T-House Complimentary Breakfast Meal

The next day we had our fabulous breakfast. The restaurant was unoccupied, which was nice because we got to settle in before the rush. The waiter handed the menus to us, and we were then offered with buffet assortment of breads laid on the baskets with choices of herbed and garlic butter. And there was also a good platter of sliced fresh fruits such as papaya, mango and pineapple.

We both had a cup of freshly brewed coffee. Then I opted for the Rich Chocolate Homemade Pancake with bacon, butter and jam. Since this was a complimentary breakfast, I just paid Php 50.00 (Original price is Php 200.00 for walk-in guests). I loved the huge layered pancake, which has an interesting combination of sweet and mildly salty flavors. I just wish they drizzled more chocolate syrup and more bacons on top. *big grin*



And hubby had his complimentary Hawaiian Chicken Tocino Rice Meal served with choice of eggs, garlic rice and three kinds of salsa. (Price: Php 185.00 for walk-in guests)



Soon after we came out of the restaurant with a heavy tummy. I hate to leave such good tasting food on the plate but I was way too full already, so 1/4 of my pancake was left untouched. *gloomy face*

During the day, the restaurant gives you a homey type of atmosphere.


The kitchen can be viewed outside through the glass wall where you get to see directly the chef and staffs where they efficiently prepared the food.

T-HOUSE: FOUR-COURSE DINNER

From the moment we walked-in, we felt like we were in a classic jazz bar. There were an in-house pianist and a flutist playing with undeniable light jazz feel serenading the guests.

The ambiance was very intimate and romantic without being too stuffy. But sometimes we couldn't avoid good eavesdropping on private conversations at this cute tiny restaurant. We were given a complimentary bread before we started our dinner. We enjoyed our four-course meal from a selection of set menu, served with two choices of soup with breadstick, salad, entrée and the dessert of the day. Our server was very attentive.

To illustrate the point, here's what I chose for my Four-Course Meal:

First Course - Two choices of soup:
Fresh Tomato rich and tart made with secret mix of herbs for an explosion of flavor &
Carrot & Coriander, smooth and creamy served with yoghurt for a surprisingly clean finish.
Second Course – Salad:
Tuna Citrus Salad with olives, white cheese and roasted capsicum vinaigrette.
Third Course - Entree:
Fillet of Fish a la Crème Saffron, hearty gourmet grilled marinated fish in freshly picked dill dressing served with zesty saffron cream with capsicum and shitake mushroom.
Fourth Course:
The dessert of the day

For his four-course meal , hubby chose the following:

First Course - Two choices of soup:
Fresh Tomato, rich and tart made with secret mix of herbs for an explosion of flavor &
Carrot & Coriander, smooth and creamy served with yoghurt for a surprisingly clean finish.
Second Course – Salad:
Grilled vegetable Salad, with feta cheese and balsamic vinaigrette.
Third Course - Entree:
Roast Rack of Pork with Caramelized Honey Onions flavorful and robust pork ribs served with caramelized honey onions over roasted garlic mashed potatoes.
Fourth Course:
The dessert of the day

The truth was, I asked my husband if we can exchanged our salad. And he quickly nodded. I must say, the Tuna Citrus Salad & Fillet of Fish a la Saffron dishes were perhaps the most impressive of all.

Too bad, we didn't had the free personalized mini-cake with candle. I was really looking forward and wanted it on the side of my husband's dessert plate! During one of our e-mail conversations, I had mentioned about my hubby's birthday and revealed to them that we're the "shy type" of people. Maybe they got me wrong. What we just don't want is to be the center of attention. We have this introverted disposition that generally prefers to hide from the spotlight. But that doesn't mean we don't appreciate surprises or we don't like to receive little gifts. WE LOVE IT! They could have just given us this present surreptitiously. hahaha... Anyways, hubby and I still enjoyed every bit of our meal. We both agreed that the food satisfied us and delighted our appetite. I would say that the food is definitely unique in its flavor and overall it was worth the price. We'll be going here again when we get the chance.

