Here’s one for the “where to eat when in Bicol” list.
Balay Cena Una (roughly translated in English as “olden or aged house” and is a play on the Filipino word “sinauna”) is a homey, classic home-turned-resto in Daraga, Alabay in Bicol.
As the oldest house in Albay, Balay Cena Una has become more than a restaurant, but a tourist destination in itself.
You know how, when dining, the ambiance is half the gastronomic adventure? It feels like that in this resto. The food is great, the place is lovely, the crew members are friendly. This is a restaurant that highlights its heritage and culture, putting effort in making sure the ambience is as delicious as its food.
Balay Cena Una is a “beautifully restored ancestral home that houses celebrated traditional flavors of different cultures,” not just the spicy cuisine the region is famous for. It’s a Filipino restaurant that serves and promotes the rich culinary culture of the Bicol region.
Even before the implementation of lockdown restrictions, Balay Cena Una has already put into place several measures to make sure spread of germs (and the virus that causes COVID-19) are mitigated or all together eliminated for the safety of its customers and crew members.
For one, tables are set only after the customers have been seated as it minimizes the exposure of plates, glasses, and cutlery to potential contamination. Servers are no longer allowed to handle cash. Instead, patrons are asked to personally settle their bills at the cashier.
During Sunday lunch buffet, crew members assist customers by putting food on their plates, so there is less contact with serving utensils.
Balay Cena Una, being one of the oldest houses in Albay, must occasionally go through necessary maintenance. As a result, their main entrance is closed. Guests may enter the restaurant through the side door.
Hand sanitizers are also readily available around the resto. Social distancing is highly encouraged.
Must-try dishes in Balay Cena Una include puru pagulong, crispy Bicol express, tinutungan, and lumpiang tinapa.