RYU RESTAURANT ( LUCENA CITY )

The YAPPY BUNCH are in Yub's hometown in Lucena City spending time with his family for the Chinese New Year. Normally, we would be in the streets of Binondo stuffing ourselves silly with Chinese food. But this time, he decided to spend it instead with his Yap family.

Tonight though we agreed to try out anything that the family craved because we were still full from our Palaisdaan lunch. It was suggested that we go for this new cafe that also had live music and platters of food....

RYU RESTAURANT!

And no, this is not the Ramen hub that's popular in Quezon City.

RYU had a sleek wooden design that's reminiscent of cafes in the Metro.

KIMSUY CHINESE CUISINE ( LUCENA CITY )

We were in Lucena City to spend the Chinese New Year weekend so naturally, when we were deciding where to go for dinner that Saturday night, we went out for some Chinese food. 

The choice that night was in KIMSUY Chinese Cuisine!!!!

OUR CHINESE NEW YEAR 2018 IN LUCENA

Usually when it's the Chinese New Year, THE YAPPY BUNCH would go to Binondo to enjoy the sights, noise, and food. But for this year, we just felt like having a change; we wanted to do something else rather than our usual CNY gimik. And that is why we decided to go to Yub's hometown in Lucena City instead.

Of course, when all was said and done, we suddenly missed jostling with the crowds in Binondo to celebrate their New Year.

But obviously, that came right after we stuffed ourselves silly with our usual favorites. 

It's the Chinese New Year and we'll do something different!

Yup!

DAL BERGAMASCO ITALIAN RESTAURANT (LUCENA CITY)

Whenever THE YAPPY BUNCH is in Lucena City, we make it a point to eat in the old restaurants that the Yubhub grew up enjoying which we cannot find in Manila. It is very rare that we try out someplace new because we never want to waste our time by not going to his favorites.

Unless of course, the little lords have something else in mind. And for that night, they felt like having some Italian food.

Inangku, we're in trouble now.

He he he he he! 

DAL BERGAMASCO!

DAL BERGAMASCO means "From Bergamasco" and if you're wondering, Bergamasco is a commune in the Province of Alessandria in the Italian region Piedmont.

AN IMPROMPTU QUEEN MARGARETTE WEEKEND

It was a very busy Saturday for ERICJAZ FOODIES one weekend -- we had an early lunch at KING CHEF in Binondo then attended a baptism reception afterwards. At night, we drove out to Quezon province so we could meet up with the Chinese Dimpol's family.

Alas, when we arrived in Mama's home, there was a brown-out! It would've been okay but this was during the middle of summer and the combination of thick humidity with no breeze of air were just unimaginable.

To be honest though, it was just fine with us. We didn't want to leave Mama alone. But she insisted that we book a night in a nearby hotel because she didn't want the kids to have a sleepless and hot night. So we agreed. 

And that brought us to QUEEN MARGARETTE HOTEL!!!!

MAX'S RESTAURANT (LUCENA CITY)

I know that whenever we're out of town, we should eat in restaurants that are exclusive to that province only. It's just "Que Horror" to do things otherwise and eat let's say, at Jollibee, when we're at Baguio.

Don't get me wrong. I have nothing against the bee. In fact, I love the bee. We love it so much we want to marry it. But I'm sure you know what I mean.

That "unwritten rule" though, doesn't apply whenever we're in Lucena City during the All Soul's weekend. Yup. Even if we have loads of favorites in the Chinese Dimpol's hometown, we are always drawn to "The House That Fried Chicken Built" come November 1. I don't know... Maybe because of its geographical convenience, the ambiance, the price,  and the familiarity of this restaurant that has been popular since 1945. But one thing's for sure, we don't mind "breaking the rules" when we are looking forward to some juicy fried chicken plus MORE from MAX'S restaurant.

Yup. Even in LUCENA City! 

MAX'S RESTAURANT!

SLASH'S RESTAURANT (LUCENA CITY)

When we stayed in Lucena for the Undas long weekend, the Chinese Dimpol already plotted the restaurants that we'll eat in for lunch and dinner: PALAISDAAN, CAFE ANTIGUA, BUBBLES, HACIENDA INN, PANSILOG, etc etc. However, when his Mom recommended that we try out the restaurant that's flocked by hungry Lucena diners, it piqued the curiosity of the Chinese D. I'm not sure if I've mentioned this before, but my husband's favorite food in the whole world is Crispy Pata. And when Mama said the new restaurant had superkaduper delicious fried pork knuckles it made him forget that there was ever a list.

