Tea & I

Tealiciously different! :)

     It was a hot afternoon and we were raring for some refreshing time out of the sun. We spotted a small tea house and were soon heading up to see this new place.

Tea beckons us to enjoy quality time with

friends and loved ones, and especially to

rediscover the art of relaxed conversation.

- Dorothea Johnson

     Tea & I just recently opened in this not readily noticeable location. It's located at the third floor of Zen's Building along Ayala Highway. They open at 10am until 10 in the evening.

AMBIANCE

Warm & Cozy

     The place is simple, with a relaxing ambiance perfect for enjoying your cup of tea. On the left side of the room, as you enter is a table by the wall with high seats. In the middle is a round table coupled with soft cushioned seats while on the far end is a small seating area good for a group of 4. There aren't many decors yet as the store has just opened last March 25.

Good for 4 :)

Bag of Beans: Coffee Shop & Bakery

B.O.B. :)

     It was still drizzling when we finished our late lunch and after roaming around Sonya's Garden. Since we love trying out new restaurants, we headed back to Bag of Beans which we passed on the way to Sonya's Garden. We heard that they had great coffee, desserts as well as a nice ambiance.  Read on to see what the fuss is all about :)

Welcome!

     Bag of Beans is not just a coffee shop and bakery but a garden restaurant, too. They serve all-day breakfast, rice meals, pastas, a variety of baked goods and desserts. They also offer a wedding package for newlyweds who want to have their reception here. It's along Aguinaldo Highway and is easy to spot. 

     Once you enter the bakery, the aroma of coffee and freshly baked good greets you, as well as a glass display of some of their delicious desserts. You'd then be ushered in a small open space, much like a balcony, overseeing the garden below. You can either choose to stay inside the small cafe or outside the garden. They have ample seating areas and each uniquely designed.

GARDEN RESTAURANT

The Bakeshop

     The garden downstairs was spacious and so relaxing! There were odd flowering plants all around that bring color to the place. By the corner is a birdcage with a myna bird which sadly was quiet that time. Hehe! It probably was not in the mood because of the rain?! We wanted to stay out but the rain didn't let up.

Al fresco dining

Out on the patio

Sonya's Garden: Country Bed & Breakfast

One of a kind garden

     Health comes to mind whenever the freshest ingredients are used. And what better way to experience a healthy diet than at Sonya's Garden. We've been wanting to dine here and the plan pushed through when we recommended the place to our dear friend Pius.


     The clouds were gloomy and the cold breeze seems to invite rain. But as usual, we don't let the rain ruin our day. Our umbrellas to the rescue! :p

Serene Haven

Thought to ponder

     Sonya's Garden is a restaurant, cafe as well as a bed & breakfast. It used to be a private garden, then the owner decided to have it opened to the public after being convinced by her family and friends. And thanks to them, we were able to share in their lovely experience at this place.

The Moon Garden Cafe

Two Hearty Meals at Moon Garden

     We had two meals when we were in Moon Garden. Our first was dinner during our first day stay and the other was a hearty breakfast included in the package.

On the menu

     They had a simple menu, one for breakfast, one for dinner or lunch. Breakfast meals included Filipino Style Breakfast (Homemade Corned Beef, Crispy Espada, Crispy Adobo Flakes, Crispy Paksiw na Bilong-Bilong, Cripsy Longganisa, served with scrambled egg, pickled veggies, and garlic fried rice) while the other menu served Garden Style Breakfast (A choice of egg, bread basket with butter or cereals). They use the freshest ingredients which make for a very hearty meal! :)

The Dinner

Dinner by the hut

     We decided to have our dinner in this hut -- as was mentioned in our previous post, it was surrounded by a pond with numerous lilies and plants. Dinner was just so relaxing! :)

Waterlilies

     The sofas were comfortable and soft, coupled with equally comfortable and colorful pillows. The table was low though but we didn't mind. :p

Comfortable Sofa

Moon Garden

Moon Garden, Tagaytay

     We've read about this unique garden in blogs and wanted to experience this one of a kind place! We searched and asked around how to get there -- not an easy task. Haha! But it was worth it once we got there. Read on and find out why! :)

Happy Moon ^_^

     Moon Garden is a moon-themed garden restaurant, also a perfect wedding venue with a spacious reception area that can seat up to 200 people, and casitas available for accommodation.

