December 29, 2010 – In Margee’s Thursday prayer group, we have all wanted to take a trip out of town.  It was brought up quickly after our Victory small group’s Christmas party but didn’t have enough time to discuss in detail.  Only one day before the actual trip when we decided to push through with it even if it is last minute and we didn’t plan the trip at all.  Rasia, Maan, Pearl, Issang couldn’t make it but we decided to push through.   

Trio Shakes

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Trio Ladies

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So that Wednesday, Bubba, Madz, Margee and I all took a trip to Gerona, Tarlac.  Since South Luzon expressway traffic is always heavy, our direction was northern.  Bubba and I have dined at Isdaan Restaurant in Gerona Tarlac once during a return trip from La Union with Bubba’s sister Jayme.  We know that that single place is worthwhile for a food trip.  And that’s where we were headed.  

Isdaan Restaurant is under the same management group of Barrio Fiesta.  Isdaan Restaurant occupies a sprawling area in the town of Gerona in Tarlac where other than good food, group activities can also be found.  It has this famous Tacsiyapo wall where people can throw their angst on the wall in the tune of a mug, cup, plate or other dining ware that cost between PHP 15-40.  If you have a bigger angst to let go of, you can also hurl an old television set for a price tag of PHP 2,000.  There are also gigantic figures of fishes, monkeys and Buddhas around the massive restaurant. 

Another game feature is Isdaan’s San Kilo Bridge, where you cross a slender concrete plank (“bridge”) balancing two pails (1 kilo of Tilapia) on both hands.  Along the way, the person will encounter obstacles like shells and gushing water.  The trick is to be able to cross to the other side and go back.  Once accomplished, you get the 1 kilo of fish!

On the Table

Tacsiyapo Green Mango PHP 81

Green Mango basted with spicy Tacsiyapo bagoong.  Maddie found the thin bagoong on the spicy side but I personally enjoyed the mix of sour and spice.  The bagoong was clean-tasting and didn’t taste or smell heavy at all.  I like that the texture of the bagoong was similar to a smooth “buro.”

Marinated Inihaw Pork Liempo PHP 445/half kilo

Their marinated inihaw pork liempo is one of their bestsellers.  There are a lot of bestsellers in Isdaan Restaurant but the marinated inihaw pork liempo is truly what tops it all in my book.  Think of adobo (marinated pork stew) slow-cooked to make the meat tender and flavorful then grilled for that smoky barbecue taste.  The tasty fat attached to the pork meat almost melts in the mouth, flavor of that perfect sweet smoky marinade.

I could finish one small sinaing of rice (PHP 95, good for 2-3 persons) on my own partnered with Isdaan’s Marinated and Grilled Pork Liempo.  I will never forget to order this again and again each time I’m at Isdaan restaurant.  If only for this dish alone, it makes the trip all worthwhile.  BEST ADOBO OR LIEMPO EVER! 🙂

Inihaw na Tilapia

Maddie and Margee decided to get grilled Tilapia. 

Sinaing PHP 95

Ginataan Hipon sa Buho

Maddie thoroughly enjoyed this shrimp in coconut milk presented in a bamboo tusk.  The well-cooked shrimp was simmered in a mouthwatering coconut milk brew. 

It is an appetizing dish that will get your hands dirty out of the desire to seep all that delectable juice from the shrimp.

Adobong Kangkong PHP 84

Maddie also ordered a vegetable viand and opted to get the Adobong Kangkong.

Ginisang Upo PHP 134

Margee likes Upo so she and I thought of getting the ginisang upo.  I had patola in mind when I was thinking of upo.  It was a good vegetable dish but it came rather too late since we were almost done with our meals when it arrived on the table. 

Fruit Shakes PHP 85/each

Overall, it was relatively a short trip but an enjoyable food session nonetheless.  Isdaan Restaurant is approximately 2 hours and a half-hour drive from Manila.  I’d drive that many hours again to get a taste of their Marinated Inihaw Pork Liempo as well as their crab in oyster sauce that Jayme and I had last time.

Other photos:

Maddie, Margee and Janey

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Respectable

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I don’t curse but now I know what people mean when they say, “sh*t!”

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Lee?

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Maddie’s Pose

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Buddha + My Bubba

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A little laugh and a little love go a long way

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Good girls, good heart

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Cutesy!

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The Big Man is loved.

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Who has angst?

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THROW!

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Softball?

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Awesome Foursome

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When we arrived in Manila, straight to Happy Lemon to meet Pearly!

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Isdaan Restaurant

Gerona, Tarlac

Isdaan Restaurant Album

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