Happy Foodies

<figure class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbtG7Et1k7yzmLYVL_aKN5oU1-1eIkFzJo7VD6kWOaQsoA6R8PRx6oDcRuouEMpNkzswv4HeXAF1s6bGGG-ogL6e_sRf5LkJvcHcgvPlR5hZw5GWNIsSRWdoJ-PretsgwmCR3x4QyuwbZVGIdLNTMlglGmo5cmhobweTIZEWHlS7rPm_kFvDRa_IC-M-c/s1600/health-100.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbtG7Et1k7yzmLYVL_aKN5oU1-1eIkFzJo7VD6kWOaQsoA6R8PRx6oDcRuouEMpNkzswv4HeXAF1s6bGGG-ogL6e_sRf5LkJvcHcgvPlR5hZw5GWNIsSRWdoJ-PretsgwmCR3x4QyuwbZVGIdLNTMlglGmo5cmhobweTIZEWHlS7rPm_kFvDRa_IC-M-c/s16000/health-100.jpg"></a></figure> <p>Baguio City is a haven for vegetarians, thanks to its location in the Cordillera region, known as the vegetable bowl of the Philippines. The abundance of fresh produce means plenty of options for vegetarian and plant-based meals. On my recent visit to the City of Pines, I had the pleasure of dining at Health 100 Restoreant on Magsaysay Avenue. This humble and unassuming eatery offers a variety of vegetarian dishes, with vegan options available, all at very affordable prices.</p>

<div class="alignwide"><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqmaejDq0itAia5ltjrDqHIrGW0iSYx2t5fLkk-DeNGIQSqc8r8JIHCNI5d5UIIefixYYCXVm8teGOz0rP-FLZ0lrnVIEDuD9NrPRuy7KIi4bK-qsD4mlN4KaduYUu-NuUEXaAfsxdfupaLIUKN78wWrY0eUiwcBr_Uc9Yl_6yo7sxRkea4n1gTN_tWCs/s1280/craft-1945.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqmaejDq0itAia5ltjrDqHIrGW0iSYx2t5fLkk-DeNGIQSqc8r8JIHCNI5d5UIIefixYYCXVm8teGOz0rP-FLZ0lrnVIEDuD9NrPRuy7KIi4bK-qsD4mlN4KaduYUu-NuUEXaAfsxdfupaLIUKN78wWrY0eUiwcBr_Uc9Yl_6yo7sxRkea4n1gTN_tWCs/s16000/craft-1945.jpg"></a></div></div></div> <p>Braving the holiday traffic in Baguio, foodie friends, Kara, Tin and I were bent to try <strong>Craft 1945</strong> in Baguio. A merry collaboration of Spanish food from Casa Marcos and craft beer from Baguio Craft Brewery. Set in the quiet and old town of Baguio at Outlook drive, it’s a dining experience that promises to bring the Baguio ambiance to dining like a good pair of beer and tapas.</p>

<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhUgm8K6Vy9HpBR4ttKbdVBzpnnLOtN02gy0dxECInvWCPge0S4MC_xn0EhBayoRVI-whKL41hCuEPxTePoRDwAZj7qTCyokYO1BEQC43s6zgCTc7C0ChYBgqcK7uEWdTDsGoYM3AoZQ6ITl9YGMY1yyI2wCjnr5DJ5zG253Vvmjj-PC4oZTEiELifpZQ/s1023/the-coffee-library-baguio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="682" data-original-width="1023" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhUgm8K6Vy9HpBR4ttKbdVBzpnnLOtN02gy0dxECInvWCPge0S4MC_xn0EhBayoRVI-whKL41hCuEPxTePoRDwAZj7qTCyokYO1BEQC43s6zgCTc7C0ChYBgqcK7uEWdTDsGoYM3AoZQ6ITl9YGMY1yyI2wCjnr5DJ5zG253Vvmjj-PC4oZTEiELifpZQ/s16000/the-coffee-library-baguio.jpg"></a></div><br>Your <strong>Happyfoodies</strong> trudged to the northern highlands for the days leading up to the new year with an overnight stop in Baguio.  By chance, we got billeted in a hotel on a quieter street parallel to the always-busy (read: noisy) Session Road and chanced upon the barely month-old <strong>The Coffee Library</strong> on the ground floor of the Rex Hall Student Residences along General Luna Street.  Needless to say, it was a serendipitous find.  Yes, it is eye-catching, with tasteful touches of ethnic crafts, a mix of red brick and warm wood, and even vintage "<em>padyak</em>" (foot pedal-powered) sewing machines converted into tables, but how was the food, you may ask.<p></p>

