of chori and milkshakes

It isn’t my hobby to eat, especially when I’m at the beach. The act essentially ruins the my outfit. Not that I care a lot about bikinis and the likes, I don’t know how to swim. I just get uncomfortable. Besides, there should be more room for booze in my tummy than lots of deliciously loathsome oysters.

Boracay demanded not to be taken for granted. The island boasts hundreds of restaurants, food chains and bars that serve wide array of food choices ranging from Mongolian buffet to Greek desserts to Spanish paella. Good thing people don’t really mind you looking like a beach volleyball in a swimsuit waltzing around the pristine white sand.

We were welcomed by Gasthof’s pork ribs (Php375 half order), Breaded Calamares (Php120)  and my ever favorite beach food, Liempo (Php150). There were so many options on the menu but we were saving our appetites for the rest of our vacation, not to mention that we were tired from the long, arduous trip. We just wanted to drink the first booze of the first night and hit the sack.

Breakfast, unfortunately, was free with our accommodation so we had bacon, scrambled eggs and toast for three days. But that didn’t stop us from dropping by Real Coffee and Tea Cafe to taste their famous Calamansi Muffin (Php45) and Brewed Coffee (Php90). The place is tucked in a small alley so make sure you keep an eye for its landmark. Even with its bamboo seats, I find the place comfortable. It’s like having breakfast inside a bahay-kubo.

Ron’s craving for paella was satisfied by Red Coconut Beach Resort. At Php495 per plate, the meal was good enough for two. Had I not ordered another Liempo meal (Php250), I would’ve cleaned the plate. Note: the fabulously carved egg on top of the paella is probably worth 95 pesos and there was more than one garnish, so go figure. Oh, and that goes the same for my meal.

Dinner buffets are also popular ranging from Php230 to Php250. We found Mongolian buffet a little disturbing for a beach setting and the seafood buffet very very appealing. I never stood but once in a buffet; but the chefs at Eclipse Room and Bistro made me proud I had to get a second helping of crabs, shrimps and oysters. Thus the tummy ache that ensued an hour of puking while I was enjoying my jagerbomb at Pat’s, but that’s a different story…

We also can’t help but try out the more popular must-eats in the island raved about by everyone who went to Boracay. As my craving for street food is unbearable, I had hotdog-on-stick (Php30) and my ever favorite isaw (chicken intestines) for Php10 per stick a few hours after lunch. Ron and I were wondering what the hell Chori Burgers were and apparently, you can buy them at ihaw-ihaw stands that line the beach. It was grilled chorizo placed in buns. What a revelation… Another specialty we had to taste was Banana Choco Peanut Shake (Php99) at Jonah’s Fruitshakes. Unlike most reviews, Ron and I decided that it is, at some level, overrated. Sure it was good but only after five to eight sips. The flavor is too overwhelming that at some point, you’ll experience suya. Or maybe it’s just us. The serving is huge and I wasn’t able to finish mine even after chugging it while walking on the beach for an hour. Now I’m regretting not ordering mango shake instead.

For dessert, we had to try Zuzuni’s famous Mati Chocolate Sin (Php250). Ron said it was lust and gluttony served in one plate. I had to agree, but the flour-less cake also made me less guilty finishing one serving. The chocolate is not too sweet nor bitter and is complimented by some sort of Greek vanilla ice cream that balances off and neutralizes the taste. I had to find a confession box after stepping out of the restaurant. Well, because I felt like it was too much for me to spend the same amount for dessert for the price I paid for my seafood buffet. The piece of Greece is worth it but the price really hit a nerve in my pocket…

And what is travel without our fix? Of course we had to get coffee at Starbucks. Too bad because they’ve got an area outside with powdery sand cushioning your feet and a nice view of the beach, except that we did not see the beach because they’ve put up windbreakers in front of just about every establishment in Boracay because of the dang wind.

I’d say I was able to taste what Boracay has best, and that is the seafood. The Greek food, I can have here in Manila. The paella, I can probably ask my grandma to cook one. The Mongolian buffet, why would I want a Mongolian buffet? I was telling Ron of how people rave about the posh restaurants in Bora, and I’m not being bitter because of lack of budget. I just find it a bit off the equilibrium. Everyone should be enjoying what the ocean yields and should be eating those the way they’re meant to be eaten, fresh from the grill. I’s probably just us, but pizza and beach do not quite mix.

~ by flipntravels on September 14, 2009.