Traveling Tummy: Bits and Bites of Baguio

I was not expecting this gigantor dessert (this is huge in Philippine Standards)--2 big scoops of ice cream, 2 brownies and fresh strawberries

Galbi Gui from Kung Jeon. It was OK. I've had better but I was ok with it. Abdul didn't like it.

Abdul, who used to live in San Francisco said "Hey look, it's Daly City" haha! This was on the way to the strawberry fields in La Trinidad.

Strawberry Picking in La Trinidad. My daughter was on a mission.

Cute little hot chocolate place in Camp John Hay also has REALLY good Palabok and Arroz Caldo!

Seriously, Yum.

Corn at Mine's View

Horrible frog's head coin purses

Is this too explicit for a food and travel blog? Perhaps, but it clearly isn't too explicit to be in broad daylight in a tourist spot in Baguio.

A trip to Baguio is never complete for us without a final meal at Cafe by the Ruins

Zucchini patties with parmesan and kesong puti

Kamote bread with herbed cheese spread

One downside to our trip: This diner used to be our favorite place as kids, when it was still downtown. Now it sucks. Everything sucks except the pancakes and I'm not even exaggerating.

This cheeseburger for instance, looks big in size but was filled with extenders, had no taste except for the SWEET mayo. It was pretty disgusting. Someone else on the table got a BLT, took one look at it and called it a Bread Sandwich.

My childhood is now ruined.

Sarah was seriously everywhere we looked.

K,D and A :)

...and they mommas!

I LOVE Baguio! Hopefully another trip up the mountain soon!

Traveling Tummy: Andrea and Darwin's Wedding Reception

Wedding Receptions at hotels are generally good, as the follow standard hotel quality and taste. The wedding I went to last Thursday in Baguio though, had more than just "good" food---It was pretty damn excellent.First of all, I liked that it was a proper sit-down dinner and not a buffet. Food usually comes out faster that way, there are no long lines or crowds to deal with. You can actually sit down and chat with your table mates all night without having to break conversation. Second, There was the right amount of food per course to lead up to the star of the night--rib eye steak. More on that later.

If you know Billy King, then you know the food will be yummy! Le Souffle was my favorite place to eat and certain dishes from there I consider comfort food--so when in Baguio, don't forget to swing by Le Chef for dinner!


The menu


Salmon and Crab Roulade in Dill Honey Tomato Salad


Roasted Tiger Prawns and U.S. Scallops with Linguine Pesto w/ Special Salsa


Roasted U.S. Ribeye with Gratinated Potato, Leeks and Spinach

Ok, so this was some serious steak. It wasn't some puny, thin slice--it was a proper steak. This made me very happy.I usually order medium-rare but it was a nice medium, charred around the edges and fatty. Yum!

I didn't include photos of the Cream of Broccoli Soup with roasted almonds (Couldn't get a good shot)

There was also a whole buffet of desserts, but I was so stuffed I could only manage a few chocolate dipped strawberries and strawberry shortcake.




Thank You for having us, Darwin and Andrea Mago! :)

Traveling Tummy: Hill Station, Baguio

My ex co-worker and friend Andrea got married to her boyfriend of FOREVER in Baguio last Thursday. She asked Ananda to be one of her flower girls months ago so we drove up the mountains last Wednesday with 7 other friends to hang out, enjoy the cold air, have Christmas dinner and to go to the wedding (some of us, at least)

Since we were all there together, we decided to have Christmas dinner and do our Secret Santa gift exchange there. Our usual Baguio haunt is Cafe by the Ruins but this time, we decided to try Hill Station at Casa Vallejo instead.

What we ate:


Complementary bread with olive oil and dukkah


Chorizo with bread...mmmmmmmm....super yum.


Tuna Tataki


Spinach Artichoke Dip (Good but I've had better!)

Our Mains:

Sarah and I had the Cocido Mexicana, a hearty beef stew with cinnamon and fried bananas on the side. It hits the spot when paired with mashed potatoes!


Abdul had the Short Rib Ragu with Fettucine---with shaved bittersweet chocolate on top.


Margaux had the baked salmon

Sorry, we started eating after and I didn't get to take any more photos! haha! The food was generally good, although service was a bit slow, considering the place wasn't even packed. I liked the whole look of the place- it fit December in Baguio perfectly.

The rest of the time, we:


Exchanged Secret Santa Presents!


Went to a pre-Wedding Barbeque


Went Ukay-ing!


Went to Andrea and Darwin's wedding


Group photo!

Baguio again in January, but first, Sydney for the Holidays!