So the other candidates that night didn't stand a chance -- the Crispy Pata was the ultimo deciding factor.  And the new winner for our Monday dinner was.... 

SLASH'S RESTAURANT!

CHAMSIG AT PANSILOG (LUCENA CITY)

THE YAPPY BUNCH were in Lucena for the All Soul's long weekend and besides meeting up with the Chinese Dimpol's family, we were all eating up a storm! This is, of course, my husband's hometown and comfort food haven that our tummies are living the life. But even if we already have our usual favorites in Lucena, in comes a new restaurant that made the Chinese Dimpol craving and finding. He heard about this as the new thing in the area and was impressed that it has already been featured in news channels and articles.

So after doing our "Undas" duties that morning by visiting Yub's relatives in various cemeteries, we consoled our tired selves with the thought of the sizzling and saucy rave in town....

The CHAMSIG!

And where to get that? 

In PANSILOG!

ALL SOUL'S WEEKEND AT LUCENA CITY (2016)

It's a long All Soul's and All Saint's weekend! And like what we have been doing every year, we shall have it in Lucena, Quezon Province!

UNDAS in Lucena, 2016!




Ever since Yub's Dad, passed away, we have been in Lucena every year for All Soul's day.

HORIBATA JAPANESE KITCHEN (LUCENA CITY)

One weekend when we were in my husband's hometown in Lucena City, Quezon Province, we wanted to try out something new besides our usual favorites PALAISDAAN, PEKING, CAFE ANTIQUA, BUBBLES, etc etc.

And with that, we came to HORIBATA JAPANESE KITCHEN!

HORIBATA JAPANESE KITCHEN recently opened in a gasoline station near Diversion road.

This new restaurant in Lucena City specializes in serving authentic Japanese food. Although they don't have my usual favorites of sushi and sashimi, I feel that this is still something to check out on a hungry day!  

NIGAZZ HOUSE OF RAMEN (LUCBAN, QUEZON PROVINCE)

When we celebrated our New Year's weekend in Lucena, we had a day wherein we went around Lucban and Tayabas Quezon Province with the boys. When it was time for lunch we decided to try out the only ramen place in the area that I have been hearing SO much about. Of course, when it comes to ramen my motto is "If you build it, they will come"(from Field of Dreams).  If I hear that there's a ramen house in whatever area, I am bound to drag my family over there. Good thing too that THE YAPPY BUNCH are so fond of slurping on noodles.

Well, except the Chinese Adonis. He doesn't have a choice but to go with us. That is, if he wants to get some labing labing from me. Ha ha ha ha ha ha! 

NIGAZZ HOUSE OF RAMEN!

The restaurant is named after the owner's son. They had other options in mind but this was what DTI approved. He he hee!

The restaurant is really small that you might pass by without noticing it. NIGAZZ is almost beside a Sari Sari store in that street.

OUR YAPPY NEW YEAR CELEBRATION FOR 2015!

And once again just when you thought I was done with my holiday entries, HELLO! My last one sprouts up! Because like I said, I became lazy as a daisy (and big as a beluga whale) during the Christmas season that I didn't get anything done.

Would you believe I just packed my gifts in used paper bags? Yu-uh. Like I said. Lazy. 

Oh and cheap. Ha ha ha ha ha ha!

Anywho, to somehow "let go" of the holidays of 2014, I am now sharing what we did this New Year's vacation in Quezon Province. As much as I want to skip ahead and just feature the latest in my life (like my recent staycation with Benedict Cumberbatch), I want to put on record the fun that THE YAPPY BUNCH had in saying hello to 2015.

And no cutesy poo brit could stop me from doing that. Weh he he he he!

Now moving on, let me just share that ever since the Chinese Adonis and I got hitched, we have been spending our New Year's with his side of the family in Quezon Province. Since I know a LOT of people about to get married (you know who YOU are, that is, if you read my blog), a workable arrangement in sharing the love every holiday season is to spend Christmas with this family and New Year's with this family. It may be quite unsettling at first and you may shed some tears when you miss your loved ones at the strike of 12, but don't worry. You will be building new memories with your newest "team" that you will immediately start counting your blessings instead of getting all broken up with sentiment.

