Angono is a first class urban municipality in the province of Rizal.  It is known as "Arts Capital of the Philippines", and located 30 kilometres (19 mi) east of Manila. (Source: Wikipedia).  In fact, it is the hometown of two national artists, Lucio San Pedro for music and Carlos "Botong" Francisco for arts.

Angono Tourist's Landmarks

From our area in Taguig, it's just a 30-40 minute ride via C6 road.  We got there just before lunch so we decided to go to Balaw Balaw first.  It's a restaurant and art gallery in one.  It offers exotic dishes, as well as traditional Filipino dishes.

What is Balaw Balaw? It is a delectable appetizer and sauce the Tagalogs serve together with sinigang. It is made from small shrimps mixed with rice gruel and “angkak”, an herb that gives reddish coloring. The mixture is preserved and fermented in earthen jar for 3 days. After this, Balaw Balaw is ready to eat of sautéed with young bamboo shoots. (source)

Address:	#16 Doña Justa St., Doña Subd., PH1, Angono, Rizal
Contact Number:	+63 2 651-0110
Email Add:	balaw2x@yahoo.com

 Facebook Page

To get there, follow the signs to Thunderbird Resort.  The restaurant is one house/establishment from the main road (left side when coming from Manila), a block (or was it blocks) before a 7-11 convenience store where one turns left for Thunderbird Resort/East Ridge Golf Club.

Balaw Balaw (the sign can be seen from the main road)

Facade of the restaurant

While waiting for our order, we looked around at the art pieces in the restaurant.

 

There's an eerie feeling about this room.
It might be these big heads which might have been
used during the Higantes Festival,
or it's something else...

Artworks from floor to ceiling

Sculptures and Paintings

View from the 2nd floor

Faucet

Restroom

At last, our food was served.

Nilasing na hipon for PhP130.00

Minaluto for PhP970.00 (Medium size good for 3-4persons)
Consists of steamed rice, mussels, prawn, crab, water spinach, eggplant, okra, pork adobo, tomato and salted red egg

Bucoroco for PhP130.00
Young coconut with halo-halo & ice cream

Next Stop: Angono Petroglyphs

Wrong Ramen, according to their FB page, is a "tiny, locally-developed ramen house" located at Burgos Circle, Forbes Town, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.  They opened first quarter of 2013 (I believe around late January/early February).  When going there, be sure to be early to get seats as they only have limited seating.

Menu.  They make it easy for you to choose as they only have a small lineup to choose from.  They have 6 kinds of ramen, some appetizers, dessert, drinks and some add-ons.  The image below shows everything they serve.

The Menu

Salt and Pepper in battery-shaped shakers

We were supposed to order Chashu Rice Rolls but they don't have it at that time.  We just ordered the Bacon & Cheese Katsu (PhP265; deep-fried bacon and cheese with sweet wasabi) and Tofu Katsu (PhP125; golden brown and crispy silken tofu).

Bacon and Cheese Katsu & Tofu Katsu

For ramen, we got Tantanmen (PhP395; a bold sesame broth with ground pork and shredded chashu), Sea Men (PhP345; clams, squid and shrimp in a light garlicky clam broth) and FU Ramen (PhP425; the breakfast in liquid form: spam, bacon, cheese and fried egg in garlic pepper broth).

Sea Men Ramen

FU Ramen

We loved everything that we ordered.  I think you can never go wrong at Wrong Ramen.

After the bumpy ride to and from the Irawan Eco Park, we got hungry.  And since we only had light lunch, we decided to just have early dinner.  I wanted to try the bird's nest soup so we went to Balinsasayaw Chicken Grill and Restaurant in the town proper.  It was about 30 to 45-minute ride that costs PhP20/person (from Irawan).  Going to the town proper, it would be on the right side of the street, near the multicab terminal.

Facade of Balinsasayaw Chicken Grill and Restaurant

Tables are set up in elevated, nipa-hut-feel platforms

What did we order?  Of course, there's the infamous balinsasayaw soup (bird's nest).  One order is good for 3-4 persons and costs PhP495.  Good thing the server informed us that they have half order so we don't have to make ourselves full just because of the soup.  We also had pancit canton, crispy pata and rice.  We also had an order of mango shake and 1L of cola.  That's more than enough for the two of us.  The price is not that expensive.  If I remember it right, we paid around PhP900 for our order.

Balinsasayaw (Bird's Nest) Soup

Crispy Pata and Pancit Canton

The verdict: In my opinion, their pancit canton and crispy pata tastes just like that of other restos.  As for the bird's nest soup, it was really yummy.  Of course, I won't be able to compare it to others as this is the first time I've tasted it.  It looks like an egg soup but the color is plain white, it's not too thick and tasty, like the Nido soup but more delicious.  Just eat the soup as it is, no need for any condiments.

After the hearty early dinner, we were craving for coffee.  So, we crossed the street to Itoy's Coffee Haus.  I liked the ambience of the place, plus they have free wi-fi... yehey!  Coffee, though, is just ok... at least for the one I tried which is Cashew Frappe.  I forgot to ask if they have a specialty but maybe I could just save it for next time.

Facade of Itoy's Coffee House

 

Interior of Itoy's Coffee House

Near the counter

A frame hanging on the wall

Cashew Frappe