Merkado in local language (Hiligaynon is the language of those living in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines) means market. Most towns in my country, especially those in remote areas, have market day wherein locals and visitors alike flock to the town’s economic hub to see new goods being delivered and buy those that they need or want.
Merkado ni Maria Cafe, which boasts of using local, all-natural and organic products, scours the local markets in search for nutritious, real food that are cooked in a traditional way. The restaurant, located at the Art District in Mandalagan, Bacolod City, Philippines, is a firm believer of concepts that are good to the local economy and to everyone’s health:
- Farm-to-table system – This eliminates the middle man and ensures that ingredients are fresh as they are brought straight from the producers themselves.
- Slow food cooking – They cook everything from scratch. Even the hot sauce, vinaigrette, and condensed milk are made and processed by their own kitchen team. No artificial flavoring are added to the food because they use the freshest spices and ingredients.
- Supporting local farmers – Buying straight from local producers helps the farmers thrive and sustain their livelihood.
- Natural products for our health – The ingredients used are all-natural and organic, which is good for our body.
I have written already of the various eateries in Bacolod City as well as the one on the Organic Farmers Market done annually. You will find that our province, Negros Occidental, is advocating for organic products and many eateries in cities within the province have been serving food made of organic raw ingredients.
Owned by Maria Rizza G. Uychiat, Merkado Cafe has a wide menu to choose from. Restaurant Manager Argie Muyco took us through the menu and here are some that we tried which left our palate satisfied:
Pica-Picks – Lumpia Prito (Php 105.00), Chicken Tenders (Php 135.00), and Camote Chips (Php 45.00);
All-day Breakfast – Pan Kick (Php 95.00), Chicken Galantina (Php 175.00), Beef Tapa (Php 160.00), Prito Nga Bangrus (Php 115.00);
Lunch & Dinner (these are good for sharing, by the way) – Kare Kare (Php 190.00), Beef Curry (Php 180.00), Pochero (Php 190.00), Baked Bangus Belly (Php 205.00), Seafood Soup (Php 175.00), Fish Tinola (Php 195.00)
Pasta, Salad, Sandwiches – Spaghetti with Fresh Organic Tomatoes (Php 175.00), Spaghetti with Clams (Php 195.00), J’s Greens (Php 220.00), Cheese Burger & Chips (Php 195.00)
For the drinks, we tried in small amounts and they tasted yummy. You can choose from any of these: Calamansi slush, Guyabano juice, BananaNana smoothie, Mt. Kanlaon Rainforest Organic Coffee, and Merkado Iced Coffee.
We capped our lunch with desserts: Calamansi Squares (Php 50.00/slice) and Creme Brulee (Php 85.00/serve).
*Exchange rate at the time of writing is USD 1.00=Php 47.00
“We are not fast food. We serve good food as fast as we can.” This is the promise of Merkado Cafe. If you happen to be in Bacolod, try their food and you will enjoy them at reasonable prices and with a good cause.
I would love to try their organic rice w/ tapa, and kare-kare, and I like their farm to table system to help the farmers. I hope this model will be feasible to other restos.
I will check out this place on my next visit to Bacolod.
Our province really pushes itself to be known as an organic province. We have many restaurants in Bacolod that offer food made of organic ingredients. Our local government support farm to table system. We have an annual Organic Farmers Festival, too.
It’s good to know that there is a establishment in Bacolod who promotes and serve organic products. I support advocacies like that because I believe that it will help cure the world; the earth and the man. Surely when I visit Bacolod I will try their sumptous healthy foods. Thanks for sharing.
I agree with you on this. There are many restaurants like this in Bacolod. 🙂
I love their farm to table concept! For sure their offers are all tasty and nutritious.. Organic is way better than treated produce… Would love to visit this when in Bacolod 🙂
It is what our organic producers have been pushing, that for consumers to practice farm-to-table food preparation.
Wow!!! Sounds healthy! I love the farm to table system – fresh talaga. 🙂 I wonder when I’ll get to visit? 😀
Those pasta and seafood soup looks very delicious. More power to this establishment who promote and use organic products.
The building itself is enticing. Now I have an idea where to bring my American friends who love to eat organic foods.
wow.. it’s 1 am now yet the pictures you shared here made me drool and crave for a burger….I love that colorful and unique exterior,.. very eye catching!
OMG! You’re making my tummy yelling for those awesome foodie you got right here. I crave for those Sea foods a lot. Kindly, parcel it down to me. Lol!! Keep it up!!!
Farm-to-table restaurants are the best. You can really taste the difference in their dishes. It’s weird but the flavors are more alive this way – more organic.
-Gino of http://www.dropdeaddapper.com
Wahhhhhh! The food looks so amazingly good! Now I just need to get there ASAP and try them all hehehe. Great post!!!
Ahhhh. Spaghetti with clams. Sarap! The concept is nice. It helps our dear farmers. Btw, di ba sobrang tagal ma serve ng food?
i always love the idea of farm-to-table! the pictures are mouthwatering i’m getting hungry arghhh
No one would be able that red & purple structure – I love it! The food looks delish too, most especially the Beef Curry and Seafood Soup.
Wow, just reading through your post got me so hungry even after eating dinner. These are really worth trying. Love how the colors pop out so perfectly.
This really sounds so healthy…by the way those pasta are looking so delicious…would never mind to make a visit there.
The cafe looks like they have my favourite food! I will want to try the Kare Kare, Spaghetti Clams and Creme Brulee!
Wow! Food sure looks amazing! This place wasn’t around when I was still there. Definitely a new place. This looks like it’s in the Art District, right? I would love to try that place out next time I visit. Thanks for sharing!
The food looks delightful and I love that they are healthier alternatives to your usual favorites. Organic is definitely the way to go, thanks for sharing your experience.
I absolutely love chill organic cafes like this! Hope to visit this next time I’m in Bacolod! 😀
Very healthy dishes as they look. Cheese burger and pan cakes look very tasty. Wish I was able to try!
Organic foods is the way to go now. The place looks really calming plus their food looks tasty.
Too bad no one recommended this when we last visited Bacolod. I will seek this out if ever we visit again for its tempting home-cooked meals and those slushy fruit drinks!
Very Filipino, the place looks festive because of the colors and the food seems yummy and affordable.
Food looks great! I’ve been to markets like these both in India and UK. Food is the best in these places. Yummy & healthy!!!
Wow thanks for introducing such yummy filipino food to me. I wish I can try that Chicken Galantina, looks so delicious.
Wow! This is one of the hungriest posts I have read lol. I had to read it twice, and the pictures are beyond this world. I’m hungry now again! Great post! 🙂
Wow those sharing meals are so affordable. The kare kare is cheaper than the prices I’m used to. However, I do have my eyes on those Kalamazoo squares!
Beef Tapa, Kare Kare and finished with a very nice Creme Bruleeeee! Definitely felt hungry after checking out this post. Although I don’t think that I would be able to reach Bacolod in the near future, hope to see the place soon.
Love the vibrant concept, certainly looks like a refreshing place to have a good meal while we feast out eyes as well.
OMG!!! It all looks so yummy! What even makes it better is the fact that it is healthy!!!
It so happens that I’ve to go for a birthday party in this night. This post has got my taste buds all ready!
Dindin really loved the place. She likes the food and maybe because they said that they are serving “organic”. haha She’s so into labels, taking everything at face value hehe