So that's what we did! We may have our usual New Year Traditions with my family but the prospect of creating new special moments with THE YAPPY BUNCH is too irresistable to resist. So even if I still feel a tug in my heart saying good bye to my family every year at the end of December, I have the Quezon Province with Yub's gang to look forward to.

And we have a blast every single time (super pun intended). 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Every time we go to Quezon Province, our first stop would always be lunch at our favorite PALAISDAAN!!!

This time though, Andrei brought with him the fishing rod he bought with his own allowance. 

HACIENDA INN (LUCENA RESTAURANT)

Last Halloween weekend, THE YAPPY BUNCH went to Yub's hometown in Lucena City. As expected the boys had a blast with their little cousins while me and the hub were more than satisfied just lounging around making ourselves fat...ter. He he he he he he!

So one of the "usual" factors in the addition of lard in our bodies was our default destination in Lucena City -- HACIENDA INN. Again, we have already eaten here MILLIONS of times plus it was one of the Chinese Adonis' childhood favorites, but I haven't gotten around to blogging about it yet. Oh well... Call me lazy or what but me guess is that I get so engrossed with their live band's music that I cannot pry myself out of my hypnotic trance to take pictures. OR, since I am already SO familiar with this old time restaurant, pictures were unnecessary because we don't really have "kodak" moments just by lounging at "home" right?

Tee Hee... Oh yeah. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.

So again, on that Halloween weekend when most of the establishments are closed and we didn't feel like travelling far to PALAISDAAN, we all decided to head over to HACIENDA INN since the food there is approved by the little lords. Also, even if it was a popular restaurant, the place would usually have a lot of tables and space available for the kiddies to run around.  Of course, let us not forget, my insatiable craving to hear the HACIENDA INN live music again! He he he he he!

Seriously though, when you're in Lucena City, do drop by HACIENDA INN for a taste of their saucy chami and pretty darn good barbecues. It has been a favorite of my husband then and it already is a favorite of the little lords now. You will never go wrong with a restaurant that had already etched itself in the memories of people who consider HACIENDA INN's chami as a special part of their "home".

And yup, they don't really need live music to remind themselves that.

HACIENDA INN!

HACIENDA INN entrance!

Check out the very still security guard doing it like the British. He he he he he!

PLAZA GRILL (LUCENA CITY RESTAURANT)

When we go to Lucena, we not only look forward to seeing Yub's family, but we are also excited to eat all the cheap and delicious food that keeps us craving when we're at Manila. We already have our usual favorites like PALAISDAAN, CAFE ANTIQUA, PEKING, and BUBBLES CRISPY PATA which we always go back to when we're in the Chinese Adonis' hometown. However we finally decided that enough is enough. We have been stuffing ourselves silly with food from those restaurants for the past 11 years... Maybe it's high time we try some place new.

And that's how we ended up in PLAZA GRILL!

Now please, thou shalt not mistake this for the very popular THE PLAZA catering in Manila. No offense meant to THE PLAZA GRILL but one step inside their simple restaurant and you'd know that they are not in any way affiliated with each other. But it's part of their appeal actually because this long time casual restaurant serves up Filipino food with a charm of old Lucena City.

Which made my husband wonder really out loud: Why haven't we eaten at PLAZA GRILL in the 11 years we've been going food tripping in Lucena?

Well then. Let's see!

PLAZA GRILL!

PLAZA GRILL is located very near to CAFE ANTIQUA and we always pass by it when we're going to buy our favorite dibidis.

EDUVIGIS COFFEE, BAR, AND RESTAURANT (LUCENA CITY)

Every time we go to my husband's home town in Lucena, I shudder at the thought of how many pounds OF FAT I'll be gaining there.  It never fails: I diet for about a month with no rice from Mondays to Thursdays and control my soda intake, I lose a few pounds (YAHOO) but then VOILA! My waistline doubles up even after just a day in Lucena! A DAY!

Honestly, I'm getting tired of it. Imagine, I have already been HOT and SEXY for like 29 years of my life (yep include that when I was born in my birthday suit) so I guess, it IS high time for me to give other people a chance! 

