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ishiaya's garden bistro

The freshest and hottest restaurant and bistro in Albay
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Owned by former sexy actress Aya Medel, IshiAya's Garden Bistro is the newest and one of the fastest growing restaurant in Albay. Opened only around May/June 2014, the bistro is already making its rounds on local and national television as well as social media networking sites. Aside from being owned by a famous actress, the food is delectable and a definite must-try if you visit Tabaco City.
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Our photo with Ms. Aya Medel
The restaurant was named after Aya herself and her daughter Ishi and served both Japanese and Filipino food. Their line-up of Japanese food are mostly Yakiniku, plus a wide array of Filipino food. Having a Bicolana restauranteur, expect the Filipino cuisines to have that spicy Bicolano signature. 
 
After deciding to finally be based in her hometown Tabaco City, Ms. Aya has decided to open up IshiAya as she has nothing else to do and besides the fact that she very much loves cooking. Their family has always been in the restaurant business, owning a resto-bar in Manila and another restaurant in Japan.

The restaurant is located a few blocks away from Tabaco Church. Make sure that when you visit Tabaco, it will be around lunchtime or dinnertime so you'll have no reason not to visit IshiAya. The restaurant opens late in the morning, around 11:00 AM and usually packed during Sundays, as its very near the church. We were there at around 10:30 AM which was a bit earlier than their opening hours but Ms. Aya was kind enough to personally welcome us and start cooking lunch for us. 

The restaurant has both indoor and outdoor dining areas, wherever the guests prefer to sit down to dine. Both areas were cleverly designed by Ms. Aya herself. The outdoor was my favorite and was expected to look very nice during an evening dinner. The huts gave a very Filipino feel to the restaurant but within the huts are hotpot tables - a great fusion of Filipino and Japanese. Right beside the entrance is a bar which I suppose opens during the evening. Besides the bar and the huts, the exterior was also landscaped with flowers, bermuda and a fountain to top it off.

As much as I wanted to dine outside, we had to stay in the air-conditioned area of the restaurant due to the hot weather. The interior was decorated with murals of Mayon Volcano and other famous sceneries in Albay, and had a uniquely-designed ceiling with glamorous chandeliers and warm lighting. You can also take a peek in their kitchen while Ms. Aya and her chefs prepare food. 
During our visit, there was a shortage of raw materials due to the recent typhoon Glenda which badly affected Bicol, including Albay. Ms. Aya prepared another menu using the ingredients that she currently has and despite the limited raw materials, the food turned out perfect! We ordered several seafood dishes including my favorite -- crabs! :) The spicy crabs she personally prepared for us was definitely finger lickin' good! :) 
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how to get to tabaco city

From Legazpi City to Tabaco City
You can ride the jeepney, bus or van heading towards Tabaco City. The ride usually takes more than an hour. Ask the driver to drop you off in the city proper. From there, you can walk going to the church. Don't be afraid to ask for directions. People in Tabaco City are generally very nice and friendly and would gladly show you the way.

From Manila to Legazpi City
By air: Cebu Pacific Air and Philippine Airlines flies daily from Manila to Legazpi City
By land: Travel by land usually takes 10-12 hours depending on traffic. Several bus liners such as Raymond, DLTB, Philtranco and Penafrancia. 



other destinations in tabaco city

  • Tabaco Church

where to stay in legazpi city

The nearest city to spend the night if you would like to stay in Tabaco City is Legazpi. You may check out my list of cheap accommodations in Legazpi City here or search for hotels in the search box below.
cheap accommodations in legazpi city
 

