Breakfast at Antonio's

It's been months since we last posted, and since 2013 is a year for new beginnings.. We decide to begin, again (ironically put). Our blog has been admittedly ignored due to our busy schedules, with Thirdy working for KLG, and I, finally taking up the last leg of my college life with thesis. A few days ago, Thirdy celebrated his 21st birthday, and to commemorate this, I decided to drive all the way up to Tagaytay for a lovely brunch in Breakfast at Antonio's.

Upon entering the restaurant, you will be greeted with fresh, lovely white interiors that complements the scenic view of Taal Lake. We sat near the end of the restaurant, with nets installed in lieu of windows, to give a panoramic view of the famous lake. It was breathtakingly beautiful. The scene, coupled with Antonio Escalante's delectable concoctions was the perfect combination to a great afternoon. We ordered the following:

Beef Tapa (Php 390.00)
(Served with 2 eggs done any way you want it w/ Hash browns or Sauteed Scallop Potatoes or Garlic Rice with Baked Beans)

The marination of the beef had a good balance of flavors. They were also able to cook the egg overhard, just as how Thirdy requested it to be. His favorite was the baked beans because the sauce tasted just like his tita's callos dish.

Smoke N.Z. King Chinook Salmon on Whole Wheat Bread with Creme Cheese & Scrambled Eggs (Php 450.00) 

Fresh from my idealistic New Year's resolution, I decided to go for a healthy meal and ordered one of their best sellers in the sandwich selections. Surprisingly, the taste of the salmon on their whole wheat bread was so heavenly, it actually felt like you were eating a meaty, flavorful steak. Only a trained hand can fool the flavor buds to excite itself over something as healthy as salmon! The salmon was also fresh, a delight to bite, as it slides off easily in the mouth.

Hot Dark Chocolate - Petite (Php 70.00) with Marshmallow (add Php 10.00) 

Fresh Grape Slush (Php 190.0

To boot, we were greeted with the surprise of Antonio Escalante's presence himself! Thirdy, being the chef that he is, was doe-eyed upon seeing Anton (first name basis pa!). Lots of customers lined up to get pictures with him and he gladly posed for a few shots. More than just the food, it's the experience that you get from Antonio Escalante's restaurants that marks him as one of the best chefs in the Philippines. If you're craving for a yummy lunch, and looking for something more than the ordinary, Breakfast at Antonio's is the place to go.

Restaurant Verbena, Discovery Country Suites Tagaytay

For our first anniversary, Thirdy decided to bring us back to a place where it all officially started. Tagaytay is the most chosen haven for people living in the Metro since it is easily accessible and is just a few hours away. It also offers the best spot and view of the Taal Lake, and is our own little version of a place that likens to the coldness of Baguio. Restaurant Verbena is part of the chain of restaurants by the Discovery group and sits at the heart of Tagaytay city. Here's what we ate for dinner:

Complimentary freshly baked bread with Dips & Spreads

Our a la carte dinner started with their complimentary bread with dips and spreads. All their dips were extremely good and even the bread was freshly baked because it was still very soft inside.

Roasted Bone Marrow with Caramelized Onions & Melba Toasts

This was our appetizer. Although this has an extremely winning taste on our tummies, you should take precaution when eating bone marrow due to the fact that it can lead to certain heart ailments. It's good to share for a group so you can divide the amount of fat (haha) between all of you, but between two people, it just seems too much! We can't deny the goodness of the taste, though! Thirdy, being his usual big eater self, felt pain in the lower part at the back of his neck due to too much cholesterol! 

Black Truffle Risotto with Deep-fried Soft boiled egg

This was Thirdy's favorite dish because of how extremely creamy the risotto was. The arborio rice (which is the type of rice utilized to make risotto because it turns creamy once cooked) was al dente! The serving of the truffle was generous which complimented the taste of the risotto greatly. The risotto was topped with lardons or salted pork.

Thirdy most especially liked the cooking technique done on the egg because it became soft-boiled despite deep frying it, which is an unlikely technique in other restaurants.

Seared Chilean Sea Bass with Garlic Confit, Pomme Puree
Portobello Mushrooms and Asparagus

This was my favorite dish! The mashed potato was so creamy instead of grainy, which made it so smooth to eat in the mouth. It was cooked well because despite the creaminess, it wasn't runny, but instead, was able to hold the texture of the mashed potato well. The chilean sea bass was extremely good because it was soft, as if freshly caught from the sea. It was cooked so well that I could still taste the amazing flavor of the fish.

Restaurant Verbena's Al Fresco dining area

Since we were out on a date, we decided to stay in the al fresco dining area which was such a treat! The cold weather in Tagaytay really made the atmosphere more romantic.

Restaurant Verbena's Main Dining; view from the Al fresco area

Restaurant Verbena's Main Dining

Their service was really good too, because the waiters attended to you quickly and were very hospitable. We suggest that you guys try this out when you're out on a date, or even when you want to dine with your family for great food quality.

Restaurant Verbena at Discovery Country Suites, Tagaytay City

Address:
300 Calamba Road, San Jose, Tagaytay City
4120 Philippines
Telephone:+ (63 46) 413.4567 (Tagaytay)