When life feels a bit dry, I go in search for things to try.  So I thought of traveling all the way South to try Sartin's heirloom recipes of the North. 


It's been a long time since I last stayed at Summit Ridge Hotel. 

I thought it's an awesome idea to have Sartin serving Quezon, Tarlac and Bacolod Heritage Dishes in Tagaytay.


Pastries for sale greets every visitor that comes in. 


On the side, there's also a chiller of cakes and snacks. 

Didn't expect to see a bar.  It looks grand doesn't it? 

The interiors is great for group dining.  These are cozy looking booths.

Food
 
Mga Pica-Pica at Merienda  

Batchoy (305 php)

Imagine the chilly atmosphere of Tagayatay comfortably warmed by the rich, warm and savory    Batchoy with delicious fresh beef chunks and marrow.  Ah perfection...
 

Kalabasa, Kamote at Kesong Puti Salad (425 php)

Sabaw

♥ Kansi (655 php)

Well, you can have more soups in a meal.  The Kansi is also a must try.

Chicken Charon (165 php)

You can't let your fingers off these Chicken Charon.  Let's crunch this dish all the way.


Mga Gulay at Kanin

Laswa (295 php)

Veggies can be good with Laswa which is a warming and hearty dish to try.  

Kalkag Rice (215 php)

 The Kalkag Rice goes so well with any dish.


Sartin Signature Menu 

Valenciana (495 php)

The Valenciana is different from other paella I've tried before.  It is made of sticky rice used in Filipino kakanin dishes. 

♥ Lechon na Tadyang ng Baka (1975 php)

The Lechon na Tadyang ng Baka is hands down the best dish among all our orders at Sartin.


Quezon (Lola Agnes)

 

Tarlac (Mommy Jet)

♥ Callos (449 php)

 The Callos has always been one of my favorite Spanish dishes.  Love how the strong tangy tomato sauce compliments the tender tongue strips here. 
 

♥ Pork Sisig (319 php)

The Pork Sisig comes with liver bits.  As a liver lover, how can I resist?  I would also like to commend how lean this sisig is. 


Weekly Special

♥ Beef Kaldereta

Sartin also offers weekly special which you can see on its chalkboard by the entrance.

Dessert

♥ Tibok-Tibok (245 php)

The Tibok-Tibok is a rare find.  We all rejoiced upon finding this delectable carabao-milk-based treat.  It so velvety-soft as it slowly melts in the mouth.

♥ Leche Flan

The Leche Flan is quite unique because it also has carabao milk mixed in.  This is one of the best Leche Flan I've ever had.

Ginumis (169 php)

Although I didn't get to try the Ginumis, it look so delicious!


Tsinoy Foodies Verdict

During an overnight staycation in Tagaytay City, my companions brought me to Don Juan Tamad Restaurant. 

It was located at the corner of Aguinaldo Highway and Magallanes Drive.  Although it is a corner lot, it's front is covered by signages and tarpaulin so you'll hardly notice that it's there.  You can enter either from this side...

or this side which is more convenient coming from the parking area.

I was amazed at how beautiful and huge it is in the inside.  It's like a secret club or haven.  Given the natural chilly weather of Tagaytay plus this set up, your dining experience will surely be relaxing.  That's what Don Juan Tamad is all about... enjoying a chilly lazy night... a slow-life which you can rarely have when you're in the busy city.


It's has private rooms, bars and hut or kubo style dining set up.  There were a lot of foreigners from asians such as Korean to westerners.  At late hours, there are live bands.  Diners can also volunteer to sing with the band as back out. 
 
Food

Exotic Foods & Pica Pica

♥ Kalderetang Kambing (330 php)

The dishes here are interesting especially the exotic ones.  The Kalderetang Kambing is goat stew.  It is a bit sweetened.  The meat was tender enough.

Tapang Kabayo (310 php)

 The Fried Mountain Range Horse Meat is peppery and a bit tough to chew.  After a while, I got the hang of it.

♥ Adobong Baboy Damo (355 php)

I liked the Adobong Baboy Damo the most.  My only dislike would be that it had so many bones that there are smaller portions of meat left.

Quick-Serve Best-Seller List

♥ Beef Bulalo M (340 php)

The Beef Bulalo is served warm so it was really comforting to drink at such chilly night.  It was very tasty too!  Sarap!

♥ Don Juan Beef Pares Beef Soup Special (115 php)

The Don Juan Beef Pares Beef Soup Special is one of the most flavorful and chunky pares I've encountered.  So good!
 

♥ Crispy Fried Tawilis (140 php/8 pcs.)

