A dear reader, EPZA, sent me an email introducing herself & invited us over for a seafood dinner at her family resto in Balanga, Bataan while we were billeted at Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar Heritage Resort during the long weekend. My heart overfloweth with the kindness of my readers who, over time, actually become friends. Thank you so much for giving importance to the GOppets and for loving us so. We truly appreciate your warmth. <3
Since we were practically strangers to Bataan, we really didn’t know where to eat, what to see, where to go. So this invitation was humbly & graciously accepted by the lot (12 pax! Imagine that – feeding an army). Add to the fact that Epza, who is actually based in Antipolo attending to their family business & just heads to Bataan from time to time, made a special balikan trip pa for our seafood get-together dinner!
Aurora’s Restaurant has been in the business for more than 10 years. And even though Madam Fely was the founder, she named it after a friend, Aurora, who must have been her lucky charm because hinahanap at dinadayo pa talaga itong kainan sa Bataan!
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Aurora’s Restaurant
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With madam Fely & our girl Epza. If like me, you are curious about her unique name, then yes. It really stands for Export Processing Zone. Her parents Jose & Felicidad Curameng named her EPZA since their business exporting garments to the US lifted off sky high & they became successful in their venture. Ibinahagi nila ang swerte kay Epza. 🙂 Unfortunately, kuya Joe was already resting in his quarters so I didn’t get to meet the other half that formed Epza into the wonderful lady that she is now.
We started off with Sinigang na Baboy. Not just any ordinary sinigang na baboy mind you. The pork (with rinds!!) was first fried before incorporated into the soup -that’s why it was so crunchy.
Chili Crab. I ate 1 whole, wa ako paki sa cholesterol. Aligue and all. It was SO GOOD! Nagdala naman ako ng gamot, bakit ba. I came prepared hehe.
Madam Fely was so thoughtful & considerate to think of making a plain batch of Steamed Crabs for guests who weren’t into spicy food. Thank you so so much! <3
On to big, fat, juicy Prawns Sauteed in Garlic. I must have seemed quiet -which as you know is not normal for me, but I was really so busy peeling off the shell & concentrating on stuffing my fez that I was oblivious to my surroundings, lol.
Again, madam Fely was so thoughtful. She prepared 3 ways of cooking itik. This is my absolute favorite, the Aurora’s Especial na Itik in pineapple & peppers. Not only was it so flavorful, it was so tender as well. Parang kalapati lang ang peg!
But! I also loved this Adobong Itik with gizzard, liver, and heart. I took so much delight in this. Napa-extra rice na naman ako. Waaa! My bulging tummy is so not happy with me.
Best seller with the kids is this no-frills Fried Itik. Malinamnam at ubod ng sarap.
Madam Fely, in spite of her many businesses, loves gardening. In fact, she grows her own mushrooms (among many others) & we were treated to this yummy dish. Mushroom with Ampalaya & Hipon. I really didn’t know which to eat first. I kept changing plates, nakakahiya! 😛
Madam Fely took a wild guess & served us Calderetang Kambing. Baa-aa-aaa. I know kawawaa-aa-aaa. Pero ang sarap eh. Walang bahid ng lansa.
Our personal fiesta spread! <3 WOW! Onli in da Pilipins!
Because we were clueless on how to eat this, nobody touched the (alupihang dagat ???) Which was a shame..
So madam Fely taught us how to crack it open to get to the succulent meat. Busog na busog talaga kami sa pagkain at pagmamahal. <3 What a wonderful, wonderful family! May the good Lord bless you even more.
And just when we thought we couldn’t eat any more, out came dessert. Akala ko nga for sharing. Nope. Their generosity knows no bounds. Tig-isa talaga kami! Halo-halo, yaaaaay! *insert my drooling pic here*
Even my figure-conscious girls tucked into their halo-halo with delight. Inubos talaga!
My oh my mommy, you’ve been having far too many birthday celebrations ah. 🙂 I was happy to see my mom eat more than her fair share. So talagang masarap because she kept reaching out for more aside from what I put on her plate.
