The number one question I always get from friends visiting Bacolod City is what else are the good places to eat in the Philippine City of Smiles. There are the usual suspects and if you have been following my blog, you will find my posts about restaurants to try in my city, such as Eat is Bacolod, Eat’s More Fun in Bacolod, Global Food Trip in Bacolod Restaurants and many others.
[UPDATE 2023: Some of the restaurants featured here have closed permanently and are no longer in operation or have transferred to a different location.]
While there are food joints that come and go, there are those that pop up every now and then, setting a new vibe in the metropolis. One particular area that is booming with energy and gustatory delight are those near the Bacolod City Government Center. There’s the Marketplace and behind it, at the Villa Angela Technopark, are rows of container boxes that have been transformed into nocturnal go-to places for good food and great fun. The Boxes. This is where the tiring day ends and tasteful enjoyment begins, a place to catch the sunset and welcome the moonlight.
We were invited by 10 restaurant owners at The Boxes to see their respective places and their food offerings through a food crawl. Let’s start from end to end, so it will be easy for you to locate them in this strip of eateries. I also posted photos in my First-time Travels blog Facebook page.
Yellow Leaf Cuisine
The quaint interiors of Yellow Leaf Cuisine has a dainty feel to it. The colorful sofas, a wall of plastic greens and flowers, the framed posters, another 3D wall, and patterns inside Yellow Leaf provide an inviting ambiance that seems to make the dining experience a very enjoyable one.
We talked to 24-year-old Tyrene Mae Ilisan who graduated with a degree of Marketing, yet proceeded to take a culinary course at the International Culinary Arts (ICA). This is her first business venture and her mom Sandra was on hand to assist her in this enterprise. Her mother and grandmother also love the kitchen and they have influenced her passion on food.
Yellow Leaf’s specialties are the Baby Back Ribs and the Beef Salpicao. The secret to their food are in the sauce and marinade, which Tyrene herself concocts out of her own recipe. The restaurant also offers salads, sandwiches and pastas. Among the dishes that we tried were Cheesy Beef Nachos, Cesar Salad, Tuna Salad, Garlic Parmesan and Buffalo Wings, Pork Adobo Flakes, Sizzling Chicken Sisig, Baked Chicken Pesto, Chorizo Pesto Pasta, Con Tonno, and Dynamite Sticks.Their crepes are popular as well to diners as we had the Nuttella Crepe. For the drinks, they have interesting milkshake flavors with the strawberry milkshake as my favorite. They also have Green Tea Matcha Coffee-free Frappe and Cookies and Cream.
Deck #1, The Boxes
Operating hours: 11:30am to 11pm
Facebook page
+63 917 302 2748
Bok’s Restobar
A post with directional signs caught my fancy as we arrived at the façade of Bok’s Restobar. The inner area appeared to be a lounge bar. But what makes Bok’s interiors interesting are the materials from cars and vehicles that were used as design accents or purposeful tool within the restaurant. There was this faucet using the handle from a gasoline station.
The sisters tandem of Tracy Kate and Jennifer Lorraine Flores worked really well for the restobar. Tracy was more into managing the business and the books while Jennifer is a Hotel Management graduate who loves to experiment in the kitchen. They call each other “boks” as their term of endearment, thus the name Bok’s Restaurant came about.
Different food specialties were served, such as the Pollo Panna, Fried Isaw, Chicken Skin, Spicy Chicken Cheese, French Fries (which is pure potato), Tuna Aglio Olio, Rosemary Chicken, Pepper and Garlic Pork Ribs, Mongolian Beef, Bok’s Supreme Burger, and the Maskin Ano Platter. Bok’s Restobar makes their own sinamak, or vinegar with spices. For the drinks, they have Kerosene, or a gin-based drink with lemonade flavor, and Premium, which is a vodka-based drink with orange juice, as some of the favorites. They also do their own ice cream with alcoholic drinks. It is called the Heartbreak Kit, which is a choice between Avocado Tequila and Mango Vodka. They have Filipino cuisine, but they also have kimchi, something to pair with meat dishes. And every 25th of the month, Bok’s Restobar offers 25% off on their Chicken Skin. We capped our dinner here with the Bok’s Pudding with Ice Cream.
