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NOVEMBER 27DECEMBER 17, 2016
Mangan! Must-try spots in Angeles City’s foodie landscape Text and photos by CHING DEE
Holy Rosary Parish in the center of Angeles City's heritage district
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espite numerous delectable regional dishes in our 7,107 islands, Pampanga is still best known as the culinary capital of the Philippines. So, we hit the road and headed to Angeles City — Pampanga’s city of angels — to taste authentic Capampangan cuisine as well as new additions to its culinary landscape, as suggested by our extra special food guide: celebrity chef Sau del Rosario. Mila’s Tokwa’t Baboy at Sisig San Andres St., Angeles City The late and great Aling Lucing invented the addictive concoction we now know and love as sisig, but beyond her kitchen, there’s another must-try place to experience Pampanga’s signature dish. Mila’s Tokwa’t Baboy at Sisig is a no-frills joint along San Andres St., but do not let the humble façade and plastic chairs dissuade
Crispy Okoy and Shrimp from Café Fleur
you. When we visited Mila’s on a Thursday night, it was packed with diners — despite the power outage that hit the city that night. As their name suggests, Mila’s is famous for Tokwa’t Baboy (fried tofu and chopped pork with a seasoned soy-vinegar sauce), a staple in drinking sessions anywhere in the Philippines. And of course, their Sisig (grilled and chopped pork face — yes, face) is a must-try. Served on a sizzling plate, the pork is just the right amount of charred when it gets to your table. Devoid of bells and whistles, Mila’s sisig keeps the Capampangan way alive: tasty, simple, and deliciously addictive. Make sure to also try Mila’s Tocino BBQ (tangy and sweet grilled cured pork) and Chef Sau’s personal favorite, Mila’s Beef Caldereta.
Café Fleur Miranda St., Angeles City After you’ve tried Pampanga’s classic fare, head to Café Fleur for some “avant-garde Capampangan” dishes. Conceptualized and opened by our food guide, Chef Sau, Café Fleur is the culmination of his travels and training abroad. His quaint and chic restaurant — located in the beautifully restored 1898 Narciso home in the heritage district — features dishes highlighting the familiar and nostalgic flavors of Pampanga, mixed with his FrenchAsian flair. Apart from Café Fleur, the ancestral home also houses Babo and Leh-Leh, two other concept restaurants by Chef Sau, and managed by business partner Chloe Cauguiran. Café Fleur is a foodie haven, so make sure to come back several times to try their Capampangan Tamales, Crispy Okoy and Shrimp,
Tinapa Mousse (addictive), Chef Sau's signature Macadamia Kare-Kare with Crispy Pork Belly (as sinfully delicious as it sounds), and any cake they have in the stand. And I mean, ANY CAKE. Just last month, a few days after his birthday, Chef Sau opened his newest restaurant in the city – 25 Seeds. Catch chef Sau’s specially made dish exclusively for Expat Travel & Lifestyle magazine’s “Urban Revival” issue. Coming to news stands soon! Banh Mi Vietnamese Sandwich Eatery Jesus St., Angeles City Pampanga is definitely more than sisig and local fare. Angeles City is also home to a vibrant array of foreign-themed restaurants. Just behind Café Fleur is a restaurant with an industrial feel that offers authentic Vietnamese cuisine simply called Banh Mi Viet-
Pork BBQ Bahn Mi from Banh Mi Vietnamese Sandwich Eatery