#NCDfoodtrip: White Bean Cafe

#NCDfoodtrip Sain kita makakan? A simple question yet difficult to answer if you are in Naga City. Sa ka-centrohan kan ciudad, may White Bean Cafe'.

What’s the first thing in mind when you hear about White Bean Cafe? Me, it’s pasta. The first time I blogged about White Bean was way back 2012 and pasta has been one of the reasons I always come back. This time we had Gambasetti 🍝Yum!!! Just look at the serving size.

Being one of the dainty cafés in the downtown area of Naga, White Bean also serves rice meals that are actually just waiting for you to discover. Just look at White Bean’s Beef Kare-Kare. Not only that it is plated well with Puso ning Batag (Banana Flower) but it’s very delicious, with a serving size for one person and can also be shared should you have other dishes.

Beef Kare-Kare

White Bean is also known for sandwiches of different kinds commonly paired to their pastas just like the Chicken Pesto Tomato. 

I can still remember that White Bean was also one of the first cafes in Naga that introduced the Italian Soda. White Bean’s coffee has also been established well when it comes to getting that perfect brew whenever you are in the busy streets of Naga.

At White Bean you can actually enjoy their food and drinks in a pleasant interior, light to the eyes and just right enough to enjoy a quiet meal. Oh, did you know that they also serve Kakigori? 🍧A Korean shaved-iced dessert that would really delight you if you’re craving for something sweet. Link to post 

Did you know that even though White Bean is in CBD I, they actually have enough parking spaces at the back of Nagaland Hotel? While Centro Naga is now becoming a “walking city”, meaning, it’s better for you to walk it off to reach a certain establishment, White Bean is right where you need them to be.

Blue Raspberry

Ceylon Black Lemon Iced Tea

Cafe Latte

I have always been proud of homegrown brands like White Bean, because they are now time-tested despite the many other cafes in and out of the city. (Wasn’t able to take photos of the whole place because there were other customers )

Sabi ngani kaiyan, Naga may be an inland city, pero we are known to have sooooo many restaurants, homegrown that is, maiba-ibang klase, mamili ka sana. And I believe this is one of the reasons why Naga is called “An Maogmang Lugar”, yes we are happy to welcome national and international brands, but at the end of the day, we Nagueños keep coming back to our homegrown brands that they become our comfort foods and White Bean is one of them. ❤️

White Bean Cafe

Ground Floor, Nagaland Hotel, Elias Angeles Street #NagaCity

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#NCDfoodTrip: Coconatz, A Bicolano Restaurant

GINATAANG SISIG. The first dish that would probably come to mind when it’s about Coconatz- A Bicolano Restaurant. Just visited this new resto along Dayangdang and they offer various Bicolano dishes in a casual (to a semi fine dining) set up with slow music, enough seats, high ceiling which makes the whole place lit up.

Ginataang Sisig, crispy and manamisnamis

From the name of the restaurant itself, they played along with of course Bicol’s bounty harvest of 🥥coconut milk/gata, but there are many other Bicolano dishes that they made into something special.

We ordered the following:

Crispy Dilis, Tinolang Manok (Sabaw ng Buko) something similar to another resto in Naga, interesting Sizzling Beef Sinigang, ❤️ Ginataang Sisig, Pinoy Salad with Salted Egg which I also like because it reminds me of Ilocos dishes.

Crispy Dilis

Sizzling Beef Sinigang

Pinoy Salad with Salted Egg

Tinolang Manok (Sabaw ng Buko)

Prices, for me, are reasonably priced with the kind of service, presentation and place that they offer.

Appetizers start at P120-P245
Gata: P115-P280
Soup: P180-P280
Specialties: P280-P520
Chicken: P240-P480
Seafood: P190-P280
Noodles: P240-P250
Pork: P185-P280
Gulay: P160-P190
Drinks: P40-P80
Panghimagas: P40-P70

Parking: May accommodate 5 to 6 cars.
One tricycle ride away from downtown Naga.

