A Trip to Fall In Love with Batangas!
Hello po! When I say getaway, what's the first thing that comes to your mind? For me, it would be the beach- oh how I love the sun, sand and sea! But recently, I have learned that a quick trip to Batangas is so refreshing as well!
It's easy to fall in love with Batangas- scenic place, nice, friendly people, superb food and more! As a Manileña, this short travel to this nearby province- with the more refreshing air and natural surroundings- had helped me forget the city grind and relax for a while.
Last December 15-16, 2017, us Manila bloggers had joined the Barako PH team in Batangas for a wonderful tour.
It's so easy to get there. From Buendia, we rode a bus (it was Ceres, I think) going to Batangas City Grand Terminal. Ticket costs only around Php 125. The trip was quick, there was no heavy traffic that time.
A few steps from the terminal is Ciudad Food Avenue situated in Diversion Road already! (You would be walking back as we already saw it from inside the bus while heading for the terminal.)
Ciudad Food Avenue was our first stop for our 2 day/1 night trip. We also went to 8th Street Restobar, then to Residencia de Riego as you would see later on.
The first time I saw it, I was like, wow, this place is HUGE!!! I 've never seen any food park like this in the city before! Having big restaurants with different bongga themes, it's like an amusement park already!
At present, CFA is home to:
11 large restaurants- 12x8 Pipe Bar and Restaurant, Cafe de Alps, Hotspot KTV, Twins Wild Wings, Bulls and Booze, Big Boned Restobar, Casa del Rey, TJ Sizzle Restobar, Arcat Kitchen, Frozen Hub and Pier 151,
and 17 food carts- Chiko's Fruit Shake, Lemon Drops, Mac's Pizza, Jobelle Ice Cream (their strawberry chili is a must try!!!), Asian Dimsum, Krispy Kap, Mexicantina, Pitalicious Shawarma, Hotdog Overload, Botog's Food House, Eat's Soya, Nacholicious, Señor Churros, Aling Luisa, I Lab Yo, Wrap and Rolls, and Pan Pressed Cafe.
At the side, Ciudad also houses some tiangge type stores that sells clothes, fragrances, toys, and others! You'd surely be delighted in some good finds there! They are also planning to construct some offices and wellness area at the adjacent lot.
Ciudad Food Avenue is a brainchild of two Batanguenyo business partners who dreamt of building a legacy in Batangas. The team broke ground on October 2016 and CFA held its Grand Opening last September 23, 2017.
Inside Ciudad Food Avenue is 12"x8m Pipe Bar and Restaurant where we had a satisfying dinner.
This structure got its name from its foundation- 12 pcs. steel pipe thats's 12 inches in diameter and 8 meters in length. The design of this food court is like a module-type industrial food plant hence the names of the eateries. The materials, tables and seats, are upcycled!
Inasal Combustion.
Chicken Pecho Inasal with soup, crackers, rice and pancit.
Chicken Pork Pyrolysis. Uses the traditional brick oven for that distinct roasted taste.
Roasted (5)- Chicken, Tuna Veggie, Macaroni Salad, Dessert (macaroon?).
Burger Compression. Papa's Special Big Burger. The burger patty and bread is thickkk. They also have the burger challenge where you can eat this for FREE if you win.
Rice Bowl Reaction. When flavored sauce reacts with fried rice then the topping of choice is added. In this case, it's Sisig Rice.
Ramen Dilution. Tonkatsu Ramen. I adore Japanese food. This flavorful concoction is no exception!
Kambingan Express. Kalderetang kambing. This is soooo good! Sauce pa lang, pamatay na! Meat is tender and no langsa.
Boodle Bonding. Boodlefight! No utensils needed, eat with your hands! (Don't worry, they provide plastic gloves.)
This is Set C- Grilled liempo, tilapia, chicken adobo, fried biya, lumpia, pinakbet, pancit, egg, tomatoes, 10 cups of rice. Pwede ng handa sa bertday!!!
You can eat and sing videoke downstairs, or go upstairs to listen to a live band and guzzle some alcoholic beverages!
If I remember correctly, the stores in Ciudad Food Avenue would be open from 12 noon/3 PM up to 12 MN/2AM. It will depend per merchant and day.
Next, we rode a van going to 8th Street Restobar for some winding down. They have 2 performers- one outside (al fresco), and another inside the air-conditioned lounge.
