It’s all about feeling good, and you don’t even need that doobie left over from your last trip to Sagada hidden underneath your mattress.
Irie, located right across Sto. Nino Village, gives you good vibes the moment you walk through its doors. Though its name is taken from a Rastafarian term roughly meaning, “all right” or “everything’s well”, dreadlocked, ganja-smoking Bob Marley wannabes are a rare sight within the premises. Instead, the usual customers are just regular people out for a good meal and a good time.
Simplistic in nature but big on comfort, Irie’s interiors bestows its patrons with a warm and comfortable setting in which to enjoy their meals. The orange-colored walls evoke a feeling of warmth and are accented by the white cube-shaped lamps hanging from the ceiling. The brightly colored cushions on the stuffed benches are a nice touch, adding a homelike atmosphere to the dining area.
Meals at Irie are exciting affairs, especially for those who crave something different. Jan Rodriguez, entrepreneur, food fanatic and all-around good guy offers Irie’s clientele new ways to enjoy otherwise traditional favorites.
Tired of the same old pork chops? The Grilled Lemongrass Chops are for those jaded with the ordinary version found at most restaurants. Seasoned with lemongrass and served with garlic shrimp fried rice, this is an exotic taste.
Fish lovers will find a favorite in Irie’s Fusion Fillet, breaded parrotfish served with spiced rice. To give the dish even more zing, be sure to add to every spoonful a generous dollop of the sweet fish sauce that comes with every order.
Those looking for a new take on spareribs should try Irie’s Southside Ribs. Given a distinctive tang by its guava barbecue sauce, it comes across as a fusion of tastes between east and west and has long been a favorite among regular customers.
To complement the dish, regulars suggest pairing it with the Salted Egg and Fish Fried Rice.
Besides novel ways of preparing food, Irie also has their own blends of fruit shakes and teas to accompany their dishes. The Strawberry Slush is an acknowledged best seller while the Citrus Slush is a big hit among lemonade and calamansi juice lovers.
Good food isn’t all Irie has to offer though. Off to one side of the establishment are two banks of computers linked to the internet by a high-speed DSL connection. For students doing research or writing reports, chatters and the occasional gamer, the computer facilities give Irie’s customers access to the information superhighway at a reasonable cost.
Be it a great meal or a psychedelic journey through the world of cyberspace, Irie offers a whole lot of bang for the buck. Not just a restaurant, not just another internet café, but a classy combination of both, Irie brings a whole new meaning to the phrase “feeling good”.
