agency

2010-01-06T21:21:00.000-08:00

WOW Philippines Travel Agency, Inc. is celebrating it's 5th year in business during July of 2010, and we would like you to have a chance to celebrate with us, so we have decided to give-away a FREE Boracay Package complete with 5 Star accommodations at the luxurious Le Soleil de Boracay Hotel on Boracay Island. The lucky winner will win the following Boracay vacation package.

Vacation Package Inclusions:

5 Days / 4 Nights Luxury 5 Star Accommodations at the Le Soleil de Boracay Hotel
Flights to Boracay from Manila to Caticlan Airport on Philippine Airlines
Island Transfers - Door-to-Door from Manila to the resort and back to Manila Domestic Airport
Three (3) Meals each day, Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Boracay Activities - Horseback Riding, Island Hopping, Glass Bottom Boat
PLUS - 5,000 peso Spending Cash

Read More Information: http://www.boracay-packages.com

RameNoodles Special: Part 1

2010-01-06T03:50:00.000-08:00

This is a review of foods we made for each other to celebrate our togetherness. Ramen Girl prepared her special tacos and spaghetti while Noodle Boy came up with his very own liempo.

This is what we have to say...

Noodle Boy: As a very big fan of pasta and everything Italian, my little Ramen Girl almost seems like she grew up from Sicily. Even with her colds and lack of taste and smell, she still managed to create a very wonderful and delicious meal. Her pasta sauce is so good that I finished 3 plates! It's still so good I can still remember its taste even now. Pastilan! Perting lami-ah nalang gyud. I never thought and expected that my little Ramen Girl can create a very sumptuous Italian pasta sauce. Muy aldente! It was the highlight of our evening. She made my stomach and soul smile. The tacos were a little messy and lacked cheese! (No cheese in Ormoc City after the Holidays!!!) It was delicious and excellent. It reminded me of the tacos from Salsa Rita's, NC. What do you know? She has latina blood, too!? Mi chica latina.

Rating: 4.5/5 stars for the tacos and 5 stars for the pasta sauce (and that's not even biased!)

Ramen Girl: I am such a carnivore and having tasted my Noodle Boy's special liempo bursting with all kinds of flavor, there really isn't any dish more orgasmic than that! I mean, really... Plus the fact that it was cooked in such a smokeless manner and it was stripped of its own fat, it was oh so totally delicious! Excellent! I even finished more than a bowl of rice during our meal (and that's not usual for me!)... and when I asked him what's the secret ingredient, he only replied, "My love for you." Awww. So sweet.

Rating: 10/5 stars (tee hee!)

Chicken Ati-Atihan

2010-01-04T02:35:00.000-08:00

Now under new management in Ormoc City. It's located at the same place but a whole lot improved... for all your "chicken" needs. Accordingly, their vision is to be the number one restaurant food chain ng masa in the Philippines. They also said that because of them, every Filipino can afford to go to restaurants and will always remember and come-back for their authentic taste of their chicken and array of foods found in our menu.

Noodle Boy says: The new management is a big change to everything. I just ate one of the most mouth-watering, tasty and very very cheap chicken chicharon (skin) ever, and I mean, EVER! The ambience was pretty decent and the service was quite above average for me, yet they lacked a few personnels during that time. The best part of everything is that the food is so good that for its price, it's almost like a steal already. All in all, it's one of the places that I'll certainly be coming back to and enjoy a fine meal together with the one I love and bring smiles to our faces and stomachs at the same time.

Rating: 4/5 stars

Ramen Girl says: I was having colds when we went there so we ordered the Chicken Tinola, and I was surprised at how good it actually tasted. I'm not a big fan of soups. Good ambience and the smoke from the griller doesn't really bother you because the place is big. Service is great. Restrooms are pretty decent. It's a pleasant experience overall. There's variety on their menu, too.

Rating: 4/5 stars

Chicken Tinola

Chicken Chicharon

Pork BBQ

Crispy Chicken

Chicken Ati-Atihan

Aviles St., Ormoc City

Tempura Haus - Part 2

2009-12-20T18:25:00.000-08:00

If you missed our Tempura Haus review, go here.

For now, here are some pictures during the eat-all-you-can year end special that the place held last Saturday. They had a food tasting of the new stuff they're introducing on their menu such as the Serpent Maki, Grilled Salmon, and Crunchy Maki.

Tempura Haus also has a branch in Tacloban City, Leyte.

Sip N Chat Coffee Bar

2009-12-18T04:06:00.000-08:00

One of the new coffee bars in Ormoc City. A little farther from the city proper and most people who go there usually have their own mode of transportation (i.e. medical representatives and local businessmen). It is located in Badminton City, where Tempura Haus is also situated.

Noodle Boy says: The highlights of this venue are the beautiful ambience, great food/drinks, and fast wifi connection. The exterior design is amazing specially at night with their lights turned on and booming music at the background. The place is serene during late afternoons which is perfect for work and study. The most amazing GAMBAS I tasted is also here. The shrimps are incredibly huge while the taste is pretty distinct and mouth watering which makes you want more. The only downside here is the location and opening hours because they only open at 4pm to 1 am. Interior pics will be posted soon!

