Manila: P.F. Chang's in Alabang Town Center

Ivan Man Dy and Ivan Henares with Chef Philip Chiang

This is a long overdue post on our sumptuous lunch and dinner experience at P.F. Chang's in Alabang Town Center last January. Being the Tsinoy and expert on Chinese food, Ivan Man Dy did the review.

Here is the new kid in the Chinese restaurant block!

We went to the launch and opening of the latest franchise to land in the Metro: P.F. Chang's China Bistro at the Alabang Town Center.

Shrimp with Candied Walnuts

Northern Style Spare Ribs

Truth be told, to consider P.F. Chang's as another Chinese restaurant is inaccurate. This place is as Chinese as the San Francisco fortune cookie as it serves mainly Chinese food for the American palate. The decor is decidedly Hollywood with its super-high ceiling, mood lighting and cocktail bar atmosphere. Think Friday's with a Chinese-themed presentation and menu. Definitely not your traditional Chinese round-table atmosphere.

And the like the American chop suey, the food is a hodgepodge of Chinese-inspired regional types such as Pekingese (Northern Chinese), Mongolian, Shanghainese, Cantonese, Sichuan and Hunan. For appetizer, we had the Chicken Lettuce Wrap which was an interesting twist from the ground pork original that we are accustomed too. We noted how ergonomically shaped the round cuts of the lettuce that turned into mini 'leaf saucers' for easy wrapping of the chicken.

Dynamite Shrimp

Chang's Spare Ribs

Another popular favorite is the Dynamite Shrimp that's served in cocktail glass and packs a spicy punch. The Barbecue Spareribs is not quite Chinese but is tasty and of good quality nonetheless with the meat falling off the bones immediately as you sink your teeth in it.

Oolong Marinated Chilean Sea Bass

Then there's the Oolong Marinated Sea Bass over a bed of kay lan leaves. I've always loved gindara (sea bass) and the fish itself is a winner for me. The kay lan provided for a nice crunchy and leafy touch to the dish. We also sampled the other house specialties that included Wonton Soup, Kung Pao Chicken, Shrimp Honey Dew and Chicken Noodle Soup.

Chang's Chicken Noodle Soup

Kung Pao Shrimp

Our dinner at P.F. Chang's was definitely something new especially from the perspective of our home-grown Tsinoy taste bud. If you're hankering for a new interpretation of your usual Chinese fare, then P.F. Chang's is a place worth trying.

With Chef Philip Chiang and Michael Welborn

The men behind P.F. Chang's in Alabang Town Center: Genaro Perez Diaz (Director of International Marketing), Michael Welborn (President of Global Brand Development), Chef Philip Chiang and Archie Rodriguez (President & CEO, Global Restaurant Concepts)

For more photos of the P.F. Chang's opening last January 17, 2012 and the sumptuous dishes we got to try for lunch and dinner, please visit the Ivan About Town FB page.

P.F. Chang’s
Alabang Town Center
Tel. No. +63 (927) 5333445
http://pfchangs.com.ph/

Camarines Sur: Wakeboarding at CamSur Watersports Complex (CWC)

Wakeboarding at the CamSur Watersports Complex (CWC) has long been a popular watersports activity in the Bicol Region. From Donsol, Sorsogon, we drove all the way to Pili, Camarines Sur, where CWC is located, right in the compound of the Camarines Sur Provincial Capitol.

As soon as we got there, we checked-in at the Villa del Rey Cabanas.

Villa del Rey Dwell Homes at CWC

Villa del Rey Containers at CWC

There are several options for accommodation at CWC, from the high end Villa del Rey Villas (Php6250) and Mansion Suites (from Php2700 to Php5000), to Wood Cabins (from Php2750 to Php3750), Dwell Homes (Php3750) and Cabanas (Php1700), to the lower end Containers (Php1500), Tiki Huts (Php1100) and EcoVillage (as low as Php350).

Since it was getting dark, we went straight to CWC Cable Park to start wakeboarding. There are several options for everyone's wakeboarding capabilities, including a beginners cable for first timers, and a cable where many pros from around the world train, owing the the great facilities and very affordable rates.

Rates begin at Php125 for the hourly rate during the day, and Php175 at night. There is also a half day rate of Php370 (8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or 1 to 5 p.m.), whole day rate of Php610 (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.), and night rate of Php500 (5 to 9 p.m.). Equipment rental (lifevest and helmet) is Php40 per hour, Php90 half day or Php140 whole day with a Php500 deposit.

I tried wakeboarding at the beginner's cable. And after an hour trying, I'm definitely sure I'll the leave the pro cables to the pros for now!

How to get to CWC
Take a flight to Naga Airport which is actually in Pili, Camarines Sur and take public transportation from them. Or you can take a bus to Pili and get off right at the gate of the Camarines Sur Provincial Capitol.

More photos of Albay, Sorsogon and Camarines Sur in the Ivan About Town FB page.

Thank you to Director Verna Buensuceso and Christie Navarro of the Department of Tourism Team Europe for arranging the trip of Nellie Huang and Alberto Molero of WildJunket.com to Bicol! Thank you also to Director Maria Ravanilla and Amy Detera of Department of Tourism Bicol Region, and Donsol EcoTour for their valuable assistance and warm hospitality!

Camsur Watersports Complex
Provincial Capitol Complex
Cadlan, Pili, Camarines Sur
Contact Number: (054) 477 3344 / (054) 477 3349
Fax Number: +63(54) 477-3347
Mobile number: +(63) 917 8954156 or +(63) 999 8893697
E-mail: villadelreyreservation@gmail.com

Camarines Norte: Calaguas Islands, Bagasbas Beach & Apuao Islands

Camarines Norte, in particular the Calaguas Group of Islands, is becoming a popular destination for those who are looking for pristine beaches. With no facilities, you can spend the night in Calaguas under the stars, on the sand or in a tent. I got to visit Mahabang Buhangin Beach on Tinaga Island recently where we stayed overnight.

During the same trip, I got to visit Bagasbas Beach in Daet, and the different islands off the coast of Mercedes, particularly the Apuao Islands. I'll share more information in detail in the next posts. But in the meantime, here are photos of Camarines Norte in the Ivan About Town Facebook page.