Last June 12, the Philippines celebrated Independence Day. It was also the day that a Bacolod restaurant opened under the new normal with safety protocols in place. Since Bacolod City is now under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) for Covid19, Katig Lab-as Seafood Restaurant felt it was timely and significant to re-open on this day. Read more about their food and safety measures.
The New Normal for Bacolod Restaurants
As Bacolod City resumes business operations for food establishments, I have to make another list of Bacolod restaurants opening for the new normal operations. Not everyone will re-open because of the stringent measures set by the IATF. But these are needed for all of us to stay safe and prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
It is kind of strange to go out at this time. But when hubby and I went to visit Katig Lab-as Seafood Restaurant, we saw tables full of families and friends getting together and eating out. Perhaps, we miss our Pinoy seafood dishes. Or we miss each other’s company and just miss hanging out together over good food.
Whatever the reason is, we are seeing more people coming out now and dining in their favorite restaurants again. We actually need this activity, along with buying from small businesses, to get the economy rolling again.
Ambiance at Katig Lab-as Seafood Restaurant
Katig Lab-as Seafood Restaurant was the old location of Rodrigo’s Cansi House. The owner has decided to re-invent the place into a different concept—hence the fresh seafood paluto or pala-pala style that’s famous in Bacolod.
So if you remember the place, it is one big and spacious property. There’s a lot of space to move around. They are offering al fresco as well as covered but non-aircon dining. However, they do have a small, air-conditioned room as one of their amenities.
Katig is an Ilonggo word that refers to the outrigger of a small boat. Meanwhile, lab-as literally means fresh. From the name itself, you will already get the feeling of eating fresh seafood that just came out from the ocean’s bounty. And that is exactly what this new Bacolod restaurant is aiming for.
From the entrance, you will be greeted with a seafood display housed in a separate area from the restaurant with an eye-catching façade in the shape of a ship. One of the owners is a seafarer, thus his affinity for the sea.
Beside it is the grilling area, so you can already smell the enticing aroma of grilled seafood and meat from afar.
Inside, the place is bustling with activity, reminiscent of big groups of people wanting to dine comfortably over fresh seafood dishes.
The Food
Since this is a restaurant, we shall talk about the food. Katig Lab-as aims to serve only the freshest seafood and cooked the way you like it. You can choose the seafood you prefer before entering and then tell the staff your preferred preparation or cooking. The seafood can be grilled, made into a soup, served sizzling, or fried. For shrimps, you can also have it cooked with butter-garlic.
Their shrimp specialty is the Katig Golden Shrimp, which is flavored with salted egg. It’s served with slivers of green onions and it’s sooo good to top with each bite!
The cooks at Katig Lab-as Seafood Restaurant are all experienced family cooks from Bacolod pala-pala eateries. So they know the timpla. However, I have noticed that the food at Katig, though contains vetsin, is not that much. I appreciate it because sometimes at pala-pala, I find that too much vetsin causes me to be really thirsty and I don’t like that.
This way, you get to appreciate the goodness and flavors of fresh seafood without that many extra artificial flavorings.
For those who want variety in the meals, Katig also serves grilled pork. Coming soon would be Bacolod chicken inasal.
Safety Protocols at Katig Lab-as Seafood Restaurant
Katig Lab-as Seafood Restaurant of Bacolod takes great measures to protect their customers as well as their staff.
Hand Washing
Since hand washing is one of the ways to prevent the spread of Covid-19 as well as other illnesses, Katig has installed two lavatories. They have a large one by the entrance as well as another one by the restrooms. Both have running water, hand soap, and paper towels.
For Customers
Upon entry, the customers go through thermal scanning. Inside you will notice that tables are positioned far from each other for physical distancing from another group.
There is so much space around here, which the management wants to underscore. So you can really distance yourself from another group.
For the Staff
The staff meticulously clean the tables and chairs after each group of customers leaves. They also clean the whole place at the end of each day. Most of the dining area is not air-conditioned, so it is rather safe than enclosed spaces.
However, they do have an air-conditioned function room for rent for small groups. It provides exclusivity, too.
Additionally, the staff wear face masks and are encouraged to frequently wash hands throughout their shift. They are also advised to skip work if they feel a bit under the weather during the day.
The management cannot risk infection in the restaurant because of sick staff.
Contact Information
Katig Lab-as Seafood Restaurant
Hilado-Tindalo Streets (across Hua Ming), Shopping
Bacolod City, Negros Occidental
For reservations, call Tel. No. (034) 431-3810 or (0918) 3469066
FB page: Katig Lab-as Seafood Restaurant
Katig also accepts takeout orders and food deliveries via Foodpanda so that you can enjoy your seafood favorites safely at home. You may also check them out on the Grab Food app, whichever you prefer.
Other Covid-19 Related Stories
Meanwhile, here are other stories related to Covid-19 in this blog.
- Chamber Volunteer Fire Brigade Disinfects Bacolod City Streets
- PPE for Negros Occidental Health Workers Against Covid-19
- KonsultaMD Provides 30-day Free Medical Advice to the Public
- Identify Covid-19 Fake News and Scams
- Bayanihan sa Bacolod Movement in Fighting Covid-19
- SM Supermalls Assures of Safe Dine-In Services
- Robinsons Hotels and Resorts Plans for Re-opening After Lockdown
- Amazing Barter Stories: Bacolod Barter Community
- The Doctors’ Hospital Sets Up First PCR Laboratory in Bacolod
- Megaworld Lifestyle Malls Reopens with Stringent Safety Measures
- Bacolod Barter Community: The New Normal in Trading
What mouth-watering seafood dishes! Now I am hungry and craving for different fresh seafood. I would lovel to dine at Katig Lab-as Seafood Restaurant after this pandemic. I am really so happy to see that Bacolod is not just a “City of Smiles” but also have tasty and safe seafood restaurants, too! Awesome!
Who doesn’t love seafoods? 🤤 Wow! I think Katig Lab-As Restaurant is one of the best Seafood Restaurant in Bacolod. I would love to try their dishes too.
Food and ambiance are good and wonderful,and safety protocols are absolutely important