Antonio's

One of the most popular suggestions for that quick getaway is Tagayatay. Given the fact that its just near Manila, around one to two hours drive, its best known for the cool breeze that it offers making it a nice chill place for you to hangout with your friends and grab some coffee or beer. You won't find that when you are surrounded by buildings after buildings and the pollution of the city itself, a typical picture of the Busy Philippine business district.

However beyond those chill places and along with that breeze, I know there is more to Tagaytay. And yes, there is.

One of the Top 20 Asian Restaurants lies hidden in the city of Tagaytay.

Antonio's

Its a hidden paradise. 

When I say hidden, its literally hidden. Antonio's location if far from the center of Tagaytay, known as Tagaytay Rotonda. Far from the the bars, restaurants and should I say civilization. Antonio's location is not along the highways of Tagaytay, cause from the main road itself you would still need a 10-15mins drive down to get there. And the road that you will enter? Well lets say its just enough for one car to fit one way. YET when I saw their big gate, it give me the chills and butterflies of excitement and its worth it. 

Arrived around 5:00pm, Antonio's guard knocked at the car window and said "Ma'am, open pa po dinner 5:30.". Its okay, I can wait even for an hour. Upon entry, the guard will assist you to where you should park. I felt like I'm a guest of one of the richest filipino's house. After parking, due to soo much excitement I went down and checked the place. 

The guard didn't greet me with a "Hi ma'am". His eyes were like disappointed and he was choking as if he wanted to say something that he can't. He said "Ma'am bawa po slippers and shorts sa loob, may DRESS CODE po." (Sorry ma'am slippers and shorts are not allowed inside, we have a dress code.)

AND IT WAS OVER. JUST NOT.

I came from Nuvali for Republiq Wakepark so thats why I'm in my boards and flops. I told the guard "Manong, don't worry may baon naman ako mga damit, prepared ako.". Manong guard smiled in relief.

Eager to see whats inside, I asked the guard if I could enter to change in my "DRESS CODE" outfit and take some photos while waiting. Gladly he said yes. 

Here's a glimpse of paradise.

Do i say more? 

Its interior is some what like eating in a classic Filipino house with the influence of the Spaniards during the Spanish colonization.

I feel like I'm having dinner with Padre Damaso or Chrisotomo Ibbara. 

5:30

Picked the best seat. Waiters and waitresses are dressed in an old fashion way like the royal house maids of Queen Elizabeth. Waiter arrived at my table handing out the menu and we talked about serious business. What is Antonio's Bestseller? 

In his opinion it will be the Antonio's Trio so that's what I ordered. 

Antonio's serves set menu that besides the main course it also includes the Soup of the Day, Salad, Desert and Coffee or Tea. 

While waiting for the food, they served some butter and freshly home baked bread.

The Soup of the Day was Mushrrom Capuccino. I was so excited I was not able to take a picture of it. SORRY. I know what your thinking, Mushroom plus Coffee? Ew. Its mushroom soup but with slight cappuccino kick because the top of the soup is the foam of cappuccino. Its light, rich in taste. Tell you, its the best soup that I ever had. 

The salad that I was served was Arugula Salad. Its Sun-Dried Tomatoes with Gorgonzola and Glazed Walnuts Drizzled with Balsamic Reduction.

From the looks itself the freshness of it greens and ingredients are obvious. Taste? The freshness of it sinks in your taste buds. 

Arugula Salad

And now the main course. 

Antonio's Trio is Beef Fillet on Plancha with Black Pepper Sauce,  Honey Glazed Lambloin Gratinated with Goat Cheese, and Grilled Beef Fillet Gratinated with Cepeswith Morel Black Truffle and Gratin Potato.

Antonio's Trio is a 3 in 1 Beef Cuisine Treat from Tagaytay's Heaven. Its a classic beef dish that offers from variety of sweet to salty tastes that will give you the excitement of having the bit of everything. 

Antonio's Trio

Last but not the least will be the deserts. 

Felchlin Maracaibo Chocolate

Flourless Chocolate Cake

Antonio's  is not your ordinary Fine Dinning Restaurant, its the Hidden Paradise. 

Antonio's 

Purok 138, Barangay Neogan Tagaytay City

Lunch 11am-2pm

Dinner 5:30pm-8:0pm

http://www.antoniosrestaurant.ph/

Pegi Waffles

Early 2000's, Philippines welcomed a booth in almost every mall that sells waffles for a price that is pretty much close to a jeepney fare. It started to be popular with their signature cheese waffle, next with hotdogs inside and now with fruit fillings.  Yea its good. Pang tawid gutom.

But before this waffle store did hit the market, there was Pegi Waffle. The one and only Pegi Waffle. I know your like "Huh? Never heard of such thing." or "Wala naman ganayan sa mall?". Well lemme share it to you... 

The Classic Belgian Experience 

Pegi Waffle started late 1990's and had stores in famous malls like Shangri-la, Megamall and a lot more. 

Leige Waffle and Chocolate Waffle

Their bestseller is the The Liege Waffle, popularly known as the “sugar waffle”.  This classic waffle originated from the town of Liege, Belgium.  It’s made with pearl sugar which caramelizes when baked. 

