When in Boracay, Eat Local: Lunch Date at Aria

The Jakester and I were craving pizzas from Day One and tried our best to resist grabbing some pepperoni-mushroom pizza at Yellow Cab. I was so happy when he decided--because I kept checking the place out to drop some *hint hints*--that we should have an Italian lunch date at Aria Cucina Italiana, arguably the best authentic Italian restaurant on the island (and in the country, according to some food bloggers). I was already so hungry from swimming and playing on the beach, so yes, I was way excited for our late lunch.

I remember being overly excited that day 'cause we were heading to Puka Beach right after desserts. I was also very kilig 'cause Jake took me on an unexpected date. It was our third day on the island and we weren't planning to eat somewhere nice after our swim so yeah yeah, ako na kilig.

Ambiance-wise, the interiors of Aria has that classical warm Mediterranean vibe going on. It really is perfect for a romantic lunch date. I, however, felt that its owners could have chosen a more secluded location. It's located in a busy corner entrance of D'Mall so you have no choice but to see people coming and going as you eat. I like to people-watch sometimes, though, so I really can't complain. 

We sat outside and had an amazing view of the beach while waiting for our orders. Nothing like a perfect view of the white sand and sparkling blue water to put a smile on my face. Oh yeah, my date helped, too. Hehe.

I let Jake order for us. He decided on pasta and pizza since I have to remember I'm still on a beach vacation and can't afford to binge (and I was already developing a bulging unbikini-ish tummy). The carbonara lover ordered his usual and we agreed on the Salsiccia pizza. Beaches and pizzas are the perfect match, don't you think?

We talked and people-watched while waiting for our food. Me mostly staring at Cafe Del Sol and craving for a cake, and thinking about Lemon iCafe 'cause I also want their cakes. I guess I was just really hungry, we played on the shallow part of the beach the whole morning. 

Our food arrived and before I could take pictures, Jake already grabbed a slice for himself. Rawr. Our Italian sausage pizza was perfectly thin and crisp and had a generous smattering of sausages. Nothing beats wood fire ovenbaked pizzas, and we do know our pizzas. 

Our pasta was also more than enough for two people. It's cooked al dente and was probably the only bacon carbonara version I liked, weeell except for Raps in front of La Salle--their garlic chicken carbonara is my cheap guilty pleasure.

Overall, I think Aria deserves all the hype it's been getting through the years. I can't say it's the best Italian restaurant out there, but in Boracay, it is. This is where you would want to have a romantic lunch or dinner date with yummy authentic Italian food. The price is just right, too. Not insanely expensive as you would expect since their dishes are good for sharing anyway. You can order a pizza and pasta and you're good to go. If you're in the mood for a huge meal, then throw in an appetizer or a main course to go with your pizza.

Can't wait for another beach date here with the Jakester <3.

lollygag

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When in Boracay, Eat Local: Brekky at Real Coffee and Tea Café

Jake and I decided (well, I decided mostly) to become foodies and try new places for this Boracay trip. When in Boracay, eat local--that's what they always say so we made an effort to eat at restaurants and spots you'll only find on the island. No to Yellow Cab, Starbucks, Shakey's, save for Andok's when we were craving barbecued chicken and sinigang. 

I'm attempting to write food reviews now--yes I'm pretentious, so I'm starting with our breakfast experience at the famous Real Coffee and Tea Café. I've been eyeing this last year but we opted for other local spots, and I had to deal with a very cranky sleepyhead (ehem, Jake).

But anyway, Real Coffee is a couple of steps away from our place so it was very convenient to just grab our things and head out for brekky. It's located in a small alley, within sight of the beach, and there are kitschy signs all over the bahay-kubo place advertising their menu and mostly inspirational quotes. I especially loved the quote on on the counter where we sat.

 

Being a bookworm, I was also dying to check out the books covering their wall under the second-floor ladder. The place is so homey, they even had labeled personal mugs for their usual customers by the counter. Just above us, there were pictures of celebrities who regularly patronize the place.

 

I was feeling like a hypebeast that morning so I ordered their specialty--calamansi muffin and Real Coffee. Jake also got a muffin for himself but was already itching to eat elsewhere for his tapsilog craving. They bake the muffins right in front of you, I even got a huge kick out of seeing the girl chop walnuts and mash bananas for banana muffins while we were eating, so you know you're eating freshly baked goodies.

I took one bite of my muffin and immediately gave myself a mental slap on the head for forgetting how much I hated citrus-y pastries. I can't stand eating lemon squares and it was only when Jake kept saying, "tastes like Becky's Kitchen lemon squares" that I regretted my order. Jake, on the other hand, loooooves lemon squares and key lime pies so I gave him half of my muffin. I spent the remainder of our breakfast date pining for a banana muffin but I was saving my appetite for breakfast number two at Red Coconut. The muffin was good, though, if you like lemon-y treats. It's slightly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside and was still hot and had that freshly-baked taste going on.

Their signature coffee, Real Coffee, was strong and flavorful. I especially liked the little milk shot glass that came with it. However, being an avid coffee drinker, I couldn't help but wish it tasted stronger and,  I dunno, more home-made like. It tasted like your average brewed coffee and for all the hype, I was a bit disappointed. Or maybe I was expecting too much. It is, after all, just brewed coffee with a shot of espresso.

