Takaw Tikim: Ilocos Norte

TGI Fridays is now in Ilocos Norte: Our First Bite, Big Smiles

By nickahtolentino - Friday, October 10, 2025

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Foam Coffee Lands in Ilocos Norte: What to Order First

By nickahtolentino - Thursday, October 09, 2025

From its Baguio roots to a growing presence beyond the highlands, Foam Coffee has officially made its way to Ilocos Norte. Known for quality brews, flaky pastries, and Asian‑fusion comfort food, Foam brings its “indulge in flavor” ethos a little closer to the North. If you’re planning your first visit, here’s a curated list of must-tries—complete with quick, helpful descriptions.

Drinks to kick things off

Foam Signature Latte: A smooth, balanced latte with rich espresso and silky microfoam—comforting, creamy, and just sweet enough to let the coffee shine.

Strawberry Citron: Bright and refreshing; sweet strawberries meet lively citrus for a crisp, thirst‑quenching sip with a zesty finish.

Uji Kyoto Matcha: Earthy and clean with gentle umami and a natural sweetness—whisked smooth for a calm, green tea pick‑me‑up.

Pastries to pair with your cup

S’mores Croissant: Buttery, flaky layers filled with chocolate and toasted marshmallow, finished with a graham-style crunch—campfire nostalgia in pastry form.

Strawberries N’ Cream Croissant: A light, airy croissant piled with fresh strawberries and soft cream—sweet, tangy, and luxuriously buttery.

Desserts you shouldn’t skip

Strawberry Matcha Tiramisu: A playful twist on the classic—matcha-kissed layers with strawberries and whipped mascarpone for a creamy, berry‑green tea harmony.

Egg Tart: Crisp, golden crust with silky, lightly sweet egg custard—simple, elegant, and perfect with coffee or tea.

Classic Tiramisu: Espresso-soaked layers and cloud‑light mascarpone dusted with cocoa—bittersweet, creamy, and timeless.

Savory bites and fusion comfort

Grilled Cheese Sandwich: Golden, toasty bread with a gooey cheese pull—rich, melty comfort that pairs well with coffee or a fruity cooler.

Gochu Chicken Pasta: Tender chicken tossed in a creamy, gochujang‑forward sauce—spicy, slightly sweet, and deeply savory over al dente pasta.

Bulgogi Tapa: Savory‑sweet soy‑garlic beef mingled with rice, sesame, and scallions—Korean flavors with an Filipino hug.

Cheese Buldak: A fiery, crave‑worthy chicken dish blanketed in molten cheese—the perfect balance of heat, smoke, and creamy richness.

Why locals will love Foam

Roots and range: Foam started in Baguio (est. 2021) and has grown with its own roastery and branches beyond the city—now including Ilocos Norte.

Something for everyone: From signature blends to pastries and Asian‑fusion meals, the menu covers early mornings, hearty lunches, and late‑night cravings.

Welcome to Ilocos Norte, Foam Coffee. If you’re dropping by, start with the Signature Latte and a S’mores Croissant—then work your way to the Cheese Buldak when you’re ready for heat.

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Ilocos Norte

Amian Cafe Is Now in SM City Laoag: Ilokano Comfort, Local Beans, and New Favorites

By nickahtolentino - Thursday, October 09, 2025

I’ve been loyal to Amian ever since my Vigan days—one of those cafés I kept returning to for a steady dose of Ilokano comfort and great coffee. So hearing that Amian is now in SM City Laoag made me genuinely happy. More branches mean more people get easy access to quality coffee and modern Ilokano food—exactly what Amian has been building all along.

A cafe with Ilokano roots

Amian (pronounced /a.’mjan/) means “northern wind,” a name that captures the brand’s Ilokano pride and sense of place. Beyond the name, their mission shows up in the details: making premium coffee experiences accessible to locals and creating a space where Ilokano flavors are modern, warm, and welcoming.

