CamSur

Saturday, December 30, 2017

Bob Marlin: Jamming at Robinsons’ Place Naga


Bob Marlin 
Jamming at Robinsons’ Place Naga 

Bob Marlin is probably the most popular restaurant
in Naga City and we have long wanted to dine here
but the horrendous traffic and lack of parking in the
busy Magsaysay Avenue prevented us from doing so.



We were happy when they finally opened a branch
in Robinsons’ Place Naga where parking is aplenty.
Located at the al fresco section of the mall and the 
indoor dining hall was full packed during our visit.

 

… so we dined at the outdoor dining area.
It was alright as it was a perfect place to
view the Tree of Life’s digitally mapped show.

 

We ordered Chop Suey, but it was not available
and the Bulanglang with Bagnet was an awesome
substitute. The veggies were not overcooked and
still crunchy, topped with a perfectly fried Bagnet.



Sisig  has many variations with recipes varying from place to place,
restaurant to restaurant, family to family, and even in the Pampanga
where the dish originated. Bob Marlin’s delicious version of this
popular dish is called Ziggy’s Sisig Original. The chewy bits and
pieces of chopped parts from pig’s face was seasoned with kalamansi
and spiced with signature Bicolano siling labuyo would surely win the
hearts and taste buds not only of Bicolanos, but non- Bicolanos as well.

 

The Malasugui Steak was pan seared to a
juicy and tender perfection. Served sizzling
in a hot plate, bathed in sweetish and slightly
briny sauce and topped with fresh onion rings.
It was delicious yet a very healthy dish as well.

 

This iconic Bicolano dish that has two versions.
First is the Albay Pinangat made of layered taro
                    leaves with no filling, simmered in coconut milk,                     
this Bob Marlin Pinangat is a CamSur version.

 

Chopped young coconut meat, crablets, siling labuyo
are wrapped with several layers of taro leaves a tied
up with lemongrass and simmered in coconut milk.
This is a must eat, must try dish for anyone dining here.

 

Bob Marlin’s OMG Crispy Pata has been recognized
in a nationwide search as one of the best crispy pata
versions in the country. It is very crunchy on the outside,
the flesh is tender, and a gooey umami bomb that blows
up with a flavorful explosion in your mouth, Indeed there
there is only one to describe this tasty crsipy pata- OMG.



With the awesome Tree Of Life digital show and a nightly
accoustic band performing at the alfresco section of the mall-
the jamming never stops at Bob Marlin in Robinsons Place.



A sweet escape from the chaos of Magsaysay Avenue.

Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Avenue Plaza Hotel: Awesome Venue, Awesome Food (Round Table Lecture Series 4)

Avenue Plaza Hotel 
Awesome Venue, Awesome Food
(Round Table Lecture Series 4)

I cannot remember how many times I had
speaking engagement in Avenue Plaza Hotel,



… as it is the preferred venue of most medical
conferences and  conventions in Naga City.



Lately, I again had a chance to speak
in a medical round table discussion held
at the awesome The Piazza function room,



…which I personally believe as the ultimate
and the best function room in the Bicol Region.



After the lecture, I had dinner with my family to
 Café Plazuela, the hotel’s in house restaurant-
and our all time favorite dining destination.



We consider this restaurant as the best in the region,
as they served some of the most delicious dishes,



…served like intricate work of art.



Café Plazuela’s dishes are beautiful
masterpieces of delicious artwork,



.. and a feast for the senses -

 

...and of the palate.

Saturday, December 23, 2017

Coffee and Tea Gallery: Daet, Camarines Norte (Round Table Lecture Series 3)

Coffee and Tea Gallery 
Daet, Camarines Norte
(Round Table Lecture Series 3)

I discovered Coffee and Tea Gallery,

 

…when I had a talk on a round table discussion
in Daet for the Camarines Norte Medical Society.

 

My lecture would be held at the second
floor function  room of the restaurant.

 

…and I came too early after a two hour drive
from Naga City and I decided to have a coffee
break at the quaint coffee shop at the first floor.


Coffee and Tea Gallery is a coffee shop,

 

…and a gallery, where numerous 
artworks of local artists are on display,

 



…and for sale for interested art enthusiast.

 

They serve one of the best Cafe Americano in Bicol,
which is listed as Gorospe Americano in the menu.
This was named in honor of Francisco Gorospe Sy,
a painter dubbed as the ‘Picasso of the Philippines’


The flawlessly brewed bitterness of the coffee
was neutralized by the sinfully sweet Brazo Cup,
a Brazo de Mercedes served cupcake style.
A delightfully bitter sweet, perfect combination.

 

After a full packed lecture
at the second function hall
that also served excellent food,

 

…I had another cup of coffee downstairs
at the coffee shop before leaving for Naga.

 

This time I ordered Hidalgoccino, a seamless
version of Capuccino named to honor the iconic
Félix Resurrección Hidalgo acknowledged as one
of the great Filipino painters of the late 19th century.

 

This is also where I discovered the moistest,
and one of the most delicious chocolate cake
in my life. Aptly called Sliced Choco Moist,
it was gloriously addicting I ate three slices.

 

When in Daet, Coffee and Tea Gallery
is a tranquil café where one could relax,
while enjoying some of the best cakes and
pastries, while sipping a good cup of coffee .

Tuesday, December 19, 2017

Kamias: The Best Of Albay Cuisine (Round Table Lecture Series 2)


Kamias 
The Best Of Albay Cuisine 
(Round Table Lecture Series 2)

Kamias is an in- house hotel restaurant of 
Casablanca Suites in Legazpi City, Albay.



My family had a chance to dine in Kamias in the past
and reviewed the restaurant in this blog (link HERE).
My review was neutral. It was just about average,
the food was something good, and but not bad at all.



I returned to Kamias few years later to
speak for a medical round table discussion,
this time the restaurant really got my attention.



Right at the foyer of the lecture room,



...is a massive banquet of some of
the most delicious Bicolano dishes.





I have never seen an enormous buffet
in small conference  where food are
served mostly ala carte, until now.

 

 

This one in Kamias is a Fiesta!



Some of the most outstanding
dishes served are as follows: 

 

Pomelo Salad and Chicharon Bulaklak
 Replacing the traditional vinegar dip with
pomelo salad was unexpectedly intense
combination. The crunchy innards blended
perfectly well with the sweetish tangy pomelo.
This sinfully delicious dish should not be
missed by anyone dining in this restaurant.

 

 

The Kamias Laing was made of fresh
taro leaves, not the usual version made
from dried dried leaves. It was simmered
with rich coconut milk to a melt in  the
mouth creamy perfection. It was divine.



I usually avoid bulalo like a plague as the fatty meat
the greasy bone marrow and the oily broth scares me.
However, this Kamias Bulalo was a cut above the rest.
The pork was lean and the broth was tasty and not oily.
A great tasting bulalo with less grease- and less guilt.

 

It was a full packed lecture,

 

…after a full packed heavy meal,

 

 and I look forward of returning with my family tp
 enjoy more of Kamias’ delicious Bicolano dishes.
(Round Table Lecture Series 3) 

Avenue Plaza Hotel 
Awesome Venue, Awesome Food
 (Round Table Lecture Series 4)

Read the links below for related posts:

Kamias Restaurant: Tahao Road, Legazpi City