Steps of Rome

One of my friends like pasta so we decided to have lunch here one day in October. Good thing there was this pizza-and-pasta-all-you-can at only PhP99 which was offered during lunch and dinner on Mondays and Tuesdays.

When we arrived, there were a lot of people. Waiters kept ignoring us and we had to pull tables for ourselves. As if that was not enough, when we were seated, we kept telling waitersss to wipe the table but it ended on deaf ears. After a very long while, when people were leaving, we decided to transfer inside where it was airconditioned. Here, we were able to give them our orders. I was the first to give them my orders but all of my friends received their orders first. I kept on following up my orders. On my third or so follow up, I decided to order again.

I tried all pizzas and pastas (except of course pesto). My favorite is the Bolognese Pasta. I like the rich tomato sauce and the meat in it.

My second favorite is the Two Mushroom Sauce.

My third choice is the Seafood Pasta. Had there been more olive oil and garlic in it, this would be my first choice. I like it that they didn't scrimp on the seafood and the squid wasn't tough and rubbery.

My next choice is the Tomato Sauce. It's good at first but it gets too tasty after a while.

My last choice is the cream-based pasta. It lacks butter and cream and it has a lot of water in it.

The pizza was less than so-so. And all at measly slices.

Lemon juice is at PhP95. Just PhP4 short of what you are paying for the buffet.

Even if the service is bad, it is still worth it at PhP99. :)

Buffet ad. Click to enlarge. Open in a new tab to superenlarge.

Steps of Rome
Plazuela, BS Aquino Ave., Iloilo City
(033)3333509

MO2 Annex

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MO2 Annex
Smallville, BS Aquino Ave, Iloilo City

Airliner

A friend recommended me this place. I would have never heard of this had he not mentioned it.

At Airliner, we had Bicol Express, Tinuom na Manok, Bangus Sisig, Steamed Talaba and Baked Talaba.

The Bicol Express was the best. It was like Adobo with Coconut Milk. The meat was tender and the servings were huge.

The Tinuom na Manok was spicy, tasty and delicious. The native chicken wasn't tough but there were only 4 or 5 small pieces of it (and one piece is the neck part. :-|)

The Bangus Sisig tasted good too. I like that it has plenty of onions adding a different texture to the dish.

The steamed talaba is few and the oysters aren't fat. Those in Hilltop remain my favorite.

The baked talaba is the best I have ever tasted.

Airliner exceeded my expectations. Good food at cheap prices. If only they have a wider selection of dishes though...

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Airliner
Airport Road, Mandurriao, Iloilo City

JAQ's

After a very hearty dinner at Mr Crab Co, my friend and I didn't want to go home yet so we strolled to search for a live band. Our search led us to JAQ's where we ordered cheesesticks for the sake of ordering.

I like their cheesesticks than that in MO2. JAQ's cheesesticks have more cheese than breading. And there is a generous side of mayonnaise. Really worth it than that in MO2.

We ordered red iced tea because we weren't in the mood to drink that night. Turned out that it had alcohol in it. Hahaha. But it's a very refreshing drink considering its size.

The band is not that good but we were just there to hang out anyway.

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JAQ's
Smallville, BS Aquino Ave, Iloilo City
Open Mondays-Saturdays 5PM-1AM
JAQ's on Facebook

Balai

After practice one day, we had dinner at Balai. I had Liempo and Chopsuey, which arrived after 36 minutes. Imagine.

The Liempo was so-so. I like that it didn't come with plenty of fat.

The Chopsuey was so-so too. There's celery in it. Weird.

Dim lights are fit for drinking and not for eating... but the prices are low anyway.

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Pardon the low quality images.

Balai
E Lopez St., Iloilo City
Open 8-3AM Monday-Saturdays
   10-3AM Sundays

Mr Crab Co

We found an opportunity to eat here one night ago. We ordered Chicken Tinola, Adobo Ilonggo and Sweet and Spicy Sugpo. We skipped the crabs because they were really expensive.

The Chicken Tinola is the best I have ever tasted. I like that even if they used native chicken, the chicken wasn't tough. And I like that there were plenty of chicken cuts in it including the liver and the gizzard. The soup in itself is so delicious. I'm not a fan of tinola but Mr Crab Co made me like this dish. Seriously, their tinola is one you shouldn't miss.

The Adobo Ilonggo had lots of pepper, onions and garlic in it giving it a tasty and spicy taste. I like this kind of adobo but, that night, it was tough. Kinda like overdone. I hope it was just that night though.

The prawns are expensive at PhP275. About PhP80 each. The sweet and spicy sauce was indeed sweet and spicy but I was expecting the reddish kind of sauce. It was good nonetheless. The prawns were kinda overdone too but fresh.

Mr Crab Co serves really good food. It's just that they are expensive.

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Mr Crab Co
The Avenue, Smallville Complex
BS Aquino Ave, Mandurriao, Iloilo City
Mr Crab Co on Facebook
(033)3353566

Red Corner

Because it is my friend's birthday and because he likes Chinese food, we ate at Red Corner.

We ordered Soy Chicken, Sweet and Sour Pork and Beef and Broccoli.

I really don't like Sweet and Sour dishes but, that night, the Sweet and Sour Pork was amazing and is my favorite.

The Beef and Broccoli came in second. I am not much of a beef eater but the beef that night was not tough and was tasty and delicious.

My usual Soy Chicken was a disappointment that night. It was doused in Soy Sauce making it very salty. :(

Servings are small... so small making the prices expensive. But service is great. Even far greater than great. Waiters and waitresses are all attentive and sensitive to our needs. All of us were amazed at the level of service at Red Corner. If only they have huge servings. 

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Red Corner
Plazuela, BS Aquino Ave., Iloilo City

Buto't Balat

The last time I ate here was when I was in college. My brother particularly liked the Seafood Sisig, which I can no longer see on their menu. On that particular night, however, I orderd Lechon Kawali and half an order of Pinakbet.

Our food arrived after 27 minutes. My Lechon Kawali was overdone but it whetted my appetite for sinful food. The Grilled Pork my friend ordered is heavenly. And the Pinakbet was worth it at PhP80 considering that it had plenty of veggies and pork as well.

I was envious at my friends' orders of Pork Adobo, Grilled Pork and Fish Fillet. And because I enjoyed my food and I want to try other items on their menu, I will return at Buto't Balat, which is now one of my favorites. :) 

Grilled Pork

Fish Fillet

Breaded Pork

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Buto't Balat
With Branches at Jaro Plaza, SM Delgado and Diversion Road
+639275469000; +639306506464; (033)3296794
Buto't Balat on Facebook