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Friday, September 10, 2010

Lunch at Cafe Uno - Vigan

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!




22 comments:

  1. talbos ng kamote with bagoong sawsawan is so delish. i miss it.

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  2. sarap lahat nyan!!! i admit i couldn't resist bagnet, too...

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  3. I don't like kamote tops salad... but I love it in fish sinigang. Where in Vigan is Grandpa's Inn? I am planning to do a little food trip in Vigan on my next visit, I might eat here in Cafe Uno.

    I browsed your blog - inggit ako sa pics! Ang sarap ng Ilocos tour kapag may sasakyan talaga. 'di ko to magawa kasi public transpo ako lagi.

    Food Friday entry
    Food Trip Friday entry

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  4. nakkuu super favorit ko ang talbos ng kamote.....kaso bihira lang yan dito sa disyerto....at mas lalong madalang lang ang bagnet hihihi...i ahd this once when we visited Isabela, Cagayan..

    see the Atlantis Breakfast here http://kcelebration.blogspot.com/2010/09/breakfast-at-atlantis-hotel.html

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  5. eto ang totoong pampagutom post. lol. sarap tuloy pumunta sa ilocos or bicol.

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  6. yum, ginutom tuloy ako eh....sarap lahat lalo na yung munggo at lechon kawali...

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  7. What is Bagnet?Nevermind,I think I love it!

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  8. kaenjoy nman jan. we're planning to take a trip up north this oct or nov. san kaya pwd magstay jan, un affordable lng, hehe. salamat

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  9. waaah.kagutom naman! now i wanna go home!

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  10. haisst, the pork, the pork... di bale nalang .. yung talbos nalang.. hahaha...

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  11. so this is Bagnet pala.. I thought bagnet is one kind of dessert, a rice kakanin..

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  12. Anything pork that is crispy would be a winner to my girl...oh I could just imagine if it was eating this deliciously looking Bagnet. Never tried Ilocano dish...what are they known for? are they spicy kind of foods?

    ~Guiltless Grub

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  13. First time to see Escabeche in that way... as you've said, it's not that good! Anyways, happy weekend!

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  14. Very interesting your post. The food looks delicious.

    greetings

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  15. i am drooling to that bagnet. sarap nyan kaya lang ang mahal na ano? pag may umuuwi ng la union nagpapabibili kami lagi.

    munggo, ampalaya and bagnet...my 3 favorites in one dish, that's heaven!
    Kitchen Essentials

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  16. wow, bagnet and all those pinoy (ilocano) dishes! been missing all these for almost 2 months now. syepmre kahit may baboy kami dito sa penang, iba ang authentic!

    ...this post is such a tease; im drooling! LOL!

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  17. Naku ha, you just reminded me, I should go get some talbos ng kamote for lunch. hehe!

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  18. I love the North for their foods. Ang sarap naman lahat nyan.

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  19. haven't tried bagnet.. pero mukang masaraaaaaaaap picture pa lang nkkatakam na eh :)

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  20. Yummy food ! This was a culinary food trip !

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