During our e-mail exchanges, they also offered us their "Wine & Cheese" package (Php 400.00/nett per person). An eat-all-you can and drink-all-you can of White and Red Wine plus cheese. But we politely declined the offer since we don't drink wines or any alcoholic beverages at all.

(Wine and Cheese)

After a hearty meal, we proceeded to walk down the dim-lighted streets outside T-House. We were trying to take photos of the pension and inn nearby but we were unable to capture some nice shots.:( And here's one crappy picture that we took...

(Keni Po Rooms for rent)

FOUR-COURSE MEAL
Price (Before): Php 550.00 per head
Price (Now-2008): Php 650.00 per head, inclusive of VAT and service charge.

T HOUSE TAGAYTAY

I chose T-HOUSE for my husband's post-birthday celebration after seeing rave reviews on other forums. As soon as we arrived, we were warmly welcomed with a refreshing drink. After checking in, one of the staff led us to our Luxe Garden Suite (Earth), Php 6,325.00 per night. Our room had air-conditioned with hot and cold shower, 24" flat screen cable TV and WIFI access. Ameneties such as shampoo and soap, bath and hand towels were provided. And it comes with a complimentary breakfast for two the following morning.

Outside our front door...



Upon entering our room, I was in 7th heaven when I saw our gigantic bed (I thought). Soon I grabbed and tucked into the beddings, but my delight was soon deflated, when I noticed that it was just two beds combined.


Quite frankly, although I'm a fan of modern & chic design, I also admire simplicity, but I wasn't particulary impressed with the room; bathroom fixtures and fittings were just ordinary, and the flushing system of the water closet wasn't strong enough (being a former manager myself and, hubby currently working in a plumbing bathroom fixtures industry, we should know). Needless to say, the room had no bathtub and to think that it was the most expensive room.


And much to our dismay, about late at night we were unable to receive over-the-air cable TV signals until around 10:00 am the next morning. pffft... Although the room is decorated in a Zen style, some touches are a little shabby. It's in need of a little touch-up paint and decor reinvigoration. Plus the place doesn't offer great views of the Taal Lake and city. However, the room was clean and EXTREMELY SPACIOUS which was very comfortable for us.



And my favorite place was the large canopy sofa bed with lots of pillows, just right outside at the back door to our room.


It provides a perfect setting, especially at night when hubby and I took a complimentary Good night Tea, while hearing the sound of fountains that brings peace and tranquility everywhere, gazing at trees and feeling the cold windy atmosphere.

T-House at night

My hubby and I were just goofing around with our camera.


T-House has Zen-inspired rooms and landscapes with 15-room bed and breakfast. Each room has different personality. Divided into three clusters-Fire, Earth and Water - each has its "Yin" and "Yang". For ultimate relaxation, they also offer a full body massage, aromatherapy massage, foot spa and natural facial. Advance booking is required at the front desk.

Generally, our stay was just okay. I would say this place is not for everyone but might be ideal for some!

Address:
T-House
3195 Calamba Road,
Tagaytay City
Tel. No. (046) 4830011, (046) 4830012

JOSEPHINE RESTAURANT

Hubby and I arrived quite late in Tagaytay City, it was around 2:00 pm. Since we were very hungry, we proceeded directly to Josephine Restaurant .

We have been here several times and we always have a great lunch. I really like this place, which definitely lives up to its name by offering the tradition of serving the finest Philippine cuisine and fresh seafood the way Lolas (Grandma) used to make them.

The restaurant offers a comfortable setting, and is the perfect place to spend time with family and friends. Diners will feel right at home in the casual upscale atmosphere. The area is spaciously designed with main dining room, bar, private room and a large patio with a superb view of the Taal Volcano and the surroundings.



