Tagaytay City: Home of Specialty Restaurants

Posted on September 22nd, 2007 in Tagaytay by Philippines Insider - Kim

Just south of Manila, Philippines, about an hour and a half drive, you will find a place where locals and tourists go for relaxation. Tagaytay City is situated more than 650 meters above sea level. The Taal Volcano is the main attraction of Tagaytay City. Since Tagaytay City is located on a mountain ridge, it is a good place to have a breathtaking view of Taal Volcano and Taal Lake. Tagaytay City has also a great panoramic view of the neighboring provinces.

Tagaytay City is considered as a haven for locals and tourists because of its climate. Situated on the mountaintop, Tagaytay City is a splendid place for vacation and dining hangouts. Fabulous food is one thing that Tagaytay City’s specialty restaurants offer. Here are some of the specialty restaurants that can be found in Tagaytay City.

For a special romantic dinner, Antonio’s in Tagaytay City is the restaurant to go to. French cuisine is the restaurant’s specialty. Antonio’s has a variety of soups for starters. Coffee souffle and salad with foie-gras are served. Select your main course from a wide variety of selections including seafood and steaks. Chocolate souffle for desert is a great choice.

For home-cooked Filipino cuisine, Josephine’s is Tagaytay City’s specialty restaurant of choice. The restaurant is nicely situated overlooking Taal Lake. Josephine’s reputation of home-cooked Filipino dishes has already gone a long way. The restaurant serves Fried Tawilis, which is Tagaytay City’s authentic specialty. Imagine savoring delicious delicacies with Taal Lake and Taal Volcano’s spectacular view as a backdrop.

For a garden-theme cafe, Gourmet’s Cafe in Tagaytay City is a great stop. This restaurant is known for its famed salad bar. Gourmet’s Cafe grow the food they serve their patrons. Pizzas, pastas, sandwiches, and soups are included in Gourmet’s Cafe’s menu.

Thirsting for a cup of coffee? Bag of Beans Cafe in Tagaytay City is the cozy place to head to. Locally brewed coffee is the restaurant’s specialty. Freshly baked pies and cookies are served with hot brewed coffee. Bag of Beans Cafe is a coffee shop as well as a garden restaurant, too. The restaurant has an authentic English menu, including different flavors of home-made pies. Fish and Chips, omelets and sausages, Pies ‘n’ Mash, Bangers, and roast beef are also available. Bag of Beans Cafe’s bottomless cup is a great treat.

Sonya’s Garden is another specialty restaurant in Tagaytay City. The restaurant is virtually a greenhouse. The smell of fresh flowers greet you as you enter the place. Home-made pasta, refillable dalandan juice, bowl of salad and dressing is their set menu. A choice of shrimp, chicken, mushrooms, nuts, and other ingredients can be thrown into your pasta with a bowl of jackfruit. Grilled sweet potatoes in caramel sauce dip is a delicious desert to indulge into. Sonya Garden grow their own vegetables and other ingredients.

Going to Tagaytay City is a great de-stressing activity. Beautiful scenic views and mouth-watering delicacies are some of the things that Tagaytay City is known for.

Tags: , , , , , ,

Philippines’ Second Summer Capital Tagaytay

Posted on July 12th, 2007 in Tagaytay by Philippines Insider - Kim

Philippines is a tropical country with a dry and wet season. When it’s dry it’s really dry with the scorching heat of the sun. We are always in search of a place that could ease the hot weather. A place that’s affordable and not far from the capital. A place called Tagaytay.

Tagaytay city is about sixty kilometer (60km.) south of Manila in Cavite Province. It is located two thousand five hundred feet (2,500ft.) above sea level with a relatively low temperature, low humidity, and abundant rainfall. For this Tagaytay with its cool weather and clean air is called the country’s second summer capital after Baguio City.

Tagaytay is often visited both by local and foreign tourist because of the wildflowers paving the roads, fresh fruits, vegetables and the panoramic views of the Taal Volcano, the world’s smallest yet most active volcano. The view is breathtaking and a must see for everyone visiting Philippines. You can arrange a boat trip to the volcano island in the middle of Taal Lake.

Tagaytay is a perfect place for leisure activities like picnics, horseback riding, camping, and sightseeing. It is an affordable getaway for couples and families. Check-out Picnic Groove, where one can rent cottages for an overnight stay, go horseback riding, play on its mini-park and get thrilled of their adventure trail.

Want to see the most spectacular view of the volcano? One should visit People’s Park in the Sky formerly Palace in the Sky, a palace built for the former President Marcos but it wasn’t completed due to some political unrest that happened during that time and it has now been converted into a tourist spot. Reaching the top of the park is worth every step you take to the peak because you will feel like you’re on the top of the world. All four directions of the park are breathtaking.

Tagaytay is more than just a picnic place. The place is also known for being the “Center of Spiritual Retreat.” Congregational houses and retreat centers are all over the place which became a favorite place for spiritual meditation.

Modern convenient facilities and amenities are also an additional to the more growing city. One can visit the Tagaytay Highlands with two of the best golf courses in the country plus world class restaurants and establishments.

Want to try your luck? Visit the Casino Filipino Tagaytay and enjoy the gaming pleasure on the mountain. If you are an animal lover you will enjoy the Tagaytay Residence Inn Mini-Zoo where there are different kinds of wild animals ranging from birds to tigers. A zoo overlooking the scenic view of Taal Volcano and Lake complete with restaurant, magic shows, and get a chance to hold tiger cubs and take some pictures.

Thinking about visiting Philippines? Include Tagaytay in your list, shall we say make it on the top of your list. The place is relaxing and a safe haven for tourists to unwind and lay back after a long haul flight. One will never regret visiting Tagaytay, the Philippines second summer capital.

Tags: , , , , , ,