Baler Love #3 Food!

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Food in Baler is totally underrated.  I've heard of raves about food in other provinces -- like how one praises Cebu, Iloilo, and Bacolod.  But Baler?  Food doesn't seem to enter your mind when we speak of them.

Looking at their menu, dish costs 80-200. So when we ordered, we were thinking that one dish = one person.  But when they served the food, it was enough to feed a family!
Here are some of the ones we tried:
1. Suman

Their suman is different from the countless sumans we've tried.  First bite, "hmmm, sarap, parang may gata!"  It had the right sweetness to it, and not sugary-sweet mind you.  It had a creamy consistency as well. A tip -- put it in the freezer then microwave, so you can enjoy the Suman even in Manila!
2. Chocnut Turon at Bayler View
We were pleasantly surprised when the food was put on our table since it was nicely presented.  When we dug in, we were more surprised.  How can something taste so good when we're in the middle of Sierra Madre and the Pacific Ocean?

Chocnut Turon is comforting. Who doesn't love turon? Served warm with ice cream and drizzle of chocolate syrup and chocnut, it comes out comforting - with memories of turon sa carinderia, chocnut sa sari-sari store and icecream sa kanto.  Make it notches higher, and you'll have this pleasant dessert.  If only we can also order it for breakfast!
3. Grilled Shrimp at Bayler View

This dish is nothing fancy, but we loved how supple the shrimps were.  It wasn't prawn-like big shrimps, just your usual size.  But hubby was delighted with how stuffed its head was with the highblood-inducing orange stuff.  Our hands got dirty sipping away everything we could out of the poor shrimps.

4. Longsilog at Bayler View
I don't like longganisa too much.  I don't like the smell, consistency and how it tastes like fat.  But when I tasted this when Von ordered, I made sure I ordered it the next day! It was skinless longganisa, soft and with a "hotdog" consistency inside.  It had the right amount of "bite" to it, perfect to pair with vinegar.  But I ate it all on its own. I forgot to ask for vinegar because I was busy devouring the longganisa.
Note that we don't have a picture of the longganisa because we were too hungry after the surf that we went away devouring our food.
5. Batangas Adobo at Bayler View
I'm impartial to this because I have fond memories of Batangas adobo as that's how lola cooks it.  It seemed to have gata, curry and herbs.  Which it didn't, because then it won't be Batangas adobo.  The beef had a savory taste which blended well in its every sinew.  The sauce was perfect to drizzle on our steamed rice, we wouldn't have noticed even if there wasn't beef there! The consistency of the beef could have been better though.  Hubby found some pieces a little tough.

6. Fresh Lumpia at Bayler View

They call it deconstructed lumpia, only because the wrap was fried and put outside the vegetables.  But I like how smoky the vegetables tasted.  It didn't need your usual sauce that goes with the lumpia since it was tasty on its own.  They could taper down a bit on oil though, or it must just be me since I'm sensitive to oil taste.
7. Tanigue Steak at Bahia

Tanigue was so fresh, I wouldn't want to go back eating Tanigue in Manila. It was plump and juicy.  Add to that the loads of onion and savory sauce that comes with the steak.  One order was good to feed four people!

Next time, we will try more food at Bahia.  Then Bay's Inn.  Then Gerry Shan's.  Then the Rolling Carinderias. Then Ram's 24/7 Tapsilog place.  Like nature's endless possibilities, their food doesn't shy away from those who step in their doors.