We listened to good music. How lucky that my fave kind was playing- 80's! Also had some drinks and chow.
Yummy! We were served beer, nachos, cocktails and crunchy, sinful bagnet.
Formerly Jemaena's Cuisine (which used to serve fresh seafood and other ala carte dishes), 8th Street Restobar is located in M. Pastor Ave., Pallocan West, Batangas City.
Finally, we headed to Residencia de Riego Pool Resort to call it a night! This place transforms due to the magnificent lights! The view is definitely different in the morning and at evening!
Check out their three pools! Night swimming is definitely recommended! Well I would have, but my companions were already pagoda by then!
From this...
...to this!
The cottage we slept in was air-conditioned and had twin beds. With its ol' style, it is really cozy and homey. Native rules!
Residencia de Riego Pool Resort address is in Sitio Libis Muzon II, Alitagtag, Batangas.
For more details, you may check their Social Media, Instagram and Facebook- facebook.com/ciudadfoodave/
facebook.com/12x8-Pipe-Bar-and-Restaurant-505974779787016/
facebook.com/8SRestobar/
facebook.com/Residencia-de-Riego-Resort-915055185231324/
Walking tour of the establishments above in this YT Video-
Prior to this journey, I recall Batangas for its balisong, Barako coffee, lomi, Taal volcano, excellent dive sites, Vilma Santos, etc., but Ciudad Food Avenue, 8x12 PIPE Bar, 8th Street Restobar and Residencia de Riego are also worth being a part of your itinerary in CALABARZON.
So friends, the next time you and your loved ones / barkada / family is thinking of a vacation or food trip (or even solo for soul searching and unwinding!), consider Batangas as your next destination. You'll definitely have a good time with its rich culture and gems. Thanks for reading! :)
It's easy to fall in love with Batangas- scenic place, nice, friendly people, superb food and more! As a Manileña, this short travel to this nearby province- with the more refreshing air and natural surroundings- had helped me forget the city grind and relax for a while.
Last December 15-16, 2017, us Manila bloggers had joined the Barako PH team in Batangas for a wonderful tour.
It's so easy to get there. From Buendia, we rode a bus (it was Ceres, I think) going to Batangas City Grand Terminal. Ticket costs only around Php 125. The trip was quick, there was no heavy traffic that time.
A few steps from the terminal is Ciudad Food Avenue situated in Diversion Road already! (You would be walking back as we already saw it from inside the bus while heading for the terminal.)
Ciudad Food Avenue
The view in the AM. Watch as it changes in the PM.
Ciudad Food Avenue was our first stop for our 2 day/1 night trip. We also went to 8th Street Restobar, then to Residencia de Riego as you would see later on.
That Friday and Saturday was Globe sponsored movie night! The vicinity would also be a FREE Wi-Fi area soon.
The first time I saw it, I was like, wow, this place is HUGE!!! I 've never seen any food park like this in the city before! Having big restaurants with different bongga themes, it's like an amusement park already!
At present, CFA is home to:
11 large restaurants- 12x8 Pipe Bar and Restaurant, Cafe de Alps, Hotspot KTV, Twins Wild Wings, Bulls and Booze, Big Boned Restobar, Casa del Rey, TJ Sizzle Restobar, Arcat Kitchen, Frozen Hub and Pier 151,
and 17 food carts- Chiko's Fruit Shake, Lemon Drops, Mac's Pizza, Jobelle Ice Cream (their strawberry chili is a must try!!!), Asian Dimsum, Krispy Kap, Mexicantina, Pitalicious Shawarma, Hotdog Overload, Botog's Food House, Eat's Soya, Nacholicious, Señor Churros, Aling Luisa, I Lab Yo, Wrap and Rolls, and Pan Pressed Cafe.
Aside from the eye-catching bus cafe, there is also a ship-type, and a cutesy gelato resto. Plus more for you to discover! So as to protect each owner, a condition in this park is NO REPLICATION of specialty.
At the side, Ciudad also houses some tiangge type stores that sells clothes, fragrances, toys, and others! You'd surely be delighted in some good finds there! They are also planning to construct some offices and wellness area at the adjacent lot.
Ciudad Food Avenue is a brainchild of two Batanguenyo business partners who dreamt of building a legacy in Batangas. The team broke ground on October 2016 and CFA held its Grand Opening last September 23, 2017.