Deck #2, The Boxes
Operating hours: 4pm to 2am – Tuesdays to Sundays
Facebook page
(+63 34) 213 0774
Tiffany’s Confections
A small garden fills the front yard and façade of Tiffany’s Confections. The interiors are immaculate: white walls with full glass windows and live plants on shelves, along with some magazines, books and decors. It is very homey, like just having coffee in your friend’s place.
Tiffany Ann Yapjoco Mombay herself was present to show us their offerings. There are cakes of various kinds and some hot snacks as well. Their business makes sure that they source local raw materials, particularly the spinach for their dip and the squash for their cake.
Their sweet goodies include the Chocolate Hazelnut Cheesecake, Squash Cake, Mango Cheesecake and their Chocolate Caramel Crush. They also have Bruschetta and Spinach Dip, Baked Zittie, and Parmesan-crusted Pesto Mozzarella Sandwich, along with coffee drinks and other hot and cold beverages.
Deck #3, The Boxes
Operating hours: 2pm to 10pm – Sundays to Thursdays; 2pm to 11pm – Fridays and Saturdays
Facebook page
+63 922 800 8178
Chateau Al Fresco Restobar
As we took the elevated area of Chateau Al Fresco Restobar, the wine room immediately caught my attention. A variety of bottles filed its walls and shelves. On the opposite side, a band was playing their music. The bartender was busy mixing drinks at the bar.
Rhea Mae Villagracia had us taste some of their dishes. Catering to small and large groups alike, Chateau has a family bundle offering for 4 to 5 persons. This includes a platter of Spareribs, Pancit Efuven, Whole Chicken, rice, iced tea and desserts. As to their other specialties in their menu, they also have Sisig Platter, Mozzarella Cheese Sticks with Parmigiana Dip, Calzone and Chicken Skin.
It’s not just the band that can entertain you for the night. The mixologist stacked wine glasses on top of another and made a fountain of fire, which looked like a flaming Lamborghini tower. Yes you read it right, they have flaming beverages at the Chateau to add spark into your dining experience.
Deck #4, The Boxes
Operating hours: 6pm to 2am – Mondays to Sundays
Facebook page
+63 908 962 4975
Fafi’s House of Chili Crab
The bar area is filled with decors depicting Singapore. It was a wonder why they had that until the owners, the Supnad family, intimated that they lived in Singapore for about 10 years, with their head, Bong Supnad, having worked in restaurants and hotels there. Bong was called Fafi by their friends in the Filipino community, thus, the name of their food joint.
The whole family is involved in the business. Bong’s wife, Dahlia, told us the ins and outs of their business. They have a high standard when it comes to choosing the crab and the prawns. Since, they do not come in great magnitude, it is advisable that you pre-order to make sure you get a crack on that chili crab.
It’s like a taste of Singapore in Bacolod. For travelers and foodies out there, you know you’ve never been to Singapore unless you have tasted their Chili Crab. I did, once in 2006 and again in 2013, at the famed Clarke Quay area. So, it was a joy to have a taste of it again, this time in Bacolod, as I skipped a chili crab dinner during my very recent September 2017 Singapore trip. They also served us some prawns with chili and beef nachos. Also, we tasted their Baby Back Ribs as they also have meat in their menu. One interesting detail is that they grow their own curry tree, just within the vicinity of their restaurant box.
Deck #5, The Boxes
Operating Hours: 5pm to 12am
Facebook page
+63 915 204 5944
Stow Away Restobar
While the structure of Stow Away Restobar is of simple design, but it’s food is far from simple. They have Pinoy cuisine that are perfect to pair with your favorite drinks. Bulalo Steak, Beef Steak, Stow Away Steak and Stow Away Tapa are some of the meat favorites. Seafood like Calamares and Kinilaw Tangigue are also must-try.
Stow Away has an open ambiance that makes it welcoming to its diners. The elevated bar doubles as a mini-stage for its band, that provides beat and melody to one’s dining experience.
The young owner, Carrie Yulo, is a graduate of Hotel Management but she always wanted to put up a business of her own, thus, her venture, Stow Away Restobar.