Like what my favorite philosopher Derek Zoolander said "There is more to life than being really, really, ridiculously good-looking!" So with that, yes. The heck with my diet! I will now further indulge in the delicious food that Lucena has to offer.

And the reason for this morbid justification? EDUVIGIS. Yup! Another discovery for me to pig out in Lucena. Woe is me.

Oh and don't mind my horrendous hair. This was after my beauty sleep (which obviously did not help).

:P

Photo grabbed from EDUVIGIS LUCENA Facebook Page

EDUVIGIS!

EDUVIGIS is a popular restaurant located in their town proper.

BUBBLES CRISPY PATA (LUCENA RESTAURANT)

For our last day in Lucena City Quezon Province, we were supposed to have lunch in our usual pig out hub, Palaisdaan (SEE HERE), but then since we got so tired from the previous days' activities we decided to just lounge around the house and have lunch at a nearby restaurant.

But where to?

When we're at Lucena, we always eat at the "usual suspects" like Cafe Antigua (HERE), Ground Zero (HERE!), Buddy's (OH YEAH HERE), Koon Lin (HERE AGAIN!), etc, etc. Actually I wanted to go back to my new favorite with the best chami, PEKING (HERE!) but my husband was thinking of something else. Fortunately for me, Eric was like this pregnant gorilla and was deeply craving for some Crispy Pata. So where to then?

That's when the lightbulbs in my big forehead lighted and gave out such an alarm... DING DING DING!

BUBBLES CRISPY PATA!

BUBBLES CRISPY PATA!

PEKING (LUCENA RESTAURANT)

For ALL SOUL'S DAY, we went home to Lucena, Quezon Province to be with my husband's family. Besides spending the weekend in his beloved hometown, it also gave him a chance to play basketball with his mates from High School. 

After one game, we were deciding on a place to eat and my husband suggested we try out PEKING, which, they say, serves the best chami (noodles) in town. I was wondering why, after about 14 years of going out, I just heard about this PEKING. We would usually go to Cafe Antigua (SEE HERE), Hacienda Inn (soon), or Buddies (HERE!!!) so it was really a surprise for me that the we have not had a taste of that famous chami yet. My husband then explained, that it was because the restaurant was finally renovated and sanitized (he he he) so now we will be able to enjoy their famed chami, worry-free!

Uh yeah like a little thing like THAT would stop me. He he he!

PEKING RESTAURANT!

ZYMURGY (LUCENA CITY)

For All Soul's day, TEAM YAP will be going home to my husband's hometown in Lucena, Quezon Province to visit his family and of course, light a candle and offer prayers for his Dad. Now a trip to Lucena, or as I would playfully call it, Timbuktu, is always a fun vacation for us because not only will we meet up with my husband's kind family, but we will also have a gastronomic 3 days as well!

I swear, I always gain about 5lbs every time we go to Lucena and NO, it DOES NOT go to my big forehead.

Anywho, since we will be going to Lucena this weekend, I remembered our visit to Yub's family last September and the new restaurant we tried. Yeah, yeah, every time we're in  Lucena, we always eat in Palaisdaan (CLICK HERE), Cafe Antigua (CLICK HERE TOO), Koon Lin Restaurant (CLICK HERE AGAIN), and Ground Zero (YUP, HERE), but this time we wanted to live dangerously and try something else. PLUS, my very generous sister in law Ivy had some discount stubs to share.

So OFF to ZYMURGY we go! 

ZYMURGY CAFE AND LOUNGE!

ZYMURGY is located right in heart of down town lucena. The cafe and lounge has a reputation for serving good food and entertainment as well.

I'm the one in the green blouse. Check out "Edward Sullen" staring at me. Ngiiii!

PALAISDAAN RESTAURANT

Okay so it may be bold of me to say this but you haven't really LIVED if you have not eaten yet in PALAISDAAN in Tayabas, Quezon Province. Because if you are looking for a meal that is so delicious and so overwhelming that it is almost like the last meal for a person on death row, then this is the one.

Not to mention, the food is WAY cheap! 

It is a wonder though that I wrote about PALAISDAAN just now when me and my hub make eating here a NECESSITY every time we're in Lucena. Yes EVERYTIME. If we don't get to eat here, for some reason, we will be unexplainably ill! Yes! We are THAT dependent on our daily dose of PALAISDAAN.

