Vigan eats: Chef Robby Goco whips up 12-course Ilocano degustation | ABS-CBN
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Vigan eats: Chef Robby Goco whips up 12-course Ilocano degustation
Jeeves de Veyra
Published Nov 25, 2018 06:39 AM PHT

VIGAN, Ilocos Sur -- Casa Lourdes in Vigan seems to have two faces. It houses Vigan’s hip new hangout, Calle Brewery, on its first floor, while going up the grand staircase at the back lands guests into an elegant sala reminding one of simpler, and yet elegant times.
VIGAN, Ilocos Sur -- Casa Lourdes in Vigan seems to have two faces. It houses Vigan’s hip new hangout, Calle Brewery, on its first floor, while going up the grand staircase at the back lands guests into an elegant sala reminding one of simpler, and yet elegant times.
The second floor is cultured, quiet, and feels like the perfect place to have tapas with wines.
The second floor is cultured, quiet, and feels like the perfect place to have tapas with wines.
It is in this space where chef Robby Goco lets diners have “A Taste of The North,” a special degustation featuring his interpretations of favorites from the Ilocos region.
It is in this space where chef Robby Goco lets diners have “A Taste of The North,” a special degustation featuring his interpretations of favorites from the Ilocos region.
It’s interesting how there have been few attempts to level up food from Northern Luzon. After all, Vigan empanada, bagnet, pinkabet, and other Ilocano favorites are unique and shouldn’t really be messed around with.
It’s interesting how there have been few attempts to level up food from Northern Luzon. After all, Vigan empanada, bagnet, pinkabet, and other Ilocano favorites are unique and shouldn’t really be messed around with.
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But Goco seems to disagree.
But Goco seems to disagree.
“In the Philippines, the question is often, ‘How do we make it more affordable?’ In Japan, the questions are ‘how do we push it, how do we elevate?’’” Goco said, citing what the Japanese did with coffee, pizza, and pasta.
“In the Philippines, the question is often, ‘How do we make it more affordable?’ In Japan, the questions are ‘how do we push it, how do we elevate?’’” Goco said, citing what the Japanese did with coffee, pizza, and pasta.
It is this desire to make things better that’s behind Goco's Ilocano degustation.
It is this desire to make things better that’s behind Goco's Ilocano degustation.
Right off the bat, this degustation isn’t for purists. Goco’s spin on the traditional Ilocano favorites are inventive and show sensitivity to today’s picky eaters. Some ingredients are replaced with unusual choices that somehow still provide similar flavors.
Right off the bat, this degustation isn’t for purists. Goco’s spin on the traditional Ilocano favorites are inventive and show sensitivity to today’s picky eaters. Some ingredients are replaced with unusual choices that somehow still provide similar flavors.
This 12-course meal was a culinary journey through the Ilocos Region. In line with the theme of an Ilocano food trip, the waitstaff regaled guests with an imaginary tour through Vigan in between courses. The storytelling skills of the Calle Brewery team certainly made this meal more memorable.
This 12-course meal was a culinary journey through the Ilocos Region. In line with the theme of an Ilocano food trip, the waitstaff regaled guests with an imaginary tour through Vigan in between courses. The storytelling skills of the Calle Brewery team certainly made this meal more memorable.
Casa Lourdes is located at 11 Calle Encarnacion, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur.
Casa Lourdes is located at 11 Calle Encarnacion, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur.
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