Fish Escabeche
We were very tired and sleepy when we arrived in Vigan late Saturday morning. We've been traveling all night and half of the morning---we just needed to crash. After checking in at Grandpa's Inn, I was told at the reception that our room was not ready yet. We can either wait at the lobby or at Cafe Uno, a quaint corner coffee shop inside Grandpa's Inn where there's free wi-fi. I turned around to tell my companions, but they're all gone. I found them all set up at Cafe Uno---in the guise of "working".
Franzia and Sally "working" waiting for lunch to be served
Determined to eat "healthy" and sample authentic Ilocano dishes, we opted for Kusina Felecitas' menu. Kusina Felecitas is the inn's signature restaurant that serves Ilocano cuisine.
Franzia's choice was Ensaladang Talbos ng Kamote (Camote Tops Salad) with bagoong (fish sauce) dressing. Zhallyn and Franzia drooled over this salad--unfortunately, I don't like kamote tops.:(
The Fish Escabeche failed our expectations. The fish was fresh but the dish was bland.
I loved the Ginisang Monggo--and this one has ampalaya (bitter gourd) and Bagnet. Bagnet is deep-fried pork meat---an Ilocano delicacy. The Crispy Bagnet was a winner, the side dish of KBL (kamatis, bagoong, lasona or chopped tomatoes, fish sauce and onions) was addicting we had to restrain ourselves from slurping it or mixing it with steamed rice.
Bagnet is definitely not for those who worry about their clogged arteries. The oil-soaked Bagnet is cholesterol-laden but the crispier Bagnet is, the harder it is to resist. We had Bagnet overload during our 3-day Ilocos trip--Bagnet at lunch and Bagnet at dinner! Yikes, need to exercise soon!
Posted for Food Trip Friday and Food Friday
