It was a bright sunny day and the noontime heat would probably be unbearable if not for the windy breeze. The sea has moved back and the row of tilted restaurants fill the shore of Balaring in Silay City, Negros Occidental, Philippines.
I was with members of the Negros Blogging Society, Inc. (NBSI), or the Negros Bloggers, to have lunch, courtesy of Silay City Mayor Jose “Oti” Montelibano and Councilor Neil Solomon Locsin. We proceeded to Melkens Seafood Restaurant, picked a table for our group and went over the menu.
The good thing is that the seafood here is fresh and they will cook whatever you order. We had shrimps, fish, squid and oysters. Right outside the restaurant, oysters are cultivated. Many locals and tourists go to Balaring to enjoy the fresh seafood.
Getting there is easy. Just take Lacson St. from Bacolod City and continue on the highway passing through Talisay City and onwards to Silay City. Past the rows of heritage buildings along Silay’s main thoroughfare, go straight ahead until the Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital where you make a left turn. Take that small road until you reach Balaring.
Once there, enjoy the view and the food.
Melkens is really the best restaurant in Balaring. When I first came to Silay, I had my first dinner at Melkens. I have been recommending it ever since. “Sa sinigang pa lang, solve ka na.” They use “batwan” as the souring ingredient for their sinigang, instead of sampaloc. Simply the best. Aside from the fresh and very delicious seafood menus, their grilled liempo is also the best. Simply heaven.