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Discussion in 'Dining - Nightlife - Entertainment' started by Rye83, Jan 30, 2022.

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  1. Rye83

    Rye83 with pastrami Admin Secured Account Highly Rated Poster SC Connoisseur Veteran Army

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    Been awhile since we've had this topic.

    Been looking to try some new places (or established places I have forgotten about). Had a bad experience at White Chocolate Hills today. Tuna steak, fish and chips, and shrimp pasta were out of stock. Chicken schnitzel only came with pain rice, couldn't substitute for mashed potatoes or fries (already priced for something other than P5 worth of rice). The chicken wings I eventually ordered were around P280. What came out was two skinny local chicken wings fried in what I would consider a fish batter, some plain rice, a leaf of lettuce and two small slices of tomato, and a tablespoon of ketchup and mayo each (I'm not sure what I was supposed to use that for, it didn't go well with anything). GF ordered the tangingue steak with rice and the same "salad", P400+, it tasted off, I could do better in the kitchen while giving zero f*cks and have it on the table in half the time. Add two (loca)l drinks and my bill was just under P1k for something a local eatery would serve for P300. Obviously nowhere close a top restaurant IMO.

    My old go-to choices have either closed or lost their touch. South Beach has progressively gotten worse since the pandemic IMO. Grumpy's and Ton Up closed. Mia's/Touchdown is meh. The only place that has held up is the Hillside in Valencia (their salmon steak and parma mashed potatoes are quite nice) but the last couple times I checked they haven't had stock.


    Don't really care for pasta, pizza or the fried stuff. I like protein heavy main courses (tuna, salmon, chicken, lean cuts of pork or beef). Price isn't an issue as long as what they are serving is worth it.

    Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Aside from the Hillside it's been a long time since I've felt I've gotten my money's worth at a restaurant. I would really like to try somewhere that knows how to use something other than just oil, MSG, salt, pepper, onion, garlic and soy sauce.
     
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    Rye83, Jan 30, 2022
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  2. DAVE1952

    DAVE1952 DI Senior Member Showcase Reviewer

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    Joy delicious, they have a more traditional type menu, but for me the best food I have had here and plenty of it has been Hay A Hay and about the only place I have ever had realy good mashed Potatoes.
     
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    DAVE1952, Jan 30, 2022
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  3. OP
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    Rye83

    Rye83 with pastrami Admin Secured Account Highly Rated Poster SC Connoisseur Veteran Army

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    I never have good luck there with their seafood. Their pizza is consistently ok but I try to avoid eating that too frequently.

    Maybe a typo but I think this is the one in Valencia going down towards Balugo? I think the name changed.
    Screenshot_20220130-202903.png
    I used to order their frozen items (mainly the chicken with stuffing) at the start of the pandemic and always enjoyed it. It is only a couple kilometers from me and I always think to myself that I should visit every time I drive by. Will give it a go, thanks. Their hours seem a little inconsistent. Seems they are closed half of the week. Do you know when they are open?
     
    Rye83, Jan 30, 2022
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  4. Dutchie

    Dutchie DI Senior Member Showcase Reviewer Veteran Army

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    If you haven't tried yet, I found Green Dining in Valencia quite agreeable (for dinner on weekends better make a reservation) and worth the money; even if you're not a fan of fried stuff, give their lumpia's a go as a starter.
    More expensive but quite good is Thalatta resort in Zamboanguita.
    Also good but exorbitantly expensive (for the Philippines) is Atmosphere resort in Dauin
    Mama Mia in Dgte is rather nice, but not sure if they have reopened yet (have been closed for most of the pandemic).
     
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    Dutchie, Jan 30, 2022
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  5. DAVE1952

    DAVE1952 DI Senior Member Showcase Reviewer

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    Naspri in Valencia it not all that bad, when I first arrived here 4yrs ago I was dissapointed with it for their very small portions and I gave them a stinking review on Trip Advisor for this, since that time they have improved and I usually enjoy whatever I have there, also the place is clean and with a clean Toilet
     
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    DAVE1952, Jan 31, 2022
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  6. JoyDelicacies

    JoyDelicacies DI Member

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    Joy Bamboo Cafe we are open Thursday through Sunday 9.00 to 6.00. We are building a separate new kitchen and are open 4 days until complete. By the middle of Feb we should be done and will be open every day but Wednesday thereafter. There is a large sign on the gate that explains the kitchen building and temporary hours. Frozen is available when we are there whether we are officially open or not and we are there usually on the closed days working on the new building. We have many more items than we had the last time you ordered. Just FYI we do not allow pets.
    FB is Joybamboocafe Google maps is Joy Bamboo Cafe Valencia, Text or call 09063976015
     
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    JoyDelicacies, Jan 31, 2022
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  7. JWBobbit

    JWBobbit DI Member

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    ARBOUR by Jan is worth a try. @ the northern end of Hibbard

    Jan was the chef at Casablanca for a while at the end of 2021 and made an excellent Thanksgiving lunch. He has just opened and is trying to have food completely different from the normal offerings here. European background and a proper chef.
     
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    JWBobbit, Jan 31, 2022
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  8. Sedona

    Sedona DI Forum Adept

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    Watching this thread. I lived over 30 years in San Francisco and knew every little obscure place that had great food ... melt-in-your-mouth truffle oil steak, or soltani shish kebob to die for, or scampi so good you had to lick the plate. I fully admit to having become a very annoying food snob, when I go out to eat with friends everybody will be ranting about how great the food is, and I will be like are you kidding me. Years ago Pasta King used to make a spaghetti con polpeti that I considered to be really good, with the new ownership the quality is not even close. I've tried just about every place in Dumaguete, "that wasn't too terrible" is about the best I could ever say. I would probably say that good quality restaurants is the thing I miss the most living here.
     
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    Sedona, Feb 1, 2022
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  9. OP
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    Rye83

    Rye83 with pastrami Admin Secured Account Highly Rated Poster SC Connoisseur Veteran Army

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    One place I've been eating frequently (including tonight) is Lokal in Dauin. My gf really enjoys it and I usually get a curry from there and find it pretty good. Pretty heavy on the oil (I think most curries are) but I haven't been disappointed yet.

    Note: I am not really familiar with how Malaysian/Thai/Indonesian food or curries are supposed to taste so I'm not sure on the authenticity.
     
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    Rye83, Feb 2, 2022
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  10. DAVE1952

    DAVE1952 DI Senior Member Showcase Reviewer

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    Since this Topic is about food you may be interested to hear that a new Bakery has just opened in Valencia it is close to Marcos store in Jawa, the baker is Russian I believe? and the sour dough bread has been recommended to me.
     
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    DAVE1952, Feb 2, 2022
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