So before proceeding to our intended agenda, we checked out the assortment of local products sold at the Curio Heritage Shop.

We were greeted by the staff who oriented us about their offerings. 

Upon choosing a guided tour, we were escorted to a simple living room or sala to watch a 10-minute video tour about the place.  

We were then given some time to explore and take photos.
And, for me that made the simple offering of Camiña Balay Nga Bato an authentic experience for cultural immersion.

♥ Tsokolate de Batirol and Local Biscuits

While I've had food trips on some Philippines regions before, this meal shared with our academic and intellectual work partners offered a distinct and unforgettable pleasure.

It may have been a fitting conincidence that they suggested to dine at "Breakthrough Restaurant" because it was here that I experience a breakthrough discovery about myself.   

If you're like our boss who prefers to just order by sitting down, you can also do so.

But, I suggest that you stand up because some items that are displayed like the Lato Salad (grape seaweed) are not in the regular menu.

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict

To date, the three claimants of being the originator of this popular dish has maintained its iconic stores in the La Paz Market, namely Deco's Original La Paz Batchoy (Since 1938),  Ted's Oldtimer La Paz Batchoy (Since 1945) and Netong's Original Special La Paz Batchoy.  It is a noodle with strips of pork meat and organs, chicharones (crushed pork cracklings), egg, garlic bits, onions, chives and guinamos (local shrrimp paste) in savory and well-seasoned pork caldo (broth).   Each of them has stood the test of time and have garnered a lot of followings for their distinct dish renditions.   

For practicality, we spared ourselves from going all the way to La Paz Market and just took a short grab-ride from our hotel to Alicia's Special Batchoy in Jaro, Iloilo.

You also have four options for noodles: 1) pancit (a.k.a as egg noodles), 2) bihon (a.k.a as rice noodles), 3) miswa (a.k.a as wheat vermicelli), and 4) sotanghon (a.k.a. as glass noodles).  

After a decade since my last buffet dinner at Café Ilang-Ilang so it's was time for a long overdue revisit!   

Café Ilang-Ilang's Bread Station has offers delicious baked breads selections which includes Black Sesame Rolls, Hard Rolls, White Sesame Rolls, Wallnut Rolls, Laugen, Rye Roll, Sour Rolls, Rye Bread, Original Six Grains, High Fiber Bread and French Bread.

There's also a Charcuterie Station featuring a Cheeseboard (with Gruyère, Emmental, Manchego, Blue Cheese and Brie Wheel),  olives, dried fruits, and honey.

Cold Salads include Coleslaw, Shrimp Salad, Macaroni Salad, Kani Salad and Mangang Hilaw with Bagoong.  There are also Cold Meats like Beef Pastrami, Chicken and Pork Terrine.

There are also some cocktail-style appetizers like the Melon Lassi, and Shrimp Mango Salad. 

Admittedly, the Fresh Salad Station isn't my favorite in the past.  Now, its my first stop in every buffet so having so much variety of fresh greens and sauces is much appreciated!

The Korean Station ranged from main dishes like Spicy Mud Crab and Korean Grilled Lamb, a soup — Beef Radish Soup, and side dishes like Pajeon, Fried Zucchini, Fried Tofu, Kimcheon, Dried Squid, Fishcake, Kongnamul (soy bean sprout), Spinach and Kimchi.

♥ Foie Gras on Brioche

Another dish that's worth the wait is the Foie Gras on Brioche.