If you have any comments or questions, feel free to post them here:
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  • Home
  • Explore Philippines
    • Luzon >
      • Metro Manila >
        • Updated List of 2022 Staycation-Approved Hotels
        • Staycation at Shangri-La at the Fort
        • 10 Most Spectacular Christmas Displays in and Around Metro Manila for 2022
      • Benguet >
        • Baguio >
          • 10 Cozy and Instagrammable Airbnbs and Hotels in Baguio
          • Best Hotels Near Session Road and Burnham Park
      • Mountain Province >
        • Sagada >
          • Blue Soil Hills
      • Batangas >
        • Vivere Azure Resort
      • Cavite >
        • Tagaytay >
          • Vineyard in Tagaytay
          • Twin Lakes Hotel Review
          • Harry Potter Themed Airbnb
          • Relaxing at Nurture Wellness Village
          • 10 Things to Do and Tourist Spots to Visit
      • La Union >
        • Best Hostels and Resorts
      • Albay >
        • Cagsawa Ruins
        • Daraga Church
        • Tabaco Church
        • IshiAya Garden Bistro
        • Cheap Accommodations in Legazpi City
        • Mayon Volcano
        • Mid-Priced to Premier Hotels in Legazpi City
      • Sorsogon >
        • Subic Beach
        • Tikling Island
        • Juag Lagoon Fish Sanctuary
        • Calintaan Cave
        • Sorsogon - More than just the Butandings
        • Pink Sand Beach
        • Cheap Accommodations in Sorsogon City
      • Quezon >
        • Cagbalete Island >
          • Cagbalete Island: A Travel Guide
          • Cagbalete Island: Budget and Suggested Itinerary
          • Cagbalete Island: How to Get There
          • Cagbalete Island Beach Resorts
          • A Review of Dona Choleng Camping Resort
          • Cagbalete Fish Sanctuary
          • Yang-In Sand Bar
          • Ilog Bukana at San Jose River
          • Cagbalete White Sand Beach
        • Budget and Itinerary | Padre Burgos and Pagbilao
        • Borawan Island
        • Where to Stay and Eat in Mauban
        • How to Get to Mauban from Manila or Lucena
        • Tips and Suggested Itinerary for Pahiyas Festival 2015
        • Things to Do (or Eat) in Lucban, Quezon
      • Palawan >
        • El Nido >
          • Small Lagoon
          • Top 5 Spots in El Nido
          • Cheap Accommodations in El Nido
          • Mid-Priced to Premier Hotels in El Nido
        • Coron
    • Visayas >
      • Iloilo >
        • Budget Accommodations in Iloilo City
        • Isla de Gigantes >
          • How to Get to Isla de Gigantes
          • Tangke Salt Water Lagoon
          • Cabugao Gamay
          • Cabugao Dako or Cabugao Grande
          • Antonia Beach
          • Bantigue Sandbar
      • Bohol >
        • Panglao >
          • Dolphin Watching and Island Hopping
          • Top Things to Do for Overnighters and Daytrippers
          • Coco Vida Bar and Restaurant
          • South Palms Resort
          • Mithi Resort and Spa
          • Halamanan Residences
          • Buzzz Cafe of Bohol Bee Farm
          • Bohol Bee Farm Resort
          • Alona Vida Beach Resort
          • New Panglao International Airport
          • Luxury Resorts in Panglao
          • Affordable Beachfront Resorts in Panglao
        • Loboc >
          • Loboc River Cruise and Floating Restaurant
          • Tarsier Conservation Center
        • Bohol Day Trip Travel Guide from Cebu
        • Bohol Chocolate Hills
        • Bilar Man-Made Forest
        • Day Tour | Countryside Tour
        • The Mangrove Forests of Maribojoc
        • Cheap Accommodations in Tagbilaran City
      • Cebu >
        • Oslob >
          • Travel Guide to Oslob
          • 6 Things to Do in Oslob
          • How to Go to Oslob from Dumaguete
          • Oslob Whale Watching
          • Tumalog Falls
          • Sumilon Sandbar
          • Oslob Church and Cuartel
          • Cheap Accommodations in Oslob
        • Malapascua >
          • How to Get to Malapascua Island
          • Budget and Suggested Itinerary
          • Ocean Vida Resort
          • Travel Guide
          • Where to Stay
          • Where to Stay near Maya Port
        • Samboan | Aguinid Falls
        • Cebu City | Bayfront Hotel Review
      • Dumaguete >
        • Apo Island >
          • Apo Island: A Travel Guide
          • Apo Island: Budget and Suggested Itinerary
          • Cheapest Way to Experience Apo Island
          • Resorts and Homestays in Apo Island
          • Oslob-Apo-Bais-Siquijor in 6 Days
          • Apo Island: A Photo Gallery
          • Ronor's Lodging: A Homestay Review
        • Cheap Accommodations in Dumaguete City
      • Siquijor >
        • Siquijor Travel Guide
        • 7 Must-Do and Must-See in Siquijor
        • A Review of Islandia Beach Resort
        • Kagusuan Beach
        • Salagdoong Beach
        • Lazi Church and Convent
        • Cambugahay Falls
        • St. Francis of Assisi Parish
        • Santa Maria Church
        • Enchanted Balete Tree
        • Cheap Accommodations in Siquijor
        • Mid-Priced to Premier Resorts in Siquijor
    • Mindanao >
      • South Cotabato >
        • One Night Travel Guide to Lake Sebu
        • Dolores Lake Resort
  • Discover the World
    • 15 Beautiful Places in France
  • Travel Tips
    • How to Cancel Agoda Bookings
    • 8 Most Beautiful Islands in the Philippines
  • Contact Me