12x8 PIPE Bar and Restaurant
Inside Ciudad Food Avenue is 12"x8m Pipe Bar and Restaurant where we had a satisfying dinner.
This structure got its name from its foundation- 12 pcs. steel pipe thats's 12 inches in diameter and 8 meters in length. The design of this food court is like a module-type industrial food plant hence the names of the eateries. The materials, tables and seats, are upcycled!
Inasal Combustion.
Chicken Pecho Inasal with soup, crackers, rice and pancit.
Chicken Pork Pyrolysis. Uses the traditional brick oven for that distinct roasted taste.
Roasted (5)- Chicken, Tuna Veggie, Macaroni Salad, Dessert (macaroon?).
Burger Compression. Papa's Special Big Burger. The burger patty and bread is thickkk. They also have the burger challenge where you can eat this for FREE if you win.
Rice Bowl Reaction. When flavored sauce reacts with fried rice then the topping of choice is added. In this case, it's Sisig Rice.
Ramen Dilution. Tonkatsu Ramen. I adore Japanese food. This flavorful concoction is no exception!
Kambingan Express. Kalderetang kambing. This is soooo good! Sauce pa lang, pamatay na! Meat is tender and no langsa.
Boodle Bonding. Boodlefight! No utensils needed, eat with your hands! (Don't worry, they provide plastic gloves.)
This is Set C- Grilled liempo, tilapia, chicken adobo, fried biya, lumpia, pinakbet, pancit, egg, tomatoes, 10 cups of rice. Pwede ng handa sa bertday!!!
Yey! I tremendously enjoyed the biya- crispy, salty and delicious! Of course, everything else was good but dried fish is really one of my top favorite food ever.
8th Street Restobar
Next, we rode a van going to 8th Street Restobar for some winding down. They have 2 performers- one outside (al fresco), and another inside the air-conditioned lounge.
8th Street claims to be the ULTIMATE party hub!
Yummy! We were served beer, nachos, cocktails and crunchy, sinful bagnet.
Formerly Jemaena's Cuisine (which used to serve fresh seafood and other ala carte dishes), 8th Street Restobar is located in M. Pastor Ave., Pallocan West, Batangas City.
Residencia de Riego Pool Resort
Finally, we headed to Residencia de Riego Pool Resort to call it a night! This place transforms due to the magnificent lights! The view is definitely different in the morning and at evening!
Check out their three pools! Night swimming is definitely recommended! Well I would have, but my companions were already pagoda by then!
From this...
Jet streams for added fun! Depth in 4.5, 5 and 2.7 ft.
...to this!
Romantic and fabulous.
The cottage we slept in was air-conditioned and had twin beds. With its ol' style, it is really cozy and homey. Native rules!
Nature paradise!
Residencia de Riego Pool Resort address is in Sitio Libis Muzon II, Alitagtag, Batangas.
For more details, you may check their Social Media, Instagram and Facebook- facebook.com/ciudadfoodave/
facebook.com/12x8-Pipe-Bar-and-Restaurant-505974779787016/
facebook.com/8SRestobar/
facebook.com/Residencia-de-Riego-Resort-915055185231324/
Walking tour of the establishments above in this YT Video-
Prior to this journey, I recall Batangas for its balisong, Barako coffee, lomi, Taal volcano, excellent dive sites, Vilma Santos, etc., but Ciudad Food Avenue, 8x12 PIPE Bar, 8th Street Restobar and Residencia de Riego are also worth being a part of your itinerary in CALABARZON.
So friends, the next time you and your loved ones / barkada / family is thinking of a vacation or food trip (or even solo for soul searching and unwinding!), consider Batangas as your next destination. You'll definitely have a good time with its rich culture and gems. Thanks for reading! :)
Looks like you had a great time and a happy tummy. It has been almost 10 years since I last went to Batangas and it was not for leisure. We're planning to go there on August to see a relative's resort.Sana malapit lang sa pupuntahan namin yan mga food destination na yan. Naiinggit at nagutom ako eh.
ReplyDeleteHello! Yes super nag-enjoy ako.
DeleteGrabe sobrang tagal na ng last time you went there.
Highly recommend ko madaanan nyo lalo na yung foodpark sa me Batangas Grand Terminal lang :)