Pathway

Lush greens

     We thought the place was really nice and peaceful. There were not too many guests so the garden was so quiet, serene. We loved the whole natural, fresh vibe! :)

THE PLACE

Rich gardens

     The place was abound with a variety of trees, bushes, vines, flowers, along with the hanging happy moons, colorful paintings and nice garden settings. It feels so relaxing and cool thanks to the lush greens and fresh air!  

Casa Santa

House of Santa

     Do you believe in Santa? Father Christmas? Saint Nicholas? You'd be delighted with the many figurines, dolls, objects inspired by Santa found in this house! To get there, we rode an FX from Cubao to Antipolo then took a tricycle to Casa Santa. 

     Santa Claus' story begins with Nicholas who became a bishop and then a saint. He was known for his generosity to the needy and for being the patron and protector of children, sailors and voyagers.

Gingerbread house :p

     Casa Santa is inside Jardin de Miramar, a garden-like venue for parties and different celebrations. The Jardin has different themed areas, gazebos, and function/ reception halls. 

The Owner of Casa Santa

     Casa Santa houses over 3,000 Santas in every form and size collected by the owners of Jardin de Miramar. The Casa was formerly a rest house, and was just converted into a museum in 1995. Unlike other museums, visitors can look at the items closely, even play with them! There are Santas dressed like athletes, in national costumes, as bishops and more! 


    There are home decors inspired by Santa like plates, glasses, utensils, some stuffed Santas, as well as small Santa figurines and display items. The entrance fee is 150php per person.

     In front of the house, you'll be greeted by a Santa who's seated and seems like to be inviting you to sit on his lap! There's also one by the door going up a ladder. :) There were a lot to see so we toured the house in parts! :)

Ugu Bigyan's Secret Pottery Garden: The Food

Mini Huts

     We made reservations before going to Ugu Bigyan's Garden and Restaurant. We thought we won't be able to have lunch there since a minimum of 5 persons was required according to blogs we've read. Fortunately, he was kind enough to entertain us, even if it's just the two of us. :)

Saying our graces before the meal

     We were seated at the kubo at the back. It was an al fresco dining expereince, with matching soothing background music, a bit of rain, and the sound of chimes handmade by Ugu himself.

     After saying our graces, we then feasted on such delectable dishes! ^_^

Made from clay

     The food served were all very enticing and scrumptious! Some we've never tried before, others - better versions! We were given 9 different dishes -- what a full, heavy lunch! Haha! :D

SOUP

Soup

     The soup, served in handmade pottery, was warm, tasty and perfect for the rainy weather. It had bits of chicken, onion leaks, pork and was just so filling. It was the perfect start to our late lunch.

Casa Roces Malacañan

Casa Roces Malacañan

     From Cupcakes by Sonja, we took the Fort bus to Ayala, rode the MRT to Cubao, transferred to the LRT and went down Legarda station. We then walked to the Malacanang Palace until we reached Gate 3, in front of Casa Roces. Whew!:/

Entrance to Casa Roces

     Casa Roces is literally right across the street of the Malacañang Palace. The restaurant and cafe was only recently renovated from an ancestral house of a family of artists and writers.

Entrance

     Upon entering the property, a serene pond with a unique artful piece in the middle of it greeted us. The door was also an eye catcher! It looked like a castle door with the matching ring for knocking. The door frame was exceptional with the intricate metallic design. A welcoming sight indeed! =)

 Grand centerpiece

     There were two entrance passages to the restaurant. The first one was at the left side for those who brought their cars. Upon entering, they'd see this grand centerpiece of a unique flower arrangement coupled with the beautiful chandelier. There were also framed photos on the walls which gave a homey feel.

The bar

 Scrumptious desserts! ^_^

     For those on foot like us, this is the scene that greeted us. There was a bar type counter, a display for the cakes and pastries and a nook where they sell jewelry, books and other novelty items.