Despite my wrong muffin choice, I would still eat brekky there. The place is the perfect breakfast date spot if you want a homey, breakfast by the beach ambiance. It's rustic, kitschy, and feels exactly like a quaint little island establishment.You wouldn't find this in Manila, for sure. Maybe next time I'll order a banana muffin and ask them to add a shot of espresso or syrup to my brewed coffee, then I'll get an omelette for the Jakester to go with his calamansi muffin. Perfect.

Have you ever been to the beach with your bottles to the sky?

Nothing beats nights by the beach. Toes digging in the sand, clutching cold bottles of beer, sipping your favorite cocktails, shivering with the sea breeze and wind blowing, gazing every now and then at the waves breaking a few meters away, holding your face up to catch the rain falling around sporadically--it's the best way to cap off a sun-kissed day.

On our first night on the island, we had beers and cocktails on the breezy roofdeck of Le Soleil. Giant pillows and colorful lights, crazy poses and toasts to the beach. We played on the shore on our way home to Station 1. Jumped around like fools on the sand.

wearing Forever 21 bohemian top, American eagle denim shorts

On our second night on the island, we went to the other side and nearly fell into the water while clinging to sharp rocks. We ordered Sex on the Beach shakers and shared the dreaded Still Standing After 15 Shots at Cocomangas and gazed discreetly at our lovely Baling Hai bartender who was with his girl. We felt obligated to finish all 15 shots, some with a yucky taste, just so we can get our free shirt. Headaches ensued the following morning.

wearing Forever 21 dress

On our third night on the island, I drank one too many beers by the beach with the boyfriend at Epic. There was a huge pre-FHM party crowd inside and we hogged a whole lounge outside all to ourselves with the water a few meters behind us. The music was loud and the people were crazy but we had a good time talking and laughing at some silly joke or prank--just the two of us. I remember throwing sand at him, remember the crazy drunk girls who set off fireworks on the shore, glaring at the hot girls dancing behind us, laughing at the Jakester, holding my face up when it drizzled, and asking for more Red Horses. We went back to our place to find my friends about to finish their Absolut and we had a grand old time, with few regrets the morning after.

wearing Chatuchak dress and scarf

Why would you ever want to leave this island?

To a hidden island with the hot bartender

We decided to go for a paraw ride on our second day. After negotiating with a very persistent fixer, we were ready to hop on the boat for a bit of island hopping. Jake and I headed to Jonah's first for our early morning mango-banana shake fix, then the girls and I bought our cocktails-to-go at Loco Frio, which is one of the many perks of the island life--imagine sipping your frozen cocktail while sailing on the open sea. Too perfect. I got a frozen mojito with vodka. Mmmm.

How fitting that the paraw assigned to us had Tanduay for a logo. I was with a bunch of heavy drinkers so it was a perfect match.

The waves were insanely high on our way there. Jake and I sat on the other side and I was soaked by the time we docked. The girls, on the other side, kept laughing and I can hear them chattering all the way over to our side. Yep, we are one noisy group.

Halfway through the ride, we were all arguing with our boatmen where to take us, they kept recommending Baling Hai but we almost ignored their suggestions until we saw the breathtaking view. Baling Hai, it is. How can you not say yes to that view? A secret beach hidden by trees and rocks--amazing. We wasted no time sunbathing, ordering beers, soaking up the view, it was so peaceful there we stayed there for the duration of our two-hour paraw package. No one wanted to get up from the lounges. We were the only ones there, aside from two other girls (the one with the bikini I've been lusting after).

 

 

The place was also perfect for a private lunch or candle-lit dinner. There's a secluded area with a dining table all set-up with candles. When we go back to Boracay, I'll make sure Jake and I get to eat there. It's the birthday surpise I never got to throw for him on the island. I really have no idea how to pull this off, though. It's kind of hard to go to the place at night since the only way is by paraw, and the coast guard bans paraws at night, and a long trike ride. Tricycles don't come and go along this area so maybe we'll have to stay at Baling Hai resort instead. It'll be so lovely to stay at one of those houses perched on the trees and rocks. It must feel like a secret paradise all the way up there--to be surrounded by trees with the beach beneath you.

 

Of course, the highlight of our trip to Baling Hai was the hot bartender. At first we thought he couldn't understand Tagalog so we talked about him the whole time. It was only until we were about to leave that Jake said he's Fil-Am and can therefore understand us. Ooops, there goes our shameless "laglag panty!!!" side comments. The boatmen also said he's the son of the resort owners so double yumm. I really don't have a good picture of him 'cause I was too shy to take one up close. We saw him again that night with a date, chugging down all 15 shots at Cocomangas. So dreamy. Just look at him! Rawr.

After lounging about and getting tons of sun-kissed photos, we headed back to our paraw through the rocks where you emerge on the other side of the beach. Time to head back to Station 1, adios Baling Hai and pretty boy.

wearing bikini from Accessorize, heart-shaped sunnies from H&M