Balai Ilocos

Yeşim Yıldız

4.0

Craving for Ilocano food or a quick bagnet fix?You don't to travel all the way up to Ilocos to savor Ilocano dishes. Balai Ilocos serves home-grown recipes that have been preserved for many generations by Chef Niño Mendoza's family, who hails from Paoay, Ilocos Norte. It has been ages since I last gone to Ilocos Norte and so I immediately agreed on to a website meetup at Balai Ilocos. The gustatory experience would surely be a trip down memory lane, I anticipated. Binagoongang Bagnet was chopped bite-size pieces of Bagnet served with diced tomatoes, onions and sweet bagoong (shrimp paste). Bagnet is a gastronomic delight in itself and it’s even more satisfying to savor Bagnet in many ways. This twice the crunch, mouthwatering slab of deep-fried pork is to die for! Each bite mixed with the ensalada mix was heavenly! They offer crispy sisig made from bagnet with chopped chili peppers, onions and mayonnaise. It looks like pulled pork made crispy, a far cry from the pork cheeks and ears sisig recipe I got used to that even uses brain as a binder.Dinakdakan is another pride of the Ilocano cuisine that we got to try. Dinakdakan differs from sisig in size. Dinakdakan is cut in small cubes while sisig comes finely chopped. Chef Niño take on Dinakdakan is diced pork meat combined with vinegar, chillies and other seasonings. They also serve delectable Spanish food that we have grown accustomed to. I got to taste Gambas (prawns in garlic oil), Kaldereta (usually a goat stew) and Mechado (a beef casserole).I have tasted a lot of Gambas in the past and I have to say that this is one of the best! Chef Niño makes a very tasty shrimp sauce that even after the last prawn is gone, Gambas ni Pat remaining stock can still be great for bread to dip in.Di Makakalimutang Mechado is what I love most! This tomato sauce-based casserole reminded me of hearty lunches spent over at my grandmother's home when I was just a kid. Chef Niño's version uses inhouse tomato sauce making it more delicious. Beef meat waas slow-cooked to perfection! It was tender and moist! The adequate moisture of the beef results to a flavorful and savory feast.We had Maruya a la Mode (Banana Fritters) for dessert. Mashed, ripe plantain bananas were mixed with a pancake batter and fried. The sugar-dusted maruya then is served with vanilla ice cream. It was perfect to cap a gastronomic experience. I love its simplicity. It reminds me of home.I will surely go to Balai Ilocos for another phenomenal Ilocano meal.

Dewi Pang

3.0

No big deal! Very slow service! Ambiance 8/10Food Quality 6/10Service 2/10Value for Money 5/10Totally unacceptable service, more than one hour for a typical food!

Stefan S.

4.0

I am an Ilocano by blood but never tasted an authentic Ilocano dish until I visited this gem of a restaurant inside BF Homes, Paranaque.I love how the place is photo-friendly.  The ambiance is homey and I felt like I was actually in Ilocos.  I love how Nino placed all the photos of his family on the wall - and with that, you'd know that he really treasures his roots and passionate about Ilocoano dishes..Admittedly, the food was close to perfection.  Although, the beef mechado was a bit salty, but other than, everything was perfect!My personal choice is Crispy Bagnet Binagoongan. I would recommend you order that on your next visit! And, oh, the dessert! I just don't know how to spell it right, but, it's Maruya.  Lovely banana pancake and IT'S WAY BETTER THAN IHOP!Anyway, over-all I gave the restaurant a 4.5.  I will be back soon!!!