Championing local coffee farmers

One thing I really appreciate about Amian is how they support coffee farmers from Ilocos Sur—especially in Sigay. Their shop features 100% Robusta beans and Ilokos drip coffee with farmer-labeled packs (you’ll find names like Marieta Lidem, Ginalyn Gonzalo, Jean Apalet, and Byron Daplayan). It’s great coffee that’s sustainably and ethically sourced—and every cup feels connected to home.

What we ordered at SM City Laoag

Coffee

Amian Signature Latte, Sea Salt Latte, Salcedo Ice Blended

Samtoy Choco Tablea

Starter

Federico Wild Tenders: Golden-breaded chicken drenched in Amian’s signature buffalo-style red sauce—fiery, tangy, unforgettable.

Brunch mains

Galileo Bagnet Hash: Ilocano comfort in a bowl—shredded bagnet, egg, and classic KBL over adobo organic red rice, with Amian vinegar on the side.

Isabelo Fried Chicken: Golden fried chicken with savory gravy, paired with organic red rice.

Abaya Bibimbap: Bibimbap Ilokano style.

Sandwiches and pasta

Burgos Roast Beef: Tender roast beef with melted cheese in buttery brioche buns—rich, savory, perfectly toasted.

Jalapeño Burger: A quarter‑pound jalapeño beef patty with melted cheese and Amian’s signature jalapeño sauce on toasted Amian bread.

Truffle Pasta: Spaghetti in a truffle butter cream sauce—comforting and indulgent.

Biscocho Breakfast Sandwich (Ilocos Norte exclusive): Pasuquin’s soft biscocho meets Batac’s iconic longganisa in a warm, savory egg mix—a fusion of sweet, garlicky, and buttery flavors. This one’s a must-try and a standout for the Laoag branch.

Why this new branch matters

Amian’s expansion into SM City Laoag makes their blend of culture-forward food and coffee even more accessible. If you’ve loved the Vigan or Candon branches, the Laoag spot brings the same warmth—with Ilocos Norte-exclusive bites that make the trip worth it.

Final sip

Whether you’re here for a thoughtful latte, a comforting Ilokano bowl, or a playful sandwich on Amian bread, this new Laoag branch captures what Amian does best: elevating local flavors while staying true to the North. See you at SM City Laoag—come hungry, leave happy, and don’t skip that Biscocho Breakfast Sandwich.

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Ilocos Norte

Taho + Ice Cream, Bakit Hindi?

By nickahtolentino - Tuesday, June 24, 2025

For weeks, I’ve been on the hunt for Manong Taho in our area. But here’s the catch—we live in the middle of a farm. Either di ko siya marinig, o sobrang bilis niyang mag-drive, para akong naiwan sa wind tunnel ng soy and syrup dreams.

Lately, my social media feed has been flooded with posts about "Taho Story," a modern taho concept. Lucky me, they’ve recently opened a branch here in Robinsons Ilocos! Of course, I couldn’t resist trying it out. Taho with an ice cream twist? Yes, please!

The Silken Tofu Base: Legit or Gelatin?

Let’s start with the foundation of any good taho: the tofu. On our first try, my initial impression was that the taho texture felt a bit too firm—almost gelatin-like. Alarm bells rang. Could this really be taho?!

Curiosity got the better of me, so I asked the staff about their tofu process. Despite the online debates, here’s the truth:

The taho they serve is made from pure, silken tofu, delivered fresh from their trusted supplier.
No gelatin, calcium powder, or artificial additives are involved.

It turns out their tofu supplier has been in the business for 40 years, which ensures consistent quality. While their taho texture isn't exactly the melt-in-your-mouth experience you get from Manong Taho on the streets, their version is designed to maintain its structure and hold up well with toppings.

Generous Servings + Perfect Topping Ratios

Now, let’s talk about the toppings—the real heroes. Every cup was beautifully assembled, with even layers of deliciousness. Here’s how they stacked up:

The ice cream was legit creamy, loaded in just the right amount to not overpower the taho.