Deck #6, The Boxes
Operating hours: 5:30pm to 2am
Facebook page
+63 917 701 6155
Sugureta Bar and Restaurant
Sugureta is a Japanese word that means “great” or “excellent”. Sugureta Bar and Restaurant is named as such because they are offering Japanese food as well as Filipino cuisine. Plus, the owner is married to a Japanese. Her mom, Mrs. Marjune Rivera, showed us around the place.
While a live band entertains diner at the lower floor, those at the second floor enjoy some videoke singing. The bar features some Japanese designs that remind customers that aspect of the restaurant.
Those who prefers Japanese food can take a look at their Japanese offerings, such as Sukiyaki, which we tasted, Shrimp Tempura, Oyako Don, California Maki, and Gyoza, among many others. But we know that some Pinoy “pulutan” are best paired with drinks, so they also have Nachos, Chicharong Bulaklak (or pig’s skin), Onion Rings and Potato Fries.
Deck #8, The Boxes
Operating hours: 5pm to 1am
Facebook page
+63 947 505 0556
Retro KTV and Bar
Retro KTV and Bar is the only bar here with several private KTV rooms (and the only one I have visited prior to this food crawl). They have 7 KTV rooms have distinct colors and patterns. It’s a psychedelic theme that takes you back to the 80’s and the 90’s. You’ll never miss Barbie, the barbiecuehan, which is in fact the façade of a 1970 Volkswagen restored by Bacolod’s Arthur “Shane” Cooper, where they do the grilling.
Drinking Coach Manuel Yulo Barandiaran enthusiastically met us again and shared with us updates on Retro KTV and Bar. They still have their fun and music-oriented food menu, like the Justin Biebercue (pork barbecue), Meat Me Halfway (Spam fries/meat sticks), and the Alicia Cheese (mozzarella cheese sticks).
The creativity extends to their drinks. The iced tea, Linteani, put a fun spin on a Hiligaynon expression (which is actually cursing). There’s Berry Namit, or strawberry cocktail, which includes the Hiligaynon word for delicious. Manuel is open to more name suggestions, so you can drop him a note if you can think of any.
Deck #10, The Boxes
Operating hours: 5pm to 2am
Facebook page
+63 916 204 8416
Pon’s Restobar
The ground floor area of Pon’s Restobar is filled with gravel, with string of lights hanging above, opening up to the skies. But the upper floor has a private room with a nice interior decor, which is suitable for meetings or special occasions, and an open space veranda that has a view of the road.
Pon’s is owned by the Bibars, by the matriarch, in particular, but it was her daughters that walked us through their menu. It’s mostly Filipino cuisine in their food list. They have appetizers, meals with rice, platters, and barkada treats. In short, they have different offerings for individuals and for groups.
They have Kinilaw, Chicharong Bulaklak, Cheese Sticks, Calamares, Bonnie’s Fried Chicken, Grilled Chicken and Shrimp Sinigang in their menu. As for drinks, they have a colorful and flavorful selection, especially with their shakes and frappes.
Deck #11, The Boxes
Facebook page
+63 927 667 4382
The Dee Loo Restobar and Grill
The Dee Loo is a play of words on “daddy lo(lo)” referring to the patriarch of the Mondres. His wife is an Umbao, of the famed Umbao in Manokan Country that has been around since the 1980’s. Teresita Umbao-Mondres welcomed us to their cozy spot in The Boxes and introduced us to Daddy Lo, her hubby, and to their children, who are part of the business as well.
The lower floor has partitions, but in such a way that it’s still open. There’s an elevated portion, which is the bar counter area. The upper deck though is another matter. It is very spacious there and a great place to dine under the stars (as long as it doesn’t rain).
One cannot miss the Umbao Chicken Inasal in their menu. But they also have starters, burgers and sandwiches, sizzlers, soups, main entry and desserts. Their specialties, apart from the Chicken Barbecue, are the Kilawin, Calamares, Loaded Nachos, Baby Back Ribs, The Dee Loo Beefy Cheese Burger, and The Dee Loo Special Sinigang.
Deck #12, The Boxes
Operating hours: 4pm to 2am
Facebook page
+63 917 126 1167
Next time you are in Bacolod, make sure that you drop by at The Boxes in the Marketplace. Take a pick from these food havens, or try all their specialties, for a filling food crawl in the City of Smiles.