Business Hours: Monday - Sunday
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM OPEN
3:00 - 5:00 PM CLOSED
6:00 - 10:30 PM OPEN

Location: Zone 1, Dayangdang Street, #NagaCity
Colgante Bridge, turn left, it’s h a few steps away from Orange Dormitel
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/CoconatzResto/

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#NcdFoodTrip: Amici Pazzi Naga

Naga City - Countless restaurants has been opening month after month and it's becoming hard to keep up with them. Some restaurants are not even situated in prime locations that as far as subdivisions and residences turned restaurants is becoming a trend. Space is not even an issue, as many cafes and restaurants now are becoming smaller and more personal.

Good food plus crazy companions can make the best memories as we go through our daily challenges in life. An Italian inspired restaurant opened last year called "Amici Pazzi" at the ground floor of JP II, Bagumbayan primarily catering to students but has been noticeably for all walks of life too. When translated, "Amici Pazzi" means "Crazy Friends".  As a first timer, you might even misread it as Pizza, but it's not and they do not serve pizza, well not yet. I'm really delighted to share about this relatively new place that you can also consider for your food trips with your crazy friends. For those who are not familiar of its location, it's part of the old Bigg's Bagumbayan in between Parochial and USI. On the photo above, Amici Pazzi is literally beside the waiting shade and right infront of 7-Eleven Bagumbayan.

App and about. Amici Pazzi is the very first restaurant using the proudly local made Mobile Order Taker from Nueva Caceres Technology Solutions Inc. delivering new technology when ordering with the use of a mobile application. A fancy way of ordering indeed and it's about time for Naga to have this kind of advancement.

The place is somehow small, so I suggest you visit before the peak hours starts kicking in. An early lunch or dinner isn't a bad idea especially if you get to try Amici' Pazzi's offerings. It's air-conditioned with glass windows all around. We dined during noon time, but I bet the place will have this lovely mood at night. There are also high chairs near the door just in case you are on a solo flight. Just as their tag would say "cozy place for crazy friends" you might end up being friends as well with the staff as they are so nice and very accommodating.

CRAZY AFFORDABLE / REASONABLY PRICED. All of the pastas are priced at P99 which consists of Chicken Alfredo, Creamy Carbonara, Beef Bolognese,  Chicken Pesto, Seafood Pesto, Tuna Gambasetti, Spanish Sardines and Pasta Negra. Rice meals are also at P99 like Porkchop with Rosemary, Chicken Cordon Bleu, Shrimp and Veggies and a rice bowl, Beef Salpicao which is also at P99. Fresh fruit shakes like apple, banana and mango surprisingly costs P49 only! Just wow! 

Given the price, the serving and the taste? I dare not complain. Amici Pazzi has the most affordable pasta there is in Naga without sacrificing the quality of the food. In some other establishment, you'll get the same serving (or even less) with that of Amici but at around P160 or higher.

For take out orders, they charge an additional P5.00, probably it's for the container. They also cater to events and group gatherings too. You may just inquire from them about it.

Top of my list is the Tuna Gambasetti with a hint of chili to spice up things a bit but not too much, topped with tuna flakes, shrimp, bell pepper, spices and Parmesan cheese.

Next would be the Pasta Negra which is an oil-based pasta with chili flakes, chopped parsley and cheese on top. Main ingredient is the squid which gives color to the pasta. Don't get fooled by the chili flakes, it's not that hot anyway. But as for the taste, I would rank it next to the Tuna Gambasetti.  Approve!

 The Creamy Carbonara and Seafood Marinara may both have good serving size but I guess I wasn't that impressed. Though most of the time I would go for an oil-based pasta, the Seafood Marinara seemed like a little bland with a sauce that was quite ordinary. Well that's just me, but hey, don't get me wrong, seafood lovers will still be able to appreciate it for sure. 

For hungry folks, serving can be good for solo, but just look at the plates, it can also be good for sharing.

For rice meals, one of my friends ordered the Chicken Cordon Bleu and again, for P99, it's just way above the average.

Next is the Beef Salpicao, which I loved! Beef was tender and juicy, just look at the colorful bowl below! This rice bowl from Amici Pazzi is definitely worthy to come back for.

