Restaurants

For my dad’s 65th and my kuya’s 31st birthdays, we trooped to our favorite places in Tagaytay– Bawai’s and next door Chateau Hestia, deep in the residential rows of Lagusan Drive.

Bawai’s is a Vietnamese restaurant, lutong-bahay style, and is owned by the Tatlonghari family. The word “Bawai” is actually grandmother in Vietnamese, and whenever we come here, we do feel like we’re just dining in a friend’s home!

They set up our table for 26 quite nicely..

After all the appetizers, I had this dry noodle bowl with beef slivers… really yummy, and only costs P195!

They also introduced rice dishes to the menu, here’s one with pork chops and omelet:

We took a stroll to Chateau Hestia next door…

…where they have a spanky new function room ready for use!

Nice high ceiling with lots of light coming in… beautiful modern garden kubo!

The cozy garden still enchants, and still makes me want to have my own garden someday…

It leads to the main restaurant on the ground floor…

Where they sell homemade limoncello (it’s good! and strong!) for around P800 a bottle I think..

…and dense freshly baked bread…

Happy birthday Papa and Kuy!  Was a lovely weekend with you and our happy noisy family!

I first visited Manos Greek Taverna with two girl friends over a year ago. Always with a soft spot for anything homemade (i.e. made with love), I’ve since listed it as a Tagaytay favorite.

A greek-style carinderia, Manos is a roadside restaurant along the main Tagaytay road (on the opposite side of the ridge) about a minute away from the rotonda.

I really did feel very My Big Fat Greek Wedding-ish the first time I saw those blue and white curtains and tablecloths, not to mention the matching music and paintings of Greek beaches and houses. Add to the scene Manos himself, the place’s most Grecian import, who is such a cheerful and hands-on owner! He’s usually seen grilling meats and preparing dishes in the kitchen himself.

The only disappointment I’ve ever had here is they don’t serve hummus, but just last month I discovered the perfect alternative: fish roe dip, also served with pita.

Other musts: Dolmades (steamed rice in grape leaves with yogurt dip), Gyros, Grilled chicken, yogurt with fresh honey (from Ilog Maria)

Why the place is charming: The menu offers, before anything about the food, a detailed romp through food history and the place of Greek cuisine in it. Talk about pride and passion for one’s work (told you I’m a sucker for “heart”)!

Grilled chicken with real smoked flavor

Yogurt with fresh honey and pistachio bits

Baklava

Bill for 5 full stomachs

I first heard of Mr. Moo’s when a friend pointed it out on the way to Punta Fuego last year. She said her dad just looooves their fresh carabao’s milk.

Early this year, finally decided to give it a shot– and I regret not having given in sooner! The chocolate carabao’s milk was exactly like the one we used to buy at the gas station near UP Los Banos as kids. Totally had a ratatouille moment when I had my first sip. Haaaaayyy.

Packaging is cute in rounded plastic containers, which the salesboy will cover with ice and newspaper if you’re ordering for take out.

Available are fresh cow, carabao, and goat products: (milk in 200ml and 1L), pastillas, kesong puti, ricotta cheese, yoghurt, soap. Also soy milk, tiny pan de sal. Wholesale prices available for orders of 10 pieces or more.
Mr. Moo’s can be found on either side of the Sta.Rosa-Tagaytay road. If going to Tagaytay, you’ll see it on your right after the road access to Lagusan Drive and before Casa Marcosa and the Tagaytay City Palengke. If Manila-bound, you’ll see it on your right a few meters past Leslie’s Too. See map.