Batangas

Grab a bite

Skip the ubiquitous bulalo (beef stock broth) and lomi (noodle soup) joints scattered along the highway leading to Lemery — there is much better food to be had in Taal, and in fact the whole of Batangas, which is regarded as cattle country.

Try tapang Taal at Glenda Villano- Tenorio’s La Azotea (Tel: 043/ 408 0046 to 47, Mobile: 0906-222 5339). Tenorio says tapang Taal is not the usual beef tapa. It’s pork marinated in soy sauce, lots of garlic, and calamansi (local citrus) and fried to perfection. Their version of local bistek (beef steak) is tenderloin slices from Batangas beef, with potatoes on the side. La Azotea’s dinaing na tilapia (dried cichlids) is steeped in vinegar and garlic before it is fried to a crisp. Hot chocolate is also a must-try. The restaurant serves dishes usually priced from P150 to P300. The priciest item in the menu is the maliputo fish, which costs P550 per order.

Batangas

A trip to Taal is not complete without buying Batangas beef, famous for its tender meat, attributed to the local practice of force-feeding cattle with pounded ipil-ipil leaves mixed with commercial cattle feed. The ritual is done every afternoon. The best sources of beef in Taal are the stalls on the Y junction in Mahabang, Ludlod and the public market. Check out Ka Lita Bernales, Stall Number 184, at the market.

Photo and Article Source: Inflight Magazine (Seair)