<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6WseWTSbTpJXAxTHqGfwaxHrv4JT0corkGucMbaV5SNcsysjD3g39UzQmNCsqY5th5sWQYWKHY9No6bFkmmmvEmHUM8NxhPX_7IXFQd7w0R78XRrZF3OQzQWczCeW886RwhMTReW6KsJe7m1POA47lVDMJNHmHO6xhRVm7uy_dnwbWfuYyVyr3mMv_7U/s1023/cafe-cueva.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1023" data-original-width="682" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6WseWTSbTpJXAxTHqGfwaxHrv4JT0corkGucMbaV5SNcsysjD3g39UzQmNCsqY5th5sWQYWKHY9No6bFkmmmvEmHUM8NxhPX_7IXFQd7w0R78XRrZF3OQzQWczCeW886RwhMTReW6KsJe7m1POA47lVDMJNHmHO6xhRVm7uy_dnwbWfuYyVyr3mMv_7U/s16000/cafe-cueva.jpg"></a></div><br>It’s always a welcome treat to find young entrepreneurs like Laydeh of <strong>Cafe Cueva</strong> to add to the growing favorite eats in Baguio. Also housed in the surreal <strong>Ili-Lika Artist Village</strong> in Baguio and also a member of the <strong>Kiwing na Kahoy Food Community</strong> is <strong>Cafe Cueva</strong>. Adding to the variety of food offered in the village, Cafe Cueva has some delicious crepes, filling Chao Fan, and refreshing smoothies.<p></p>

<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpkzzIvEqmex-Vde49gq8FNWnFSps5tLNdj4umVD6MNLHPJpnHqQDJG40zJ4MzT4i7UZsqpyRXBAPrdNOfB5G3S3nrxux5mfBd_5CAnbGC_JQuF2_UDptij-obWNHWkzLIVTn_w-XWWBmaBgYDDuNwX0J8g5hCih-4-p4K1dTe-YsrvyCQgqFQlSYbDBM/s1024/urban-kamote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="685" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpkzzIvEqmex-Vde49gq8FNWnFSps5tLNdj4umVD6MNLHPJpnHqQDJG40zJ4MzT4i7UZsqpyRXBAPrdNOfB5G3S3nrxux5mfBd_5CAnbGC_JQuF2_UDptij-obWNHWkzLIVTn_w-XWWBmaBgYDDuNwX0J8g5hCih-4-p4K1dTe-YsrvyCQgqFQlSYbDBM/s16000/urban-kamote.jpg"></a></div><br>It must be the cool weather, the bountiful freshness of greens in the region, and the creative vibe the city of Baguio exudes that makes food tripping in Baguio so fun. A recently opened creative space called Ili-likha Artist Village, is getting quite an attention from foodies and artists alike. A hub for healthy eating, they have a <strong>Kiwing na Kahoy Food Community</strong> and each member establishment offers something different. One we tried is <strong>Balbacua at Urban Kamote</strong>, bringing a famous Southern Philippines dish to the highlands of Baguio.<p></p>

<figure class="wp-block-image alignnone"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/oggie/5543648346/in/set-72157626183294517/ "><img alt="Oh My Gulay House Salad" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5136/5543648346_0ce3ed66fe_b.jpg"></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Oh My Gulay House Salad (P100)</figcaption></figure> <p>Go up five flights of stairs, past the sporting goods store on the ground floor, the drinking joint with the blaring karaoke on the second, a gym on the third, more offices on the fourth, and enter the world of artist, Kidlat Tahimik.  There are artistic curiosities on this high-ceilinged, top-most floor -- large installations here, framed paintings over there.  The plants spread all over the place are real, lending it a lush, texture-filled vibe.  Up on the second level, the dining area offers a panoramic view of the city center.  Welcome to <strong>Oh My Gulay</strong> along Session Road in Baguio.</p>

<figure class="wp-block-image alignnone"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ironwulf/5389593401/in/set-72157625909902752/"><img alt="Hot Choco at Soul Cafe" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5132/5389593401_1e94bac272_b.jpg"></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Hot Choco at Soul Cafe</figcaption></figure> <p>Food discoveries during travel have always been the heart of <strong>Happyfoodies</strong>. And during this Lakbay Norte 2, a familiarization tour of select places in Northern Luzon, we get to try out some interesting food stops on the way to Baguio from Manila on our first day. We had breakfast at <strong>SOUL Cafe </strong>in<strong> La Union</strong>, snacks at <strong>Cafe Isabelle</strong> and dinner at <strong>Hotel Elizabeth's Flora Cafe</strong>.</p>