I'm not very picky with the establishment when it comes to Crispy Fried Tawilis.  All restaurants here in Tagaytay seem to know the technique of cooking it right.  I've tried buying fresh tawilis in Fisher Mall and I always end up frying an uncrispy one. =(

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Don Juan Tamad offers one of the most relaxing places to dine in Tagaytay.  I really love the native kubo non-intimidating and fun atmosphere.  The food is also delicious!  It's also convenient that it's open 24/7 so it's also a great breakfast place.  But for me, best time to go is at night because of the enchanting lights and fun entertainment.

Cafe Via Mare has already engraved its heirloom Filipino dishes into our Filipino hearts and spirit.  What I love about Via Mare is that it serves consistently good Filipino dishes for everyone including Pope John Paul II, First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos and her distinguished guests as well as you and me.  


Now, as Via Mare celebrates it 40th birthday,    I have been invited to a luncheonette to share with you some of its best sellers.  Whether it's for breakfast, lunch, merienda and dinner, Via Mare has offerings that is sure to satisfy your cravings.

Food

Mainit na Sabaw

♥ Pancit Molo (195 php)

The Pancit Molo is a big bowl good for 2-3.  It is a heart and soulful soup with stuffed noodles filled with shrimp, chicken and pork.  To add more savory goodness, there are also smokey bacon strips.

♥ Sinigang na Karne (365 php)

The Sinigang na Karne is our classic favorite tamarind based soup with a huge chunk of oh-so-soft cured beef.  There are also veggies to add the delightful sweet flavors and a boost of vitamins.

Sari-Saring Kanin

Calcag Rice (155 php)

The Calcag Rice is guaranteed to awaken all your taste sensors with the explosive umami essence from the sun-dried shrimps, bagoong and scrambled eggs.  This is great with any viand.

♥ Tuyo Fried Rice (155 php)

The Tuyo Fried Rice is so good that rice alone will satisfy you. The rich salty goodness is so good that it will make you eat more!

Fiesta (195 php)

As the name implies, the Fiesta is a staple of extravagance.  Yes! It has loads of adobo bits, salted egg cubes and diced tomatoes so it is already a humble meal by itself.

Masagang Tanghalian

♥ Rellenong Bangus (560 php)

The Rellenong Bangus is stuffed milk fish.  This is gloried by the savory and sweet tomato and onion sauce.

♥ Pinais na Alimasag (380 php)

The Pinais na Alimasag is a crabmeat and coco meat omelet served presentably in a blue crab shell.  The x factor of this dish is tbe coconut cream that gives it a mellifluous, fragrant and creamy consistency.  It is served with the bagoong balayan rice that's wrapped in banana leaf.

♥ Inasal na Manok (195 php)

An order of the Inasal na Manok comes with 4 skewers.  The garlic-annato roast chicken is so bold that it really lingers in your mouth.  The atchara is a great complement that refreshes the palette. 

Beef Kaldereta (470 php)

The Beef Kaldereta has a distinct thick and flavorful tomato sauce that makes you want to splurge all over your rice.  The beef cube is tender and easy to chew.  I appreciate every element of this dish even the olives, bell peppers and onions. 

Arroz Ala Cubana (285 php)

The Arroz Ala Cubana is ground beef cooked in sofrito with raisins and snow peas.  It is served with fried egg and plaintain.
 

Crispy Binagoongan (325 php)

The Crispy Binagoongan is a popular favorite.  The crispy pork bellies are sensationally crunchy so surely you'll go crunching away till the last bit.
 
Ensalada at Gulay

♥ Ensaladang Pako (220 php)

My personal healthy favorite is the Ensaladang Pako.  The bunches of crisp fern leaves together with the salted egg and tomatoes plus the vinaigrette is a winner!
 
Sari-saring kakanin

Guinataang Halo-Halo (98 php) *sampler size

The Guinataang Halo-Halo is a coconut cream dessert soup tinted with the color of its main ingredient: purple yam, taro and sweet potato.  To add the mellow sweetness that we love, there's plaintain banana and jackfruit slices.  And, I'm glad there's my favorite chewy rice dumpling ball too.

Palitaw (55 php) *sampler size

The Palitaw is poached rice patties with grated coconut and toasted sesame seeds.  This is my type of chewy snack. 

Grilled Pan De Sal

♥ Laguna Cheese (155 php) and Spanish Style Chocolate (85 php)

The Laguna Cheese is grilled pan de sal served hot off the grill and filled with Laguna's farmer-style white cheese.

I like to pair my Laguna Cheese with the Spanish Style Chocolate.  This pair brings a delightful comfort to my soul. 

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Cafe Via Mare time-tested prestige can tell more than we could.  So what's your favorite?