My Iloilo Food Tour - Part 1

Fantastic. That's how I can begin to describe my recent food trip in Iloilo, a city that I haven't visited for years. My Ilongga friend who is now residing in the US was the only compelling reason for me to go there really, but because of work, I found myself in the midst of good company and great food.

Flavors of the World
A new row of restaurants - The Avenue found in Smallville, Diversion Road IloIlo city, boasts of various cuisines for foodlovers who do not mind paying an extra for quality food. As our host has mentioned, the prices are quite premium based on Iloilo standards, but, after scanning the menus, it was fairly priced considering its portions and quality.

Found in a restaurant cluster arranged in horseshoe configuration, you will find food establishments featuring various cuisines - Filipino, Tex Mex, Italian, Desserts, Gelato and Coffee.

Spiced Popcorn


Ready for War
Lunch was our first meal in the city. Mojave features Tex Mex cuisines. When you enter the place, you will notice a popcorn machine on one corner and will be given a bowl of delicately spiced popcorn while waiting for your oders to arrive. I say orders because we were there to feast and fight - well, we were kind of getting ready for war with the amount of food we ordered - hearty soups, nacho platters, steaks, wings, cheese crusted fish and bottomless red iced tea.

Tostadas


Other than the popcorn, we were also treated to a platter full of tostadas which I really enjoyed because of its distinct thin-ness, texture and crunch coupled with the tangy tomato salsa dip.

Mojave's Nachos


Their take on nachos is served fanciful on a hand-painted platter and generously topped with cheese, salsa and chili.

Then came a parade of Mojave specialties - Cheese Crusted Cream Dory. Notice the cast iron skillets where they serve the items. Pretty but heavy to pass around.

Cheese-Crusted Cream Dory


Their buffalo wings are relatively big and had a sweet and spicy barbecue profile.

Buffalo wings


Our group also opted to try the Mixed seafood and chicken fingers platter. This is their version of fish/chicken and chips. It includes shrimps and calamari as well.

Mixed Seafood Platter


I love anything that is barbecued. Mojave also serves grilled pork ribs basted with their signature barbecue sauce.

Grilled Pork Ribs



Local or Imported?
The highlight of Mojave's menu are their steaks. They serve both local and US Angus beef. We tried the Rib eye Angus and the Local Beef Tenderloin. Both were fantastic and were served with your choice of sauce (mushroom, bernaise or peppercorn), a side of vegetables and real mashed potatoes.

Steak Plate


I believe our meal lasted for 3 hours and in between bites, we quenched our thirst with sips of Mojave's red iced tea - freshly brewed tea laced with grenadine syrup.

Notice there's no dessert - more on that later.
Life's good. Food's better.