Pop Talk’s hot summer food adventure in Bicol

Mayon volcano and Bicol express — these are the things that immediately come to mind when the region of Bicol is mentioned. As part of Pop Talk’s "Huling Hirit sa Tag-init" adventure, Pop Talk travelled to the land of sili and gata to taste the hottest authentic Bicolano dishes.
 

Balay Cena Una executive chef Dick Condeno, Bicol’s Daragang Magayon 2013 Luvelle Bitara, and Fil-Austrian tourist Arthur Wagner joined host Tonipet Gaba on this tour of Bicol. Here are some of the restaurants they sampled:

 

Cres Snack Inn

Riza Street, Legazpi City
Price range: P40-P120


 

Cres Snack Inn has been serving Bikolano dishes since 1988. This restaurant’s version of Bicol express consists of salt, garlic, pepper, chili, pork, and alamang cooked in coconut milk.

“It’s not as spicy as I thought but it’s very good, actually,” observed guest reviewer Arthur after having a taste of Cres’s Bicol express. Celebrity reviewer Luvelle said this milder version could be appreciated even by people who aren't fond of spicy food. “At saka yung iba pang mga fried items, magandang i-balance dun sa mga ginataan,” adds Chef Dick Condeno.

While the reviewers thought the ambiance at Cres Snack Inn could be improbed, they all approved of the food's excellent taste and affordability.

Final verdict: 8/9 pop points

 

First Colonial Grill

Daraga, Albay

Price range: P79-P275


 

The original First Colonial Grill restaurant is housed in a building that dates back to the American colonial period. First Colonial Grill’s specialty is tinutungang manok, a dish that combines sautéd garlic, ginger, lemongrass, chicken, chili, and coconut milk made from roasted coconut meat. “Pag sinunog yung coconut, tapos pipigain, ito ang nagbibigay ng magandang flavor,” explains Chef Dick.

However, this place's most unique offering is its sili ice cream, made with cream, sugar, coconut milk, food coloring, and siling labuyo. Tonipet found this spicy ice cream unexpectedly tasty: “Sarap. It works. It actually works.”
 

First Colonial Grill’s Pasta Bikolana and Buko Chop Suey were also popular among the "Pop Talk" reviewers. When asked why she gave these dishes pop points, beauty pageant winner Luvelle answered, “Nandun pa rin kasi yung Bicol na nature. Yung buko, yung gata, yung spiciness.” Chef Dick also commended the restaurant's appealing food presentation.
 

Final verdict: 8/9 pop points

 

Let’s Pinangat
Camalig, Albay

Price range: P40-P150


 

Let’s Pinangat prepares its pinangat in the traditional way. Coconut meat is placed in a net and pressed with a wooden plank to squeeze out fresh coconut milk. This coconut milk is then seasoned with spices and poured on gabi leaves, which are bundled and cooked.
 

Let’s Pinangat offers the traditional pinangat and a pinangat variation called inulukan. This version is not only stuffed with gabi leaves but also with coconut meat and crab meat. “Very light lang yung lasa. Tapos parang may konting zing. May konting asim,” said Tonipet. He adds, “Malaki yung serving, very generous. Even the filling. Even the crab meat, punong puno. Hindi tinitipid. Kaya pala sikat itong Let’s Pinangat na ito.”

Final verdict: 7/9 pop points



–Lara Gonzales/PF, GMA News