Hence, I gave the very city I have lived my whole life in, a rest from my existence.
I went to Tagaytay today.
Yea, loser much.
Tagaytay is the only place to be if I wish to go out of town.
My dad is just too lazy to drive, and he does not trust me, nor any other people, driving us to such a far place.
And so, SLEX, we meet again.
I missed SLEX. SLEX gives me this rush, kilig-y feeling. LOL.
But this is not the place to explain why I get that feeling each time I drive there. haha
Okay. So I blog about food.
Yes, yes, Tagaytay is all about Kare-Kare and Bulalo.
IDK what's all the fuss in it anyway.
Many distinguished restaurants in the Metro serve such dishes way better than the ones in Tagaytay do.
And restaurants in Tagaytay serve way better dishes other than Kare-Kare and Bulalo as well, compared to restaurants here.
Cheap, yes, if you are willing to eat at their all-famous wet market.
But then, you miss out the whole foodie point of going all the way to Tagaytay: The Taal Lake view.
Yes, there are Josephine's or RSM or Leslie's which I could go for, for their DEFINITELY AMAZING ambience and perfect view of the Taal Lake while enjoying the infamous dishes.
But IDK, going there is like going all the way to Tagaytay for Starbucks.
While Bag of Beans is just there, awaiting for your discovery.
And after being in Tagaytay for the nth time, I am not for coffee anymore, nor Kare-Kare, not even Bulalo. I didn't come for the Buko Tart nor the Taal Lake either.
See, everytime I go to Tagaytay, I pass by this place.
I never had a single clue that it was a restaurant. I thought it was a museum or something.
And then a friend told me that it was, and so I immediately picked-up my camera, and started my engine.
True, I found the infrastructure really awesome.
Although, when I went inside, I started to find it confusing, it implies somewhat a clash of minimalism and the rustic olden days in the 60's.
But still, I love how Pamana recreates an ambience of an ancestral home.
And look! I wasn't wrong. It was indeed a museum! haha
Somehow :)
See, this restaurant is owned by Happy, belonging to the third generation Ongpauco clan who started the Barrio Fiesta empire.
Her mom, Liberty Ylagan, as my mom described, was really a someone in showbusiness back then. Hence, Pamana touches a history of showbusiness as well.
Living up to its name, Pamana offers food cooked in the tradition of a collection of heirloom recipes of the Ongpauco clan. They are a family of gourmands, chefs and foodies. Sheez how I wish I was a long lost daughter. LOL.
And yea, a family of artists too.
They also had recipes from prominent showbiz personalities back then like Helen Gamboa.
You have to read the entire menu in order to grasp the whole concept, and appreciate what Happy is trying to put out that Heart Evangelista failed to live on.
We ordered:
Pinangat na Laing
It was good, great even. Next to Xtraordinary Filipino's Laing with Melon, I do love this Laing. Well, since Xtraordinary Filipino is closed now, I guess it is THE BEST LAING my taste buds have set in contact with.
Although, initially, we wanted Tinuktok for our vegetable dish. It was similar to Laing, but the minced meat, shrimps and spices were wrapped in taro leaves then smothered in gata. Unlike that of Laing, which was mixed.
It was one of the house specialties. I was so disappointed that I drove all the way to Tagaytay and it was unavailable. :(
Three-Way Cooked Adobo
IDK why Adobo is the all-famous Filipino dish. I mean, it's not like we specialize in soy sauce or vinegar. Sheez IDK.
Most of the people I know even like Sinigang better.
Anyway, going back to the dish.
So any Filipino Themed restaurant is incomplete without this dish.
And so it bothered me that there were other ways in cooking Adobo.
Apparently, this is from Happy's three most favorite lolas. I forgot their names. Sorry :(
It included: Adobong Puti, Adobo Flakes, and Native Adobo Spareribs.
Adobong Puti was okay. I didn't like it all that much.
I didn't know how it was quantified as an Adobo.
I LOOOOOVED THE NATIVE ADOBO SPARERIBS! It was so good!
The vinegar, soy sauce, peppercorn and all other spices were blended in so well and the Spareribs were very juicy.
It definitely changed my way of thinking towards Adobo.
And since Happy also owns WorldTopps and they boast this all-famous Adobo Rice, knowing Pamana's tastes sooooo good, I might as well try it one of these days.
There was nothing so special about the Adobo Flakes.
I feel that it was Pork, shredded into thin pieces and placed inside SANDVIK for an hour. LOL.
But, it complements well with Laing.
It suddenly transforms into something like Laing with Chicharon.
Corned Beef Bulalo
Now this, THIS IS THE BOMB.
Yes, I do not leave Tagaytay without Bulalo in my tummy.
And Nilagang Bulalo nor Bulalo Steak was so forever ago.
This definitely revolutionized Corned Beef.
My sister is a big fan of Corned Beef, and Bulalo as well.
And to have both in one, is just one hell of a treat!
Pampanga's Sizzling Sisig at Aligue
MYGAAAAAAAAHHHHHDDD.
The best Sisig is not in Pampanga. IT'S IN TAGAYTAAAAAY!
This is the best, of all the best, period.
Filipino Fondue
This is a local Chocolate Addict's dream!
I for one, loves kakanin, and chocolate as well.
Like I said before, SUMANG TAAL IS THE BOMB.
Apparently, their practice was dipping it into a native chocolate concoction.
IT WAS LIKE HEAVEN ON EARTH!
Really, it's way, way, WAAAAAAY YUMMIER than strawberries or marshmallows dipped in chocolate.
I guess maybe it was because of the innate yumminess of the chocolate as well.
Although, I find this a bit pricey.
Kakanins are very cheap.
And what they did was just cut them into four parts.
Oh well, it's really good anyway so I shall extend forgiveness.
Crispy Turon and Ube Home-made Ice Cream
THIS IS SO FAIL :/
I didn't like it.
The Sorbetes was, as my sister said, "tastes like banana but it's color ube."
The Turon isn't any better.
Can I just say? The service water was exceptional! It was Pandan-flavored or something.
Although it takes centuries for the waiters to serve them to you/refill your glass.
Yea, Pamana indeed, everything took centuries :/
I hate the service. It was like the staff were from way past that they find moving hard already.
I think the way that the second floor is the main dining hall isn't very nice as well.
It's hard to get the server's attention especially when they are downstairs preparing the meals :/
Well, fine, the second floor really does showcase the cool breeze of Tagaytay.
But please put some waiters on post here as well :/
But over-all, I LOVE PAMANA.
I would definitely go back and bring there my overseas loves if ever they do come and visit.
I'd like to try other dishes in the menu as well.
Yea, I know, Pamana was never about Tagaytay.
Their Taal Lake View wasn't at all appealing.
Well, probably their Kare-Kare is good, since it is a Barrio Fiesta Favorite.
And like I said, the something Bulalo we had was superbly awesome as well.
Then again, I think Pamana isn't about "hey, I'm in Tagaytay."
I love Pamana because it brings its customers down the memory lane, it reminds us of the memories of lunches and dinners that were usual happy occasions celebrated with family and close friends.
As influential of a family as Ongpauco, or not, I still stand that memories are the most precious heirlooms in a family that you could proudly boost to others.
And I was in so much awe that Pamana helps contribute bring that back.
