Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Great Food, Great View at La Finca Tagaytay

La Finca is one of the restaurants at Domicillo - a new boutique hotel in Tagaytay. It's a passion project of designer, Rene Alcala. 

As you enter the venue, the boxy, modern feel of the building makes it look so simple and elegant at the same time. There are big glass windows that lets you see Taal lake, it creates a perfectly vibrant feel.




It's a quiet place that serves delicious comfort food.

La Finca seems like an expensive fine dining restaurant, but it's affordable and the food is worth the price. 

We ordered

Ensalada La Finca (P345)

Oven BBQ'd Pork Belly (P495)

Seafood Chowder (P345)

Prawns in Aligue (P595)


We enjoyed the food, we love the design of the place. It's so nice to spend time with your loved ones here.  



Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Taal Heritage Town: A Historical Tour

Last weekend, we went to Taal town for a change. We still plan to go to the crater soon, but this time, we thought of visiting the heritage village in Taal, Batangas. 

We left the house at around 9am and got there just in time for lunch. We ate at Feliza Taverna y Cafe. It was a fusion of Spanish & Filipino dishes. The owners, Beth & Ginney are also the owners of Adarna Food & Culture Restaurant (but I'm afraid Adarna is already closed)
While waiting for the food, we walked along the street and saw St. Martin de Tours Church (We were told that this is the largest Christian Church in Asia)








After taking a few photos, we went back to the restaurant. Time to eat!  I had the Zarzuela, it's mixed seafood cooked in fresh tomatoes and herbs. Yummy! Carlo tried the Tapa ng Taal which was also so delicious. 



Since the owners are my dad's friends, they toured us around the house while telling us all about the history of Aguinaldo and things they found in the house that they bought. 






Emilio Aguinaldo's (Yes, Aguinaldo as in El Presidente), secretary Feliza Diokno owned that house. When they bought it they found a lot of furniture and documents from the time of Aguinaldo.



Beth told us stories written in history records about the time of Aguinaldo & Antonio Luna, it was a different perspective from how Aguinaldo was portrayed in the Heneral Luna film. It was nice to hear a different side of the story. She also told us more stories - real stories that she read from various books on the Philippine history during the time of our first president. Very insightful afternoon. Thanks Beth & Ginney! 








We'll definitely come back to visit these other places in Taal Heritage Town: 

Balisong - You can see the collection and buy some for souvenir 

Taal Municipal Hall - Casa Real - municipal government building built in 1845. Notice that it's the only building in town with a roof made of tiles. 

The Escuela Pia - the cultural center for the town.

The Whitehouse - Don Gregorio Agoncillo Mansion 

Dona Marcela Agoncillo Museum - This was where Marcella Agoncillo sewed by hand, the first Philippine flag.

Don Leon Apacible Museum 

The Wedding Gift House - Eulalio gave this house as a wedding gift to Gliceria. Here you'll see photos and other memorabilia of the owners.