Chinese Restaurants in Bacolod: Golden of Fortune

As far as I could remember, my family always eats in Chinese restaurants. That's why I'm not such a huge fan of Chinese restaurants. It was always me against my whole family (especially my dad) because I was already tired of the same old dishes we usually order in these restaurants. As a young girl, I already preferred eating Japanese dishes instead of Chinese.

Fortunately, my family became open to the idea of trying out new restaurants. I think, with our whole family, I am the adventurous one when it comes to food. I am willing to try anything and eat anywhere--all for the sake of discovering good food.

So for Masskara 2009, my dad took me to a new Chinese restaurant right beside the call center where I used to work in. At that time, it was a new restaurant and I got introduced to the owner. However, I wasn't into blogging that much back then plus I had other distractions priorities that time.

That's why I decided to try out the restaurant again.

The restaurant, called Golden of Fortune, stood in the same spot where several other Chinese restaurants existed its senior. I remember back when I was a young girl, there was a Chinese restaurant in the same spot and it occupied a bigger portion of the space. Back then, it was also Convention Plaza instead of Luxur Place. Oh well, times have changed.

Golden of Fortune
Yes, it really does have an OF.

Anyway, I went to the restaurant with my step mom. Upon entering, I immediately felt like I was in one of the Chinese restaurants that frequented Ongpin. Although the place gave me a panciteria feel, it didn't taste as horrible as the Chinese restaurants I didn't enjoy eating in.

My step mom introduced me to the owner and explained why I was taking pictures of the food before eating them. Since Chinese New Year is fast approaching (February 3), Golden of Fortune had already designed the restaurant to welcome the good luck of this new festivity. They have taken down their Christmas trees and lights and replaced it with Chinese decorations.

Before we ordered, she showed me the live eel that my dad loved to eat in the restaurant. We ordered Fried Eel along with the typical Salt and Pepper Spareribs and Taiwan Pechay that we usually order. I wasn't a fan of the spareribs (anywhere) but since it was her chance to eat it without being criticized, I allowed it. 

the waiter showing us the eel we were going to eat

Aside from the eel, I also got to take pictures of the Peking Duck and Asado they were roasting. It was a quiet Wednesday lunch and we were lucky to have chosen the perfect date to eat in this restaurant. 

The food arrived without delay and since we were hungry, we quietly ate the items on our plate. Out of the three dishes we ordered, I especially liked the Taiwan Pechay. It was cooked perfectly and I had no problem chewing it. Plus it had enough sauce to add flavor to the vegetable. 

Taiwan Pechay, Golden of Fortune
(P120 small order)

I think the Fried Eel could have been better. I think that if we had chosen a different way of cooking it, it would have rocked my world. I'm fond of eating eel in Japanese restaurants so I was shocked with the thought of eating it fried. It would have been better if it had some sauce but since it was what we ordered, I couldn't really blame it on the restaurant. I think it's better if we chose the baked option. 

Fried Eel, Golden of Fortune
(P138)

I tasted the Salt and Pepper Spareribs last. As I mentioned, I'm not really a fan of this dish from the beginning so I don't think it's right if I give my feedback about it. It was tolerable. I got to eat 2-3 pieces since I was so hungry. We had to take out the rest of the order since I concentrated on the vegetables!

Salt and Pepper Spareribs, Golden of Fortune
(P150 small order)

For dessert, I asked my step mom what they usually get. She ordered the Mango Sago from the waiter and at first he took out a small soup bowl size of the order. My step mom told him that she wanted the typical size they order. The waiter went back and got us a bigger sized bowl. I was really shocked with the size since it was only the two of us. What surprised me more was the price of this dish! 

Mango Sago, Golden of Fortune
(P150)

Mango Sago, Golden of Fortune
(P150)

I remember that when I ordered this in North Park, I got a serving good for 1-2 persons and paid P120 for it. With Golden of Fortune though, the serving was good for 2-4 persons and it only cost P150! It was such a feast that I enjoyed having the opportunity to eat 3-4 servings of this delicious treat! 

Despite its flaw in its name, I'd give Golden of Fortune 4 out of 5 stars. I would return again and try other dishes and get another hefty serving of Mango Sago. Plus I really liked how it was reasonably priced! I was shocked when our total bill was only P594. If I ordered these dishes in Manila, I would have to pay at least P1000! 

Golden of Fortune Seafood Restaurant is located in Luxur Hotel, Magsaysay cor. Lacson St., Bacolod City. They are open from 10:00 am- 2:00 pm and 6:00 pm- 10:00 pm. For reservations or catering inquiries, call them at (034) 4349947 or (034) 4349948.

