Filipino is always known to be fond of eating. Foods like pastries and delicacies (among others) are not only present in our cuisine but also come in wide varieties. It's no wonder that food chains are found elsewhere and have become one of our most favorite hangouts especially during Sunday and other special occasions. Though it seems to be quite a luxurious pastime, feeding both your ego and stomach is worth it sometimes. And when you start plunging into the most tummy-bloating experience, you can't help but look heavenward and give it a BURP!
It was not an ordinary Sunday for aside from getting a deal of love-themed sermon during the church service, Ayat was turning two years old. By the way, she is the lovely daughter of equally intellectual couple (Ate Jhen and Kuya Joltz) that suggests a perfect cross-culture of Zambali and Ilocano natives. As part of the celebration, we were given a delightful eat-all-you-can treat and a luscious sip of soups at Cabalen restaurant along West Avenue in Quezon City. Yes, I must say that the experience was truly unforgettable for I was literally overfed!
As translated by a friend, "Cabalen" is a Pampango term for "kabayan". A word-turned-bistro that offers lip-smacking varieties of native cookery right from the kitchen of our folks in Pampanga, no less. An irresistibly mouthwatering smell does not only welcome visitors from the doorsteps of the restaurant but also grips a starved. Hearty buffet like a pistang pinoy, there were about 40 viands to choose from thus enabling everybody to give himself an endless delight!
More than any, it was the kilawing kangkong (half-cooked damp cabbage) combined with bagoong alamang that gave me an extra-delightful experience (not more than an orgasm though! haha). I also couldn't resist trying a handful of crunchy spinach leaves plus arusep (a kind of see-weed) that extracts a self-pleasuring juice when crushed by the mouth. Not to forget of the inihaw na hito and bangus dipped into soy sauce with nerve-kindling red pepper! Of course, my favorite kare-kare should in no way be outdone. What about nilagang (steamed) talong, okra and ampalaya? They were perfectly soothing to my buds! I was all my way savoring with sinangag na kanin and arroz de valenciano when sisig winked upon me. Tokwa't baboy, dinuguan and a lot more were also equally tempting (how bad that my puffy tummy could no longer accommodate them). Alas, I weren't able to try ginataang kohol unlike ate Jhen!
Kare-kare. It is like beef stew because it has meat and vegetables with sauce. The beef part of the kare kare is made up of ox tail. The meat on the ox tail is very tender, not chewy like beef jerky. The vegetables in kare kare are eggplant, string beans, and bok choy. The sauce is thick and make up of ground peanuts. (Photo and caption courtesy of Noemi Dado. View photos.the-protagonist.net/album)
If you think it's over, fine-fibered pichi-pichi and gelatin with gata (coconut milk) were still up for the battle. Halu-halo (a simple mixture of sweetened banana, kamote and beans with sugar syrup, milk and pinipig on the top) also made it all the way. Not to mention of tibok-tibok, maja kalabasa and more on their carte du jour!
Well, the experience was just yummy as how you imagine it!
Posted at 11:29 am by ismaelfisco
