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You don’t have to travel far and all over Pampanga to find this province’s unique food specialties

Where to go for real Pampangan cuisine

10/27/2008

Pampanga has a distinguished culinary heritage that has made it a favorite destination for food lovers seeking homegrown Filipino fare. When in this province, those in the know make it a point to eat Aling Lucing’s sisig specialties by the riles in Angeles City, or the chicharon in Guagua, among other flavorful specialties.

Inspired by the Pampangans’ love for food and celebrations, the people behind the successful Robinsons Starmills Pampanga, which is fast earning the reputation as the “outlet destination” of the North, decided to make the same mall “the place to go” for authentic Pampangan fare.

Just a year after launching Starmills’ roster of local and international outlet stores, the food strip proudly named Fiesta Kapampangan opened last Sept. 26 at the ground level of the mall complex, replacing Max’s and Racks restaurants.

“We wanted to enliven this area,” revealed Melody Joson de la Cruz, group property manager of Robinsons Starmills Pampanga. “So far the food tenants have been happy with the turnout since opening last month.”

Specialty zone

There are currently nine stalls in the food strip, six with cooking stations and three wall spaces. According to De la Cruz, it took them months to put together the selection of tenants, asking locals for Pampanga’s specialties and scouring the province to look for them. The different generations’ mastery of their respective Kapampangan recipes was major consideration for being a part of this exceptional dining destination.

“Aling Lucing, for example, the pioneer and inventor of the famous sisig in the 1970s and referred to as the ‘Queen of Sisig,’ never ventured out of Angeles until now. The owners were not too eager at first to open an outlet in a mall. They have been successful as they are, but we convinced them that this would increase people’s awareness of their product. When we were planning the Aling Lucing Sisig, we helped developed more varieties of the sisig. From Aling Lucing’s signature pork, chicken and beef sisig, to sisig kambing, tahong and bangus, we have 14 different kinds now. These are found only at Starmills.”

Rowena Panganiban, daughter of Aling Lucing’s franchise owner Angelito Ong, is very excited to see loyal customers explore their interesting lineup of sisig fares they can never taste anywhere else in the world.

“Our roster of Fiesta Kapampangan food tenants are highly-acclaimed as pioneers and no doubt, ‘the best of the best’ in Pampanga. Their homegrown recipes are great culinary treasures, passed on from one generation to the other as they consistently gratify the palates of locals and tourists through the years,” adds De la Cruz. “Now, you can savor their original taste in one gastronomic destination.”

Other unbeatable Pampangan indulgences are the crispy pata and bulalo combo. At Cecilia’s Crispy Pata and Bulalohan, they only cook these the Pampangan way, generous in ingredients and always served hot and tasty. Owners Jerryvin and Maria Cecille Valencia also encourage visitors to try out their ginataang hipon Kapampangan and lumpia crispy pata for a healthier option.

Mejicano’s Grill is another unique addition at Fiesta Kapampangan as it offers mouth-watering grilled fares in combo servings. Councilor Rex Calma of Mexico, Pampanga, the proud owner, offers bestsellers like Pampanga-style grilled liempo with lagat puso and chicken barbecue with chopsuey. Another exotic must-try is their grilled tugak betute (frog stuffed with ground pork).

Pampangan cuisine is also known for all-time favorite comfort foods such as arroz caldo, dinuguan and puto and pancit palabok. At Kanan Kapampangan, they offer a wide range of these dishes at very affordable prices. Kanan Kapampangan is also home for authentic Pampangan kakanin selections such as rice cakes, ube alea, maja blanca and tamalis.

For take home products, you can visit Navarro’s Taba ng Talangka kiosk. Popular among foreign and local customers, they offer taba ng talangka (crab paste), burong hipon (fermented shrimp), atsara (pickled papaya) and dalag. The taba ng talangka is a famous ingredient in most Pampangan specialties such as their over the top version of palabok. Most of the products are made from fresh shore crab so customers are assured of quality products in every buy.

