Lilong and Lilang Restaurant and Coffee Shop: Hidden Garden at Vigan Ilocos Sur

When I was young, I used to spend most of my summers at my mom's home town in Ilocos Sur.  I don't have much recollections about the food places we've been to back then so last year, we Tsinoy Foodies, headed to Ilocos Sur after passing by La Union.  

One of the popular tourist destination in Vigan, Ilocos Sur is the Hidden Garden.

It's a bit far from the main district of Vigan City so you have to take a pedicab or kalesa to reach this.  There are many varieties of plants. 

It also show cases superb landscaping because it is owned by a famous landscape artistFrancis A. Flores.

All the plants are for sale. 


Some of these plants are new to me.  While, the others we have at home.  The price are a bit expensive since its clearly targeted towards tourists. 


They have an aviary too which is free and open for public viewing.


They also sell pottery items as souvenirs.

Lilong and Lilang Restaurant and Coffee Shop
After roaming around the Hidden Garden under the intense heat of the sunand after seeing all the tempting food advertisemnts hanged along the way, no doubt you'd be headed for Lilong and Lilang Restaurant and Coffee Shop.  It is found within the Hidden Garden.
The place has a native feel as you seat on the picnic style wooden tables with the plants and trees surrounding you.  The dining area is quite spacious with a capacity for more than a hundred diners.  As expected, they are also lots of insects so be sure to settle near a fan. 

Budget Meals

If you're on a tight budget, you can try their budget meals.

Vigan Empanada Corner

Fruit Shake Station

Food

Specialty of the House

Bagnet (170 php)

The Bagnet is one of Ilocos' famous deep-fried pork belly (kasim) dishes.But, this is the saddest Bagnet I have ever encountered.  The meat is to tough to eat as it is dark and over cooked.  The skin of the pork chunks is notvery crunchy too.

Trivia: According to my family and other locals of Ilocos,contrary to the popular belief of tourists, the best Bagnet is not really from Vigan. 

Sinanglao (130 php)

Sinanglao (130 php)

♥ Igado (130 php)

The Igado is an Ilocano dish with sliced pork, meat, liver and heart and cooked in their local adobo style.  It is sauteed in garlic and onion then stewed in soy sauce with vinegar, pepper, bayleaf and chickpeas.  This is dried and tasty, just like a local Ilocano would love it. But, I found its components a bit too tough to chew.


Ilocano Native Delicacies

Empanada(40 php)

The Vigan Empanada is coated in think dark brown coating and filled with vegetables.  The vegetables were crunchy.  But, the batter is a bit disappointing.  I loved those sold in the streets and markets better.  This is more expensive too. 


Desserts

Hidden Garden Native Halo-Halo (75 php)

The Hidden Garden Native Halo-Halo has a nice presentation since it is very colorful and served in a wooden bowl.  It is delicious and refreshing to eat.   It has a scoop of mango ice cream, jelly, sago, sweetened banana, cereal and coconut shreds. 

Fresh Fruit Shakes

Grapes(80 php)

The Grapes fruit shake is a perfect for the hot weather.  It is has a sweet blend too.

♥Melon (80 php)

The Melon fruit shake is nice and milky.  I'd prefer this over the Grapesfruit shake.

Buko Juice (40 php)

 The Buko Juice is also a great option.  The coconut they use are young so the juice is sweet and flavorful.


Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Lilong and Lilang Restaurant and Coffee Shop offers a nice and unique ambiance for tourists.  It's a must stop for the place but not for the food.  The food is not rave worthy especially in terms of pricing.   I'd personally dine there only for the sake of convenience.