I'm being treated to a birthday lunch and the bistro offers a "vegetarian" choice for diners. One look at the menu and all healthy options evaporated.

After all, i've heard enough endorsements for Pino's coffee-crusted beef belly and bagnet kare-kare. Succulent, tender slices of beef belly with a most subtle taste of my fav brew. The bagnet kare kare can do with more veggies though.

Good thing we ordered (only) vegetables kare kare as well as mushrooms to lessen the "guilt". ;-)

The cucumber shake and tofu lemon grass skewers were our concessions to healthy dining. But almost like a ritual, we always made room for desserts.

Pino and Pipino can be found along the quieter stretch of Jupiter St. near the corner of Paseo de Roxas.

Pendy's is the go-to place if one were to try bachoy with lechon. Need you wonder now why the dish is called BACHON?

My family is divided between Bob's more traditional bachoy and Pendy's more sinful alternative. Well, some people need more cholesterol overload, I guess.

But it's not all bachon in Pendy's. You may order some of the more Western dishes. Or you may go for its famous "Half Moon" pie. Would have loved to order a piece each for my family but half moons sell like pancakes here.

So.... More of the bachon!

Pendy's is along Lacson Street in Bacolod City.