But my FAVOURITE is their CHOCOLATE WAFFLE. A MUST TRY.

Chocolate Waffle

What's good about Pegi Waffle is that its not to sweet nor to plain neither too soft nor too hard, everything is just right. Pegi focused to their specialities not adding a variety of flavor. So its waffle is still the same in the past, present and fosho in the future. Maybe that's why until now even though they don't have stalls or booths, people crave for them and all efforts to go their location in San Juan.

Why don't they have food stalls or booths anymore? 

I was able to asked that and they said its expensive already to rent a spot inside malls. 

How do they sell their Waffles? Online? By order? Walk-in?

In my opinion, they don't need to market it that much. Why? Well just for the mere fact that they are the supplier of waffles for STARBUCKS. They supply the Liege Waffle to Starbucks. And for their Chocolate Waffle, they supply it to Fro Yo.

So no need to go all the way to San Juan, you can grab it from the nearest Starbucks or Fro Yo :) 

Well yah, having a variety of flavors to choose from is a good. However its not better. Fact proven by Pegi Waffles

PEGI WAFFLE

P. GUEVARRA ST., LITTLE BAGUIO IN SAN JUAN 

moN-FRI 9AM-6PM

http://pegiwaffles.com/

Yakitori

Philippines is BETAMAX or ISAW. Japan is YAKITORI.

Yakitori is grilled chicken on sticks BUT with a UGH. Or should i say UGH?! Yakitori is not your ordinary chicken barbecue. WHY? Its different parts of the chicken. Like what? Well of course the thighs, skin, liver. Common you say? How about chicken small intestines? Sus Isaw lang yan. How about chicken tail? chicken gizzard?

Lemme share to you my Yakitori Experience...

The Yakitori is located in Burgos Circle Fort. Yes I know, there are a lot of restaurants in Burgos Circle but what makes Yakitori special is that from the view outside, you can already feel the Japanese ambiance. Oo, tumatagos sa labas.



Yakitori has 2 floors. On the way up to the second floor, you willl see the owner's collection of different Japanese Sake. Sake is Japanese traditional wine. Philippines wine is Lambanog while for Japan its Sake.The 2nd floor can serve as a small gathering place. Ideal for office people within the Fort for a meeting or just Pay Day Outs with your Boss or colleagues. 



Japanese Sake

Yakitori's food was served FAST and FRESH. It was just minutes after we ordered and food were already laid. Like normal people think, "luto na ba to? bilis naman".  Hesitant, but I'm already hungry (as always haha) so here goes BIG-AH.

Well what do you know? Its cooked and its FRESH. Barbecues are sold by pair and rice is bought separately. We ordered 4 different barbeques, soo if its a pair that would be 8pieces.

4 x 2 = 8

Makes sense?



Best rice i ever tasted.



Tebasaki Boneless is boneless middle wing meat. Tsukune is minced chicken ball.

Tebasaki Boneless is just like the normal grilled chicken but much tender and  full in taste and for Tsukune its like frozen chicken balls, but Japanese style with stick:)   

Tebasaki Boneless and Tsukune



Momo is chicken leg meat. Momo Ninniku is the same as Momo (duh) however with garlic. Momo's meat tastes like Chicken Inasal, just smaller.

Momo and Momo Ninniku

Indeed one of the best Japanese Restaurants in the Bonifacio Global City. Its not your ordinary chicken barbecue, its Yakitori.

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Repub1c Wakepark

Hectic schedule? Looking for a quick getaway? Here is an eXtreme one.

Wakeboarding nowadays is one of the most popular water sports. It started around 2007 (I think) and one of the pioneer wakeboarders who made this sport popular in the Philippines is Aga Mulach. He even had his own competition or event that a lot of Filipinos and even foreigners joined.

Before, wakeboaring is known to be a sport with a speedboat to assist you and pull you fast. However, now we have wakeparks that have cables that can accommodate one after the other.


Wakeparks in the Philippines will be Lago De Oro which is in Batangas with a 3 hours drive and Camsur known as CWC which is in Bicol with a 6-7 hours drive.

But here ye here ye, no more long drives for you. With your hectic schedule or limited off and leave? There is now a wakepark that is just a hour or half drive for you to go. 


Thank God for REPUBL1C Wakepark.

Republ1c Wakepark

Republ1c is actually a clothes store that sells urban fashion as well as having that street culture lifestlye which of course includes those boardshorts, wakeboards and all. They have shops in Eastwood, Pasong Tamo just to name a few.


This is just located at Nuvali, so yes its just 1 Hour and 30 minutes drive from Manila. But if your just from the South? 30mins kaya. 

Budget wise? Its sakto dude. Their cable rates are affordable. As you can see below, 1 Hour Pass is just Php 250.00. But for beginners is recommended that you take the 4 Hour Pass which is Php 595.00. Not bad right?

Rates

Wait how about the lifevest? I need that, baka malunod ako. And yung helmet? KKD ba? Like kanya-kanya  dala? I don't have those things.


