PASALUBONG FROM ZAMBOANGA: ZAMBO ROLLS / LOKOT-LOKOT

Here is a pasalubong from Zamboanga: ZAMBO ROLLS as it is now called, maybe for easier recall.

But of course, it is the good ole Locot-locot (or Lokot-lokot) which is usually given during Hariraya Puasa or Eidilfitri.

Now, it is readily available at the airport, so for those who weren't able to grab a pasalubong, you can get it at the airport.

Here is how the Locot-locot is now being packaged!

And note the Zamboanga City beauty and historical spots also printed on the box as "Recuerdos de Zamboanga".

 

 

From Taluksangay Muslim Delicacies in Facebook, we learn more about the Locot-locot.

The Muslim communities in the Zamboanga Peninsula are known for the variety of delicacies they produce during special occasions, especially the “Hariraya” or the feast of the Eid-il-Fitr, which celebrates the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. Foremost among the goodies is the golden brown curious-looking “locot-locot” or “jaa” as the villagers call them. A lot of people actually consider it as the “queen” of the delicacies because it is the most popular and frequently asked for by guests.

Making locot-locot requires a lot of time and hard work. First the grains of rice have to be pounded into flour. Then the correct proportions of water and sugar are added to create a gooey mixture which is poured into a container made of coconut shell with regular small holes at the bottom, all the while it is poised above a frying pan filled with hot oil. As it turns golden brown it is deftly and expertly folded and shaped in the pan with a couple of wooden spoons to create the desired look. Watching a cook do the locot-locot is like watching an artist in motion.

You have to try this out!!!

HARIRAYA PUASA GIFT: MUSLIM DELICACIES

We received a gift from a colleague for Hariraya Puasa which I would like to share with you.

And here is the gift. It is a set of Muslim delicacies - the lokot-lokot, the baulu and the black sweet, which I have not been introduced to.

Lokot-lokot. Lokot usually means rolled in my Visayan dialect. And the unique look of this Lokot- lokot has the appearance of fried vermicelli or bihon.

From this site: Taluksangay Muslim Delicacies in Facebook, I read more about the lokot-lokot.

Making locot-locot requires a lot of time and hard work. First the grains of rice have to be pounded into flour. Then the correct proportions of water and sugar are added to create a gooey mixture which is poured into a container made of coconut shell with regular small holes at the bottom, all the while it is poised above a frying pan filled with hot oil. As it turns golden brown it is deftly and expertly folded and shaped in the pan with a couple of wooden spoons to create the desired look. Watching a cook do the locot-locot is like watching an artist in motion.

Baulu. They say the baulu is a Malay traditional mini sponge cake usually baked during the Hariraya season. 

I don't know the name of this black delicacy. someone told me this is "black gulaman" but I am not sure if she was right. Can anybody help me?

I enjoyed these delicacies.

It is good the Lokot-lokot has found its place as one of Zamboanga City's pasalubong.

I see Baulu only during the Hariraya season. It would be good to see this more.

Thanks for this gift!

HAVE YOU TRIED THE PEPSI POGI?

A break from the tour outside the Philippines!

Just saw this in Gaisano Mall in Davao City! Even in Davao, some didn't even notice it yet. The salesgirl hasn't tasted it yet but she said it is often advertised in TV.

Well, we know Zamboanga always lags behind with new products so just want to share!

It is quite unique since it looks like "gasoline" or diluted iced tea! 

I find the name funny too! And note the design with the two hands with the "Laban" sign. 

Can you imagine this Pepsi Pogi in other parts of the world?

Sort of taste likes the Mountain Dew type of drink.

Well, it is up to you to try it when you see it!!!

PARISIAN CAFÉ ALONG THE CHAMPS ELYSÉES

As they say, for glory and grandeur, the Champs-Elysées in Paris is the most famous avenue in the world.

When before, this was the meeting place for politicians and intellectuals, the Champs-Elysées has now given way to a generally commercial atmosphere, with huge name brands lining up the avenue, including Mc Donalds, car companies and even the famous Lido cabaret show.

