Picture this…
A laid back weekend , a road trip with good company , a big appetite… these are the prerequisites for going to Midway for a healthy –guilt - free lunch… Sound good?
Country music in the background is subdued , friendly staff warmly greeting you , nicely arranged- organic fresh produce, crafts and food products on proud display and so much more on one side, and a chic western motif with bright ceilings and dark beams all throughout extends to the restaurant on the other side . The backyard is a mini playground with cute animals the kids can learn about and interact with like Bunny Rabbits and Bantam Chickens , the backdrop is the hillside view where the Banana plantation surrounds the Greenhouse and the Tilapia pond ,and rows and rows of leafy vegetables that would soon make your plate . I could go on and on. Potential is only limited to one’s imagination , and the owners of Midway do have a big imagination backed up by the know-how and passion to make it happen .
 |
| COTTAGE type seating at the back for al fresco dining |
 |
| my fave corner |
A classic reflection of sensible good
taste and a very conscientious of the “Now” and the Environment
kind of place that not only provides jobs for locals but also models
sustainable agricultural development. A very communal and hippie
type of self –sufficiency which in essence , sings “peace”
to all.
There is so much about Midway that is share- worthy. The food , ambiance , service with a smile , affordability , variety , and actually the distance from the hustle of the metro city is a good thing especially if a change of atmosphere is what you’re looking for . There is no other place in Iloilo like it (yet) and I guarantee that you would come back full force.
So grab your keys and take a trip
to the Component City of Passi wherein a few kilometers after the
business center shall be a big sign that greets you ”DINE,
CELEBRATE, LIVE” , the mantra for this place . I did not get
the satisfaction only from the food, but everything that surrounded
me just made me happy to be there to sit, eat and chill with the
family . It is literally a breath of fresh air.
THE FOOD
 |
| their mission and vision : " To give Nourishment to travellers along life's Journey" |
The Menu is a fusion of Filipino and
Continental cuisine using mostly locally grown ingredients.
For starters , the server brought us
a complimentary plate of lightly seasoned Banana chips with home-
made mayonnaise on the side ( the eggs from the mayo were home
grown too ) while we flipped through the denim trimmed menu . Good
thing it was more savory than the usual sugar coated banana chips so
it won’t ruin your appetite.
I ordered a papaya shake which they presented in a re-purposed glass bottle , a plus factor for me .
I enjoyed the Midway garden fresh salad (I think I could be vegetarian if not for bacon and steak). Know that this is not your puny single serve salad from a sorry city restaurant or hotel. An order for 120 pesos is a whole dinner plate of organic fresh leafy lettuce with bits of mild goat cheese, grapes, pickled onions, cherry tomatoes and grilled chicken drizzled with a vinaigrette dressing that would surely wake up your taste buds. This is good for 2 or 3 people if you intend on ordering a few other courses.( I can eat a whole plate of this but the chewing gets me tired, not that it was tough to chew but it was a lot per serving than what I was used to , so share some instead) .
The next on my plate was a pasta dish
they called Chicken Alugbati Pesto Pasta. The spaghetti was cooked
perfectly while the sauce stayed true to its name, the alugbati
flavor just peeks out to let you know it’s there even with the
chicken , cheese and Basil. It is balanced - healthy and
delicious. (blogging about it makes me miss it . I wish I had some
now! )
They have pizzas too. Thin crust- grilled and light but flavorful. I tried the Big Daddy Pizza with Spanish chorizo and sunny-side –up eggs on top which was excellent but my personal favorite is the Chicken Barbeque Pizza because it has the flavors of the ilonggo chicken inasal with achuete ( istiwitis/ annato) oil only shredded and put on a pizza . Try them and let me know your favorites. Just don’t drop any of it on your shirt if you can help it.
At the end of the meal I was stuffed plenty! Then came the server again and puts a plate of peeled and cut chilled Papaya , Rambutan and Lakatan on the table .” Dessert Ma’am, fresh fruit in season” he said. Sweet, since it comes complimentary after every dining experience here.
 |
| on display is the harvest of the day |
So if you are on your way to Boracay , or Roxas city or just even passing through Passi for some reason , or even not just passing through , plan it, stop and come in for a bit .
It is 53 kilometers from Iloilo City and 3 kilometers from Passi City proper . They have WIFI too and the bathrooms are well maintained . There are other things to buy in the pasalubong center like chilled refreshments , fresh produce , fruit tree seedlings and potted herbs you might want to plant in your own garden , even hand made purses and trinkets designed by Pam Palmares ( who was trained at the Aranaz school of design) are available . Everybody will find something to fancy , or take home to loved ones.
Safe journeys and happy eating fellow foodies !
 |
| 5 minutes from Passi city proper , slow down when you see this |
Midway is open from 7 A.M - 5:30 P.M.
@ Brgy. Bacuranan Passi City
For reservations and inquiries call:
033-3116388 , 3116285 , 3362561 or 3382374
