Pinoy Life At Large

Balaw-balaw is Angono’s answer to Nueva Ecija’s Halubaybay and Iloilo’s Ginamos. It is just as fermented as goes well with just about anything. Balaw Balaw is also a restaurant of good repute in the town of Angono, a restaurant frequented more by Manilenos than by the locals. Aside from the food, people troop to Balaw Balaw for the art works of Mr. Perdigon, an Angono son who’s art works grace the walls of the restaurant giving the customer the “flavor of the arts” as well as “the art of flavor”. I believe the paying customer should be able to get the full experience.

Unfortunately for the members of the Havila AAR Tour, there was a mix up with the food and there wasn’t enough for the guests. Noreen and I ended up buying Adobong Itik (duck meat cooked in soy sauce and vinegar) just to ease the hunger. For P205.00 (US$ 5.00) a plate, it seemed a little too steep a price for the size of the serving, which did not seem to be enough for two. Since food is expected to be cheaper outside Manila, I found their prices a little too high. However, upon tasting the dish I’d say that the flavor paid for the dish. It was worth it.

I have to do a more objective review of their service. I only got to buy one dish and with all the confusion, was not given a receipt. I even had to get the dish from the kitchen area and reiterate that I was going to pay for it and that it should not be charged to the tour. Plus the fact that it was lunch hour and the orders just got all mixed up in the fray. I will return to this place and order the other exotic dishes on their menu, such as the frog legs, the crispy alagaw leaves and the rose petal salad. For the tour they served crispy pata, kare-kare, crispy kangkong, baked tahong, mango and eggplant ensalada. Sadly I only got to sample a piece of the crispy kangkong (which was quite good, by the way) and some rice. Luckily I got some good pictures before the buffet ran out.

The crispy pata.

The eggplant ensalada. I think this was meant to be a side dish.

The mango ensalada with what looks like bagoong (shrimp paste). Another side dish.

Baked mussels.

The crispy kangkong leaves. Really good. Too bad I missed the sauce.

For the non-foodie, there are paintings and artworks galore at Balaw-balaw. From the entrance to the second floor of the restaurant, several artworks and papier mache Higante (giant) heads, masks and miniatures adorn the walls, nooks and crannies. It is indeed a feast for the senses.

Taken at the entrance to Balaw-balaw.

Entering the restaurant.

The Higante miniatures.

The Higante masks.

Finding a table.

Noreen and Nina.