La Preciosa in Laoag City: Home to Ilocos’ Best Carrot Cake
If there is one thing you need to get excited of about traveling to the Ilocos region, that is no other than their traditional cuisines that never go out of every Ilocano restaurant’s menu. But for those who want to have a rather different take on Ilocano dining experience, there’s this famous restaurant that is not only known for their savory dishes but also for their mouth-watering pastries and snacks.
La Preciosa is one of Laoag City’s culinary gem and home of Ilocos’ best carrot cake. Its roots can be traced to a small kitchenette that was managed and operated by the restaurant’s namesake and the mother of the restaurant owner, Preciosa Palma.
IMAGE from Philippine Primer
This two-story house-turned-restaurant reminds you of what home feels like with their home-cooked meals and the vibrant interior that would bring you the 90s vibes.
Upon entering, you’ll be welcomed by a wide array of pastry and snack goodies from their bakery, which you can take home as pasalubong or souvenir. Displayed on shelves are their all-time favorite specialty cakes such as their best-selling carrot cake, cheesecakes, and moist chocolate cakes. On the other hand, the main dining hall is located on the second floor of the restaurant.
IMAGE from Philippine Primer
Practical cooking became the backbone of La Preciosa, along with their desire to give Ilocanos a taste of home-cooked food with a twist. Their menu offers palatable curated Ilocano and Filipino recipes that would relieve every tourists’ curious tongue for unique and traditional dishes.
Aside from the usual Ilocano favorites, they also serve a variety of dishes from soups, noodles, and seafood to vegetables, sizzling, and meat entrees. You must try their Pancit Lusay, a popular stir-fried noodle dish in Ilocos cooked with longganisa and Ilocos bagoong.
Pancit Lusay / IMAGE from Philippine Primer
Another savory appetizer is the Warek-Warek, La Preciosa’s own version of Dinakdakan or meat salad. It is an authentic Ilocano delicacy made with tender pork meat.
Warek-Warek / IMAGE from Philippine Primer
A meal finisher, of course, is their very own specialty Carrot Cake. This one of a kind cake is dubbed as “the best carrot cake” because of its moist and fluffy cake decorated with white icing and sweetened shredded carrots. You’ll probably love how this cake melts in your mouth, plus it is not too sweet that you’ll never grow tired of eating it.
Carrot Cake / IMAGE from Philippine Primer
How to get here:
- By car: From Laoag-Paoay Road/Manila N Road/MacArthur Highway, head north towards the city proper of Laoag City. Once you reach Laoag City’s Tobacco Monopoly Monument and Ilocos Norte Capitol Stage, make a left turn onto J.P. Rizal Street. La Preciosa is located before Romero Street.
A version of this appeared in Philippine Primer’s Japanese (Vol. 103) and English (Vol. 12) magazines
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