So happy I also got to meet Epza’s equally pretty sister, EFGEE (FG). Oh yes, also named after another one of their businesses. :)) Mga may dalang swerte talaga ang mga anak ni madam Fely.
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Thank you so much Epza, and of course Mr. Jose “Joe” & Mrs. Felicidad “Fely” Curameng, for your kind hospitality. By the way, this wonderful couple just celebrated their wedding anniversary last August 30 proving that yes.. mayroong forever! 😉
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Lovely couples Bernard & Epza, Mang Joe & Aling Fely.
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Til our next food trip! :-*
11 Comments
Wow Jane, if you’re raving about Filipino food, then it must be really, really good! Nakakapanglaway just reading your post and looking at the pics. And si mommy (feeling close! hahaha…) ang daming nakain! Yey! Ang layo lang nga! Pero will keep this in mind if we decide to go to Bataan.
Enjoy your vacation! Ingat sa laglag-bala pag-uwi. =)
October 31, 2015 at 9:26 amOmg Niel I fell in love with Itik! Hooong soroooop. And sususian ko ang mga bagahe ng hindi mapanghimasukan, anti-bullets ako hehe.
October 31, 2015 at 4:43 pmFood looks yummmehhh! Who could have known na may ganito sa bataan? Kaming taga probinsya ng laguna ay clueless of such a beautiful place. Cant wait to plan our next family road trip! Thanks for sharing ms jane! 🙂
October 31, 2015 at 3:46 pmYaaaay! I’m glad. Do visit Aurora’s on your next trip to Bataan please Lucy & kindly say “Hi” to the lovely family for me. Mwah! :-*
October 31, 2015 at 4:42 pmOMG! Bataan is my hometown and dito ako nakatira until college! Yang fatty crabs ang lagi kong pinapaluto kay Mama tuwing uuwi ako samin. Pati na rin yung alupihang dagat -palpatok/tatampal po ang tawag namin dyan. Nakakagutom! Dapat kasi may hacienda din kami para sana nainvite din kita Mommy Jane… with Jonah. ?
November 1, 2015 at 3:52 amhahahahaha you are so cute! Sige gora invite us na please dalhin ko si Jonah sya ang gate pass ko for free lunch! ;))
November 1, 2015 at 9:44 amWe really really enjoyed having you over–buti Irene mentioned that you guys were heading over to Bataan. My mom has been asking about you nga eh. Masyado siya natuwa sa inyo. You’re very nice people daw. 🙂 We’re happy you guys liked the food, and Ef also natuwa kay Jonah. HAHAHA. And it was a delight seeing your mom eat the pancit and the shrimp, even the itik and the buko-halohalo. 🙂 Thank you, thank you for coming over!! We hope we see you again soon. 🙂
I hope you’re enjoying you’re HK vacation. Will head over there too first week of December for a short break (to eat and eat and eat). Excited for your posts and restaurant recommendations.
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November 2, 2015 at 8:33 amMy boyfriend had a good laugh na napasama pa siya sa blog post. 😛
Epzaaaaa!! We need to go on a date soon with your fambam please. Laki ng utang ko sa inyo hehe grabe ang kain namin! Wowwww sarap to HK in December, malamig na. Now it’s Manila weather mainit pa. Hope to see you soon mwah!! :-* Love to all!
November 2, 2015 at 3:17 pm*I hope you’re enjoying YOUR HK vacation.
Omg, yan nanaman, nagiging kahiya-hiya grammar ko–too excited to comment. haha.
Let’s set that date when you get back. 🙂
November 3, 2015 at 8:51 amOmo, I’m gonna’ tell my sis and bro-in-law (who’s from Dinalupihan) about this resto para makadayo ng lafang pag nagbakasyon sila. Hehehe… I know you’re not really into Filipino dishes but since the pictures and the post showed your happiness, the food must be really worth the long drive… Thanks for sharing this, Ms. Jane! Another must-visit resto in the North… 🙂
November 3, 2015 at 12:59 pmSuuuuper sarap everything in this resto Kei. And I never thought I’d like itik THIS much! <3
November 3, 2015 at 4:44 pm