Amici's FRESH fruit shakes is definitely the most affordable I've seen around. Loved the apple shake! They also have a Strawberry Frappe (using real strawberry) for only P85 available this month of February.

They also have coffee-based frappes for only P85. Hopefully when we come back I'll be able to try to frappes and see if how they fare from other shops.

 

For a restaurant this small, I can rate Amici Pazzi with 4 out of 5 stars.

Quoting my friend, "Amici Pazzi serves habit forming delicious pastas and frappes that will make you crazy about coming back. Their offerings are best enjoyed with friends." I always believe that restaurants in Naga has its own uniqueness and Amici's affordability will be hard to beat by the others I must say. 

 

Thank you very much Dave and the rest of Amici Pazzi Team!

Nice to see a good old friend too, thanks O'neal!

Dave Bercasio, one of the owners of Amici Pazzi posing for Apple of solesearchingsoul.com

AMICI PAZZI
Store Hours: 10 AM to 9:00 PM
Location: Corner Bagumbayan Avenue and Ateneo Avenue
Email: amicipazzinaga@gmail.com
Instagram: @pazzieamici
Facebook: Amici Pazzi
Contact No. (054) 205 8620

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Okuya Sushi Ramen Tempura in Naga City

Naga City - Bicolano and Japanese fusion? At first we might wonder as to how can this be, but the culinary world and passionate chefs can definitely create anything. As a kid, I was never a fan of Japanese food, mainly because my parents doesn't eat much of them too, thus, we were not used to going to Japanese Restaurants or any other similar places. When we hear about Japanes food, sometimes the first thing that comes to our mind is, it's raw. Well, in Okuya, it's not necessarily that way and not necessarily expensive or intimidating as to how this restaurant is marketing the place. 

Okuya is Located at The Piazza together with Bigg's Diner, Starbucks, Gerry's Grill and Soledad Restaurant. Cost of food per person may be around P150 to P200 up with drinks. If you're up for a bento box, they have it for only P99. The dishes that they offer can be summarized into FLAVORFUL and WORTH THE TRY for first timers. If you're allergic to seafoods, carry along with you an antihistamine to enjoy their food. haha

Okuya is has a fastfood-like counter wherein you have to choose your food on the board.

For recommendations, you can ask the staff for their specialties. Below are the ones that we ordered.

We started our dinner with a Kani Salad. A Japanese dish with artificial crab stick, with garnishes of cucumber, cabbage, mayonnaise and fish roe. It's actually the first time I appreciated this kind of salad.

Okuya's signature dish the "Volcano Maki"

(Probably inspired by Bicol's Mayon Volcano because of its shape)

Bicol's best Laing turned into Maki - "Laing Maki". This is one of the best Bicolano-Japanes fusion that you can get here in Bicol.

Tofu with Shitake Mushroom in Oyster Sauce, I definitely loved this dish. I'm a tofu fan!

Another specialty of this restaurant is the Ruben Maki, named after the resident Chef of Okuya. It's one flavorful maki with fried salmon, spicy tingling shrimp wrapped in sushi rice. Discover the secret through the sauce of this maki, it's one of a kind.

Next is the Okonomiyaki, a Japanese savoury pancake containing a variety of ingredients. To give you an idea, it tastes like a Takoyaki only that it's flattened.

"Okuya is a fast-service restaurant that serves Japanese Cuisine. It is the first of its kind that has a sushi bar, operates with an extensive sushi menu and a trained Itamae (Sushi Chefs) preparing the freshest ingredients right in front of the customers." From Okuya's FB Page

Well at least for now, I was able to try Okuya. Tempura and Ramen and others would be the next ones for my  next visit. I just realized that Okuya is not as intimidating as we think. Sometimes we can be wrong when we judge restaurants just because of mere photos of their dishes, all you have to do is try them. Visit them at the Piazza now and experience one of the finest restaurants in Naga.

Facebook Page: Okuya - Sushi Ramen Tempura
Location: Magsaysay Avenue corner Dayangdang Street
Naga City
Store Hours: 11:00 am to 10:00 pm
Contact No.: (054) 884 9450

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