Carmina is traveling to the United States to spend time with her family. My dad planned a family gathering for Mother's Day at their favorite Pinoy restaurant . Since reservations aren’t possible, we arrived an hour early to ensure we could get a table for twelve before everyone else showed up. As my dad approached Isla Grand , the branch we visited in Pleasant Hills, California , the host at the door said they could prepare a table for twelve at five o'clock. Later, the server called my dad's name and guided us to our table. The place was bustling with people enjoying meals and celebrating Mother's Day. On our first visit to Isla Grand, I was captivated by the décor, noticing many native items that gave the place a fancy yet authentic Filipino feel. They usually have a live band, but unfortunately, there was no entertainment the night we went. My family had spoken highly of Isla Grand and encouraged us to try the Filipino dishes we’ve been missing from back home. Lech...
In the Philippines people eat merienda (snack) and buy food from the street. There are vendors on the street all sorts of food to choose from. Everything is all cash basis. The common street food in the Philippines are the following: Prito (Fried) Merienda (Snack): Turon (banana lumpia with jack fruit) Banana Cue (banana cooked in brown sugar) Kamote Cue (sweet potato cooked in brown sugar) Maruya (banana fritters) Fish Ball Squid Ball Kikiam (mixed pork and shrimp wrapped in bean cured) Probem (chicken proventriculus) Kwek Kwek (duck egg) Chicken Empanda Beef Empanda Inhaw (Grilled) Merienda (Snack): Pork Barbecue on a stick Isaw (chicken intestine) on a stick Betamax (dried pork or chicken blood) on a stick Adidas (chicken feet) on a stick Helmet (chicken head) on a stick Pig skin on a stick Other Merienda are bought in a Filipino restaurant or cooked at home: Sabaw (Soup) : Sopas (chicken noodle soup) Mami ...