Lola Nida's and Lolo Ompo's (Calauag, Quezon)

[Bicol Trip - Day 1, Part 1 of 4]

This is our first stop on our way to Bicol. Somewhere near the milestone KM224 C3 at the national highway (Maharlika) we saw a restaurant called Lola Nida's. The location is very strategic because it's positioned at a spot where morning travelers from Manila would probably feel hungry for lunch (about 3-4 hours of leisurely driving along the highway).

The sign outside says they sell and serve shrimp and crabs, but at the time we came there, they only had shrimps and a couple of local dishes. Their Sinigang na Hipon was good... fresh shrimps and the greenest vegetables I've probably eaten, while the soup is a little mild for sour tongues. We also had calamares and chicken adobo with their brown rice (pulang bigas?)... not bad, and the price was very cheap.

Ambiance is very much provincial, nipa hut, bamboo, and open air dining. They also have TV where you can watch and get in touch with the local noontime shows... anyway, if you're looking for Jollibee, go to the next major city (if you can't take it -- just go back home!).

I tried to look for Lola Nida. There was a not-so-old lady there at the counter but she claimed to be the daughter. I shouldn't have asked her if she was Lola Nida (she looked shocked). She was nice to talk us into interesting spots in the Bicol region, using a big luzon road map mounted somewhere in her restaurant.

After lunch, we headed further south and saw another restaurant along the highway just a few kilometers away -- Lolo Ompo's (we tried this on our way back). They say the owner is Lola Nida's husband! Next question -- two restaurants... are they in good terms? hehehe