Big, bright signs. Huge, colorful statues and figures. It’s hard to miss the Barrio Fiesta restaurant when in Baguio City. Even now that a huge mall has occupied the top of the hill on which Barrio Fiesta used to dominate, the restaurant is still proudly holding its ground.

The sign bearing the mark “Igorot Stairs”, dedicated to the people of the Philippine Cordillera, still remains amidst the giant wooden statues in front of the restaurant’s entrance. The marker reveals that the statues are “carved in the heart of the Cordillera mountains by master carvers of Baguio and neighboring mountain tribes”.

Also prominent in the Igorot Stairs is the Cañao, described by a marker as a “thanksgiving feast in the highland tradition wherein animals are ritually slaughtered then roasted.” It’s a “prestige celebration which the wealthy among the Bontocs, the Ifugao’s, the Kalingas and the Apayao’s give to commensurate their position in the community.”

On the stairs sit a number of statues depicting the indigenous people in their bright costumes. These statues reflect the pride on the indigenous culture in the Cordilleras. In our opinion, and with due respect to those concerned, these statues would have been sufficient. The rest of the statues, even if depicting two former presidents and a deceased cardinal, are intruders. The addition of the statue of a security guard and a bystander totally clutters the “Igorot Stairs” and dilutes the dedication originally given.

A framed poster of Isdaan Restaurant is prominently displayed on one wall inside Barrio Fiesta, a badge of pride no doubt, given that the dishes in both restaurants, seafood included, taste really well. Seafood that is not cooked right is malansa (what’s the translation of that fishy smell?).

Here in Barrio Fiesta they cook seafood right, which is perfect for Holy Week. The Sinigang na Tiyan ng Bangus, the Inihaw na Pusit and the Pinaputok na Talakitok, wrapped in banana banana leaf for that distinct aroma and added taste, taste really good.

The Pinakbet sa Hipon and Seafood Kare-Kare are new discoveries. The Fresh Lumpia, or is it Lumpiang Baguio, has a slightly different twist, with Baguio vegetable taking the center stage.

Now, if your choice of restaurant involves considerations other than the taste of the food, there are two things we have to mention. One, while the huge class windows provide a view to a wide open Baguio air, we felt a bit claustrophobic here. Ceiling is low and highlights inside are too ornate; we prefer a simple flat wall with minimal embellishments. Two, if you want a quiet restaurant with a relaxing ambiance, this is not your place. There’s a staff constantly shouting orders to the kitchen staff at the side of the main door. Annoying because we were seated beside the main door.

And only if our order for saging con yielo came through, it would have been a perfect lunch experience. The unfortunate part is waiting for dessert that is not coming. This is the only sore part, but it was a nice experience overall. [How do you find Barrio Fiesta? Please use the comment section below.]