Lunch at La Preciosa Restaurant (Ilocos Norte)

HOOORAAYY FOR OUR SECOND LOCAL TRIP IN LIKE EVER! Weelll Ilocos isn't really the second Pinoy location I've visited aside from Manila, but more of I don't really consider the Tagaytay and Subic area as a legit adventure for peeps coming from Manila... The last time we went on an adventure was when we went to Cebu and Bohol in 2005, and the rest of my trips have been international. 

The moment we got to Laoag, the first place we were brought to was La Preciosa restaurant. Founded by Madame Preciosa and now managed by her family, mainly her daughter Pammy, it's by far what people claim is the best place to go for Ilocos food. We were brought to several other places in Ilocos to eat, and I think I can agree that as far as Iloko food go, this is the place to hang out in. 

Since this is our first Iloko meal, we decided to pig out and order lots of oily foods we normally wouldn't order in one sitting. 

Tampay sa Sinagtala, Orani, Bataan

To those who are looking for a bed and breakfast that gives free flowing Starbucks brewed coffee, this is it.

Well, the statement above is true, but at least I got your attention now. My godmother really does provide free flowing Starbucks brand brewed coffee to parties who'll book for 10 or more people in her bed and breakfast. 

Welcome to Tampay sa Sinagtala. This is one of the six bed and breakfast houses in Sinagtala resort in Orani, Bataan. This house in specific can accommodate up to thirty people, has cable TV, and has five bedrooms available for bookings. 

The name Tampay comes from the Tagalog word for serenity. And given how peaceful and quiet it is here, the name is a fitting name. 

Mama's Munggo Stew and Beef Soup

Munggo stew is something that our family has loved for a very very long time, and very recently mama decided to give it a try. All these years we've been eating munggo stews from restaurants and turo-turo stores that it was about time we made it ourselves. 

So this is a hearty bowl of mama's stew, filled with munggo, okra, and love. 

And usually we're also very excited whenever we see this crock pot because it just means that mama is about to prepare her beloved beef soup. She gets a big bag of giniling and puts it into a crock pot with herbs and spices and leaves it to cook for like 6 hours. The end result is a really tasty broth and tender beef bits.