This is our second year of celebrating Joy's birthday together. Like last year, we choose Tagaytay because of it's proximity in our place. This time we will be visiting places we've never been before. Days before our date, Joy and I were busy surfing the net for those hidden places in Tagaytay. And now secrets revealed...
01.24.10
First Stop = Jollibee
Joy picked us at 8am. Yehey! I was the first one to arrive! We leave Jollibee at around 8:20am.
Second Stop = Rowena's Pasalubong Haus
Since we new that we will coming home late, we planned to have our first stop at Rowena's for our pasalubong. A welcoming face from the owner, Ms. Rowena Mendoza greeted us. What is the best partner for a conversation? Coffee! The lady with a happy face also have a big heart... slices of banana loaf were given to us for free! What a nice start! Thanks Ms. Rowena!
It's Joy's celebration yet she surpised us with a gift... first gift pa lang yan... :)
bread and coffee with the owner
joy's first gift to us
Third Stop = Tierra de Maria
I don't know what's with Tagaytay that the place is full of churches, seminaries and retreat houses. Maybe it's because of the weather or maybe because of the environment. Nature maybe. I feel light whenever I visit a church or retreat house... This is my first time to visit Tierra de Maria, wish, wish, wish...
birthday calendar of saints
Fourth Stop = Lunch = Mervin's Canteen
I was still full after coffee and a slice of banana loaf at Rowena's but the next stop will be Mervin's Canteen for our lunch. The place is Mae & Topher's fave. One serving of bulalo (P375.00) was already enough for us, imagine "sabaw" all you can! We also ordered crispy tawilis (P90.00), two orders of grilled liempo (P140.00) and chopseuy (P80.00). What a lunch!
Fifth Stop = Cliffhouse
Cliffhouse has many restaurants namely, Cafe Britton, Buon Giorno, Fire Lake Grill and Platito plus Fruits in ice cream and yogurt stall.
the view
enjoying the moment
Would you believe I had a fling? hehe! Some are already crazy over fro-yo but for me, this is my first time that I tried frozen yogurt and I super super ♥ it! I choose natural over lychee flavor topped with 70% organic chocolate chips and chocolate sauce...
One blog that I read about Cliffhouse says: "parking fee is P100 or you can have it validated. " Giving a big question mark in my head, what is there to validate? hmmm... Upon exiting, the security personnel asked our driver if we have receipt... good thing i'm keeping all our receipts. Ah okei, he just make sure we ate something or else we have to pay P100 as parking fee. :)
Sixth Stop = Mano's Greek Tavern
Authentic Greek Cuisine. Upon checking their menu I found two unique foods. Tzatziki, (P110.00) dip with yogurt, garlic and olive oil. Best partnered with bread. Baklava (P150.00), dessert with roasted hazelnut, walnut halves, almond, butter, sugar cinnamon. Hmmm... actually I haven't tried the two, I was so full... I wanted to sleep Zzzz... But hey, reservation at Bawai's is at 4p.m. and it was 3:30pm when we tried lamb shawarma (P100.00). I was teary eyed when I tried lamb shawarma with their home made hot sauce! But the truth is, the taste is so so good! :)
meet the owner, Mr. Manuel Sapountzaki
lamb shawarma
Seventh Stop = Bawai's Vietnamese Restaurant
Bawai is a Vietnamese term for grandmother. Bawai Yong is a Vietnamese who settled in the country after marrying her Filipino husband, Ver Tatlonghari. She is a great cook who loves entertaining her children and grandchidren at their home. Until a portion of their home was open as a restaurant.
Due to limited space, guests need to make a reservation at least four hours before. It is only open on weekends for lunch and dinner. You may call 0920-9722924 for reservation.
meet Bawai Yong Tatlonghari, the cook and the owner
our food
Goi Cuon (P175.00), three pieces, Vietnamese fresh lumpia, fresh pork and shrimp served with peanut sauce. Chao Tom (P250.00), three pieces, pounded shrimp on sugarcan skewers with special Vietnamese fish sauce. I super love Goi Ga, (P195.00), chicken and cabbage salad. Ban Cuon, (P205.00), minced pork and mushroom rolls with Vietnamese ham.
Eight Stop = Chateau Hestia
We had our dessert At Chateau Hestia. It was already dark when we got there. The night is so dark that we almost lost the trail. The moon and the dark night complement with the restaurant's ambiance. The place is like a country home style. Meet the owner...
Ninth Stop = Massage
Our reservation for the massage was at 8pm. I super enjoy the massage at my back! We ended past 9pm.
Favorite words to say on that day:
busog na ko promise! weeee!
what's next?
Ü
photos courtesy of Joy
sinong may gusto ng coffee?