Earth Café

Welcome to Earth Café

     
     After the feast for our eyes at Pinto Art Museum, it was now time for a feast for our tummies! We're ready to try Earth Café's organic dishes after walking around the vast galleries. We're so happy that we were able to dine at Earth Café before it closed.

Garden Setting

Stone Pathway

      Earth Café, owned by Chef Ricci and Ms. Irene of Laya, is inside Pinto Art Museum. Like at Laya, they serve organic dishes with fresh herbs as well as beverages. It is in the middle of a garden which is true to its name. You become one with the earth with the food you eat and where you eat, surrounded by lush trees and bushes, colorful flowers and a beautiful garden landscape.

More Art :p

Al Fresco Dining

     Earth Café has an outdoor kitchen, as well as seating by the garden. There are also seats inside the gallery for those who want to dine while appreciating the beauty of the displays. Inside the gallery are paintings, sculptures, and works of art using various media.

Kape Pilato Bistro Café

Kape Pilato

     Kape Pilato is a budding new restaurant in Malate, Manila. The interiors of the two-story establishment look high-end, really modern, and spacious! You'd expect that the food prices are high but they're affordable. They even have combo meals. =) And the food looks, smells and tastes great!

View from the top

     On the walls on the left of the resto are the words coffee in different languages like cafe, kope, caffe, and ko-pyi in French, Hawaiian, Italian and Korean.

THE TABLES

     The chairs and tables all have modern designs, putting emphasis on clean lines, different shapes and the colors white, black and silver.

Modern-designed tables

     On the second floor are booth types of black and white seats, again with the modern feel, as well as a mini bar with bright cherry red seating. This area is perfect for big groups or families enjoying their meal. =)

Mini bar

Booths

Café Noriter

Welcome to Noriter!

     It was on a stormy day that we went to Café Noriter. We were planning to go there for quite some time now. It's just unfortunate that Typhoon Juaning decided to join us on the day we were to eat at Noriter. But she can't stop us! We pushed through with our plan and took the LRT to get there.

Playground

Sweet couple =p

     "Noriter" is a Korean word for playground which truly embodies the feel of the place. Around the room are stuffed toys, quirky works of art on the walls, fun lighting, and doodles from the customers themselves. The overall feel of the place is playful, fun and cheerful. :)

Cupssss =p

Own design

     Scattered around the whole cafe are cups designed by the customers. A non-expensive way to decorate the place while showing off some really good works of art, right? ;)

Laya: Personal Dining Experience

     For our 41st monthsary last September 2010, we dined at Laya in Antipolo. It is Chef Ricci and Ms. Irene's home which they gladly shared to others, along with Chef's masterful skills in the kitchen.

Welcome to Laya

     Last week, we received a message from Laya, saying that they will be bidding farewell to their culinary journey here in the Philippines. Their goodbye and thank you letter can be found in their Multiply site -- http://layapersonaldining.multiply.com/journal/item/47/Goodbye_and_thank_you.

     We dedicate this blog to them, for giving us such a wonderful, one-of-a-kind dining experience! They would be closing Laya and their newly opened Earth Cafe at Pinto Museum, also in Antipolo, by the end of July and would be starting a new chapter in their lives. We'd like to share our unforgettable day at Laya as a way to let them know how much we appreciate them for their kindness, hospitality and especially the food they shared with us! :)

Contact information

     It is through Multiply that we have come to know about Laya - and boy were we excited to go there! It's our first time to have a kind of formal dining where a 6-course meal is served and introduced by the chef himself! It really was a wonderful feeling! Each dish would be brought to us and Chef Ricci would proudly describe what he made for us.

Serenity

     LAYA is a private kitchen, hidden in hilly Antipolo where we seek to give each of our guests a unique, private and personal dining experience all their own.

     Once you enter the gate, you would climb up cobblestone steps and see the facade of their home, an open balcony where the guests get to taste Chef Ricci's Thai-inspired creations. They have a pool and a cabana where you can relax and enjoy the sun. To the side is a small bar where they can have snacks and savor drinks. :)