The word Quan was taken from the tagalog “kuwan“. The word actually doesn’t mean anything, but just a filler in a sentence or a statement.

It’s like saying “Si kuwan pumunta ng kuwan” When translated in English, meaning “XXXX went to XXX”

Quan is known for their mouth watering cuhinta, sapin sapin, suman, pancit palabok and a whole lot more.

When I went to Bacolod last week, Audrey and I bought 15 pieces of Cuchinta as a pre-dinner snack. I was already famished at that time so I need something just to keep me alive before heading to the dinner table.

The cuchinta is so yummy! The texture is so smooth, the sweetness is just right. Most people would add dessicated coconut on top but I would prefer mine as it is, not added toppings.

So just before I left Bacolod City, I decided to go back to Quan and bought I box of Cuchinta as my pasalubong! and guess how much these orange sweets cost? Only PHP3.50 each.

So cheap for a great tasting merienda!

Last week Ajay, Audrey, Marc, Junnjun and I all went to Cafe Bob’s to have our caffeine fix and some sweets.

Since I won a few bucks at the casino that night, I bought the coffee, then Ajay treated us some sweets.

Bob’s has been household name in Bacolod. It has been known for its restaurant at the North Drive (fronting the Riverside Hospital). The restaurant is known for its baby back ribs, sate babe, and its uber-yummy hamburger.

And just recently, Bob’s has ventured into something that Bacoleños has been wanting for: a Coffee Shop. Long before Starbucks entered the scene in the City of Smiles, there’s Kuppa Coffee Shop, Coffee Station, and the latest among them: Cafe Bob’s.

Cafe Bob’s is loosely patterned after the international coffee chains, serving gourmet coffee and mouth watering pastries and desserts.

I am more familiar of the Cafe Bob’s in Robinson’s Place Bacolod, but it was my first time to try having my caffeine fix at their main coffee shop along Lacson Street.

On first look, one would notice the font style and font color of the signage. It is the same as with the Starbucks’.

Their line of coffee is good. I wouldn’t be surprised why there are a lot of locals and tourists that frequent this place.

Their desserts are yummy too. I love their Pavlova and Sans rival. The Green Tea Cheesecake is just OK. Nothing extraordinary for me.

But what is really good with Cafe Bob’s is that Good food, and great tasting coffee doesn’t have to be expensive. In fact, our coffees all come under PHP100 each.

Unlike here in manila where PHP100 is not even enough for a basic Cafe au Lait. Oh, did I say that they also have FREE WiFi access?

I can still remember when I once invited some friends for my birthday lunch there.

L’Kaisei is a sister company of L’Sea, it’s Chinese Restaurant counterpart, and the more popular L’Fisher Hotel. Notice the L in their names. It has a meaning

Kaisei serves delectable Japanese favorites like Tepanyaki, Donburi, Tempura, Sushi Sashimi, Maki, and a whole lot more. Very Japanese flavor at a very reasonable price.

So when I recently went back to Bacolod for a business trip, I was surprised to see that L’Kaisei or simply called Kaisei, has now a branch at SM Bacolod.

Upon first glance, I suspect that the place is a fail, though. The setup is like a fast food. and very very few items on the menu board.

Honestly, the Kaisei in SM Bacolod has failed my expectations. The food is so-so. Nothing extra ordinary. You have to fall in line at the cashier to order food, just like what we normally do in Mc Donald’s Jolibee or Chowking. But hey, this is L’Kaisei! If they really wanted to open up a Jap fast food, they could have at least created a new name because people always connect the brand L’Kaisei with elegance, sophistication, good food great ambiance, and not with the fast food atmosphere.

I hope I’d be able to go back to the main Kaisei Japanese Restaurant in Lacson street when I return to Bacolod during the Masskara Festival.

For now, it’s a thumbs down for Kaisei SM Bacolod.

Would you rather be a La Paz Batchoy, or freshly boiled talaba? A corned beef or Mashed potatoes?

A pieceof Pan de Sal or Inasal? A bottle of Bagoong or a bunch of grapes?

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This contest is open to anyone with a Metro Manila mailing address. Only one e-mail address is allowed. Entries with duplicate email addresses will be removed. The GC is transferable, but not convertible to cash. Contest closes on June 27, 2009. A raffle via random.org will be held immediately after the closing date.

The restaurant’s interior is well lighted and has large spaces in between tables. The place is perfect for intimate dinners.

Bar21′s claim to fame is its delicious steaming hot Batchoy. A lot of people in Bacolod raves at its batchoy.

But when I went back to Bacolod last week, I opted not to order bachoy. Instead Audrey and I ordered Hamburger with fries on its sides and ice cream.

As expected, foods were great. The fries were crispy fried and not like your typical fast food fries.

Burger is good. the patties are oh-so-juicy and has fresh lettuce in it.

The Ice cream drizzled with caramel syrup and topped with maraschino cheery is fantastic. Perfect to combat the sweltering heat of the sun.

Bar21 Restaurant is located at Lacson corner 21st Street Bacolod City. Telephone numbers (+63 34) 4334096 / (+63 34) 435-3852