MANILA, Philippines — The northern part of Luzon is home to a wide array of local dishes, each of them unique to a province or familiar servings dashed with a personal twist.
Philstar.com was invited by NLEX Lakbay Norte recently to go around cities in Nueva Ecija to try out different restaurants and cafes owned by locals.
Check out below the different stops Philstar.com visited as well as some must-try dishes we highly recommend:
1. Kàyo at Sirmata Ecofarm & Nature Park
Sirmata in Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija is a 12-hectare sancutary resort where individuals can drop by to enjoy some peace and quiet.
Sirmata's restaurant, Kàyo, serves regular and vegan dishes that use ingredients and vegetables found in the nature park's own farm.
Must-try dishes: Lechon Kawali Kare-Kare, Miso Glazed Salmon
2. Erlinda's by Crystal Waves
Crystal Waves Hotel and Resort is the first wave pool resort in Nueva Ecija, found in Talavera, along the Maharlika Hi-way where families and friends can splash around or hold events in the nearby events center.
The resort's restaurant Erlinda's, named after the owner's mother, serves both Chinese and Filipino dishes to honor the family's heritage and also expand the possibilities of Chinese-Filipino cuisine.
Must-try dishes: Lemon Chicken, Pancit Bihon Guisado
3. Tomo's Bar & Restaurant
What used to be Addie's Grill and Bar in Cabanatuan City now stands Tomo's Bar and Restaurant, which serves a Japanese fusion menu.
Crafted dishes include Kimchi Ramen and Japanese Pizza, though familiar dishes like sushi rolls and katsu are also available.
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Outside in the tent-covered area, Tomo's often hosts musical performers from in and out of Nueva Ecija, and also invites guests to show their stuff on the open mic.
Must-try dishes: Tomo's Ramen, Super Tomo's Pizza
4. BrewsCo Pub x Oyster Pub
Also in Cabanatuan City is BrewsCo Pub x Oyster Bar where guests can opt for strong drinks of their choosing, be it by caffeine or alcohol.
People may opt to stay in the al fresco area to best enjoy oysters and other dishes, but inside, one would be able to witness the chefs and mixologists at work.
Must-try dishes: Kaya Burger, Prawns x Scallops Sambal
5. NYORK Cafe
Cabanatuan City's NYORK Cafe isn't a shortcut for New York, but rather "Not Your Ordinary Kafe" and their beverages and dishes selection prove just that.
From coffee drinks served over ice and kid-friendy caffeine-free drinks, to a breakfast menu that boasts of Filipino and American origins, a trip to NYORK feels like the city that never sleeps all the same.
Must-try dishes: Tawilis with Ensilada, Bagnet Crisps
6. Edna's Cakeland
Edna's Cakeland has long been a favorite for Novo Ejicanos craving for homemade pastries.
What started with home-baked bread 26 years ago by Edna and Herminio Gonzales has blossomed into creatively designed cakes and several other pastries which can be enjoyed in Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, and hopefully one day, in Metro Manila.
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Apart from home-baked pastries, other Filipino dishes — mostly Kapampangan — are also served in a cafe restaurant beside the bakery, which is right where the Gonzales residence is.
Must-try dishes: Cheese Roll, Hamonado Longganisa
7. Caffe La Tea (CLT Cafe)
CLT Cafe is another family-owned business that takes pride in dishing out delicious cold beverages — from coffee to milk tea — to be paired with cafe-type dishes.
Even the COVID-19 pandemic didn't stop CLT Cafe, which celebrated its 10th year in 2022, with employees themselves helping deliver the drinks around Cabanatuan City and nearby towns.
Must-try dishes: Creamy Chicken Pesto, BBQ Crispy Baked Wings
8. Harvest Cafe & Bistro
Harvest Cafe may appear to be like other coffee bistros, but there is more to their best-selling Nutella Frappe and Shack Burger than meets the eye.
The cafe's One Cup Five Peso initiative helps fund a scholarship grant for partner schools, and hold barista training sessions for kids as young as five years old!
Must-try dishes: Harvest Shack Burger, Grilled Nutella Sandwich
9. D' Pavilion Farm and Resort
D'Pavilion in San Leonardo is a still-growing farm-resort and restaurant that offers delicacy and entertainment at different fronts.
Beyond local favorite dishes that are enjoyed in huts floating on water, visitors can also go rafting, fishing, or boating while listening to live performances in the middle of the area.
D'Pavilion is still expanding in its commitment to being a resort, with cabins and swimming pools being constructed for it to be an even bigger attraction for tourists and locals alike.
Must-try dishes: Pork Sisig, Crispy Pork Sinigang
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