If you find yourself strolling along the cobblestone streets of Calle Crisologo, Vigan City, you might stumble upon an intriguing small space called Old Soul Bean and Bar. However, don’t let the initial impression fool you—this place is anything but small. With a rooftop dining area offering breathtaking views reminiscent of the 7 Wonders of the World, it’s perfect for a memorable romantic dinner.

Must-Try Dishes

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A cheese lover's dream, the Cheese Eruption is a burger with cheese hidden inside the patty plus melted cheese on top. It’s served with fresh lettuce and crispy bacon, making it one of my absolute favorites. All this cheesy goodness is priced at just 269 pesos.

A Sweet Discovery on Instagram

Scrolling through Instagram in one of those dessert-craving moments, I stumbled upon The Sugar Collective. Their feed is a haven for every sweet tooth, with images of beautifully crafted macarons, cakes, and other irresistible desserts. While I wasn’t specifically looking for Burnt Basque Cheesecake, my cheesecake cravings convinced me to give it a try.

The Order

I placed my order for their 6-inch Burnt Basque Cheesecake, priced at ₱680. Burnt Basque Cheesecakes are notoriously hard to nail down. They require the perfect balance of textures: a creamy, custardy interior that’s almost mousse-like in consistency paired with the golden, caramelized, and slightly charred “burnt” crust on top. At ₱680 for the promise of craftsmanship involved, I thought it was worth trying out.

First Impressions

Excited and ready to indulge, I dove straight into my first slice—but I have to admit, it didn’t match the expectations I had built in my imagination. The mousse-like creamy texture I was looking forward to was absent. Instead, the interior leaned toward a firmer texture. The caramelized crust was delightfully crisp and added a nice touch, but I felt like that coveted custard-like center either didn’t develop fully or maybe the smaller 6-inch size somehow affected the outcome.

Refrigeration Revelation

I decided to refrigerate the cheesecake overnight, unsure whether I would give it a second bite the next day. When I took it out of the fridge the following morning, something surprising had happened—the bubbles inside the cheesecake had flattened out, altering both the texture and the look. Upon tasting it again, the texture resembled more of a dense New York-style cheesecake, albeit topped with that signature burnt layer. It was enjoyable in its own way but felt like something other than what I’d categorize as a true Burnt Basque experience.

Final Thoughts

Truth be told, I was slightly disappointed. Basque Cheesecake is supposed to feel like a dessert celebration in every bite, with its creamy custard center stealing the show. Unfortunately, this one missed that mark. Thank goodness we weren’t collaborating because giving honest feedback like this would have been tough.

Would I order the Burnt Basque Cheesecake again? Maybe not. But the good news is, The Sugar Collective has plenty of other temptations on their menu, and their macarons look particularly divine. I might explore their other offerings next time and give them another shot to wow me.

The moment you enter the Peach Mango Pie-themed room, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a pie heaven. The entrance shows a peach and mango field filled with giant orange and yellow fruits—perfect for a playful photo op. Inside, you’ll find colorful pie-inspired visuals and elements designed to delight any fruit or dessert lover.

The FCBAI Bakery Fair is back, and this year, the theme "RISE and Shine" couldn't be more fitting with thousands of bakers from different parts of the world flocked to the World Trade Center for a 3-day baking exhibit.

This year's fair is a celebration of resilience and innovation in the baking industry, a testament to the bakers who have weathered challenges and emerged stronger. URC Flour Brand Ambassador Chef Aileen Asilom more popularly known as Chef Ai, graced this year’s Bakery Fair and led the bakery demonstration at the URC Flour booth.

Chef Aileen’s story is one of inspiration. From her modest beginnings, fueled by a deep love for baking, she has risen to become a respected figure, known for her dedication to sharing her knowledge and empowering fellow bakers. Her journey resonates with many, making her the perfect face for URC Flour, a brand committed to providing quality ingredients for every baker's dream.

URC Flour’s booth concept “SIKAT” reinforced the RISE and SHINE theme of this year's Bakery Fair. Chef Ai’s path to being a successful baker is a story itself of passion and perseverance.

First, we just want to say, we love the beach view of the restaurant, but it's great to know they have an air-conditioned option for dining in. However, there is currently some construction going on as part of a baywalk project, so the view is slightly obstructed and can be a bit distracting.

One of the fantastic conveniences we discovered is that they have a terminal for cashless payments—a true holy grail for modern diners.

The Food and Dining Experience

The food servings at Asaricha Beach Resort's Restaurant are quite generous, suitable for 2 to 4 people. We had the chance to sample four different viands, and here are our thoughts:

Poqui-Poqui

At first glance, you might think it’s pricey, but the serving size is substantial—you could easily stretch this for two meals. The smoky taste of the eggplant was simply perfect.

Sweet and Sour Pork

I was curious about how they prepared their sweet and sour pork, so I asked the server if it was the Ilocano version or the Chinese one. The Chinese version usually features breaded chicken with a sweet and sour sauce, whereas the Filipino/Ilocano version generally has a ketchup and pineapple saucy meat. The server informed me that they served the Filipino/Ilocano version, but to my surprise, when the dish arrived, it was the Chinese version. And what a pleasant surprise it was—the serving was generous and the meat was incredibly tender.

Calamari

This dish was just too good on its own, no rice needed. The crispy, well-seasoned calamari was a delight.

Chicken Fingers

Originally intended as an appetizer, the chicken fingers were kid-friendly and equally enjoyable without rice.

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Overall Experience

All in all, the experience at Asaricha Beach Resort's Restaurant was superb. The service was exceptionally professional, and all the staff were approachable. We definitely recommend dining here and are even considering trying a staycation. It’s a perfect blend of good food, excellent service, and a cozy atmosphere.

We can't wait to visit again!

 

We recently visited Steak to Juan in Ilocos Norte shortly after their soft opening, and we were pleasantly surprised by several aspects of the restaurant, starting with the generous parking space. It's clear that this place is designed not just for couples looking for a cozy dinner, but also for big families eager to enjoy a hearty meal together.

We didn't inquire if the restaurant is pet-friendly since we didn't have one of our fur babies with us, but it might be an important consideration for pet owners planning a visit.

The Unli Rice Steak Experience

Affordable and Satisfying
Steak to Juan is renowned for its affordable unli rice steak meals, which are definitively worth their 250 PHP price tag. While we didn't expect a five-star dining experience, what we did find was good food and service that lived up to the restaurant’s promise.

The steaks are cut to a reasonable 1/4 inch thickness and, gratifyingly, you can choose how they are cooked. The result is a tender and palate-pleasing piece of meat that isn't overly chewy. The accompanying gravy was decent, adding just the right touch to the meal.

Additional Menu Options
Besides steak, there are other offerings like coffee and pasta. We decided to give their Bolognese pasta a try, which is priced at 190 PHP. Unfortunately, it left much to be desired. I expected more robust flavors, especially given that there are other pastas in this price range with much more appealing taste profiles.

What Worked and What Didn't
On the whole, the steak and its unlimited rice were satisfying and worth the visit. However, the atchara (pickled papaya relish) on my plate wasn’t to my liking. In future visits, I might ask to skip it altogether.

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Final Thoughts
Steak to Juan provides a solid, no-fuss dining option for those looking for a filling and affordable meal in Ilocos Norte. While there's room for improvement, particularly with the pasta, the main attraction - the unli rice steak - delivers on its promise.

So, if you find yourself in Ilocos Norte and are in the mood for a good, value-for-money steak dinner, give Steak to Juan a try. And next time, I'll remember to check on its pet-friendliness so fellow fur parents can plan accordingly. Bon appétit until our next food adventure!