Tapa. There are only two sources I run to for tapa that truly satisfies. Each is deliciously special, in its own distinct way.
From Dolor comes beef tapa, sliced so thinly it mimics bacon, but with a taste that is decidedly more Pinoy. I love it fried to a crisp over a bowl of steaming white rice topped with fried egg, but I enjoy it just as much in a sandwich or sprinkled over salad. Call Dolor at 0920-9143031.
From Picadeli comes Mega Tapa, made from tender beef sirloin bathed in a special, secret marinade. Delicious and highly desirable. For orders, call or text Marian at 0917-5306558.
I admit, I will never tire of the tapa these two ladies offer.
Tocino. For the best tocino in town, look no further than Pampanga’s Best. Theirs is the most delicious, with a consistent taste and quality you can trust. I once had a chance to peek inside their factory and it was sparkling clean, with world-class facilities. The hotdogs they make, which go by the name of Boom-Boom, are also wonderful. Both kids and adults will love them.
Ham. Christmas is almost never complete without ham. It is as ubiquitous as queso de bola and leche flan on the dinner table. There are many kinds and brands available but these three shine brightly like the stars the Three Kings followed: for Adelina’s ham, call 531-6833; for the bone-in baked Virginia ham from Mt. Malarayat Golf & Country Club in Lipa Batangas (perhaps my favorite, thank heavens they have an office here in Metro Manila, call 814-0743 and 893-1601 for orders. In Lipa, their contact number is 043-7567932; and for The Plaza Premium Baked Ham, call 729-0003, with a selection of sauces such as premium glaze, wasabi mayo, sweet mustard, and gutsy garlic.
Ham from these three sources is excellent.
Goldilock’s. One of my favorite value-for-money stops. As a special treat this year, they offer the Goldilocks Cookie House Kit. Building has never been such a fun, instantly gratifying experience! Hansel and Gretel must have lived in a house this deliciously pretty. Other top favorites include the choco crunch polvoron with sugar decorettes Christmas icons (P100 per box), the chocolate sans rival (a steal at only P400), and choco-dipped macaroons (P85 per box).
Symphony Sweets Gourmet Desserts. Try the following: Arabian holiday cake, a moist caramel-infused cake bursting with such royal ingredients as almonds, walnuts, dates, apricots, persimmons, and yogurt. It is topped with pecans, even more dates, and a glace cherry; the ultimate chocolate cake, two layers of dark, moist chocolate cake filled and frosted with coffee-flavored chocolate ganache, lavishly adorned with almonds; the white chocolate strawberry swirl cheesecake has a crunchy walnut crust, and a white chocolate and cream cheese layer brimming with plump, juicy strawberries, surrounded with white chocolate panels. For orders, call 823-5235, 0922-8536638, and 0921-5967821.
Claude 9 Sauces. I cannot decide which I love more: the custom-made bookshelves by Claude Tayag that run the length of one wall in our home, the beautiful wooden rice/ice/stew buckets lined with stainless steel bowls, or his special line of homemade bottled sauces that include taba ng talangka, XO chili sauce which happens to be my favorite, made with Chinese ham, dried shrimps, and spices, and balo-balo or burong hipon. All are made without preservatives and MSG, available at leading supermarkets and ABouT Design, at the ground floor of Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center. These sauces are great and I have taken them with most everything. I don’t have to choose just one, I guess; all I know is I am thankful Claude is around to share his many talents with us. Call 0917-5105771.