Ilocos Norte is known for its magnificent and charming architectural landmarks such as the world famous Paoay Church – declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Burgos Lighthouse. These treasures from the past have also become icons of their towns.

The province’s culinary traditions have also attracted and gained the interest of both visiting foodies and the consumer public. Ilocos Norte has become synonymous to the scrumptious biscocho (next to salt!) of Pasuquin, and the savoury empanadas of Batac – arguably the best in the entire Ilocos region. In my two recent trips to Ilocos Norte, I was once again reunited with my Ilocano roots and learn to fully appreciate its culture and culinary delights.

A wonderful new discovery here is Herencia Café. Herencia, which literally means “heritage”, is a restaurant that aims to remain as faithful to the traditional Ilocano cuisine by offering and serving authentic Ilocano dishes like pinakbet, igado, and bagnet among others. Herencia Café, situated right across the plaza of the historic Church of San Agustin (more popularly known as Paoay Church) in picturesque Paoay town, is Ilocos Norte’s new center for culinary tradition. Aside from popular Ilocano and other Pinoy dishes, Herencia’s menu features various entrees of Italian, Indian, and Spanish influences, as well as “fusion” concoctions.

In its effort to be on the forefront of the latest advancement in culinary development, Herencia whips up its own “fusion” delicacy by taking the classic Ilocano dish pinakbet, elevating it to a different level of culinary experience and concocting the country’s first ever gourmet pinakbet pizza. This unique treat combines the traditional pizza crust and mozzarella cheese with local ingredients used for pinakbet.

Herencia’s pinakbet pizza is a real discovery and delight to Ilocanos like me as well as adventurous foodies. Here, anchovies, which, for ages have been used as a popular pizza topping, are replaced by a similar yet our very own native ingredient, the bagoong. A pinakbet pizza won’t be without the usual eggplant, ampalaya, okra, sitaw, and some kind of meat like bagnet or longganisa. Toss them all on a mozzarella cheese-covered, hand tossed thin pizza crust and you have one of the most unique gastronomic creations ever in the country!

For taste, texture, and consistency, I give it two thumbs up! Its crust is unusually thin and stays crispy even when left on the table for some time. The crust, says Sammy Blas, is a secret mixture of local rice and commercially-available all-purpose flour and shortening, its name (I cannot divulge), yet brings back more childhood food memories and a smile as I devour this newly discovered treat!

Herencia Café, with the elegance its old world ambience is the perfect setting to savour the mouthwatering pinakbet pizza. The café’s decor is a mix of antique wood, glass and wrought iron furnishings. The most notable feature is the dining table bases of old sewing machine stands complete with foot pedals, and a wall mural depicting Sitio Remedios, a “heritage village” resort in Currimao. The café’s wide, arched French windows offer a superb view of the majestic Paoay Church right across.

Mangan tayon!

Above clockwise: Sammy Blas, co-owner of Herencia Cafe; Herencia Cafe at night; the cafe’s old world charm; old sewing machine base for the dining tables.

Herencia Café is located along McArthur Street, Barangay 14, Sangladan, Paoay, Ilocos Norte. For more information, please call telephone number 077-6140214.

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