Bacolod Restaurant Tips by planxty Top 5 Page for this destination

Hyksos Tulahan, Bacolod.: What a wonderful meal, outstanding seafood.

I had landed in Bacolod after a long hard days travelling and despite a wash and brush up on the ferry, I probably wasn't exactly at my best. I really wasn't expecting to be whisked straight to a restaurant where I was to have one of the very best fish / seafood meals I have ever had. I include in this assessment some wonderful places in UK, France, Australia, Indonesia, Thailand and who knows where else. I had been met by VT members Buena and Gregg along with Buena's friend Kenny who proved to be not only a wonderful dining companion but a most willing driver as well.

We went to the restaurant pictured, checked the reservation (for eight, we were joined by other friends later) and the first thing Buena does is ask us do we want to go to the market with her. I was slightly bemused by this but tagged along as I love night markets. I still wasn't sure what was happeing, thinking perhaps she had to pick up something before the rest of the party arrived. A two minute walk brought us to a very good fish market, which I shall deal with in a seperate tip, and she started to load up on "fruits de mer" like I have never seen. Scallops, various fish, huge prawns, minced crab meat, it was all there and I am sure I have forgotten something. As she did, she explained the principle to me. You go to market, buy what you like and the restaurant charges for cooking to your requirments and presumably making a few pesos on the drinks.

I think I am right in saying that this is what the word tulahan means as all the restaurants on the strip were X,Y and Z Tulahan. I stand to be corrected if this turns out to be the area name!

The food was deposited with the chef and we sat down for a bit of conversation. This place was popular and I was glad we had the reservation. In contrast, many of the other places seemed nearly empty. I am a great believer in local knowledge and these guys really knew what they were about in picking this place.

The food began to arrive and it was truly fit for a king, brought out at reasonable intervals, but there was just so much of it. Unfortunately, the five photo rule on tips does not allow me to show you all the dishes but we feasted on the most succulent grilled prawns in sauce, minced crabmeat with a few bits and pieces mixed through and grilled scallops which were cooked to perfection. Next up was a soup particular to the Philippines which features large lumps of fish in a broth which is flavoured with a slightly sour local ingredent, the name of which I now believe to be silligaw. Gregg wasn't so sure but I really liked it. A couple of huge tuna steaks done in a local sauce with a few onions completed the meal.

I cannot stress again how good the food was and I am guessing at prices and comparative expensiveness as Buena embarrassingly insisted on paying for all of it, so do not take these figures as accurate, I have picked the median in each case as I genuinely do not have a clue. Asking would have been hugely impolite, even from another VT member who writes tips! Also remember that you provide your own ingredients which further complicates the issue.

If you are not fortunate enough to have Philippino friends, do not be put off. I spoke to a Croatian guy who had heard about the place, asked where the market was, came back with some produce and was happily tucking in as we left.

Hugely recommended.

Favorite Dish: How could I possibly pick one dish? If absolutely forced, it would be a choice between the prawns and the scallops, but it literally would be a tossup.

Address: San Juan Road, Bacolod.

Comparison: about average

Directions: It is close to the sea, not far from the ferry port. Locals will know it.

Phone: +00 63 (0)34 708 8130

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 5

Theme: Seafood

Shakey's, Bacolod: A decent enough chain.

As far as I can see, Shakey's is a pretty large chain of franchises in the Philippines, they seem to be everywhere. I am not generally a fan of franchise chains but these seem to be quite good. I visited with a couple of other VT members, the first experience I had had of Shakey's and it was very positive.

As my mate Fish once wrote, I was "trapped in the indecision of another fine menu" which consits mainly of pizza and pasta with some fish and, of course, chicken thrown in. The problem was neatly solved by the "Don't know what to have? Have the lot" option. A bowl of chicken and corn soup, slice of pizza, Caesar sala, mojos (sauteed potatoes) and chicken and all for under 200 pesos. It was all very palatable, wahsed down with a glass of San Miguel beer.