 

It is also lined with the Parisian cafés, which is possibly one of the most famous image of the City of Lights.

http://gofrance.about.com/od/parisdining/ig/Paris-Cafe-Picture-Gallery/Cafe-on-the-Champs-Elys-es.htm

Paris cafes are possibly the most well-known image of the City of Light. The Paris Cafe is more than a place to sip coffee. It is an institution in Paris, it is a magnet for tourists, it is a cultural phenomenon. No trip to Paris is complete without a relaxing, long sit with some fascinating people-watching at a Paris cafe. 

Here is what I found about Parisian Cafés in Wikipedia:

Parisian cafés serve as a center of social and culinary life in Paris. They have been around for centuries in one form or another, the oldest one still in operation is "Café Procope" at 13 Rue Ancienne Comédie, since 1686.

Paris cafés are the meeting place, the neighborhood hub, the conversation matrix, the rendez-vous spot, the networking source, a place to relax or to refuel - the social and political pulse of the city.

The café business sometimes doubles as a “bureau de tabac”, a tobacco shop that sells a wide variety of merchandise, including metro tickets and prepaid phone cards.

Typical Paris cafés are not “coffee shops”. They generally come with a complete kitchen offering a restaurant menu with meals for any time of the day, a full bar and even a wine selection.

Paris cafés crystallize the quintessential Parisian way of sitting undisturbed for a couple of hours, delightfully watching the world go by.

These are among the cafés.

We finally chose one of the cafés just to try it out.

Interestingly, the one we chose is Bistro Romain, which is described as the ever popular Italian-ish bistro-restaurant chain ( and not the Parisian one!).

The word Bistro from Wikipedia means this:

A bistro (French: [ˈbiːstrəʊ]), sometimes spelled bistrot, is, in its original Parisian incarnation, a small restaurant serving moderately priced simple meals in a modest setting. Bistros are defined mostly by the foods they serve. Home cooking with robust earthy dishes, and slow-cooked foods like cassoulet are typical. 

We chose it because there was space and the pavement terrace umbrellas looked airy.

Just want to share their menu. 

 

 

This is what we ate for dinner (It is still so bright even at 7 p.m. because sunset is at 9:30 p.m.). You will notice it is not just a coffee shop but a restaurant as well.

Pleasure Duo

Caesar's Salad with Marinated Chicken

Veal Escalope Milanese

Tiramisu and Coffee

The food taste good and the portions are really large and even the salad itself is already filling because the chicken chunks are very visible. 

So for those who don't eat a lot, don't order combo meals such as this!

Such a filling meal!!!

But most of all, the experience is most valuable!

LE PRÉ CATALAN LE RESTAURANT, PARIS

The Le Pré Catalan Le Restaurant in Paris is a very beautiful place which looks like a classic manor, but its greatest added attraction is the very green park at the back with very tall trees and refreshing air!

Here is something about the Le Pré Catalan from their site:

http://www.precatelanparis.com/salons/fr/index.php

Nestled in the heart of the Bois de Boulogne, a luxurious Napoleon III pavilion houses the Pre Catelan.Jewel of Lenôtre, it is named Théophile Catelan, hunting captain of Louis XVI. 
Inaugurated in 1905, the Pre Catelan, with its sublime dining, numerous lounges, Caran d'Ache drawings, sculptures Badin and other reliefs, was immediately a huge success.

Thirteen rooms arranged for private functions or business meetings: an area of 32 to 800 m2, they can receive a score of people in some 1,400 guests, as part of a cocktail, for example. 
Havre Peace and place of magical meeting, the Pré Catelan has everything to seduce you: a prestigious setting for exceptional events, in a green setting just minutes from the Champs-Elysées.

I'd like to share their interior design...

Where we had the cocktails...

And here is the forest-like park...

And as dusk was coming...

The place is indeed very beautiful and a nice change from the old world buildings that we have been to the past days!