Heck, the first time I went to Lucena when me and my hub were just going out (as BF GF) we went straight to PALAISDAAN! If it wasn't too far from the church, we would have held our wedding reception here! Tee hee!

So if I were to make an entry every time we eat at PALAISDAAN, it would've dominated my silly little food blog. Plus, we usually eat here using our hands so that would be a messy problem for my camera now would it? Not to mention when the food is laid down the table, we would all pounce on it like hungry wolves that there is really nothing left to document.

Anyway, check out the one time I have finally controlled my appetite and took pictures before the food disappeared like magic.

Read on and drool guys. Read on and drool. 

PALAISDAAN RESTAURANT!

There are 2 Palaisdaan Restaurants in Tayabas, Quezon Province and they are even in front of each other. We always go to the OLDER one (the one on the left if you're coming from Manila which is AFTER the new one) because service there is fast and the waiters are more accommodating.

CAFE ANTIGUA

Even though I came from the wonderful land of (beauty queen shout and pause) MANDALUYONG CITEEEH, I always have a soft spot for Lucena, Quezon Province. 

For one, Dad being an Engineer, had a lot of construction jobs in the area that we would usually stay there for the weekend with him at the Fresh Aire hotel. I vividly remember me and my sister going around the Fresh Aire park and playing with this cocky monkey who would pull a raspberry on us when we get near. 

Come to think of it, I seem to remember a chinese snotty boy whose hair was pulled by this arrogant monkey. The little thin guy was too near, taunting the monkey that the beast got the better of him. Ha ha ha! I hate the monkey but that boy got what he deserved!

Also, my favorite cousin Kuya Nap (see him HERE !!!) met the love of his life in Quezon Province and got married in Lucena. Guess who was one of their flower girls?

Me!

Guess where they had their reception?

CAFE ANTIGUA in LUCENA CITY.

That's why besides volting up with my husband's wonderful family when we go to Lucena Province, we love eating at CAFE ANTIGUA. Not only because they have such delicious and cheap food, but they are a structure of many wonderful memories since they have been in area for about 30 years or more.

To think that when we would eat here when I was a little girl, my soulmate and future significant other was just meters away, hair being pulled by that mean monkey.

Yes that snotty chinese boy grew up to be my chinese stalker.

THE love of my life. My home...

And he's sitting across me at CAFE ANTIGUA where I ate 30 years ago :)

But you do not need to have the same eeewy sentiments to enjoy the food at CAFE ANTIGUA. Just one taste and you'll agree, it would cause your soft spot too in Lucena, Quezon Province.

It's like coming back to YOUR home. Now don't blame me if you get all too mushy and squishy. Food always does that to me.

:)

CAFE ANTIGUA!

Where food is so good your dreams will come true! He he he he!

CAFE ANTIGUA serves food similar to what you will find in Binondo but restaurant is clean, spacious, and aircondition blaring. I love the comfort they bring to the diner and I'm impressed that they were able to maintain it for over 30 years.

CAFE ANTIGUA had wide function rooms in their upper floors which served as venues for many weddings years ago. I am not sure if they still offer function rooms, but I remember that for Kuya Nap's wedding, I really enjoyed the food. I even felt that we were in a hotel because of how they made up the place and the service!

We arrived straight from Manila and guess where we had our "upon-arrival-to-Lucena" lunch?

CAFE ANTIGUA!

We were joined by Yub's younger brother Syoti and his cute daughter little Isha!

My sons, Mati and Andrei, just adore their ninong Syoti and cousin Isha that they demand to see them once we get to Lucena!

Check out the prices? Cheap right?

CAFE ANTIGUA meynuh!

Yub said locals would usually take out in CAFE ANTIGUA since their food stays delicious even after you get home. Tourists and former residents of Quezon province are the regular diners of the restaurant since, like I said, eating there brings back loads of memories!

If you are from Lucena, what do you prefer when eating the food in CAFE ANTIGUA? Eatin in or take out?

Yub and Syoti at CAFE ANTIGUA!

Andrei and his lovable cousin Isha!

Me and my favorite little man Mati!

