Bea and Kurt
Namit Gid!
Velez Manokan Country
A family favorite! Nida Velez is the eldest of the Velez siblings where they continue their father's heritage and recipe of the original Bacolod Chicken Inasal since 1946. A lot of food stalls in Manokan Country would offer the best Bacolod Chicken Inasal but the Velez siblings are the original in the game. True Bacolodnons know and are still their suki continuing to patronize their #NamitGid nga inasal nga manok. Kurt and Bea would never fail to dine and eat the inasal nga manok of Tita Nida Velez. Visit Velez Grill House in the first stall of the Bacolod Manokan Country. Currently, the Manokan Country was demolished to give way for a rehabilitation and the manokan stalls were transferred across the old Manokan Country in the SM City Northwing parking and transport terminal.
L'Sea Dimsum and Noodle House
As Kurt would alway say, and Bea agrees, L'Sea has the best siomai in the world. You must try to prove what they are saying. L'Sea has branches inside SM City Bacolod and their main branch is along Lacson Street beside L'Fisher Hotel across Calea.
Gina's Seafoods Restaurant
Seafood? Gina's is the go-to place. It's like your dampa in Manila, but better. Order for their manumbok (blue marlin) either grilled or sizzling, buttered garlic nga pasayan (shrimp), scallops, lokos nga calamares (squid calamares), and a whole lot more. And did we say that they serve it fresh? Have it cooked the way you like it!
Sharyn's Cansi House
Sharyn's Cansi House built its name as a classic carinderia stall serving cansi or the bulalo of the Ilonggos. It's our own version of bulalo simmered for hours with batuan as the souring agent. Those new in town and locals would head over to Sharyn's for that family lunch over a bowl of piping-hot cansi.
Lord Byron's Backribs
Kurt's parents love the original Lord Byron's. A savory classic and budget-friendly slab of ribs with their secret barbecue sauce. Back in the days, a big slab of ribs only cost Php 120.00 served with Java Rice. Always a must try!
Bob's Restaurant
Every family in Bacolod knows Bob's. From the breads and pastries, to the family recipes, Bob's has seen generations of Bacolodnons and their children to try and taste their classic menu.
Cafe Bobs
The OG coffee shop of Bacolodnons both old and new. Long before the hype of coffee pop-up shops and cafes, Cafe Bob's had made its mark to be where it is now.
Calea Pastries & Coffee
Calea is cake heaven. Visitors of Bacolod dare to visit this sugar wonderland for those sweet tooth cravings. Aside from the Instagram-worthy photos, you would want to try one cake after another.
Quan Native Delicacies
Quan is a Bacolod classic for your native cravings. It's comfort food and your 3pm snack bar combined. Ask a Bacolodnon what Quan is and they know what you mean, "Masarap ang kwan sa Quan" (pun intended). They have a number of branches across Bacolod City. Do a quick Google search for the nearest branch near you.
Merzci Pasalubong
The family of Kurt ran a pasalubong business back in the days and they were a major supplier of pasalubong products to Merzci. Some of the items that they pioneered were the banana chips and the pinasugbo, which are still the same recipe that can be found sold in the shelves of every Merzci pasalubong store. Kay sa Merzci, tanan manamit! Merzci Pasalubong have branches across the city and beyond. For last-minute pasalubong shopping, Merzci have a branch in the Bacolod-Silay Airport. If you want to visit their factory and learn how pasalubong products, they offer a factory tour - more details can be found in their Facebook page.