Rating: 4/5 stars

Ramen Girl says: Aside from the variety of drinks they have on their menu, they also have a lot of choices when it comes to the "pulutan". My favorite has got to the Sizzling Gambas which we are featuring here just because it is THE BEST one I've ever had in my life. Not exaggerating here. The shrimps are HUGE! Now only if they had rice on the menu when we went there, it would have been a real meal for me. The place has fast wifi connection, too, so you can work there. The place inside is Japanese inspired, meaning the tables are low and you have to sit on the floor or do a seiza. I forgot to take pictures inside. Maybe next time when I'm craving for their Gambas again. ;)

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Sip N Chat Coffee Bar

Badminton City Building

Linao, Ormoc City

Leyte

El Commedor, Don Felipe Hotel

2009-12-15T20:36:00.000-08:00

This restaurant in Don Felipe Hotel is probably one of the oldest ones in Ormoc City that offer real fine dining experience.

Noodle Boy says: Simply Amazing! The food is so awesome that it hits your stomach and soul at the same time. Classic venue that lies at the center of Ormoc City. Well, when you arrive in Ormoc by boat it's probably the first thing you will ever notice. The service here is still great as always. The steaks, kebobs, lengua and a whole lot more are to die for. The food I ate here when I was kid still taste the same as now. Now that's great quality control. A high majestic structure that I hold close to my heart because every time I see it... I know and feel I'm back in my hometown, I am home.

Rating: 4.5/5

Ramen Girl says: This hotel reminds me a lot of my childhood because my family used to eat out a lot when I was little. We'd go to the hotel and have dinner after every mass during the weekends. I love their steaks to death and I think now I've come close to making gravy as good as they do. My dad loves their Peruvian steak (not quite sure if they still have that). Their steaks are still the best in town. Must-try for the carnivores.

Rating: 4.5/5

Clam Chowder

Tenderloin steak

Lengua

El Commedor Restaurant

Hotel Don Felipe

Imelda Blvd, Ormoc City

Leyte

Tel. No. 053-2559098

Sabins Hotel

2009-12-14T20:19:00.000-08:00

Sabins Hotel is the perfect place to be, not just for their accommodations but also if you just want to spend a lazy afternoon drinking beer, eating pizza, and stuffing yourself with their infamous paella while checking Facebook with their reasonably fast wifi connection and a spectacular view of Ormoc Bay.

Noodle Boy says: Great Ambience with a spectacular view of Ormoc Bay. The sunset here is really extraordinary especially when you have someone to share it with. :) I was pretty disappointed by the service though, the crew is not professionally trained and it will take you a while to get what you want or need at the same time. For family occasions and gatherings, this place is highly recommended specially when you have visitors from out of town or abroad. An establishment the you can be actually proud of as an Ormocanon. Best place to rest and work at the same time because the internet connections there is quite stable and fast than other places in Ormoc City. So there you go... whether you just want to surf the net or check your mail for work, the place has it. All in all its one of the best that Leyte has to offer. :)

Rating: 4/5 stars

Ramen Girl says: My favorite pizza flavors are the Seafood and Supremo which comes in super thin crusts. You'll have to ask for a fork to eat it though so as to not make a mess. As for the paella, I recommend the Sol Y Mar which comes with seafood, chicken, and pork. I love working while in Sabins... can really get the job done while enjoying it! The place is huge if you try to explore it. Their swimming pool is among the best ones in the region and the hotel itself has a class of its own.

Rating: 4/5 stars

Pizza

Paella

Dinner with band playing (not in picture) in the background

Sabins Hotel

Bantigue, Ormoc City

Tel. No. 053-255-3801 to 03

Website: http://www.sabinresort.com/

Tempura Haus

2009-12-13T20:00:00.000-08:00

The only Japanese dining establishment in Ormoc City as of the moment. They offer affordable Japanese cuisine with a variety of noodles, sushi, sashimi, soups, tempura, rice toppings, et cetera. Their menu is a complete delight. The ambience is just perfect, with good lighting and comfortable seats.

Noodle Boy says: Great food with reasonable prices. This place actually makes you feel like you're not in Ormoc City! Access to the place maybe a little far from the city but the venue itself makes up for it. The staff is great and very friendly while the service is awesome and well-organized. If you're looking for great Japanese cuisine then this place is highly recommended.

Rating: 4 stars

Ramen Girl says: The best thing about this place is not really the food but the service and the staff. (Or maybe because I'm such a "suki" there already?) Anyways, lots of Japanese food choices in their menu at very good prices. The place quite small, can seat more or less 30 people inside but they got tables and chairs outside, too.

Rating: 5 stars

Maguro Sashimi

Futomaki

Yakimeshi rice

Miso soup

Ebi and tempura bento

Ebi tempura

Tempura Haus

Badminton City Building

Linao, Ormoc City

Leyte

Tel. No. (053) 5612323

Under Construction!

2009-12-04T03:08:00.000-08:00

^_^ Watch out for it!