When you go to CAFE ANTIGUA, please try their BLACK CHAMI (P120.00). If it were not for the kids, we would have them do the usual on the noodles and have it cooked the sweet, spicy, and delicious way!

(We might do it next year whether they like it or not. We have sacrificed long enough! Ha ha ha!)

It is black because of the soy sauce they put but don't worry, it is not salty at all. Just the perfect scrumptious  and savory filipino pancit that will be sure to be one of your comfort foods once you get a taste of it!

I love that it is extra saucy as always! Just in case you do not get the same serving of that glistening oily stream of awesomeness, the servers of CAFE ANTIGUA would most likely give you a cupful more when you ask for it. 

We always do!

Oh yeah come to mama....

CAFE ANTIGUA'S Morisqueta Fried Rice (P180.00 for large)! This is another one of CAFE ANTIGUA's must tries as it is also a perfect epitome of "Kanin Pa Lang Ulam Na" (or complete meal in a rice dish!) Each spoonful would give you that meaty flavorful sausages, egg, and perfectly seasoned rice. I love this! We cannot have a meal at CAFE ANTIGUA without it.

Actually when eating at CAFE ANTIGUA, just order their Black Chami, Morisqueta Fried Rice, and softdrinks and you already got yourself one helluva meal.

But knowing EricJaz foodies, we always want more... SO we will get more!

Brothers Yap!

The kids always need some so we order CAFE ANTIGUA's Nido Soup!

It may taste like the instant version, but we don't mind. It's hot and a filling side dish for the other heavily flavored grubs in CAFE ANTIGUA. The kids love it! Especially the quail eggs.

CAFE ANTIGUA's lumpiang shanghai! Andrei's favorite!

CAFE ANTIGUA's Crispy Chicken (small P160.00) are always fried perfectly with crunchy and yummy breading! 

Of course, when there's pancit, there should always be chicken!

... and if it is this juicy, we would not mind ordering it everytime!

Plus it comes with this special CAFE ANTIGUA sauce which is perfect on everything! The chicken is very delicious already, but will be the bomb once you add this!

I sometimes add this on my CAFE ANTIGUA morisqueta fried rice. Oh don't judge me till you have tried it! So appetizing! YUM!

We now have a full table in CAFE ANTIGUA... let's EAT!

I love eating at CAFE ANTIGUA because I don't have a hard time feeding my finicky eater Andrei. He loves their saucy pancit and crispy lumpiang shanghai!!!

BUT! He still wouldn't let his picture taken with the group in CAFE ANTIGUA. It's okay! As long as he's enjoying his food, I'm happy!

Don't look at my big thigh.... OOPS! Made you look! Grrr! :)

This is what I love doing with my CAFE ANTIGUA Black Chami... I crush some red chili's and mix it with the saucy pancit.

Very spicy and MORE delicious! 

(AAAAUGH why do I have to do my writing for EricJaz Foodies here in Manila and in the middle of the night! I am getting hungry again!!!)

My plate! My wonderful plate!!!

The kids are quietly eating at CAFE ANTIGUA....

While my Chinese Stalker... Soulmate... Love of My life... is checking me out...

Or is he just glaring at me to stop taking pictures so he could eat already?

Mati stuffed himself silly at CAFE ANTIGUA too! I remember him telling me after this meal that he ate too much and had a hurtsy tummy!

Almost done!

Just finishing the last few bites of my CAFE ANTIGUA plate!

All done! (Mati so full already hence the face)

Our bill in CAFE ANTIGUA! Cheap right? I think we even ordered take home for my yub's family!

When you are in Lucena, don't forget to check out CAFE ANTIGUA and it may also become YOUR soft spot for the area. You may not  meet somebody who could be your soulmate (like I unfortunately did... Blech! Ha ha ha!) but the delicious food will surely get you coming back for more.

As we (now being EricJaz Foodies) would fortunately do. :)

LET'S EAT!!!

CAFE ANTIGUA

Quezon Avenue cor. Gomez Street

Lucena City

Quezon Province

ERIC JAZ FOODIES note (January 17, 2014)

EAT AT YOUR OWN RISK. 

We recently had lunch at CAFE ANTIGUA and though the food was still as delicious as we remember it, we discovered how they could be unsanitary in preparing the dishes. Nothing happened to us though but it may take a while before we eat there again :)