An Afternoon at Antonio's
By Ellen Joy Anastacio
June 2004

It all started with an invitation by a friend. He asked us if we were up for lunch at this restaurant called Antonio's somewhere in Tagaytay City. He raved about the food, the organic vegetables, and from what I've also heard about this place, we were raring to go.

A few days later, he asked us if we could keep our Sunday free, as a relative of his had been able to make reservations at Antonio's. This was a nice surprise, as we were told that reservations for a table there normally take at least three weeks.

So early Sunday morning, we set off from the Southern part of Metro Manila on our way to Tagaytay City. Upon reaching the gate, we were met by a guard, who checked our reservations. Walk-in clients are not allowed; there are even stories circulating about this lady senator who was turned away because she tried to get in without a reservation! After parking, we walked through the red-graveled lot to reach the imposing wooden doors. And this is where the experience began.

Upon entering the restaurant, you get the feel of a cozy, ancestral home, complete with black and white pictures of relatives gone by on the walls. While waiting to be seated, we leaned against the railing to gaze at a koi fishpond below. We were then led to our table outside, overlooking their wonderful garden.

The setting was perfect; a chilly Tagaytay noontime, with a bit of drizzle to make it even cooler. With the balmy breeze, we studied the menu: oysters, scallops, foie gras with grape jelly, lamb, rib-eye steak, salmon…it was hard to decide which one to get! The white-uniformed waiter politely informed us that a main course order includes soup, salad, drink, dessert, and coffee or tea. After choosing the rib-eye steak, salad with poppy seeds and honey mustard dressing, and a double chocolate soufflé for dessert, we eagerly anticipated the fine dining experience upon us.

We tried the foie gras and grape jelly for starters; and while I was a bit hesitant at eating duck or goose liver, when I smeared it with the jelly over toasted bread, it was just deelish! Soon after, we were served our fresh greens. And there's no need to wonder at how fresh it is, because they grow their own veggies at their farm within the grounds! And if you thought monggo is just plain fare, you haven't tasted their cream of monggo soup…you wouldn't believe it's monggo.

While waiting for our rib-eye steaks to arrive, we took the time to enjoy the view of the lush green garden below us. There is really something to be said about dining at a place like this, where you are embraced by nature's own air conditioning, and where the view is a nice retreat from our usual urban landscape.

In a short while, our main courses finally arrived, and boy, were they worth the wait! Our medium-well steak, languishing in lovely, flavored olive oil, was done to perfection. Wonderfully browned on the outside, while retaining its juicy tenderness, the flavors exploded in my mouth as I savored the beautifully done rib eye steak. The serving was just right for two people, as specified in the menu. And with the salad, soup, drinks, and dessert also good for two, at P2,200.00, this meal was absolutely worth it.

Speaking of the dessert, when our double chocolate soufflés were brought to the table, it was all we could do to keep from sighing with gastronomic pleasure. After a wonderful meal, topping it with a decadent dessert was, well, like the icing on the cake, pardon the pun!

After our lovely lunch, I am now part of the camp that absolutely loves the dining experience at Antonio's. While the meals are a bit pricey, which will cost anywhere from P1,000 to P1,500 per person, the ambiance, the service, but most of all, the quality of the food, makes it all seem worth it.

So if you've got spare cash, time on your hands (the trip to and from Tagaytay will most likely eat up a huge chunk of your daytime), and a hankering for much more than the usual fare, Antonio's just might be your best bet. Happy eating!

GETTING THERE:
From Manila, take the South Luzon Expressway. Exit at Santa Rosa. Follow the long road until you reach Tagaytay. At the rotonda, turn right. Take the road that will lead you to the Taal Vista Lodge. Antonio's is farther up the road. Turn right when you see the Antonio's sign. Follow the signs leading to Antonio's. At the intersection, take the road with the arch (Bo. Neogan, Purok 7). After a few hundred meters, turn left to find Antonio's.

RESERVATIONS:
Call 0917-899-2866 for reservations and inquiries. Antonio's is open from Tuesdays to Sundays. Lunch is served from 11:30am to 1:30 pm while dinner is from 5:30-7:30pm.

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