TEMPORARY MANOKAN COUNTRY is SPARKLY CLEAN (USHERING TO THE NEW ERA of This ICONIC LANDMARK)

It's about time that the tenants of the original Bacolod Manokan Country agreed to the demolition and renovation of their building.This will finally usher for the rehabilitation of this iconic landmark in the City of Smiles and a new era of the local food tourism. People of Bacolod and Negros as well as tourists will soon eat  Authentic Chicken Inasal in a place with a superb dining experience in the future.

What Happens Next?

SM City Mall Bacolod  built a temporary site (See video below) for the affected tenants. The new site is located just within the mall's vicinity which is just near the SM terminal and NU building, the malls Northwing area. 

WATCH

What Travelers Can Expect 
Tenants like Lion's Park, Aida's, Nena's I, Nena's II and Nena's Beth have stalls in the temporary site. Though small in space, the place lets you experience an open-air dining experience. It's also an access for people wanted to go to the SM North Block, multilevel parking and NU campus But what's important is that the SM management sees to it the area has security and also good hygiene should be maintained. 

Amenities of the Temporary Site
Talking about hygiene, as the area is still new so as the washing area and the toilets. This temporary site is a far cry from the old building that is simply receiving bad negative from reviews locals and tourists as well due to neglect in cleanliness and maintenance. 

Future of Manokan Country 
SM City and the Bacolod Government will build a newer multi-level building that has air-condition, parking spaces and also aesthtic interior with high ceilings. It will be a landmark that locals and foreign tourists will have a comfortable dining experience. and will be assured of maintained cleanliness. The new Manokan Country building will have two BPO towers as well as a bridge to connect SM City Mall itself to it. 

  

UNLI HOT POT iN BACOLOD FOR CHINESE NEW YEAR OR ALL YEAR ROUND?

We were curious to know where's this new Unli Hot Pot Restaurant called Jin Long  that just opened in front of the Bacolod's Yuan Thong Taoist Chinese temple. Indeed, we decided to eat there one Saturday, weeks before the Chinese Lunar New Year, Year of the Snake. We were on time for lunch.

 AESTHETIC 80s CHINESE VIBE
Aesthetically, the building doesn't really represents Chinese architecture overall. However, the red signage and door handles, golden dragon knockers, give away a hint that indeed we are entering a Chinese resto. Upon entering, there's a nostalgic vibe to the surroundings though as they utilized those cemented air flow wall vents which are popular in the 80s construction in homes and buildings. 

INGREDIENTS GALORE

We were greeted by a pretty and nice receptionist who showed us their menu options and promotions. Upon entering, some diners are already lining up at the freezer to choose their array of veggies, noodles and soy-based food to dip on a solo 'golden' hot pot container. Meats like pork and beef as well as seafoods  like raw squid and shrimp are ordered at the table. Unlike other hot pot or steamboat dining, which uses one big pot, here, each one is given his or her own pot with his own choice of soup.

    

EAT UNLIMITED 
Well, there are  many kinds of soup and lots of sauce to choose from. Just check the video above for our full dining experience. If you're full, there's also ice cream as a dessert that's part of the promo. As this is an eat-all-you-can Chinese restaurant, there are some rules to follow. 

RULES AND LIMITATIONS
One is strictly no sharing and "touched" meat will considered paid. Note that this is not a review blog as each person has his own taste preferences. 

If you wanted a different oriental dining experience with friends or families, do check out the video above  and decide if you're in to this kind of cuisine, too.

HELPFUL INFORMATION for LOCALS and TOURISTS:

JIN LONG HOT POT restaurant

Address: Anahaw Arcade, Anahaw St, Bacolod, 6100 Negros Occidental, NIR, Philippines Asia

Google Maps Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/RMwtC1fZ6Q5Wa1LH6

FB page: https://www.facebook.com/jinlonghotpotph/

THE PATH TO BACOLOD's BURI ROAD (GM Cordova, Mandalagan)

To many Bacolodnons, Brgy, Mandalagan's famous Buri Road in the 90s was a dark, secluded and lonely road. The only thing that comes to mind about this less known path is that it's a shortcut point to the Lady of Mercy Hospital and Eroreco subd or to the Circumferential Road that also connects to Brgy. Bata

ROAD TO NOWHERE
Buri Road was known also for being the road to one of Bacolod's elite subdivisions, the Mountain View Subdivision. At night, nobody seemed to dare to pass by this area unless it's an emergency situation or if you live within the area. 

THE MAJOR TWIST
However, with the transfer of the Vallacar's Ceres Bus Terminal and other small transportation players to the North Terminal at Bata area plus the opening of the Bacolod-SIlay Airport access road, Buri Road eventually became, not only a shortcut, but one of major arteries for transport traffic in the north of city which helped spawn the rise of business establishments like SME (Small to Medium Enterprises). Nowadays, there are clear signs of massive development in the area - a far cry back decades ago.  

A GOOD PLACE FOR BUSINESS
CitiMall Mandalagan is the first major landmark that signals you're already at this road. Driving along, you can find some car wash, resto bars, cafes, subdivisions, grocery stores, water refilling stations, gasoline stations, laundry hubs, pet shop and more like Tawhai Spa. If you are entering from the circumferential road, the landmark you'll see first is Home Improvement Mandaue Foam and Furniture's showroom.

NEW TOWNSHIPS TO LIVE
But what makes Buri Road, a modern stopover and destination are the presence of major property developers and popular local cafes and restaurants. 
First, there's the flagship of Vistaland - Camella Homes Subdivision which dominates other small subdivisions like Estancia Subd. Then beside is the high-rise condo apartment the Camella Manors Olivera and Vistaland's affiliate AllValue establishment which has AllHome (homebuilder depot), All Value Supermarket, Coffee Project, All American (Pizza),  Chicken Deli in its vicinity. 

A HUB TO CHILL (THE PAVILIONS by ROCKWELL)
At the adjacent side, you can find Rockwell's Nara Residences. Just in front of the entrance of this condominium development is The Pavilions at Nara. This lifestyle hub has stores like UCC Cafe Terrace (coffeeshop), Mitsuyado Sei-Men (Japanese Ramen - Tsukemen noodles resto), Coco Ichibanya (Japanese Curry Rice Toppings) diner, Firehook Boulangerie Et Patisserie (Artesan bakery restaurant) and soon Buri Road Coffee.

NEW HOTSPOT TO EAT AND DRINK
Meanwhile, local coffee and cake shop Quino's, restaurant Masskara Chicken Inasal, At Ani Building, you can find Steamin' Cup, Romantic Baboy, a Baan Thai Homm (a Resto that offers authentic Thai cuisine), Edibowl, Sizzling Station Mandalagan, Kapehan ni Roney, and Keeka. 

NEW CENTER FOR SERVICES
In front of All Value is a marketplace with establishments like Cafe Milan, Taste Station pop up cart, Community Clinic, Two Spot restobar, Carbin Seafood, Wash Buddies laundry station, Aqua Touch Water Refilling Station, Kakao Chicken Korean Grill Restaurant, and Ninik's Kandingan.
 
If you and your friends are in this area of Bacolod and hunters of great tasting food and tambayan, Buri Road  is more than a path but a prime destination that has lots to offer.