Isdaan is a sprawling restaurant complex in Gerona, Tarlac by the Ongpaucos' Barrio Fiesta group. This floating restaurant has a large fish pond, Asian-themed interiors (complete with giant Buddha statues and Balinese designed huts), and several physical activities befitting of a theme park.

The highlight of the place for us is the unique Tacsiyapo wall — where you can throw mugs, plates, vases, and even TV sets at a wall to vent out any pent-up frustrations.
Here's what we had for lunch, and snaps of our little Tacsiyapo action.

The Isdaan logo

The place is very well put up, with individual huts atop the pond that serve as semi-private dining enclaves

liempo and roast chicken, cooked on the open grill

We were given some fish grub to feed these little critters..

..and we did!

My very refreshing pakwan shake (P63.80)

Crispy Plaplitos (P107) — tiny plapla fish fried to a crisp

The very sinful Chicharon Bulaklak (P196)

Inihaw na Tilapia (P240) — this dish wasn't as good as I expected. It had a fishy stench (malansa) that wasn't counterbalanced by dipping it in vinegar.

Fried Rice (P98.50)

Lechon Manok (P320) — very lush and aromatic, with plump juicy meat

The deadly Marinated Inihaw Pork Liempo (P420 for 1 kg) — sweet and rich, pure porky delight perfect with a plate of steaming white rice!

One of my favorite Filipino dishes: Kare-Kareng Baka (P277) on a pot, with a smooth and full-bodied thick peanut sauce and delectable fresh bagoong.

After lunch, it was time for the Tacsiyapo wall.

Liza, smiling even while letting off her steam

Bing, the violent sharpshooter

and Vince, porma pa rin kahit nagta-Tacsiyapo hehe

Can you tell if we had a great time here?

Service was stellar, with very amiable wait staff satisfactorily attending to all our needs. Other than their knowledgeable assistance with the menu and the occasional special requests, we were pretty much left to our privacy during the meal. Price range is at a very reasonable P500-600 per head (and that's for really heavy eaters, like us hehe).

Overall verdict. Isdaan is a restaurant like no other, if only for the festive ambiance, the innovative Tacsiyapo wall, and the scores of fish swimming right beneath your dining table. Add to that an impressive array of time-honored Barrio Fiesta and Bakahan at Manukan food favorites, and you've got yourself a total winner. Highly recommended to everyone on their way up North — heck, even those who aren't!

Isdaan Restaurant
Gerona, Tarlac
+63 45 931 2196

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