All the toppings (arnibal syrup, sago pearls, and more) were generously portioned, na parang pinag-isipan nilang mabuti. Hindi tipid, hindi sobra—just perfect harmony per cup.

Final Verdict: Not Your Basic Taho

Here’s the thing: Taho Story isn’t here to replace your neighborhood Manong Taho. Instead, it’s offering a fresh, modern spin on the classic taho experience we all grew up loving. While the texture might surprise you at first, once you get past that, their savory-sweet creations are pretty irresistible.

If you’re in Ilocos (or anywhere they have a branch), I recommend giving them a try. Sometimes, it’s fun to elevate a classic and see it in a new light. Who knew taho could share the spotlight with ice cream?

Have you tried Taho Story yet? Let me know what you think—it’s definitely one for the books!

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Ilocos Norte

Trattoria Altrov'e Opens in SM City Laoag: A New Taste for the Ilocano Palette

By nickahtolentino - Monday, June 23, 2025

Good news for food enthusiasts in Ilocos Norte! Trattoria Altrov'e, renowned for its authentic Italian flavors, has opened its 10th branch at SM City Laoag. From Siargao to El Nido, their previously thriving hubs, they’ve now brought their delectable offerings to the north—much to the delight of food lovers in the region.

For those unfamiliar, Trattoria Altrov'e has built a strong reputation for its flavorful and authentic Italian cuisine, particularly their brick oven pizzas, which are masterfully cooked to perfection. As someone who's yet to step foot in Italy, I’ve based my standards for good Italian food on Da Gianni (Westgate, Alabang) and Va Bene (Dasmariñas Village, Makati). I was thrilled to find a new addition here in Ilocos Norte that ticks all the boxes.

First Impressions

Walking into Trattoria Altrov'e was a refreshing experience. The interior is warm and inviting—a space designed to make you stay a little longer (and maybe order some dessert!). The eclectic design caught my attention right away, with its small teal-colored couches and brown-orange walls creating an aesthetic and cozy vibe.

One charming detail that stood out was their chairs with wheels, which are surprisingly convenient and made sitting down and standing up effortless. Plus, they have card terminals for payment, which is always a plus for diners like me who avoid carrying cash.

The Food

We only tried three dishes during our visit, primarily because of our tight budget, but they left quite the impression. I couldn’t try their highly talked-about Wheel Pasta just yet, but that gives me a reason to go back. Here's what we had:

Gamberi Olio Pasta d'Olivia

This is a red pasta dish with shrimp, olive oil, and sun-dried tomatoes. The balance of flavors was wonderful—each bite feels rich yet not overwhelmingly heavy.

All' Arrabbiata

Another red pasta dish, this one is slightly spicier, featuring more bell peppers and bits of bacon. It had a nice kick that paired perfectly with the freshness of the pasta.

Pancetta Con Tartufo (Truffle Pizza)

This was, hands down, my favorite dish of the day. The brick oven-fired crust had just the right crispiness, and the truffle flavor was chef’s kiss. It came loaded with bacon, mozzarella cheese, and a dash of oregano—a combination I know I’ll crave often.

The Experience

Despite it being a Sunday when we visited, the restaurant wasn’t crowded, which made for a relaxing dining experience. Our total bill came to ₱1,144, inclusive of the service tax. For authentic Italian food of this quality, I’d say it’s worth every peso!

Final Thoughts

Trattoria Altrove in SM City Laoag is a fantastic addition to the food scene in Ilocos Norte. The authentic flavors, cozy ambiance, and reasonable pricing make it a must-visit for locals and tourists alike. While we’ve only scratched the surface of their menu, what we’ve tried has left us eager to come back and explore more.

I’m already looking forward to trying their Wheel Pasta and more of their pizzas on our next visit. For now, I’ll bask in the memory of that truffle pizza.

Whether you’re a fan of Italian cuisine or just looking for a new culinary adventure, Trattoria Altrove is an excellent choice. Buon appetito!