Spread Some Awesome

Duration : ~1-2 hours

Bummers : large crowd of hungry customers during weekends

Manila boys and girls know that Tagaytay is the best place to go to when the weather in the city is scorching hot. It is just a quick drive from the city but it offers a whole new environment – cool and filled with awesome scenery. For one, the view of Taal Volcano is a magnificent sight to see. Different stores selling colorful flowers, fresh lettuce, and miniature pineapples are lined along the highway. That is why many restaurants and hotels are getting built in Tagaytay. This is to cater to the needs of its growing customer base.

Leslie’s Restaurant is a restaurant we love to visit when in Tagaytay. We have probably dined here for more than three times but our mouth-watering desire for their Bulalo Special (Php 450) never dwindles. No wonder they were awarded to have the Best Bulalo in 2011 by Sooo Pinoy. Without a doubt, Leslie’s Bulalo Special is the best we ever had.

Large chunks of soft and tender beef loins swim in clear broth. A large beef bone offers a creamy marrow center. People would fight against each other who will get the marrow. Many friendships ended because of this dish.

Bulalo Special

Bulalo Special

You might say that it is redundant but we don’t care. If you are dining at Leslie’s, you gotta have their Crispy Pata (Php 399). This crunchy pork leg is said to be heart attack on a plate. But who cares if it’s this good, right?

Crispy Pata

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Tags: beef, bulalo, crispy pata, lechon, Taal, tawilis

Budget : ~Php400 for main dishes

Duration : chill out for a while

Bummers : food is quite expensive

Tagaytay is the nearest destination you can go to from Manila if you want to escape the busy city. Tagaytay is popular for it’s amazing sight of the Taal Volcano and it’s endless offering of gastronomic goodness. Foodies and travelers alike find Tagaytay as one of the most charming cities that you can drive to in an hour from Manila (especially there is no traffic jam).

If I want to find solitude with a breathe of fresh cool air, I just drive to Tagaytay. Especially now that it’s scorching hot in the city, Tagaytay is the place I can go to where I can cool off and unwind. (Baguio is just too far.)

Me and my partner in crime, Isabel, reached Tagaytay around lunch time so we had to look for a good place to dine. I was searching for Buon Giorno and I think this time, Google Maps is just wrong. I reached Nasugbu without seeing the Cliff House. My friends say it isn’t far the Starbucks in Tagaytay but Google Maps said it is still way after Bag of Beans. Oh men, next time I know where to look for it.

I saw Sonya’s Garden along the way but I don’t think I can handle a buffet meal at that time. So, we chose to go to Breakfast at Antonio’s.

Though Breakfast at Antonio’s is  far from the main road of Tagaytay, it isn’t difficult to find because there are many signs along the way pointing to the restaurant. You may even find a sign with a cute blogger pointing to the breakfast house.

To the Breakfast House

Awww. Just your luck! Lol!

When you reach the place, it shows a friendly atmosphere that brings you closer to nature. It’s relaxing and being in Antonio’s made me feel like I was on a long vacation in a far away place.

I didn’t mind dining Al Fresco because of the cool breeze and the awesome view of nature. You can dine outdoors or indoors. Both locations are awesome.

Breakfast at Antonio's Garden

Breakfast Under a Clear Sky and Parasol

Indoor Dining Area

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Tags: breakfast, omelet, pasta, pudding, smoothie