TACLOBAN CITY | JO’S MILAGRINA
Just
before the door closes to the public, the images of chicken, whether live,
subject of paintings and installations greeted us at the main dining area. There were a number of diners on a mood for a
feast. And there we were about to
partake a mini-banquet after hours of
being in the road enroute to Tacloban City.
Finally
I am at Jo’s Milagrina, after a number of failed attempts of dining due to
conflicts of schedule whenever I go home to Tacloban City.
Passing
by the open-air dining area with artistic and colorful interiors, we know what
to expect then. It’s going to be a
lively and enjoyable dining experience.
Jo’s
Milagrina is a franchise of the Jo’s Chicken Inato. As an innovative
franchisee, they serve special cuisine that’s only available at Tacloban and
Ormoc City, Leyte.
We
were seated at the air-conditioned area of the restaurant to feast on these
specialties. The dining area has quite
an interesting interior design with an installation at one corner worthy of
appreciation not only because of its artistry and ingenuity but the patience on
installing the same.
The
fried kangkong had me at its
crispiness and no-trace-of-vegetable cooking
since I am not a fan of vegetables after all.
Even without any condiments or sauce, the fried kangkong will surely satisfy each diners’ palates, and that
includes the non-vegetarian like myself.
It was a good choice for a starter.
 |
| FRIED KANGKONG (PHP110.00) |
We
were served pinaputok na bangus, crispy dinuguan, sinuglaw, and super inato combo as main course choices.
 |
| SINUGLAW (PHP180.00) |
 |
| CHICKEN INATO COMBO (PAA) - (PHP125.00) |
The crispy dinuguan tasted like that of Kanin Club’s version, which I had tasted when I once dined at Ayala Triangle in Makati
City. It could rival actually with the
famed restaurants in Metro Manila serving a similar dish, and even surpass
it. I loved the crispiness of Jo’s
Milagrina version and how the pork meat very well complemented with the pig’s
blood, vinegar and spices. It has the
perfect taste for me. In no time, you
would lose count of the cups of rice consumed with this favorite Filipino pork
stew poured in it.
 |
| CRISPY DINUGUAN (PHP180.00) |
Pinaputok na bangus is only served in Eastern
Visayas franchise of Jo’s Chicken Inato.
So if you are looking for one in Dumaguete or other parts of the
country, you’ll be disappointed as it is only served in Tacloban and Ormoc
City.
 |
| PINAPUTOK NA BANGUS (PHP210.00) |
Buko halo, leche flan, mango pandan and turon with ice cream were for
desserts. Even before the desserts were
served, we were already full. But how
can I resist a gastronomically appealing dessert served on the table. And so the gluttony continues.
 |
| LECHE FLAN (PHP68.00) |
 |
| BUKO OR MANGO PANDAN (PHP80.00) |
Buko halo is served uniquely in a young coconut (buko) as the name implies. It is delicious and truly a must try when at
Jo’s Milagrina.
 |
| BUKO HALO (PHP130.00) |
Turon reminds me of my childhood in Tacloban City. Peddled on streets and vendors near our
school, we would frequently order this favorite Filipino snack. Jo’s Milagrina’s version is equally
delectable that it makes a good ender for the dining experience.
 |
| TURON WITH ICE CREAM (PHP80.00) |
We
were joined by the owners of the restaurant as we dine. Apart from sharing their culinary masterpiece
to the people of Tacloban and its visitors, they have shared the family’s
lineage and properties. The branch in
Tacloban City is actually built in a lot area the owners inherited from their
grandparents and father. The restaurant
is a collaboration of spouses Arnold and Apple, in partnership with the latter's brothers, Derrick and Jessuel.
There
is an almost 90-year old fountain as well positioned in the dining area that
was built by the owners’ great grandparents, Don Federico V. Larraga Sr. and
Dona Tinay F. Larraga. For those born
and raised in Tacloban City and has lived in the city for quite a long time,
this architectural piece reminds them of the good old memories of the city.
More
than the delectable cuisine, the restaurant serves as a rendezvous for catching
up with friends, a reunion with the family and even just an ordinary gathering. The cozy ambiance would make you want to stay
much longer.
Jo’s
Milagrina is definitely not your ordinary chicken-specialty restaurant.
Jo’s Milagrina
241
P. Burgos Street, Downtown, Tacloban City, 6500 Leyte
(053)
832-2042
Operating
hours: 11AM to 9PM
1 comments
Thanks Mark for this beautiful blog about our restaurant :) It's our first business venture with my brothers and it's working pretty well for everyone. Yes, JO's Milagrina as a whole serve other viands that are unique to our resto. Kaya Im happy you pointed that out. Tho of course we still have the house specialty Chicken Inato and Pork Inato which is available in all JO's Chicken Inato Restaurants.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, thanks again for coming. Even if pa closing na kami, you still came. It was such a pleasure joining you guys.