An escape to any Two Seasons property in the Philippines is not complete without experiencing the delicious offerings of their restaurants. The new Two Seasons Coron Bayside located in Coron Town, Palawan, is no different, showcasing all things good at BAYA Resto Lounge.
At this new Two Seasons property in Coron Town (the other two being in Boracay and in Coron Island), it is all about the life aquatic. The hotel's reception area has a backdrop inspired by Coron Island’s limestone formation, while the lobby has a display of antique dive helmets, even a 1.8-ton anchor.
The under the sea theme also carries on to the hotel's signature restaurant, BAYA Resto Lounge, the ceiling coming to life with customized jellyfish lightings that seemingly undulate as the lights change color. While having breakfast or lunch at BAYA will let you enjoy the view of the infinity pool and Coron Bay, dinnertime becomes a little more magical with the glowing lights.
If you're a loyal fan of Two Seasons Boracay's food, then you will definitely feel much at home at Two Seasons Coron Bayside. The menu of Baya in Coron and BarLO in Boracay are nearly identical, while the Coron Island Resort offers several specialties exclusive to the island. Across all three properties, the ultimate best-seller is the famous Four Cheese Pizza (P580), everyone's default pizza to order whenever they're traveling Boracay).
Another bestseller at Two Seasons is their deliriously delicious sizzling Oyster Sisig, but this is only available in Boracay–there are no suppliers of fresh oysters in Coron. But do consider a mouthwatering alternative when you find yourself in BAYA: try the Lengua Sisig (P350), and in no time it will be one of your favorites.
Aside from the iconic and most Instagrammed cheesy pizza in Boracay, another kid-friendly dish to try is BAYA's take on the spaghetti and meatballs, Pasta Polpette al Forno (P420). This chef's recommendation takes a classic tangy pomodoro sauce and combines it with baked meatballs stuffed with mozzarella cheese.
If you're feeling a little homesick for comfort food you can pair with rice, then BAYA will make your tummy very pleased. Their menu spans different cuisines, and their Filipino dishes are always solid picks as they are done well. Spend the evening nursing a bowl of pleasantly sour Sinampalukang Manok (P350), a classic soup of tamarind broth and chicken to soothe your soul. Or go the pork-laden route with the crunchy classics best shared with a big group over some beer — there's deep-fried Crispy Pata (P800), and an excellent Lechon Kawali (P520), both highly recommended. The lechon kawali gets my vote for this round because it comes with shrimp paste fried rice topped with more pieces of pork.
When you're dining at any Two Seasons hotel, you need to sample their seafood dishes and their exotic specialty: a selection of crocodile dishes, using farm-grown Palawan crocodile fed daily with chicken and pork. Don't be afraid to try croc meat because it's very similar to chicken, actually — more white meat than dark, with a firmer texture; and because it is not gamey and won't leave any strong taste in the mouth, is enjoyed best with different sauces and seasonings to make each bite less bland. Try BAYA's Crocodile Barbecue (P910) marinated with Asian spices finished with a barbecue glaze, Stir-Fried Crocodile Strips (P590) with rice or a personal favorite, Crocodile in Coconut Milk (P250) served with rice.
A trip to a tropical island isn't complete without some seafood on the plate, so load up on the freshest catch and try something new while dining at BAYA in Coron. During our three-day stay at the hotel, I couldn't get enough of the Spicy Pugita (P430) that I had three meals (two lunches and one dinner!) devouring it. It's local octopus thinly sliced, cooked in coconut milk laced with Asian spices, and served with rice (you'll need lots of it because this dish is really spicy). Another delicious centerpiece for dinner is Lobster (seasonal), and at the restaurant, you can have it cooked three different ways: steamed with chili garlic and lemon butter sauce; grilled with butter, chili garlic, and lemon butter sauce; or Thermidor (French style, lobster stuffed with sautéed lobster meat).
A sunny island trip in the country will leave one yearning for the classic halo-halo, but its humbler sister mais con hielo is quite the stunner at BAYA. While the Maiz Con Hielo (P250) is less colorful and comes with minimal ingredients (sweet corn kernels, sugar, milk, ice, a topping of leche flan) compared to the popular "mix-mix," this version becomes extra delightful on the palate because its ice is thinly shaved like Korean bingsu, making every spoonful a feathery melt-in-your-mouth experience. You must end your meal at BAYA with this one — it's a mood booster that will keep you fueled and happy for your island adventures around Coron.
BAYA Resto Lounge
Posted by Two Seasons Coron Bayside Hotel on Wednesday, December 7, 2016
BAYA Resto Lounge is located at the ground level of Two Seasons Coron Bayside Hotel, National Road, Barangay Tagumpay, Coron Town, Palawan. Visit twoseasonsresorts.com, like Two Seasons Coron Bayside Hotel on Facebook (/twoseasonsbaysidehotel) and follow on Instagram (@twoseasonsphilippines).
