What better way to spend a quiet, sunny Sunday than to visit Iloilo City's national museums. The burgeoning arts and culture scene in the city has paved the way for the restoration of heritage buildings, parks, monuments and the establishment of national and regional museums. Iloilo is a cultured city which lovingly remembers its glorious and gilded past.
After spending a lovely morning and brunch at the Tahum Fair at Iloilo Convention Center, me and my friend trekked to the downtown area to visit the recently opened National Museum of Maritime History at the ground floor of Iloilo Customs House/Aduana Building in front of Sunburst Park. In general, museums in Iloilo City are open from Tuesdays to Sundays and you are assured of peace and quiet as you browse through artifacts and relics that showcase our national heritage. Instead of heading to crowded malls, why not spend some contemplative time, reflecting upon and learning more about our nation's history.
First stop was the National Museum of Maritime History followed by the Museum of Philippine Economic History. The last stop was the National Museum of Western Visayas. In between museum visits, we sauntered in the nearby parks, sat on wrought iron park benches while listening to classical music wafting through the speakers.
The historic Plaza Libertad in front of Iloilo City Hall is a safe and beautiful place to enjoy tropical plants, flowers and native trees. Meanwhile, the newly renovated Graciano Lopez Jaena Park (Jaro Plaza) is an idyllic place to enjoy a late afternoon sunset while gazing at the newly restored Jaro Belfry which is now the official landmark of Jaro District.
If there is a cafe in Iloilo City that I really love due to the type of cuisine offered, it has to be Healthy Kitchen Cafe-All Things Green located at Q. Abeto Street in Mandurriao District. It's just a few steps away from Megaworld Business District and is nestled in a cozy garden setting away from pedestrian hustle and bustle.
The cafe's menu appeals to vegans, vegetarians and occasional meat eaters since the dishes are mostly meat-free. I have a few favorites from the cafe that I order regularly via Grab Food- there's my fave green smoothie drink (chockful of superfood ingredients), Pad Thai, tofu sisig, seafood and lychee curry as well as tasty roti quesadillas. For dessert they have vegan chocolate mousse cake which is my fave.
The cafe also stocks up on healthy pantry staples like dried berries, nuts, grains and other superfoods which are essential for a homemade oatmeal breakfast. I always buy a few packs of flaxseed and dried cranberry if I get the chance to visit the cafe.
Healthy Kitchen Cafe-All Things Green
Q. Abeto St., Mandurriao, Iloilo City
Contact: 09459786995
It's a different Christmas dinner this year. With the customary Noche Buena fare consisting of cholesterol laden, greasy Filipino foods that leave you uncomfortably stuffed and sick come Christmas Day, this year I treated my folks to an out of the ordinary vegan Christmas dinner prepared by the amazing people behind Buhay Ermitanyo, a vegan gourmet brand that makes the most delectable range of plant-based, dairy-free cheeses, pasta sauces and deli products. I have tasted their vegan cheese a couple of years back and have been impressed by the quality and integrity of their product.
I'm thrilled that Buhay Ermitanyo has ventured into private vegan dining experience for people who crave and are also curious about plant-based foods. Carnivores will be in for a surprise when they taste Buhay Ermitanyo's tastebud titillating dishes that are pure, clean, fresh and so good for the body and soul.
I promptly reserved the 5-course Christmas dinner weeks beforehand as the owners, Juan and Judy can only accommodate one booking per night to maintain the quality of the food and of course, provide exclusive space for the guests. We were informed that a short meditation would precede the meal, so I was doubly thrilled with the idea of being placed in a meditative mood for a truly mindful dining experience.
We were comfortably seated in the rustic garden shed while a soft wafting of heady floral incense mixed with the cool and tempestuous December breeze. In the background, soft instrumental meditation music placed us in a very relaxed mood and we were ready for the gustatory 5-course delights that were to be served by Juan, our meditation guru and food server of the night. Before serving the meal he would introduce the name of the dish and the ingredients that were in it. Buon appetito!
First to be served was a pitcher of refreshing magenta colored Beetroot Cocktail. It was a perfect drink to accompany the hors d’oeurve, a satisying plate of crostini served with vegan ‘Pate de foie gras’, whipped butter and and lively blueberry date compote. My tastebuds at this point were starting to hum a happy Mozart tune! Thin slices of perfectly toasted crusty bread topped with sweet and savory plant-based spreads garnished with microgreens were surprisingly light and satisfying to the tummy. Next course, please!
Next to be served was the appetizer, a visually delightful "Pear Walnut Rocket Ermitanyo Summer Salad with Bleu Cheese Dressing." The sharp, mildly bitter taste of rocket/arugula was a wonderful contrast to the juicy pear slices and sweetly tender grapes. Topped with crunchy walnuts, and colorful edible flowers, this salad at this point was my favorite course. My salad plate was wiped clean. Delicioso!
The main course was a beautifully prepared "Seven Seas 'Seafood' Risotto with Garlic Aoili", a rich, full-flavored Italian dish made of Arborio or short-grain rice cooked in vegetable stock, white wine and aromatics. As vegan food does not contain seafood, this dish surprisingly tasted like a Mediterranean seaside summer. I loved the oystery flavor and sauteed mushrooms that were enhanced by the garlicky sauce. This meal left me bursting at the seams! Very satisfying dish that I could have devoured completely if only I skipped lunch. (Note to self: Skip lunch for the next Buhay Ermitanyo dining experience.)
A meal is not complete without dessert! To cap the vegan Christmas meal, Chef Judy prepared an indulgent " Dark Chocolate Aquafaba Ice Cream on Dark Chocolate Mud Pie." She made it extra special by adding a dollop of vegan hazelnut sauce. Wow, a totally stunning sweet treat! In vegan cooking, aquafaba is viscous water from which lentils, legumes and pulses are cooked. When whipped, it turns into some kind of foamy 'egg white,' a perfect replacement for egg-free dishes.
All that chocolate goodness in one-guilt free, plant based dessert! We loved it!
Oh, we also had our fortune cookies drawn! Here's mine:
Thank you Buhay Ermitanyo for blowing our minds and wow-ing our tastebuds with innovative vegan cooking and sheer deliciousness. Till our next Buhay Ermitanyo meal!
Buhay Ermitanyo
R. Mapa St., Mandurriao, Iloilo City
For bookings, contact:
Mobile no: 0956 627 3118
Email: buhayermitanyo@gmail.com
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