It’s been awhile since I've
savored my food again. I had been used in eating at fastfoods or eating inside
the car lately because my 5 year old doesn't seem to have the patience to sit through
a fine dining experience.
Anyway, I left my son in one of
the mall’s secured play area and wandered off to take a quick lunch. I have an
hour before hurrying back. Yes, it is one of the travails of a mother, always
in a hurry. Then I saw the newly opened Razon’s beside Inasal Chicken Bacolod. And I thought, it’s been years since I tasted their Halo Halo (this shaved ice concoction) so
I ambled my anxious feet there.
I ordered their Dinuguan (pig’s
blood stew) and puto (rice cake) even if Pancit Luglug would have been an easier choice because Razon’s seem to be famous for it, more on that
later. Anyway, their Dinuguan is a little light colored than the ones I usually have in
Red Ribbon or Goldilocks. It also had a surprising crunch. According to
one of the crew, it was pig cheeks. Hmm.. Interesting. But it tasted good, it added extra texture to the dish. Meanwhile, the Dinuguan's broth is filling and hearty, its restrained sourness complemented the sweetness of the
puto nicely.
Tasting the two is partaking two
distinct and opposite tastes that go well together. The Dinuguan had a more
masculine appeal to it, hardy and meaty while the puto radiated delicateness by being soft and sweet.
Unlike the usual puto that is coarse or crumbly this one
was smoother, almost melting in your mouth, its daintiness tastefully complemented the musky Dinuguan. Come to think of it, even their colors clash, black and
white. Wow, I’m describing them like
they’re people, what’s wrong with me? J But if they were people, they would make a great
team.
Moving on, the Halo Halo was
also different from the usual. Unlike some where the ingredients are
staggering, this one had their trio, the dayap flavored leche flan, the
sweetened saba and the macapuno strips. What makes this Halo Halo stand out
beside the simple ingredients is its shaved ice. It melts easily than the other
ice shavings I encountered. How they do that, I don’t know. With the other Halo
Halos, you have to strike the ice a little forcefully to get through and
take on the buried sago (tapioca balls), saba, camote, ube and other treats.
Here it doesn’t take much, no ice axe needed, thank you.
Moreover, they have perfected
their Halo Halo blend, their signature mixture of milk and sugar is all inside
that glass. If you find it sweet or wanting for more milk, it’s your call but
for me, it’s all good. I don’t need to figure it out, I like it as it
is.
Then we go to the Pancit Luglug.
Actually, I came back here, merienda time just to taste this. And well, I’m not
smitten, sorry. It was a plate of noodles with orange sauce peppered with
chicharon bits and topped with egg slices. The sauce was not exactly superb so
I don’t want to dwell on it much. But hey, to each his own, it’s been around
for many years and some people seem to like it, so there.
Overall, the Dinuguan and Puto
and Halo Halo were my highlights for Razon’s. It made me needle for more time
to savor them. An hour lessened by waiting time doesn’t seem enough. I want to
spend more time relishing it, enjoying it. Then I heard some oldtimers impatiently
waiting for their orders and harassing the waiters. Maybe they just needed a
quick bite, too bad. And I wonder, what’s the rush?
They don’t look like harried mothers with whiny toddlers in tow. This type of
food needs to be cherished and lingered upon. It's a small luxury we can give to ourselves, something we should indulge in once in a while because really, who wants to eat in a hurry? J
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