A Weekend in Baguio Pt 1/3: A Filipino Lunch at Solibao

We're finally in Baguio! 

Right after my birthday buffet dinner in Sambo Kojin, RJ and I took a six hour bus ride to Baguio. 


Our main agenda wasn't really to prolong my birthday celebration but to attend his friend's graduation from Philippine Military Academy (PMA). 

Wow. PMA. I don't think I can even survive PMA for a day! Okay - I know I won't even survive PMA for a day since I can't even run a good 3k fun run. Kudos to our friend Jomar for finishing four years of PMA. *clap clap*

With no time to eat and barely any sleep from the travel, RJ and I took a taxi to PMA as soon as we arrived in Baguio. Security was extra tight that day so only the PMA bus could take us all the way up to the graduation site. 

Since we weren't Jomar's parents, we sat with the rest of the crowd on the uphill grounds facing the field. Jomar had to fill us in with the president's speech, for we could barely hear the sound system from our seats. 

With 197 graduates, the graduation lasted until noon and ended with a light rain shower. The weather and lack of transportation made it almost impossible for us to leave the vicinity so we were forced to walk all the way down for almost an hour with rumbling stomachs. 

Soon a taxi came to our rescue and brought us to Session Road for our much awaited first meal of the day. I had a long list of restaurants to visit but we were too hungry to be picky. We simply entered the first restaurant that had available seats for lunch - Solibao Filipino Restaurant, "For The Best In Filipino Food". 

Solibao Rice (Php40/cup, Php130/platter)

Unarmed with our usual food blog reviews, ordering became a guessing game. Just because it carried the restaurant's name, I ordered a cup of their Solibao Rice. It's a day old rice tossed with scrambled egg and a couple of vegetable chunks. Though comfortingly mushy in texture, the rice was very bland and was in dire need of seasoning. 

Instant Spanish Cocoa (Ala Taza) (Php45)

The cold weather of Baguio tempted me into ordering their Hot Cocoa. I initially wanted their Native Hot Cocoa but the waiter insisted that I try their Instant Spanish Cocoa instead. The word "instant" irked me but I gave my cup of cocoa's fate in his hands and I ended up sipping a watery cup of cocoa that was simply that - instant. Boo.

Binagoongang Lechon Kawali (Php260)

Since we thoroughly enjoyed Cafe Juanita's Bagnet with Bagoong Sauce, we ordered Solibao's Binagoongang Lechon Kawali. The Lechon Kawali was well cooked but we could barely make out the bagoong flavor. 

Kilawen Puso ng Saging (Php225)

We also had their Kilawen Puso ng Saging on the side - a dish that now merits an insider remark whenever I would make bad call. I ordered this dish, exuding with confidence in Puso ng Saging, only to find myself shying away from it. We barely finished half of it. Probably some coconut milk would make it more palatable to my liking . 

Hmm.. a lunch of bad calls? 

RJ and I looked around at the other tables and concluded that we ordered "the wrong  food." Though I don't believe that "ordering the wrong food" is a valid excuse, I'm willing to give Solibao another try. After all, the restaurant was packed with customers repeatedly ordering Kare-Kare, Pancit and Puto Bumbong. 

On our future second visit, we'll also opt for their other branches since they seem homier than their Session Road branch. 

Though our palates weren't satisfied, we were just happy to eat lunch and regain our energy to crusade through the entire stretch of Session Road that afternoon. Time to visit the restaurants on my list!

More Info on Solibao:

Address: Session Road, Baguio City 

Map: Click Here

Contact: (074) 442 3867

Operating Hours: Mon-Sun 7:00AM-10:00PM

Budget: Php300/head

Payment Options: Cash, Visa, Mastercard

Outfit: Casual

Other Branches: Burnham Park, Baguio City and Heritage Mansion, Abanao Extension, Baguio City

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