By: Jed Nykolle Harme
Outdoor dining has always been a treat, especially in these trying times of COVID-19, where people are hungry for fresh air. With the ongoing pandemic, the best spot for a meal out with pals is somewhere open with ample space for social distancing. Aklan is so lucky to have a Payag restaurant — a perfect place for physically distant dates with your loved ones that offers a worry-free dine-in experience, outdoors.
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| Photo: PAYAG Facebook Page |
The backstory before Payag Restaurant
Payag alfresco is a pandemic baby. According to the owner, Mary Anne Ricaforte, opening this resto is like a magical gambling for them. It is because they risk venturing into this business without thinking about what may happen in the future.
Mary Ann and her husband have been working in Thailand as a teacher and a corporate worker respectively for more than a decade. Then, they decided to open a cooking food business that offers Filipino food in the country. They called it Lucky MM Filipino Restaurant, a registered company in Thailand.
"Everything is going well, our company is sustainable and is sufficient for a living; I even decided to give up my first love (her teaching career) for our company. Until the pandemic happened," she said in an interview with Explained Aklan.
The COVID-19 pandemic hit them so much that they had to close their business in Thailand and went home to Aklan.
'SA TUNGA IT EANAS': The birth of Payag Alfresco
The pandemic didn't hinder their love for the food business. This even pushed them to take a risk again, this time to open Payag, a restaurant in the middle of rice paddies in Jugas, New Washington, Aklan.
"Noong una, meryenda lang talaga ang binebenta namin dito. We serve sa nearby areas lang, sa mga kapit-bahay," Mary Ann said.
"Until such time na, napagdesisyunan na naming magbukas at mag-extend talaga," she added.
She was overwhelmed as people came to their place almost everyday.
"May mga times na, there are 12 groups na naghihintay sa entrance ng Payag. Ang dami-dami, hindi na namin alam ang gagawin at nahihiya na rin kami kasi syempre, hindi rin namin pwedeng paalisin yung mga nakaupo sa loob," she explained. "Ang sabi ko nalang sa mga naghihintay, pasensya po. Kung gusto niyo umalis okay lang din naman kasi ang tagal talaga nilang naghihintay.”
Mary Ann also said that she is thankful for the Aklanon culture, saying, "Mabuti lang talaga ang mga Aklanon, naga-hintay ba. Hindi sila nagapangyawyaw kung mabuhay.”
What makes people love Payag?
Tucked away from the bustle of the noisy streets in Kalibo, Payag is a neighborhood favorite that’s easy to love. The restaurant is known for serving their 'Best charcoaled-sisig in town' in a laidback space to bond with friends.
Diners can opt to enjoy their meals al fresco in the intimate rice paddy area and at the back, a bamboo-filled space where you can almost pretend things are back to the traditional way of living.
They even have eco-friendly utensils, where they use banana leaves as alternatives for plates, and clay pots for their soups.
"When we say Payag kasi dito sa atin, it reflects the traditional way of living in the Philippines. I want them to experience the natve style, I want them to experience what it's like to eat in Payag," Mary Ann uttered.
They also have their set of best selling milk teas.
What makes them special is the set of Filipino fave foods that is seasoned with love and passion.
What does Payag offer?
Payag offers more than a native style alfresco dine, it has a lot more amazing and unforgettable foods to taste.
Let's start with their best-selling charcoaled-grilled sisig. If you haven't tried it yet, visit Payag to know 'Totoo ang chismis, masarap ang sisig!''
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| Photo: PAYAG Facebook Page |
They also have their set of best selling milk teas.
 |
| Photo: PAYAG Facebook Page |
What makes them special is the set of Filipino fave foods that is seasoned with love and passion.
 |
| Photo: PAYAG Facebook Page |
"Yung mga gulay namin, from backyard yan. Yung mga meat, binibili namin sa mga nagbebenta diyan, bino-book lang namin. Kasi ang mga slaughter house, they can stand alone. Kami, dito kami sa mga vendors,"
As of now, the owner wants you to experience Payag. With bustling sounds of birds chirping along the way, the rice fields in New Washington will also ease your stress from work, problems, and acads. This place is the best spot to relax your soul and calm your mind.
They also have a branch in Kalibo located in FOOD KLO FOODPARK.
In the future, they also wanted to open a store in nearby municipalities to reach out to people who love Payag more than ever.
Just because we’re still fighting a pandemic doesn’t mean you have to be stuck indoors 24/7. As long as you have your face masks, face shields, and other requirements, there’s no problem about stepping out for a meal or some drinks. And Payag is one of a must-visit resto for dining deals and ideas, with or without the pandemic.