24
omnom
nom
Afternoon
Themayhembegins
at around 1pmwith the
Masskara street dancing
performances startingat
LacsonStreet. You can
follow this happy, smiley
paradeas its snakes through
theavenues of downtown
Bacolod. Should youget
hungryat anypoint, leave
the crowdandhead for
oneof themany
batchoy
eateries on the side streets
(thereareplentyaround
BacolodPublicPlaza). This
nativedish,madewithegg
noodles, chickenbits and
pork crackling steeped in
abone-marrowbroth, is a
go-to staple for blue-collar
folks. The
batchoy
’s richer,
fine-diningversion canbe
foundat nearbyBar 21 (21st
LacsonSt, BacolodCity;
+63 344334096).
Evening
Dinnertime isbarbecue time, and in this city thatmeans only
one thing: chicken
inasal.
This lovinglygrilledginger-, garlic-
and lemongrass-infuseddelicacywas conceived in these
parts, and isBacolodCity’sbest-loved culinaryexport. Skip
thebarbecue stalls atManukanCountry—everyone’sbeen
there—and insteadmakeabeeline forChickenHouse (24th
LacsonSt, BacolodCity; +63 344349405). This casual food
spot has arguably the tastiest inasal recipe in town.Another
favorite isNena’sRose IIChicken Inasal (FatherM. FerreroSt,
BacolodCity; +63923248 3125), anopen-air griller that pairs
its signaturebarbecuewithbuckets of freshoysters.
At thispoint you can resume the revelryat LacsonStreet,
where theMasskara street party ratchets upafter sundown.
Youmayhave come toBacolod for the festival, but you’ll
surely leave feeling that the local food scenewas just asgood
a reason tobe there.
Clockwise:Chicken
inasal
at
ChickenHouse; freshoysters
atNena’sRose; amansion
inSilay; abowl of
batchoy;
Masskara revelers