2009 Year End Credits

As 2009 nears to an end, it is only customary for people to make their New Year's Resolution. And ever since I can remember, I have been against it for many, many years. In this case however, I plan to make a thank you message instead of a resolution. Resolutions never take place anyway, so why not thank the good and bad things that happened to you instead? In a way, this is my first ever Year End Credit to all those who have been a part of my 2009:

After Dad got out of the hospital, we ate at ClawDaddy

January- Nothing much happened in January. I was still deciding what I wanted to do. And in that month, my Dad had to be admitted to the hospital. It was also the month I got my hair rebonded at Univers Kaizen, Mall of Asia. I also was able to get a postpaid mobile number with under my very own name.

Golden Mount, Thailand

February- Highlight of my year ever: my trip to Bangkok with my girlfriends, Angel and Denise. It was the first time my dad ever allowed me to out of the country with just my friends. Nothing bad happened to us and I discovered I loved Bangkok! Also, I was able to talk to my dad to let me join Culinary School.

March- To date, this is still the last time I rode the public bus. Lol! Anyway, this was the month Culinary School started. I enrolled in AICA [Academy for International Culinary Arts] and became a schoolgirl once again. I met some new friends too! I was able to change my laptop from Acer into Compaq and it was the month Mimi had a field trip. It was the best!

AICA Batch 22

inside the locker room

Holy Week in Punta Fuego

April- While I had a memorable Holy Week at Punta Fuego, this was also the month of bad events. First of all, I started getting cuts from class, Kaice [my 9 year old dachshund] got sick and almost could not walk, and this was also the month I started dating again. Didn't work out though, after a month since we both wanted different things. Also, this is the month I encountered my first car engine trouble. My A/T Honda Civic 2001 would not move. And it was in the middle of an intersection. Needless to say, I had to get help from our driver.

May- Nothing big happened this month. Except probably for the school requirement that I had to go through 150 hours of immersion. I got mine at New Orleans, Bonifacio High Street. Sold my Holga and ActionSampler.

Cleaning up after class

June- Now here, this is the month that changed everything. I started dating a new guy who I became serious with. Too bad though, I was the only one who felt that way.

July- My birthday month! I turned 23 this year. My theme song for my birthday was 'Real' by Plumb. Went to Antipolo and Subic. Started becoming doubtful about school. Former President Corazon "Cory" Aquino dies.

Singing onstage to Kitchie Nadal's Wag Na Wag Mong Sasabihin

August- My dad's birthday at Subic. Stopped school, bought Suki, her new black labrador, and went back to the company business.

September- Went to Lago de Oro and Laguna with the family. This is the first time I tried wakeboarding/kneeboarding. This is also the month I stopped working at the office and became a full time freelance article writer working at home. At the same day I quit, Ondoy struck Metro Manila. But I finally found the right job I want to do.

Kneeboarding was more like it...

October- The month drama started. Went to Bacolod for Masskara. First time in my entire life I was dragged in to see the real Masskara celebration. Because of this, I remembered why I didn't like to go to the Plaza during the fiesta: big crowds. Hated it! Another bagyo hit Metro Manila and my car was almost hit by a piece of tin roof which was flying around. Went to Subic with the family to escape the blackout. Got to try Go Kart.

November- got my heart broken REALLY bad, decided to make a real blog, had my hair dyed RED. went out with friends to a Vibe event again [first time after I went M.I.A. with Vibe for a year].

first hair dye with Beautybrick

night out with my girls

December- Suki started her obedience training. This is also the month my dad allowed me to go to Lago de Oro with only Angel and Christina. Enjoyed our road trip. Overcame fear of eating frog legs. And I attended a Photography Workshop.

with Sai

Well, that has been my 2009. And with all the lessons I learned this year, I can only hope for more better things to come in 2010. It has been one hell of a ride which I hope you, my dear reader, will still be a part of in the years to come. Join me for another year full of fun, adventure, and all things Trixie. Happy New Year and See you in 2010!

Would like to thank:

Angela Gabrielle P. Consing, Samantha Denise F. Hilado, Christina Maria Cecilia M. Sayson, Cristel Marie D. Segovia, Liza Mae C. Valencia, Patricia Frances S. Monfort & Jake Monfort

Marianne Tan, Chielo Manzano, Joel Tesoro, Norman Granados, and all of AICA

Bubot, Ronnie, Nang Aloha, Dad, Kuya Nikki, Kuya Richie, Sheila, James, Shaina Torralba

Jesna Lem, Jenniferlyn Ruego, Hannah Barreta, Mark Sabobo, and all of my friends in USLS-HM

and to you, whoever you are, thank you for reminding me that I am only human and that I can be capable of loving someone this much..