We ordered steamed rice (Php 60.00), calamares pritos (Php 220.00), pork sisig (Php 220.00), sinigang baboy (Php 240.00), and sorbeturon (Php 90.00) for dessert. The food was excellent. The dessert was very appealing and was the highlight of my lunch. We were very relaxed, comfortable and dawdling while we savored the food. For drinks we had Cucumber Cooler (Php 80.00) and Josephines Ice Tea (Php 70.00). Ten percent service charge are not yet included.

Cucumber Cooler and Josephines Ice Tea

After we had our lunch, we walked around for a bit and I took photos swiftly before we headed to T-House.


Aside from a la carte, they also offer:
Breakfast Buffet Weekends: (Rates as of January 2008)
-P255.00+ per person
-clean plate price
-no sharing, no leftovers
-P510.00+ per person, regular price

Lunch Buffet Weekends:
-P320.00+ per person
-clean plate price
-no sharing, no leftovers
-P620.00+ per person, regular price

Visited on: December 1, 2007 for Lunch
Price : I lost my receipt
Number in party: 2

Address:
Josephine Restaurant
Kilometer 58,
Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo highway,
Tagaytay City

Opening Hours:
7AM - 10PM, Sunday to Thursday
7AM - 11PM, Friday and Saturday

TAGAYTAY CITY

The next day, hubby and I went to Tagaytay City for a weekend getaway. I had made our reservations through e-mail a week prior to our trip at T-HOUSE. Originally, our first choice was Boutique Bed and Breakfast but it was already fully booked at that time.

Tagaytay is an hour and 45 minutes by car from Metro Manila via South Luzon Tollway or through the Coastal Road. There are buses ply to Tagaytay from Manila everyday from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm., the BLTB and other bus companies have their terminals in Edsa, Pasay City, and at Baclaran, below LRT in Manila.



Tagaytay City is known as “The Garden City in the Sky”, famous as the grand viewing deck for the smallest volcano in the world, Taal Volcano. It is a volcano within a volcano within another lake. The place is characterized by relatively low temperature, low humidity and abundant rainfall. The whole place is endowed with an average temperature of 22.7 °C. Tagaytay is misty and is relatively cooler during the months of December, January and February. It is a vacation spot with cool and invigorating air, with accommodation ranging from simply-back-to-nature trekker to pampered lifestyle on urbanities.


Tagaytay City is located at the highest point of Cavite Province, Island of Luzon. It is linked by a national highway going to the province of Batangas and Metropolitan Manila. The place is covered with hills and mountains which are generally forest and open grasslands, while the north eastern areas are level to nearly-level areas alternating with gently sloping surfaces.



Tagaytay offers more than 200 rooms ranging from economy to superior and deluxe accommodation. Most hotels have air-conditioned rooms, hot and cold water, restaurants, and offer a good view of Taal Lake and Volcano. Convention and business facilities are available at the prestigious Development Academy of the Philippines as well as the numerous resorts and hotels. Most hotels accommodate walk-in customers. However, reservations are highly recommended especially during summer and weekends when tourist traffic is at its peak. Most major hotels have booking and reservation offices in Manila.

Most hotels have restaurants. A wide selection of food is available, from Filipino to International cuisine, plus abundant array of local fruits. "Tawilis", a small type of fish only found in the Taal Lake and "Maliputo" a prized delicacy, are served in most restaurants and are worth tasting. The "tawilis", is eaten either roasted or over hot coals or deep fried to a crisp. There are other specialty restaurants in the city that serve local and international cuisines. Most restaurants are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. For "pasalubong" or take-home food, you may try Colette's store.



There are many plants, flowers and fruits sold fresh on the side streets at very affordable prices, that's why many visitors never leave the city without bringing home some.



Jeepneys are the major means of transportation in the city. Tricycles (motorcycles with side cars) ply to the shorter routes. There are also car rental services in the area. In commuting to the outlying towns, you can take the buses which pass by Tagaytay City en route to these towns.

Most foreign currencies can be changed in many of the banks in the city. Major credit cards are accepted at hotels and restaurants.