Also a hit among balikbayans is Edelyn’s Homemade Nuts, a business that started in the small town of Minalin, Pampanga. Among their top-sellers are greaseless peanuts, cashew nuts and garlic chips. And to highlight your culinary adventure, it’s a must to grab authentic Pampangan pastries and delicacies at Emy’s Sweets and Pastries. Here, you can find original polvoron, tarts, baquirons and macaroons, which are also ideal for pasalubongs. For those craving for pizza, Hecano’s is the name to beat. Soon they will also open a place serving rice toppings specializing in different kinds of tapa, and a local coffee shop called La Manila.

“We want them to be known for their specialties, so we were careful to avoid duplication of items. This food strip is not a food court, but a bit more. Our food court is at the second floor. This strip has a different ambiance, comparable with a casual dining resto,” adds De la Cruz.

Shopping destination

The mall has always been known to exude Pampangan charm in all aspects. From its name Starmills, which gets its inspiration from the world-famous Pampanga Christmas lantern, to its entrance points, which are named after Pampanga’s famous city and towns such as Arayat, San Fernando and Candaba, the mall represents Pampanga in many wonderful ways.

“Make most out of your Robinsons Starmills Pampanga trip by checking out international brands offered at the mall,” says De la Cruz. Well-known brands like Mango, All Flip Flops, Rimini Fashion, Naturalizer and Florsheim, Plains & Prints and Bossini are just some of the notable brands that one can check out. “It is the shopper’s chance to get hold of last season’s top favorites. Feel free to rummage along racks of clothes, shoes, accessories and more fresh from the latest season collection and experience an unbelievable purchase as you pay for them in a very low deal.”

Newest additions to the interesting roster are Mogao and Space Boutique.

Mogao is a casual wear brand that originated in China where it now already has over 500 chain stores. With a world-class designing team, Mogao introduces over a thousand of new styles annually. They have a wide range of casual wear for both men and women. Ideal for casual day fashion, Mogao products promises comfort and style no other retail brand offers.

Local retail fashion player Space Boutique has always been known for their classic pieces with a modern twist. Every item in this boutique has a distinct charm that can outlast any trend and any season. Most of their pieces are also versatile that you can wear them from day to night. Their selection of tops in different colors and fabrics are perfect picks for an instant stylish ensemble.

Another local player in the roster is the award-winning Plains & Prints, which has been celebrating Pinay fashion for almost a decade now. Their outlet store will surely surprise customers with a wide range of both classic and trendy pieces ideal for any young professional’s office wardrobe and casual wear.

Rimini Italia (Terranova), a famous Italian retail brand that offers only the best of extraordinary and rebellious street fashion, is known for their cutting-edge fashion philosophy. In fact, it has won the hearts of the most stylish cities in the world. Terranova is perfect for those fashionistas who worship color and never anything in the basic. Check out their line of spunky jackets and sweaters ideal to complete your holiday wardrobe.

And, of course, who doesn’t love Mango? This Spanish fashion label continues to make ladies swoon over their exceptional collection of sophisticated and modern fashion cuts. Never failing to address the cosmopolitan market in every season collection, Mango has always been a closet staple for every urban woman. In their outlet store, you can check out an endless selection of bags, belts and accessories from the latest trends. Their collection of LBDs and modish shoes are also irresistible!

And since flip flops designs come and go, a visit at the All Flip Flops outlet store at Starmills is pure pleasure. Here, you can find almost every design that graced their flagship branches at discounted prices.

Another pride of Robinsons Starmills is the Retails Specialist Inc. outlet store, which carries three outstanding international brands in one huge store space — Florsheim, Naturalizer and Bossini. Florsheim Shoes for both men and women offers a product line that boast with quality and craftmanship. Their designs are especially crafted to outlast trends, and indeed, proof of being a classic in their very own look and cut. At Naturalizer, you can explore how fashion and comfort come together as they offer a signature line of comfortable and fashionable footwear. At their outlet store, you can purchase their signature comfy sandals, suede boots and authentic leather handbags at fabulous prices. Bossini, on the other hand, offers a complete line of comfortable apparel for very member of the family. And you are assured of their high-quality fabrics and casual classic designs.

Robinsons Starmills is definitely an absolute destination as it offers the best of both worlds — ultimate shopping and exquisite dining. Indeed, a multi-sensory experience of retail therapy and gastronomic indulgences only at Robinsons Starmills.