Haute cuisine it is not but it is a decent option for a reasonably priced meal.

Favorite Dish: The mixed platter as described.

Address: Ground Level, Robinson's Plaza Lacson Street.

Comparison: about average

Phone: +00 63 (0)34 441 0281

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 4

Theme: Eclectic/International

Website: http://www.shakeyspizza.ph/index.asp

Ting Tings.: Give this a miss.

I suppose I should really have had a clue when I walked in here in the early evening and it was just about empty despite having about 200 covers. There appeared to be a children's party going on out the back but that was it. I normally try to go places that are full as it indicates they are good but I reasoned it was still quite early and perhaps the rush would come later. Well, I should have stuck to my own theory.

Despite the lack of diners the service was painfully slow. The menu is quite extensive including live crab and they announce that chicken is their speciality so I ordered the sizzling chicken with rice. In fairness the chicked was well enough cooked but the sauce was absolutely vile. It was so over-salted it was like trying to consume congealed seawater. I do not think I have ever eaten such an over-seasoned sauce. I managed to retrieve the chicken from it's saline bath and it was OK.

Considering the amount of competition and very good competition in town, indeed on this road, I am surprised this place has survived. I do not like to give negative reviews but this place, on my oe visit, is best avoided which is such a shame as I have had pretty universally excellent food in this country.

Favorite Dish: I have eaten there once and it was awful so no favourite dish for me.

Address: B.S Aquno Drive.

Comparison: about average

Directions: On B.S. Aquino Drive just North of the Banco de Oro.

Phone: +0 63 (0)34 433 0594

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 1

Theme: Local

Website: http://tingtingsnativefood.weebly.com/index.html

Crave Burger: Excellent burger.

I popped into the Crave Burger restaurant for a quick bite one afternoon as I just wanted a snack. I was due to eat out later so I ordered the smallest burger and chips (fries). I am glad I didn't go for anything larger as it was quite sizeable and filling. I am generally not a fan of chain burger places as I find the meat patties normally fairly bland but this was very good and tasted like a proper burger. The fries were nice and dry.

OK, so what can I tell you? It is a burger joint, one of a chain, but it is rather well done. Other branches are in Metro Manila and Iloilo (see appended website). It is spotlessly clean and the staff were friendly.

Crave Burger is open every day from 1030 to midnight.

Favorite Dish: The burger and chips as described.

Address: 20th Lacson Steet, Bacolod.

Comparison: about average

Directions: It is on the main street in the same building as Shakey's restaurant.

Phone: +00 63 (0)34 476 9679

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 4

Theme: Fast Food

Website: http://www.craveburger.net/home.php

Museum Cafe: A light bite.

On a rather hot day and after a visit to the wonderful nearby Ecological park, I was sorely in need of a cold drink when I came upon the Museum Cafe. As the name suggests, it is part of the Negros Occidental Museum (see seperate tip) and indeed IS as much an art gallery as it is a restaurant. It is spotlessly clean with a delightful al fresco eating area to the front. Service was efficient and friendly. Having already eaten I opted for a lime and ginger drink which was lovely and very refreshing. It cost 60 pesos. Whilst I have often seen ginger and lime combined in Oriental cooking, I have never had it in a drink but I shall certainly be trying to recreate it at home.

A look at the menu suggests they tend towards light bites rather than full meals altough there are a couple of options and a daily special. The speciality appears to be sandwiches made with freshly baked bread.

The day I was there they had just finished a wine tasting which had been overseen by the Swedish manager. I am not sure if this is a regular event or not.

It is a little more expensive than other places but a nice place to sit for a while either before or after a visit to the Museum proper.

Favorite Dish: I only had the lime and ginger drink as described.

Address: Gatuslao Street, Bacolod, Philippines.

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: Walk along South Capitol Road past the lagoon, turn left and it is 50 yards on the left.

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 4

Theme: Ice Cream