Not to worry dude, they have available vests and helmets that you can borrow. But you need to pay Php 800.00 for a helmet and vest. EXPENSIVE? NO. They will give you back your bucks once you return the items to them. Its just a deposit for them to make sure that your going to return it. Alam mo naman ang pinoy, baka "accidente" mauwi.

When your all geared up, time to learn how to wake or rather how to break yourself into pieces. 

As easy at it looks, it takes to learn how to wakeboard. My first wakeboard experience was in Lago De Oro back when I was in college and that as like 4years ago. So obviously I need to go back to the basics again. 

I'm a Goffy. Not the Walt Disney character, but a Goofy when it comes to wakeboarding. Which means whenever stand my right foot is forwarded. You will be able to determine that once you are pushed in by your friends haha.

There are two ponds in Repub1c. One is for Professionals or Feeling Professionals and the other one is for the Beginners. Since it was 4 years since my last wake, I went to the Beginners area. What is the difference between the two?




Professionals and Feeling Professionals Pond is bigger because of its ramps and faster   cables. Faster cables are needed by a person who is in to doing stunts over the ramps and all. 

Pro's Pond

Beginners Pond is half the size of the other pond because it doesn't have ramps. Cables are slower here but its being controlled by the Manong because sometimes Pros practice their turns or speed here.

Beginners Pond

And speaking of Manong, if you are indeed a beginner, there are 2 Manongs that will make sure at the end of the day you can stand at your own two feet. Naks. 

Manong no. 1

Manong no. 2

SO LETS TRY.

ONE

TWO

B O O M

At my BOOM photo above, if you will look closely, its raining. This sport is rain or shine. So if its your off and you think you can't do anyhting because of the bad weather, THINK AGAIN. Just to tell you, on that day, it was Signal No. 2 in Manila. 

incomplete without F O O D.

Upon entry you are not allowed to bring in any food or drinks, even water. Pero wag kang mag-alala libre naman tubig sa pond. Republ1c has there own food-store inside wherein you can order food and have it delivered to wherever you are sited,

Burger and Fries does not include drinks and the Burger's Beef is pure 100% Beef. It was a good burger, or am I just soo hungry that time?

Nah, its a good burger:) 

Burger and Fries
Php 250-350.00

Despite the weather that day wherein it was my First EVER Vacation Leave, I have no one to blame not even the clouds, thunders or rain. This was the best (so far) vacation leave. And Republ1c? See you this September.

Feeling Pro

http://republ1cwakepark.com/

Elias by Crisostomo

CRISPY PATA

check. 

SINIGANG NA HIPON

check. 

TEMPURA LAING

wait.

LAING PIZZA

WHAT??

This are just some of those twists that Elias has to offer. 

And yes there are more.

Elias is Filipino Restaurant that serves all time favorite pinoy dishes with a brand new twist that will make you even forget whats the original recipe taste like;) Hmmmm.

Elias

When I entered inside this reminds of  the all time favorite Barrio Fiesta. (sayang nga eh, wala na ata halos Barrio Fiesta, Bagoong nalang natira)

Elias's interior is somehow same to Barrio Fiesta. That happy, light and fiesta ambiance. But with a bit of that look during the Spanish Colonization in a modern and colorful way.

When  it comes to their food, Elias will surely give you that epicure moment. Even to that very "Odd" moment. 

Why odd? Does this look familiar to you?  Oh yes you are correct its Odd Balls but here in Elias it is called Bolas de Fuego. Its deep fried crispy squid balls with chili sauce. So when you are craving for squid balls street food, you can go to Elias with the comfort of aircon hehe:)  

Bolas de Fuego
Php 185.00
Good for Two-Three

Carriedo tase like Gambas. Its sauteed prawns in oyster garlic sauce. Its rich in taste and not oily like others, my favorite dish here in Elias. 

Carriedo
Php 350.00
Good for Two-Three

Talong Bicolano is Elias's very own Bicol Express sauteed String Beans, Pork, Shrimp Paste, Chilis & Coconut Cream. One of kind Bicol Express recipe that its pork is so tender that its like shredded into strips. And don't you worry, its pork? Not that much fat :D

Talong Bicolano
Php 225.00
Good for Two 

Pinoy Paella is Elias's own version of Spanish Rice Dish with Prawns, Chicken, Pork & Chorizo. Too bad its not UNLI-Rice like in Mang Insal, cause its so good you'll beg for more.

Pinoy Paella
Php 335.00
Good for Three 

And it won't be complete without a desert right? So here is Elias's Soledad. Its Mango & Suman with hot choco. An good alternative Filipino desert rather than the common halo-halo or bukon pandan on the menu.

Soledad
Php 120.00
Good for One

Elias is indeed one of the new restaurants that is a must to go to. And surely it will exceed your expectations about Filipino dinning.

                                      Elias by Crisostomo                                                         Bonifacio High Street Central                                            Bonifacio High Street Central, 7th Ave cor 29th St                                                                Fort Bonifacio, Taguig                                                                    (02) 546-7977