TAGAYTAY.....THE HIGHLIFE IN THE HIGHLANDS

Credited having brought excitement back to Tagaytay, Chef Tonyboy Escalante continues to expand his culinary arm from the exquisite (almost 5 year old) and ambiance heavy Antonio's in Neogan(similar garden touches to Mozaic in Ubud,Bali), to the charming (yet expensive) Breakfast, to the Negrense styled grill of old (Antonios Grill)
Dont expect anything less but the best &magical from this Mandarin Oriental Manila Alumnus, many people still brave the traffic and the prices for German lechon, souffle and foie gras!

Dont be surprised to chance upon a proposal at table beside yours
Antonios (Neogan) is strictly by reservations

If youre tired of Josephines and Taaleno with all the mandatory tawilis(Taal lake fish), The Cliffhouse is a restaurant complex hosting Buon Giorno (italian resto), Domicillo home store & bar, manila bred cafe breton creperie, gelato by massimo, and the tasty (slightly pricey) fire lake grill. More magical at nights.
Other establishments nearby are starbucks, yellowcab pizza, mocha blends, figaro, antonios grill, etc...

Those needing a mandatory respite, Highlands and Midlands are exclusive clubs near the Tagaytay Peoples Park (You need to beg, steal and borrow a friend of a friend of a member to get in)

Weekends get pretty busy at both clubs and their diet-unfriendly Steakhouse may have its ups and downs (Theres one at the Mall of Asia, just in case with a knockout view of the Manila Sunset) but many swear (I being one of them) by the heavenly treatments at the log-cabin spa (Just be prepared to wrestle a booking at this popular place)

The countless touts offering rooms for rent all over the area, one may think Tagaytay only has these match boxes to offer.
Sonya Garcia is credited for bringing the charm back to the b & b scene in tagaytay with her successful and beautiful Sonya's Garden. Longtime Tagaytay resident Gourmet Cafe has their only delicate affair near their Aguinaldo highway resto. Highlands has their aspen inspired place while Country Suites by Discovery has milk and cookies ready for you at bed time (with a great pricey resto to boot). Novice establishment "The Boutique" has sophisticated rooms taking a note from the slew of boutique hotels (reminds me of new majestic... bathtubs overlooking taal and pillow choices anyone?) and turning japanese inspired T House gives a little oriental flavor to the scene. New Arrival Vanilla Suites is trying to wrestle for attention...

Unless your'e on fruits which are probably the only thing worth buying in tagaytay, youre better off ignoring the hundreds of vendors sellling the dreadful milk sweets espasol which have probably been made since you were born!

Better drop by the Good Shepherd Sisters at Maryridge Retreat House for your Ube Jam & Halo-Halo fix (Yam Jam they used to sell at their Baguio convent), Ilog ni Maria soaps, candles & lip balm (a sod to find on Aguinaldo Highway, way past Santi's and Gourmet... watch out for the sign its nearer silang), Sta Rosa road's Rowenas and Aguinaldo Highways Almira's Buko Tarts (not pie but expect to pay a bit more for presentation) and some tasty Batangas barako coffee

But should you take pity on the vendors... why not buy something uneventful as espasol.

Just a short low down of things to avoid like the plague... or like bird flu at least

1) "boats for hire" The Taal Volcano is a pretty sight from a far but its quite exhausting to ride a small dinggy to the island where you had to traverse, no shade around the volcanic mass formed millions of years ago. Oh yeah, did I mention that you have to pay for the horse when you get there. Just park your car on the highway, take a picture and go.. or just go to the many restos on the ridge and absorb it from a safe distance, your companions will thank you for it

2) Massimo's. Small family italian outfit named after the owner's son. Frankly, I dont know how this restaurant survives on bad food and atrocious service. But I guess, if youre a VIP and part of Manila's 500, their "quiet and demure" chef would probably acknowledge your existence on this planet, in some "quiet" way. Other than that, be ready to wait for dreadfully cold and uneventful food prepared in time for Christ's second coming!

3) Taal Vista Lodge... nice refurbishment & resto but very, very noisy and busy, especially during the weekends. Quite a ressemblance to its parents... SM we got it all for you! Oh yeah, they have some sort of entrance fee (be prepared)

4)Josephines...still an institution to bring your uncle from houston if you want to stuff your uncle and yourself silly with all the dishes our country has to offer then GO!

5)horsey horsey - paging P.E.T.A ... its plain animal cruelty...especially naming your malnourished steed :BON JOVI or ALANIS but if you really must... (great for the kids)

6) Casino Filipino... tacky tacky tacky, appalling! Steve Wynn where are you? Please give this casino a makeover!

7) Tierra ni Maria. Many flock to this dawdy (I know I might go to hell for this) shrine built by a "faith healer/devotee". Shouldnt there be only one per island, they have on EDSA already.... have mercy!

8) Residence Inn Zoo.... paging PETA and MMDA, this place spells havoc during weekends and holidays.

If you know one of these Filipino tycoons, maybe you can pay a visit to the beautiful Balai Taal. Its Amanpulo in Tagaytay (well, Filipino Architect Manosa transposed the beach property all the way here). Its actually an ultra exclusive subdivision with only 100 lots or something plus they have their own forest... A conversation with a tita-tita goes: where did you get your flowers, theyre beautiful.. Tita: I got them from our Forest! natch!

A cheerful greek expat named Manos runs his quaint namessake taverna on the main road with great mossaka, greek coffee and dizzying baklava!

When people in the metropolis have personal problems, they seek the Pink Sisters for prayers for restoration of their sanity... cheaper than going to a shrink. Avoid sundays but vespers and lauds are a welcome respite.

Nurture Spa. Reasonable and no faff. Simple and quiet operation.

A visit to the Franciscan Sisters for affordable breads and brownies.

Sanctuario for "age-defying" bulalo pasta (yes, bone marrow) and talicious (biscotti like sweets),spreads and coffee.

Bag of Beans for a quaint gardens setting,meat pies and nice coffee. Quite affordable and quite appropriate for those meaning of life and why am i single conversations that you have in any ordinary starbucks outfit but with ambiance! Ready your insect repellants friends.

Mushroom Burger, a bit more folksy than its more famous international sister with the letter M a few meters away but tasty and a sentimental favorite...

Need some spiritual time-out from our fast paced life.... try a few days of prayer & reflection at moorish & breezy Karis Retreat House

hmmm... here are a few others that Im going to make a point to visit soon...Esquina (not sure of the spelling) at Splendido

Near Toscana Farms, austrian inspired garden resto Chateau Hestia & delish vietnamese house Bawai (granda in vietnamese) has opened its doors for a great and leisurely lunch experience. Marcus & sis-in-law Maria open austrian garden resto Hestia with a delicious 4 course osso bucco meal which doesnt break the wallet.. plus the atmosphere and the friendliness of the owners makes one feel like just eating in someone's country home.... Bawai,a few meters away, is no fuss tasty down to earth vietnamese home cooking.. get your fresh spring rolls ready... btw, both are by reservations